Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU)

Bachelor in Civil Engineering

Suzhou, China

The Bachelor in Civil Engineering at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) is a 4 year long program for international students taught in English.

Introduction

Xi’an Jiaotong – Liverpool University (XJTLU) is a new international university jointly founded by Xi’an Jiaotong University China and the University of Liverpool UK as a joint venture. As an independent Sino-Foreign cooperative university, it captures the essence of both prestigious parent universities and is the first and only one of its kind approved by the Ministry of Education in China.

The University offers undergraduate degree programmes in the fields of science, engineering and management, and awards both its own Chinese degree and a degree from the University of Liverpool.

About the Program

• IMPORTANT NOTE: Students with Chinese nationality can not apply to XJTLU as foreign students, even if they were born outside China. Students with Chinese nationality need to pass the National College Entrance Examination (NCEE), also known as Gaokao, in order to get into a university in China.

Overview

• The BEng Civil Engineering programme provides a theoretically comprehensive and industry-oriented learning experience to ensure that you graduate prepared for a successful career in this dynamic field.

Civil engineers contribute significantly to the development of society by planning, designing, constructing and managing infrastructure. The construction of buildings, bridges, roads, tunnels, ports, harbours, drainage systems and water treatment plants are all carried out by civil engineers.

Upon graduation you will have fully satisfied the educational base for an Incorporated Engineer (IEng) in the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) in the United Kingdom, and partially satisfied the educational base for a Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Why should I study Civil Engineering at XJTLU?

  • Graduate from a programme accredited by Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) in the United Kingdom, enabling you to become a world-recognised chartered engineer
  • Gain hands-on experience through site visits, fieldwork, workshops led by industry professionals, lab experiments, and the use of computer analysis software and the latest technologies
  • Choose to enroll in the optional exchange programme at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom for Year Three of your studies
  • Learn from international academic staff who will provide you with an outstanding learning experience and opportunities to work on current research projects and papers
  • Earn two degrees: an XJTLU degree from the Chinese Ministry of Education and a globally recognised degree from the University of Liverpool, a member of the Russell Group of leading UK universities.

Accreditation

BEng (Hons) Accredited CEng (Partial)

This degree is accredited as:

1. fully satisfying the educational base for an Incorporated Engineer (IEng).
2. partially satisfying the educational base for a Chartered Engineer (CEng). A programme of accredited Further Learning will be required to complete the educational base for CEng.

Knowledge and skills

By the time you graduate from the BEng Civil Engineering programme, you will have:

  • completed a civil engineering design project with clearly defined requirements and constraints
  • an understanding of the principles of project management, including allocating project resources effectively
  • the skills to apply modern construction practices in real-world settings
  • the ability to critically apply a range of qualitative and quantitative techniques relevant to the analysis and solution of civil engineering problems.

Careers

Graduates from this programme are well prepared for roles such as structural engineer, project manager, consulting engineer, construction inspector, hydraulic engineer and geotechnical engineer in both the private and public sectors. The programme also offers a strong foundation for further study or a research career with many of our graduates pursuing postgraduate qualifications at some of the world’s top universities.

About the University

Why Choose XJTLU?

  • Two Degrees: 1 from the University of Liverpool & 1 from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (Bachelor's students)
  • The University of Liverpool degree (Master's and PhD students)
  • All degree courses are taught 100% in English.
  • No knowledge of the Chinese language is required to apply to XJTLU.
  • Learn free of charge Chinese alongside your course.
  • A friendly international community.
  • International Opportunities: "2+2" study route to the University of Liverpool, UK for undergraduate students (more than 3,500 XJTLU students are now studying at the University of Liverpool, UK through "2+2")
  • International Opportunities: Wide range of study abroad opportunities in partner institutions in Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, the UK, the USA, South Korea, Russia, etc.
  • International Opportunities: Partnerships with multinational companies in the likes of HSBC, Standard Chartered, Siemens, KPMG, Alstom, Schneider, ICBC, etc.

About Suzhou

You have the opportunity to live in one of the most culturally rich areas of China, with Suzhou’s UNESCO World Heritage gardens and canals famous around the world.

Suzhou combines its rich 2,500-year-old history with a drive to become one of the most modern cities in China. It has a population of more than six million and a GDP of a trillion RMB – far larger than those of many entire countries!

Alongside its beautiful tourist spots, Suzhou has many excellent learning resources and sports facilities, a great choice of shopping malls, cinemas and restaurants, and a variety of bars and nightclubs.

Today, the city’s canals, stone bridges, pagodas, and meticulously designed gardens have contributed to its status as one of the top tourist attractions in China. The classical gardens in Suzhou were added to the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1997 and 2000.

Suzhou is located in the southeast of Jiangsu Province in eastern China. Within Suzhou is Suzhou Industrial Park, one of the most competitive development zones in China. This area also contains the Suzhou Dushu Lake Science and Education Innovation District (home to XJTLU), which sits beside Dushu Lake, one of two lakes in SIP.

Central Shanghai can be reached from Suzhou in just 30 minutes by high-speed train.

Library

XJTLU students have access to a wide range of library resources, from books and journals to electronic databases and articles. The library plays a key role as a research support and learning centre for the University, developing its collection by focusing on subject development and research requirements.

The library currently holds over 500,000 books, which are added to and updated throughout the year in response to requests from academic departments. It provides 22,000 square metres of space, housing 300 PCs and 2,500 seats for studying, discussion and computer and studio work.

Campuses

North Campus

Full of striking, architecturally impressive buildings, our North Campus provides state-of-the art teaching, laboratory, research and support facilities. This includes the award-winning and iconic Central Building, which houses our library.

The campus also has sports facilities, world class-fully equipped science and engineering laboratories, International Business School Suzhou, and design studios, as well as a variety of catering facilities, including Subway, Pacific Coffee Company, and many canteen-style fast-food options.

Landscaped gardens complement pieces of modern art to create a campus environment that has become one of the striking features of Suzhou Industrial Park.

South Campus

The first phase of our South Campus was opened to the public on 26 July 2016, as a major part of the University’s 10th anniversary celebrations.

Architecturally it contrasts our North Campus and features modern designs that complement the surrounding area. Eventually, the South Campus will satisfy the learning and teaching needs of approximately 6,000 XJTLU students as well as the University’s academic exchanges and research development plans. It will consist of eight buildings and be developed over two further phases:

Phase II: International Business School Suzhou at XJTLU

This phase will see the completion of a new building for International Business School Suzhou, set to open by the end of 2017.

PHASE III: XJTLU-GF School of Film and Television Arts and XJTLU Gym

Phase III consists of two buildings – the construction of the XJTLU-GF School of Film and Television Arts and a gym. Both buildings are expected to open by the end of 2018. The development of the School, in collaboration with financial services provider Gold Finance Group, is a significant part of XJTLU’s academic development strategy. It will mix digital media arts and film and television production and technology with performance and acting. The gym will provide improved and diversified sports facilities for students and staff on campus.

Living in University

When you come to XJTLU, you will have the opportunity to try a whole range of different sports and activities as well as developing any existing skills you already have.

Student clubs and societies

Student clubs and societies play an important part of student life. XJTLU has many organisations with themes such as art, sports, music, entrepreneurship, dance to name but a few. Some of the more established groups include a Model United Nations and the Student Union.

Another society, Intercom, provides a platform for all international students to arrange activities and events, and share ideas and experiences with the wider student body.

Catering

3 canteens, 3 coffee shops, Bar, Restaurants

Sports

Currently, 21 sports are offered through PE classes at XJTLU, including badminton, basketball, belly dancing, billiards, boxing, bridge, Chinese martial arts, football, free combat, body building, golf, popping, roller-skating, sport dancing, table tennis, taekwondo, tai chi, tai chi sword, tennis, Ultimate Frisbee and yoga.

We have outside sport facilities that include basketball and tennis courts as well as indoor facilities, such as a golf training venue, gym, dance room, and table tennis room. There is also a football field located next to the new South Campus.

Accommodation

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You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

How to Book

Register when you arrive

It’s not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it.

Fees

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Application Fee
0 USD
Tuition Fee
12,430 USD per year

Entry Requirements

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English proficiency required: IELTS 5.5-6.0 (Primary)

All students from all countries are eligible to apply to this program.

Admissions Process

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  1. 1
    Step 1 Choose programs
  2. 2
    Step 2 Apply online
  3. 3
    Step 3 Enroll
Preparing documents

You can start your application now and send the application documents during your application. Some documents you can send later if you don’t have them right away. See document and eligibility requirements

Required documents

• Curriculum Vitae

• English Language Certificate

• Personal Statement

• Your Highest Academic Transcript (in English)

• Your Photograph

• Your Graduation Certificate (in English)

• Your Passport Copy

Application process

• Applying Online is simple in just a few steps. Learn more about the application process

• The first steps are to choose the programs, pay the application fee and upload the application documents.

• Once submitted to Global Admissions, we will review your application within 2-3 days and proceed to the university or ask you for further clarification

• After it has been processed to the university you will receive your unique application ID from each university.

• The university may contact you directly for further questions.

• We will then follow up each week with the university for updates. As soon as there is any update we will let you know. If you have made other plans, decide to withdraw / change address at any time please let us know.

• After you have been accepted you will receive your admissions letter electronically and asked to pay the non-refundable deposit to the university.

• Once you have paid the deposit the university will issue you the admissions letter and visa form to your home country.

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) Reviews

Location
8.9
Accommodation
6.8
Food
7.4
Student experience
8.0
Value for money
8.4
Classes
8.0
Facilities
9.2
Recommend a friend?
8.6

Li W.

8.5

Self funded · Lived on campus · Bachelor in Information and Computing Science

The library is an architectural marvel and a great place to focus, making the intense workload more manageable.

Reviewed on January 22, 2026

Sarah M.

8.1

Self funded

XJTLU is the perfect bridge for those who want an international degree while experiencing the heart of China's tech hub.

Reviewed on January 22, 2026

Kevin Zhang

7.9

Self funded · Lived on campus · Bachelor in Architectural Engineering

Don't expect to be spoon-fed; XJTLU demands a high level of independence from day one.

Reviewed on January 22, 2026

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