About the partnership

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) is an international university formed in partnership between the University of Liverpool and Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU) in China, and which will soon celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2026.

Establishing the partnership

In September 2004, the University of Liverpool and Xi’an Jiaotong University agreed to establish a new autonomous institution, XJTLU. It was officially approved by the Ministry of Education and opened on 22 May 2006, welcoming 164 students.

XJTLU is the largest international collaborative university in China, and the only one with dual degree awarding powers - from the Chinese Ministry of Education and from the University of Liverpool. This means that upon completion of your studies, you will be awarded a University of Liverpool degree and an XJTLU degree (from the Chinese Ministry of Education).

Two prestigious partners

The University of Liverpool is one of the UK's leading research-intensive universities and a founding member of the UK Russell Group. The University of Liverpool is currently ranked in the top 12 in the UK in the ShanghaiRanking Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU).

Our association with nine Nobel Prize winners, including the first awarded in the UK in 1902, demonstrates our long and prestigious history.

We're also in the top 150 in global rankings:

• 147th in the QS World University rankings 2026
• 143rd in the Times Higher Education World University rankings 2026.

In the UK, we're rated Gold for our excellence in both student experience and outcomes in the Teaching Excellence Framework. We're proud to be one of just seven Russell Group universities to hold this accolade.

XJTU is a first-tier research-intensive university and one of the Chinese government’s nine “Project 211” universities. The partnership of strength between our two world-class universities has created a modern and innovative university in China - XJTLU.

XJTLU brings researchers together from across the globe to explore new discoveries and generate scientific breakthroughs. The University is committed to interdisciplinary research in a range of areas such as:

• Energy futures
• Health technologies
• Emerging economies
• Languages and communication
• Nanotechnology and new materials.

With high quality students and pioneering leadership, the University has grown and developed to become a highly respected university in China and has growing international and postgraduate student populations.

Study with us

A key element of our special partnership is student mobility. At XJTLU, our flagship programmes include one or two years in Liverpool, meaning that you will gain an international advantage.

The skills you need for a global career can only be learned through an inter-cultural experience. Our study programmes which include spending time in Liverpool will help you build a resume with a competitive edge and ensure that you have the skills that employers and universities are looking for. You will develop your resilience, create lasting networks and lay the foundations for further study.

Students at XJTLU can choose to transfer to Liverpool through the 2+2 (two years at Liverpool) or 2+1+1 (one year at Liverpool) programmes. Or you can make the most of a shorter period in Liverpool with the International Summer School.

In 2023, 82% of students who graduated from the 2+2 programme achieved a 2:1. And 94% of graduates pursued postgraduate study with 89% attending a QS top 100 university. Our 2+2 students have gone on to have phenomenal academic success. Some have progressed on to master's degrees at the world’s most elite universities (including Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and MIT) and secured successful roles in China and across the globe.

There are also opportunities for University of Liverpool undergraduate students to study in China in their final year through the Year in China offer or a Summer School programme.

Achievements and highlights

• 1980 – collaboration starts between Liverpool and XJTU
• 2006 – XJTLU is officially approved and opens
• 2008 - the first cohort of students transfer to Liverpool from XJTLU
• 2016 - XJTLU celebrates its 10th anniversary
• 2016 - the first cohort of Year in China students spend a year at XJTLU
• 2022 – XJTLU Entrepreneur College opens in Taicang
• 2024 – the University of Liverpool welcomes the first cohort of students on the Taicang 2+1+1 programme
• 2025 – over 15,000 2+2 students have graduated
• 2026 - XJTLU will celebrate its 20th anniversary.