Over the past 15 years, it has built a new model for liberal arts education in China by tapping into both traditional Chinese and Western cultural resources. It is proud to be a melting pot of ideas, ingenuity and innovation housed in a stunning campus in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Being student-centred and whole person-oriented, it pushes the boundaries of what's possible. It uses English as the medium of instruction as it welcomes faculty from over 30 countries and regions, offering 23 undergraduate programmes, seven research postgraduate programmes as well as three taught master's programmes. In recent years, around 70% of its graduates have gone to Hong Kong and abroad for further studies.
Welcome to Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College (UIC).
(Read more: Why choose UIC?)
Liberal Arts Philosophy
UIC is a new liberal arts college to serve China and the world.
Approved by China's Ministry of Education in 2005, Beijing Normal University and Hong Kong Baptist University jointly founded UIC in Zhuhai.
UIC is the first full-scale cooperation in higher education between the mainland and Hong Kong making it the first modern college in China that upholds a liberal arts education.
What is a liberal arts college? A liberal arts education is student-centred and cultivates open-minded, well-rounded talents, enabling students to really dig into in their academic field of expertise with an interdisciplinary approach.
UIC's education encourages a high level of student-teacher interaction, mentorship and collaboration. The College is committed to advancing the internationalisation of Chinese higher education and takes the lead in implementing Whole Person Education and Four-Point Education.
What is Whole Person Education?
Whole Person Education is concerned with the growth of a person's intellectual, moral, physical, social, emotional, artistic and spiritual potential. A strong emphasis is put on Experiential Learning, in which students are inspired to initiate their own education and learn by doing.
What is Four-Point Education?
With students being the centre of this model, the College, the students, the parents, and society are closely connected to enhance the education process. Making use of the interrelation between these four points, we draw on the best possible resources to groom students holistically.
Academic System
Our education is of international standards, with high-calibre academic performance.
English is the medium of instruction. UIC's curriculum is set up in line with Hong Kong Baptist University's academic standards and fulfils its quality assurance requirements. The highest governing body is the UIC Council and the President is responsible for the day-to-day business of the College, reporting to the UIC Council directly.
Graduates will be awarded Bachelor's Degrees by Hong Kong Baptist University and Graduation Certificates by UIC. Upon completion of postgraduate programmes, degree certificates will be awarded by Hong Kong Baptist University.
Divisions:
• Division of Business and Management
• Division of Culture and Creativity
• Division of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Division of Science and Technology
Undergraduate Programmes:
• Accounting
• Applied Economics
• e-Business Management and Information System
• Entrepreneurship and innovation
• Finance
• Management of Human Resources
• Marketing Management
• Cinema and Television
• Culture, Creativity and Management
• Media Arts and Design
• Applied Translation Studies
• English Language and Literature Studies
• Globalisation and Development
• Media and Communication Studies
• Public Relations and Advertising
• Social Work and Social Administration
• Applied Psychology
• Computer Science and Technology
• Data Science
• Environmental Science
• Financial Mathematics
• Food Science and Technology
• Statistics
Postgraduate Programmes:
Taught Master’s Programmes
• Communication
• Data Science
• Professional Accountancy
Research Postgraduate Programmes
• Accounting and Business Management
• Economics
• Communication
• Computer Science and Technology
• Probability and Mathematical Statistics
• Chemistry
• Biology
In addition, the course-offering units include the Whole Person Education Office, the General Education Office, the Chinese Language and Culture Centre, the English Language Centre, and the Centre of Foreign Languages and Cultures (which is affiliated with DHSS).
Student-Centred Education
We provide a student-centred learning environment.
UIC encourages a healthy student-teacher interaction that benefits both parties in terms of mentorship and collaboration. A liberal arts college features small class sizes and a lower student-to-faculty ratio. In and outside the classroom, UIC professors are dedicated to teaching and mentoring students.
UIC has an international staff with lecturers and professors from more than 30 countries and regions. UIC enrols top-tier students from 30 provinces and regions of mainland China as well as Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas. Students in Guangdong can apply for UIC at the early enrolling phase of the National College Entrance Exam as well as through the Comprehensive Evaluation System.
Academic Resources
Our liberal arts education connects teaching with academic research.
UIC considers research to be an integral component of ensuring academic quality. Our staff members have received many types of research funding at national, provincial and municipal levels, and our students have presented their research projects in academic conferences and publications.
The Learning Resource Centre at UIC is amongst the Guangdong universities owning the most English readings. It has a print collection of approximately 330,000 volumes (both English and Chinese collections) and subscribes to over 300 English and Chinese periodicals as well as about 74 foreign and Chinese language databases. In addition, the Inter-Library Loan service allows staff and students to reach resources from libraries elsewhere.
International Experiences
International and multicultural experiences enhance a global vision.
With students and staff from all over the world, UIC creates an internationalised campus environment and introduces students to different cultures. UIC has also established partnerships with universities from a variety of countries, including the USA, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Australia, South Korea and Thailand. Lectures, forums, conferences and workshops are commonplace at UIC. Scholars and academics at home and abroad often visit to present and collaborate on research ideas.
How do new students quickly adapt to the English language learning environment? An English Enhancement Programme for first-year students is offered at the beginning of the academic year by the English Language Centre. The centre focuses on developing English language skills through workshops, competitions and a number of extra-curricular activities.
The Centre of Foreign Languages and Cultures offers courses in six foreign languages: French, German, Japanese, Korean, Spanish and Russian. Extracurricular activities like film clubs and celebrating international festivals contribute to our international College community and broaden our students’ multicultural views.
Embracing Cultural Roots
We also foster an interest in Chinese culture.
UIC provides a Chinese culture and society education programme and various academic activities to help students learn the development of China's politics, economy, society and culture. Students and staff can experience the glamour of Chinese traditional culture through courses offered by the Chinese Language and Culture Centre and the Whole Person Education Office. Topics include Chinese philosophy, guqin (an ancient Chinese zither), shedao (Chinese archery), Yayue (literally elegant music or court music) and ceramics. In addition, the Research Institute for Dissemination of Chinese Culture is also contributing to the promotion of Chinese culture.
There are also student groups with a focus on traditional Chinese culture, including the Traditional Arts Club, the Dragon and Lion Dance Team, the Tai Chi Club and more.
Student Life
Student hostels are communities that combine living, learning and education.
All students are required to live in the student hostels. The student hostels are formed into eight halls. These halls are not only a place of residence but also a well-designed part of the Whole Person Education environment.
UIC promotes “hall culture” with an emphasis on the communication and interaction between students and teachers. Wardens and resident tutors live with students in the halls to provide positive influence and guidance. Residents organise inter-hall activities and form an active, harmonious community.
We also provide the Mentor Caring Programme (MCP), where mentors (teachers) and peer mentors (senior students) advise and support mentees (freshmen) on their daily lives to help them quickly adjust to university life.
We have an open campus with an abundant array of student activities.
Students are encouraged to develop their interests and hobbies in 80 interest clubs and groups related to academics, arts and culture, sports and outdoor activities, voluntary services and social enterprises. The Student Union and all the student clubs organise a variety of activities which enrich students’ campus life and enable them to learn from each other, work in teams and experience what it is to be part of an organisation.
Equipped with a sturdy knowledge base, whole-person development and good English skills, our students have achieved numerous great results when competing against students from other universities in national competitions and even at a global level.
UIC encourages staff and students to participate in service activities and programmes that can benefit the wider community. By this, students can gain social service experience and develop their servant leadership, whole person spirit and civic responsibility.
We set rigorous academic standards and provide abundant learning opportunities.
UIC follows a strict Quality Assurance System and GPA System to ensure education quality. Thus our students spend a great deal of time and effort on their individual and group assignments in order to achieve a high academic level.
Even in summer and winter holidays, students do not waste time. They join overseas summer programmes, internships, complete the Vacation English Enrichment Programme and more.
UIC is a non-profit college and supports itself mostly through tuition. Even so, it presents multiple scholarships to reward students with excellent academic performance.
We have nurtured excellent graduates and never stop nurturing.
The Outcomes-Based Teaching and Learning approach ensures internationally recognised quality and excellence in education and equips graduates with seven key attributes: citizenship, knowledge, learning, skills, creativity, communication and teamwork. As of 2018, almost 10,000 students have graduated from UIC and continued their academic and professional life in China or abroad.
In recent years, nearly 70% of UIC's graduates have opted for postgraduate studies in well-known higher institutions in the UK, the US, Australia, Hong Kong, and other countries and regions. The institutes where they further their academic development are, amongst others, the University of Oxford, the University College London, Imperial College London, Columbia University, Australian National University, the University of Hong Kong, and Hong Kong Baptist University.
The rest of them make good use of their talents to serve the society infamous financial institutions, foreign enterprises, state-owned corporations and government agencies, such as the Big Four accounting firms, the Bank of China and China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Some have been offered jobs in overseas companies and some have started their own businesses.
Education for Society
We serve the community. Education for society.
As a pioneer in China's liberal arts education, UIC is the product of the integration of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and has actively engaged itself in local development with its educational resources. UIC has cooperated with the local government, agencies and institutions in supporting the development of various fields including food safety, elderly services, English teacher training, computer science, culture and creativity industries plus more. In addition, many UIC professors serve as experts, consultants and in other roles in external institutions to give their advice on social development in a variety of community-related areas.
UIC has been acting as a bridge to connect young people as well as scholars from mainland China and Hong Kong. It has also welcomed many guests from universities and organisations in Hong Kong by organising summer camps, tours as well as more.
Testimonials
Students say…
“After entering UIC, you must learn to make full use of all resources here, including high-calibre teachers, library resources, advanced laboratories and equipment, and even multifunctional Sports Complex. I have benefited a lot from the teamwork concept and have improved my overall ability. I am becoming a better self, thanks to UIC.”
-- Fan Xingyue, Cinema and Television Programme, 2017 cohort
“Life is like stairs. When we take the first step, the pinnacle of life will not be far away. I feel that the primary task for a successful life is to make the most of the opportunities available to me. Education at UIC, I think, is the first step in the right direction to the destination of my life. It has not only solidified my academic foundation, developed financial sensitivity but also fostered my analytical capacity and the ability of academic exploration.”
-- Xu Rui, Financial Mathematics Programme, 2015 Cohort
“During the four years' studying at UIC, I experienced the charm of liberal arts education. The most essential thing is to learn how to adjust myself to strike a balance. Reasonable allocation of time allows me to find a balance between extracurricular activities and learning, while at the same time finding another balance in the academic life with both cooperation and competition is also necessary. It is the process of finding a balance point that allows me to improve both our individual abilities and qualities.”
-- Du Fengfan, Applied Economics Programme, 2015 Cohort
“UIC inspires me and I am ready to take on exciting challenges. It enables me to see the world, achieve excellence and make a difference for the world.”
-- Li Xinwei, Public Relations and Advertising Programme, 2015 cohort
Editors: Deen He, Samuel Burgess
(from MPRO)
