Soochow University is located in the ancient town of Suzhou, also called “Paradise on Earth”. The university is part of the national “211 Project” and is a “2011 Plan” university. It is also one of the Jiangsu provincial key comprehensive universities. It has grown from the former Soochow University founded in 1900.

Soochow University has played a pioneering role in the history of modern higher education in China. It was the first one to follow the western educational system, to offer master’s programs and master’s degrees, to start programs in law, and to publish a university newspaper.

It has a variety of programs and a strong foundation for students to get the education they need in almost any area. Soochow University has achieved clear results and has received a very positive reputation both at home and abroad.

The university facilitates strong research with materials in almost every area including nearly 4 million books, over 30 million Chinese and foreign periodicals, and more than 1.1 million Chinese and foreign e-books, and 82 Chinese and foreign language databases.

Soochow University has always attached importance to its cooperation with other colleges or universities, local government, local enterprises and foreign organizations, for the purpose of learning from many sources, discovering expert knowledge, and encouraging mutual development. Soochow University has established interscholastic exchange relationships with more than 150 universities and research institutions of more than 20 countries and regions. Some of the places we’ve built partnerships with include USA, Britain, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. The university receives more than 2,000 various types of overseas students each year (including short-term trainees).

For more than a century, generations of people at Soochow University have always adhered to the motto of “Unto a Full Grown Man”. They have also adhered to the education philosophy of “academics, applying knowledge, and training model citizens”. They pass on the university ethos of “being open-minded, inclusive and pursuing excellence” and the study style of “broadening knowledge and keeping earnest behavior, while striving for perfection”. Soochow University strives to foster top creative talents with the qualities of having a “free spirit, superior ability, independent personality, and a sense of social responsibility”.

About Suzhou

“Paradise on earth” for its pleasant scenery, fertile soil and prosperous commerce. Suzhou 苏州 is a famous historical city that’s greatly admired for its winding canals and classical gardens, is where one can experience the past and present between sipping green tea and munching on rice cakes.

Suzhou, with its pleasant weather and harmonious natural environment, is generally considered as an ideal place to live. This city has a lot of mild days with sunshine and clean air and sufficient rain to support agriculture and maintain the natural beauty of its many scenic areas.

Campus

Soochow University now has three major campuses: main campus (located on the riverside of the moat that surrounds Suzhou), Dushu Lake Campus (located at the lakeside of Dushu Lake), and the Yangcheng Lake Campus, also called the Jiangsu Province Demonstration Base of Digitalization.

Living in University

Student Union

In May 2007, Soochow University Student Union was officially established. It has hosted many interesting activities to make the campus life colorful and help enhance college student learning, practice, organization and innovation. The Student Union plays two important roles: to provide general services and assist students. The Student Union has a main office, management center, supervising center, information center, finance centers and cultural center, which operate efficiently and are always willing to offer help.

Student Clubs

“Mayday” Music Club (Medical College)

Mayday Music Club is a very influential music group at Soochow University. Since its founding,it has included many big names likeFire Guns, Tricycles, and The Doctors.The club is organized by overseas students and other groups, and providesall kinds of services for music lovers. It holds annual and other appealing concerts, Mid-Autumn concerts, Music Culture Week, the Campus Singer Competition and other activities.

Red Cross (Medical College)

A five-star society, the Red Cross has been committed to public welfare both inside and outside the school. Since its foundation in 2008, it has been a desirable platform for college students to learn more about the grassroots and their needs, and to cultivate themselves preparing themselves for their future career through events such as blood donation, service in the countryside, spreading health information into the community and other activities. In December 2013, the society was honored as one of the “Top Ten Outstanding Youth Fraternity Summer Practice Teams of Jiangsu Province.”

Dongwu Drama Club

In 1908, shortly after the establishment of the university, the Dongwu Drama Club was founded, only one year later than the earliest professional drama club in the nation, the Spring Willow Club. The Dongwu Drama Club has a history of 105 years. At the 2nd China Campus Theatre Festival in 2010, the history drama “Alone” from Dongwu Drama Club won Best Director, Best Drama, and Best Dance.