Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, the University of Nottingham Ningbo China and Wenzhou-Kean University have established international academic communities, making them worth considering for international professionals seeking university careers in China.
For international academics looking for jobs in China, an employer's existing international workforce can offer useful insight into its working environment and recruitment practices.
Among China's Sino-foreign universities, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, the University of Nottingham Ningbo China and Wenzhou-Kean University stand out for the size or international composition of their academic communities.
Institutional reports published by these universities document substantial numbers of international employees and faculty members from dozens of countries and regions. While the figures cover different reporting periods and categories, they offer a useful starting point for candidates exploring academic career opportunities in China.
1. Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University: 397 foreign employees
Located in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) was established in 2006 by Xi’an Jiaotong University and the University of Liverpool.
According to the university's 2023 annual self-assessment report, XJTLU had approximately 2,254 employees as of November 2023, including 1,131 full-time faculty members and 1,123 administrative staff members.
Of these employees, 397 were foreign nationals, representing nearly 55 countries and regions. The five largest nationality groups were:
United Kingdom: 94
United States: 42
Italy: 27
Australia: 25
Canada: 22
These figures demonstrate the geographical diversity of XJTLU's workforce. The university's international employees include both academic and administrative personnel, so the figure of 397 should not be interpreted as the number of international faculty members alone.
The report also records that XJTLU recruited more than 20 full-time professors, heads of school and senior associate professors during 2023. The university provides support with work permits, visas and residence permits for international employees.
For international candidates, XJTLU is worth considering for academic appointments, research positions and professional services roles.
Source: XJTLU's 2023 annual self-assessment report.
Explore vacancies: Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University on Jobs.ac.cn
2. University of Nottingham Ningbo China: nearly 60% of faculty are foreign experts and scholars
Established in 2004, the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) is the first Sino-foreign university in China founded by the University of Nottingham and Zhejiang Wanli University.
According to the university's 2023–24 undergraduate teaching quality report, UNNC had 574 full-time faculty members as of August 2024, representing more than 40 countries and regions. Nearly 60% were foreign experts and scholars.
The report also states that more than 63% of the faculty members held associate professor positions or above.
UNNC has operated an annual global recruitment programme since 2022. Its 2024 recruitment campaign received more than 860 applications from 71 countries and regions, covering 15 academic fields. The university reported recruiting 13 high-level professionals through that year's programme.
These figures demonstrate UNNC's commitment to international academic recruitment. Its global recruitment activities cover a range of academic disciplines and are intended to strengthen its research and academic capabilities.
For international candidates, UNNC offers opportunities to explore careers in an institution that recruits globally and has a substantial international faculty community.
Sources: UNNC's 2023–24 annual report brief.
Explore vacancies: University of Nottingham Ningbo China on Jobs.ac.cn
3. Wenzhou-Kean University: 80% of full-time faculty are foreign nationals
Wenzhou-Kean University (WKU) is a Sino-American university in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, established through a partnership between Kean University in the United States and Wenzhou University.
According to the university's official faculty profile, WKU has approximately 522 faculty and staff members, including 248 full-time faculty members from 43 countries and regions. More than 79% of its full-time faculty members are foreign nationals.
The university also reports that most of its international faculty have international academic experience and doctoral degrees.
Its international workforce is a distinguishing feature for candidates looking for university appointments in China. The university's recruitment opportunities span areas including business, the humanities, science, mathematics, technology, architecture and design, and education.
For prospective applicants, WKU is particularly noteworthy because of the high proportion of foreign nationals among its full-time faculty members, rather than simply the size of its overall workforce.
Source: Wenzhou-Kean University's website.
Explore vacancies: Wenzhou-Kean University on Jobs.ac.cn
Comparing the three universities
The published figures highlight different aspects of international academic employment at these institutions.
University | Reported workforce figures | International profile |
|---|---|---|
Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University | 1,131 faculty members in November 2023 | 397 foreign employees across academic and administrative roles |
University of Nottingham Ningbo China | 574 full-time faculty members in August 2024 | Nearly 60% foreign experts and scholars |
Wenzhou-Kean University | 248 full-time faculty members; approximately 522 faculty and staff | More than 79% of full-time faculty members are foreign nationals |
These figures should not be used to rank the universities by the number of international academics employed. XJTLU's figure covers foreign employees across the institution, while the other figures describe the composition of the faculty workforce. Reporting dates and definitions also differ.
Nevertheless, each institution provides evidence of an established international academic community, making all three worth considering for international candidates.
Other internationally oriented universities
The three universities featured above are not the only options for international academics in China.
Duke Kunshan University (DKU) and NYU Shanghai are also important employers for international academics, although their overall faculty communities remain relatively compact. DKU has close to 240 faculty members, while NYU Shanghai has around 300. Both universities recruit internationally and have faculty members from a wide range of countries and regions. DKU reports faculty from more than 18 countries, while NYU Shanghai reported 273 faculty members from 32 countries in September 2024.
Compared with larger institutions, these universities have more limited faculty numbers and a smaller overall recruitment base. They remain attractive options for international academics, but their hiring opportunities are likely to be more selective and concentrated in specific disciplines rather than involving recruitment on the same scale as larger universities.
Hong Kong universities' mainland campuses, including the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), offer further opportunities. Although such institutions may recruit internationally, individual vacancies vary in their target candidate populations, language requirements and eligibility criteria.
Candidates should therefore review each job advertisement rather than assume that every vacancy is specifically intended for international applicants.
Finding academic jobs in China
For international academics considering a career in China, the composition of a university's workforce can provide useful context when evaluating potential employers. It should be considered alongside the position's academic requirements, salary and benefits, location, career development opportunities and support for international employees.
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