University of Michigan - Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute
Shanghai, CHINA
University Info | Exchange Student Info
Introduction
The UM-SJTU Joint Institute (JI) is an equal-partner institution founded in 2006 by the University of Michigan (UM) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). JI offers full undergraduate and graduate programs in mechanical engineering (ME) as well as in electrical and computer engineering (ECE). Both programs follow the curriculum of the University of Michigan and are fully in English. All program courses, including those in engineering, mathematics, physics, chemistry, humanities and social sciences are taught exclusively in English by JI faculty.
As of July 2015, JI has 50 faculty members from China, the United States, Canada, Poland, Germany, France, and many other countries.
Around 1,100 students are enrolled in the four-year undergraduate program, while the graduate program numbers more than 100 Masters and PhD students.
Students at JI are recruited from all over China and represent some of the best young talent. The courses offered at JI are taught at a correspondingly high academic level.
JI is very active in developing international partnerships and exchanges, so Global E3 students will meet a continually increasing number of international students on the JI campus.
Terms of Exchange
Study Level
- Undergraduate students: Accepted
- Graduate students: NOT Accepted
Language of Instruction
English
English Proficiency Requirements
- Minimum TOEFL iBT score – 84
- Minimum IELTS score – 6.5
Study Period
Summer and Fall
Exchange applications are not accepted for the Spring term.
Students applying for the Summer semester should complete the Global E3 application by February 15.
Academic Calendar | Semester Dates (including exam period)
JI has two main academic terms: Summer and Fall. The start of the summer term (mid-May) is shortly after the end of the spring term at UM, so that students from universities following UM's calendar may study at JI without missing any spring term courses. The fall term starts in early or mid-September and ends before Christmas. In most institutions, this allows students to spend their fall term at JI with no impact to their remaining academic year.
- Fall: 14 weeks (of which one is a holiday week) from mid-September to late December
- Spring: 10 weeks from late February to late April
- Summer: 13 weeks from mid-May to mid-August
These term dates include the time taken for final examinations. Fall and Summer are the major semesters on the JI academic calendar. Exchange students may come for either or both semesters.
Students are asked to coordinate your arrival dates with the JI International Programs office to ensure airport pick-up and availability of dormitory rooms. Typically, arrival should be a few days before the start of the term.
Academic Information
Disciplines Available
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical & Computer Engineering
Courses in Business, Humanities, and Social Sciences (Intellectual Breadth) as well as Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry (Science) are available as part of these programs.
Engineering students from other disciplines (e.g., aerospace, industrial, and nuclear engineering) may find that courses from the above programs fit into their curriculum.
Exchange students may participate in capstone design/major design experience projects. These have in the past been successfully transferred back to home institutions.
Course Contents
Course Descriptions and currently offered courses
Workload per Semester
12 credits minimum for undergraduates
Courses taken for AUDIT do NOT generate credits (or graduate units) and CANNOT be used in calculating full-time status. Students who are unable to enroll full-time because of an extraordinary health or academic reason must obtain approval from an international student advisor BEFORE dropping or withdrawing from a course.
Additional Application Materials
Students nominated by IIE to the JI will also be required to submit the following. Students applying for the Summer semester should complete the Global E3 application by February 15.
- SJTU applications form -- students will be required to complete the "Application Form for International Exchange Student" after being admitted
- Official transcript
- Resume/CV
- Recommendation letter
- Copy of passport
- Passport photo
- TOEFL/IELTS test results if English is not the students' first language.
Acceptance packets, including JW202 visa supporting form and the acceptance letter, will be mailed to students’ home school advisors approximately 8 weeks after receiving a complete application.
Housing
Exchange students are guaranteed on-campus housing, in the Joint Institute Dormitory together with JI students. Accommodation is either a double or triple shared room based on availability. Students will be billed by the JI after the semester starts.
Living off-campus is not recommended.
Estimated Cost of Living
Food/meals
A meal at the campus canteens is estimated to be around 10 - 15 RMB.
Also there are a large variety of restaurants and other food options available throughout campus and near the main gate.
Housing
The cost of student dormitory accommodation (very strongly recommended) is 3500 RMB for the entire term.
The JI dorm is in the center of the SJTU campus, with easy access to the campus living center, the main gates, and the canteens. Walking from the dorm to the JI class rooms and the JI building takes less than 5 minutes, although almost all of the students use a bicycle for daily commute.
The dorms are equipped with washing machines, water dispensers as well as a living room on the ground floor.
Local transportation
Public transportation is cheap and convenient. A subway token costs 4 to 7 RMB. One ride on the public bus costs 2 RMB. Train tickets to neighboring cities can range from 30 to 100 RMB.
Academic expenses (e.g., books, stationery)
Approximately 1200 RMB per semester for textbooks and course materials, depending on course selection.
Personal expenses
This can vary based on personal needs. A reasonable calculation of this will include the cost to travel to other major cities as well as the entertainment costs while in Shanghai.
Other administrative fees
There is a 3000 RMB charge for those students wishing to join the weekend excursions and cultural activities.
Contact
Office Responsible for International Exchange Students
International Programs Office | Viva.du@sjtu.edu.cn - Viva Du, International Programs Coordinator
City Info
Boasting more than 24 million inhabitants (in 2013), Shanghai is the largest city proper in the world. It is home to the world’s busiest container port, the world’s largest rapid transit system by route length and ranks as one of China’s largest financial centers. Among innumerable skyscrapers, the Shanghai Tower stands out – literally, as it is currently the second-highest building in the world, after the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Shanghai is the poster boy of modern China, a mega-city in every sense.
The Joint Institute is located in the center of the SJTU campus in the Minhang district. The campus is the largest in all of China, with more than 30,000 students living and studying in a generously laid-out and pleasant area, a small town in its own right. Getting around in Shanghai is easy and convenient, thanks to cheap taxis and the very clean and modern metro system.
China’s high-speed rail network makes visiting other cities a breeze and, in fact, JI’s International Programs Office offers regular weekend excursions within the Yangtze river delta.