East China Normal University (ECNU)

East China Normal University is located in Shanghai, China and was formed when Great University and Kwang Hua University merged in 1951. Originally, the University was intended to serve as a place for secondary teachers to be educated; however, the school underwent a rapid expansion that enabled it to attract elite researchers, which transformed the status and reputation of the University. Subsequently, the campus was divided into the Minhang and Putuo campuses. Today, the University now boasts more than 22 distinct colleges, institutes, and schools. Due to the expansion that the University has experienced, it is now compared with Columbia University in New York City and is called the “Columbia of the East.” If you are looking for impressive degrees in China, be sure to look into East China Normal University.

Notable Campuses & Programs within China

With the recent international interest in establishing satellite campuses within China, there has been an increased connectivity between East China Normal University and schools such as NYU Shanghai and Asia-Europe Business School. In addition, for students that are focused on conducting pertinent research of environmental issues, East China Normal University maintains a National Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station in Tiantong National Forest Park in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province. East China Normal University was also one of the first universities within China to be approved to have Graduate programs.

East China Normal University has established many impressive international partnerships with universities around the globe to include: Ecole Normale Supérieure in France, University of Pennsylvania and Cornell University in the USA, Tokyo University and Kobe University in Japan, the University of Melbourne in Australia, and the University of Warwick in the UK. In addition to the international partnerships, East China Normal University also has study abroad partnerships for academic exchanges in over 150 universities in countries such as: Great Britain, Germany, France, the United States, Japan, Canada, Korea, Australia, and Russia.

In terms of language collaborations, East China Normal University has a CIEE satellite campus where over 100 American college students study each semester. For Chinese language, East China Normal University has online courses for Chinese language study that collaborates with the National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language. In the Summer, East China Normal University partners with the Study China Programme that hosts students from the UK to study Chinese language and culture. For diplomats, East China University has a program where consular officials from over 20 countries study Chinese over the Summer months.

Concluding Remarks

East China Normal University has a wealth of opportunities to offer both domestic and foreign students. The university has incredible ties to some of the most prestigious universities in the world. For students looking to do exchanges to improve their Chinese-language skills, East China Normal University is a fantastic place to study for the Summer. The location in Shanghai also yields opportunities for potential internships in one of the most important cities in China for International Business and Trade. Be sure when considering where to study in China that you add East China Normal University to your list for a university that has an excellent balance between the Humanities, Arts, and Sciences disciplines.