In April 2012, the Ministry of Education approved the establishment of Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) and designated the university as a pilot university for the cultivation of innovative talents and a test ground for a comprehensive reform on higher education to modernize the national university system.Striving to become a top-tier international university that excels in research, in cultivation of innovative talents and in social services for sustainable development, SUSTech has adopted a three-stage strategic development plan. In the future, SUSTech will continue to carry forward the founding spirit of “being bold and experimental, truthful and realistic, reformative and innovative, competitive and excellent” with dedication to education, research and services so as to achieve its goals on a global scale.

SUSTech has established its international platform for academic exchanges and cooperation. The International Center for Higher Education Innovation at SUSTech was approved as UNESCO Category 2 Institute in 2015. SUSTech, in association with 9 higher education institutions, initiated the Shenzhen International Friendship-City University League (SIFCUL), which has attracted 28 universities from 13 countries. In addition, SUSTech has signed memorandums or agreements with more than 20 world class universities for joint programs, and cooperation in education and research. In this frame, students have opportunities to enrich their learning experience by studying at the University of British Columbia (Canada), the University of Edinburgh (UK), Georgia Institute of Technology (US), Columbia University (US), Temple University (US), University of Queensland (AU) and other universities via student exchange programs, academic exchanges, summer schools, internship, and other cooperation projects. SUSTech also offers Overseas Scholarship to enable all its students an opportunity for overseas experience within the time of their study at SUSTech.
Procedures for Application
An applicant is required to prepare application materials and submit the same in electronic format to his/her selected SUSTC school/department. After preliminary section by SUSTC school/department by which the applicant is chosen as a candidate, the applicant will be interviewed jointly by SUSTC and overseas university . Once joint interview is satisfied, the applicant should complete online application with overseas university in cooperation with the project, and qualified applicant will finally be admitted.
1. Preparation of Application Materials 
a. Registration Form of Applicants as PhD Candidates for Joint Training by SUSTC and Overseas University
b. Resume or CV (In English)
c. Research Plan (Not more than 2000 words in English)
d. Personal Presentation (Not more than 2000 words in English)
e. Letter of Recommendation of two copies (In English)
f. Scanned copy of transcript (Bearing the stamp of Dean’s Office of the university from which the applicant has been graduated, or seal of personnel administration by which the applicant’s personal data is kept, any other seal shall be invalidated)
Scanned copy of transcript indicating the grades of English Test (TOEFL/IETLS and etc)
g. Scanned copy of ID Card
h. Scanned copy of certificate of degree/diploma, documents certifying information on academic degree and school roll from the website about Online Certificates or Diplomas Inquiries and Verifications by the Ministry of Education of PRC and Statement on Qualification Recognition and Verification by the Ministry of Education of PRC, for more details, please visithttp://www.chsi.com.cn/ (Fresh graduates are required to submit scanned copy of Certificate of Studying, submit document proving their degree after pre-admission, and register admission after said certificate and documents are verified authentication)
i. Other materials supporting application (e.g. Thesis, academic paper or other publications published on scientific research journals or session, paten(s), certificate of honor(s), professional certificate(s) and the like in scanned format)
Note: If the applicant is unable to submit above materials, please attach a written statement on the cause thereof. Authenticity and correctness of all supporting documents, including certificate of degree/diploma, must be ensured, and the applicant who submits forged application materials will be binding to any consequence.
2. Submission of Application Materials
a. Deadline
The project of joint training of PhD candidates by SUSTC and overseas university recruits students all the year for admission in Jan and Sep in each year. The applicants may submit application materials at any time.
b. Requirements for Submission
The application is required to submit application materials in electronic format to his/her selected school/department (Send by compressed file)
Format of Email Title: overseas joint training project: SUSTC school/department-the applicant’s full name
Any email not be entitled as above shall be dismissed.
c. Preliminary Assessment of School/Department
Depending on diverse requirements of the project, the applicant may accept written exam, interview of telephone interview by SUSTC tutor.
d. Joint Interview
An applicant passed screening of application materials and preliminary exam (If arranged) will accept joint interview of SUSTC and overseas university.
e. Official Online Application
An applicant passed joint interview will make official online application on the website of overseas university.
3.Contact Information:
Xuefeng Zhang, (+86)-755-88018539, csyzb@sustech.edu.cn