Bachelor's in Industrial Design

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.

• 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 Chinese economy is rapidly transforming markets worldwide with creative ideas that are ‘Designed-in-China’ for international consumers. The Design Studio-Practice BEng Industrial Design programme provides a creative approach that integrates visual design with materials and technology, user interaction, socio-cultural context and innovative business models.

• Students work in well-invested studios, workshops and fablabs. They start by learning how to develop ideas and concepts through visual research and sketching, which they progress through prototyping and testing. This is enabled by access to traditional and innovative prototyping facilities, such as 3D scanning and printing and laser cutting.

• In addition to technical skills, students learn about the social and commercial roles of design, design theories, business models and how to think about users. Indeed, being a designer these days is as much about visual creativity as it is about social responsibility. Designing for a global sustainable future is part of the XJTLU ethos.

• Students are taught by renowned international designers and thinkers. They also have access to local and international networks of designers and manufacturers through extra-curricular activities and the networks of the staff team. Internships and placements are a fundamental part of learning. The mix of both academic and professional expertise, together with specialist technical resources, forms a rich experience to establish your profile as an Industrial Designer.

Why should I study Industrial Design at XJTLU?

• • Learn how to interpret user values into visually creative design solutions, for product design, furniture design, interaction design and spatial contexts.
• • Integrate professional prototyping and manufacturing processes with the latest 3D printers, CNC-machines, adaptive systems and sensors for interactive product design applications.
• • Participate in collaborative projects and/or internship opportunities at national and multinational companies
• • Study in Suzhou, one of China’s most multicultural cities, which provides a unique perspective based on world leading high tech companies and its rich cultural heritage
• • 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.

Knowledge and skills

By the time you graduate from the BEng Industrial Design you will have:

• • Ability to use creative skills for the development and production of products, consumer goods and interactive designs and furniture design.
• • Understanding how technology innovation and adaptive systems can be integrated into future products
• • User research processes to explore and design for user-experience in different markets and consumer contexts
• • Awareness of cross-cultural aspects of designing for the Chinese market and other contexts
• • Knowledge of materials structure and specification for high volume manufactured products
• • Marketing and practical model-making skills in presenting design development processes.
• • Visual Language and Form development to build presentations through development processes.

Careers

• You will be well prepared to work in design, and research and development departments of multinational enterprises or as design consultants and freelance designers. Because of the cross-cultural focus of the programme, you are well-positioned to work internationally. You will also gain a solid foundation for postgraduate study or other professional careers in areas that emphasise conceptual thinking, communication skills and the cross-cultural appreciation of creativity, innovation processes, user needs and behaviours and consumer markets.

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.