Q: Do the graduation certificates and degree certificates of Chimie Shanghai students bear the notation“Sino-Foreign Cooperative Education”?
A: No. Neither the undergraduate nor postgraduate graduation certificates and degree certificates of Chimie Shanghai students carry the notation“Sino-Foreign Cooperative Education”or the college name. They are identical to those awarded to students in the same disciplines from other non-cooperative education colleges at ECUST.
Q: With which French university does the Chimie Shanghai collaborate?
A: The Chimie Shanghai collaborates with the French Group of Chemical Engineering Schools (FGL Alliance). This alliance comprises 20 leading French higher education institutions specialising in chemical engineering. Currently, 19 of these institutions recruit students through our university. Following mutual selection between the student and the institution, students may undertake their engineering studies at one of these partner schools. Current list of 19 FGL institutions recruiting through our university (private institutions marked with *)
Q: Is it possible to study without going to France? What study options are available without going abroad?
A: It is possible to study without going to France. Students may pursue postgraduate studies at this college without entrance examinations, or choose to graduate directly with an undergraduate degree. Students study at Chimie Shanghai for the first three years. From the fourth year onwards, they may select their own study and further education pathways. Those meeting the French admission requirements may travel to France in their fourth year to commence a three-year programme at a French engineering school. Students opting not to study in France may commence a three-and-a-half-year Master's programme at the Institute in their fourth year, provided they meet the requirements for direct admission to postgraduate studies. Alternatively, students may graduate with an undergraduate degree and sit the national postgraduate entrance examination to pursue a Master's degree.
Q: Are there quotas for students studying in France? What conditions must be met?
A: Chimie Shanghai offers 40 places annually for study at engineering schools within the FGL Alliance in France. Each partner institution admits a maximum of three students per year based on its annual intake plan. Students must pass all compulsory undergraduate courses within the first six semesters while adhering to institutional regulations. They must also demonstrate French proficiency through either an assessment conducted by Chimie Shanghai 's French teaching team or by achieving a B2 level in a recognised French language test (TEF, TCF, or DELF). Following this, students and French engineering schools engage in a mutual selection process.
Q: Are Chimie Shanghai students eligible for direct admission to postgraduate programmes? What conditions must be met?
A: Students may only pursue direct admission within this college. Those meeting the criteria for exemption from entrance examinations for postgraduate studies within this college may commence a three-and-a-half-year master's programme from the fourth academic year. The core requirement for exemption from entrance examinations is completion of all six semesters of the undergraduate curriculum with satisfactory grades and no disciplinary violations (the school's criteria may adjust if the Ministry of Education revises its core indicators for exemption). Students opting not to pursue postgraduate studies at this institution may sit the national postgraduate entrance examination to apply for programmes within other schools at this university or at other institutions.
Q: What are the respective tuition fees?
A: For 2025, undergraduate tuition shall not exceed RMB 40,000 per academic year (subject to final approval), while postgraduate tuition is RMB 50,000 per academic year (subject to final approval). The French public institution management fee is EUR 3,000 per academic year. Tuition fees for different study pathways are as follows: Direct undergraduate graduates: ¥40,000 × 4 years Postgraduate students within the same faculty: ¥40,000 × 4 years + ¥50,000 × 2.5 years Students transferring to France: ¥40,000 × 4 years + €3,000 × 3 years + self-funded living expenses.
Q: What are the tuition and living costs in France?
A: French public engineering schools do not charge tuition fees; only students travelling to France are required to pay an administrative fee of €3,000 per year. Fees for private institutions are determined by the respective schools. Students must additionally cover their own accommodation and living expenses in France, estimated at €7,000–12,000 per year (approximately £700–£1,200; €1 ≈ £0.80). Students travelling to France may apply to the French government for subsidies including student housing, transport cards, and healthcare.
Q: Do I still need to pay tuition fees to East China University of Science and Technology after going to France?
A: Students going to France commence their three-year programme in the fourth academic year. During their first year in France (i.e., the fourth academic year), they remain registered as fourth-year undergraduates at ECUST. Consequently, they must pay tuition fees for that year to ECUST in addition to fees payable to the French institution.
Q: Under the integrated undergraduate-master's programme, in which year can I expect to obtain the French engineering diploma or East China University of Science and Technology master's degree?
A: Students travelling to France must fulfil the graduation requirements of their French engineering school, typically completing studies and obtaining the French engineering diploma in the sixth year. Students completing studies domestically must meet the graduation requirements of both Chinese and French institutions, typically completing studies in the sixth and a half year to obtain the French engineering diploma (currently undergoing accreditation) and the East China University of Science and Technology master's degree.
Q: What Chinese degree does the French engineering diploma correspond to?
A: The French engineering diploma is considered France's most prestigious qualification and is equivalent to a master's degree. However, it holds higher prestige than master's degrees from French comprehensive universities. Holders may apply for doctoral programmes globally, and the Chinese Ministry of Education's Overseas Education Service Centre recognises this diploma as a master's degree.
Q: In what languages are courses taught? Is French required? Can students without prior French experience adapt to Chimie Shanghai ?
A: Courses are delivered in Chinese, English, and French. French is compulsory at Chimie Shanghai , with instruction commencing from beginner level. The undergraduate programme includes approximately 1,100 hours of French language courses, delivered through a combination of term-time classes and intensive summer/winter break programmes.
Q: How intensive are the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes?
A: The undergraduate programme at the Chimie Shanghai comprises approximately 208 credits, while the postgraduate programme totals around 150 credits. Both undergraduate and postgraduate curricula are more intensive than those in other faculties. However, this educational model comprehensively develops students' foundational engineering knowledge, foreign language proficiency, practical skills, and cross-cultural communication abilities. This holistic approach cultivates high-calibre engineering professionals for the global chemical industry.
Q: Are undergraduate students permitted to change their major?
A: Yes. Students may change their major within the School without restriction on the number of students permitted to do so.
Q: What degrees are awarded at undergraduate and postgraduate levels?
A: Undergraduate graduates of the School of Engineering are awarded the university's standard Bachelor of Engineering degree. Postgraduate graduates receive the Master of Engineering degree under the university's standard professional master's degree category. Students studying in France will be awarded the French engineering diploma accredited by the French Engineering Accreditation Commission (CTI) upon graduation in France. Chimie Shanghai is currently applying to CTI for accreditation to award the French engineering diploma. Upon approval, expected in 2026, domestic postgraduate graduates from Chimie Shanghai will also be eligible to receive the French CTI-accredited engineering diploma.
Q: What is a professional master's degree? Can one pursue a PhD afterwards?
A: Master's degrees are categorised as either professional or academic. Both represent the same academic level but differ in their educational focus. Academic master's programmes emphasise scholarly research, cultivating research-oriented professionals for teaching and academic roles. Professional master's degrees emphasise practical application, cultivating specialists for specific professions such as engineers, physicians, or solicitors. Holders of professional master's degrees may subsequently apply for doctoral programmes, including both academic doctorates and professional doctorates.
Q: What are the requirements for undergraduate graduation?
A: Students must complete all courses specified in the undergraduate curriculum of the National Institute of Technology, pass HUST's standardised English, computer proficiency, and physical fitness examinations, and successfully defend their undergraduate thesis as required by HUST. Students transferring to France are exempt from the fourth-year courses at the Chimie Shanghai , but must provide proof of satisfactory first-year results from their French engineering school. They must also complete the undergraduate thesis required by HUST and pass the thesis defence.
Q: What are the requirements for master's graduation?
A: Students must complete all courses specified in the Chimie Shanghai, master's programme curriculum and successfully complete the master's thesis required by HUST, passing the thesis defence.
Q: Are internships required at undergraduate and postgraduate levels?
A: Undergraduates undertake a four-week “Corporate Internship” during the summer break between the sixth and seventh semesters, conducted domestically. Postgraduates undertake a six-month “Engineering Internship” during the fifth semester. The School collaborates with numerous prestigious domestic and international enterprises to provide students with extensive internship opportunities worldwide.
Q: What are the employment prospects for undergraduate graduates?
A: Adopting the French engineering school model, Chimie Shanghai graduates are highly sought after by multinational corporations, particularly French and EU enterprises, as well as Chinese companies with European subsidiaries. Among the inaugural 2023 cohort, graduates secured positions with French firms such as Arkema, Chinese giants like Huawei, or entered civil service roles. Students studying in France also gained opportunities for employment or internships within the country. Graduates from the joint training programme between ECUST and the French FGL Alliance have secured positions in management roles within foreign enterprises in China, covering R&D, marketing, and sales. Some have chosen to remain in France for employment or further studies. Through collaborations with numerous prestigious domestic and international enterprises, the National Excellence College opens extensive career pathways for students. Additionally, the extensive alumni network from ECUST's FGL programme provides a valuable professional resource.
Should the talent development requirements of China, France, or ECUST undergo changes, Chimie Shanghai shall adjust its training programmes accordingly. Chimie Shanghai reserves the right to interpret its training programmes.
