Xi’an Jiaotong – Liverpool University (XJTLU) is a new international university jointly founded by Xi’an Jiaotong University China and the University of Liverpool UK as a joint venture. As an independent Sino-Foreign cooperative university, it captures the essence of both prestigious parent universities and is the first and only one of its kind approved by the Ministry of Education in China.

The University offers undergraduate degree programmes in the fields of science, engineering and management, and awards both its own Chinese degree and a degree from the University of Liverpool.

• IMPORTANT BEFORE SUBMITTING AN ONLINE APPLICATION: All PhD applicants are strongly encouraged to contact/identify a potential Supervisor and prepare a research proposal before submitting an online application.

Overview

• The PhD in Urban Planning and Design is managed through collaboration between Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and the University of Liverpool. Students in this programme are formally registered with the University of Liverpool as off-site postgraduate research students. Upon successful completion of the programme, you will receive a University of Liverpool-issued degree, which is recognised by China’s Ministry of Education.

•​​​​​​​ The programme uses the theme of “sustainable revitalisation” to demonstrate its research value and impact. Our academic staff have a broad range of research interests and are happy to discuss possible research ideas. PhD students will undertake original research, advance scholarship, and generate new knowledge in the field.

•​​​​​​​ The Design School aims to undertake research at the forefront of the discipline, and prepare graduates for future careers in academia and beyond. Graduates are expected to surpass known knowledge and become leaders in their research areas.

•​​​​​​​ As a PhD student, you will carry out research at XJTLU under supervision. You will have a designated principal supervisor at XJTLU who is a full-time academic staff member. In addition, you will have a designated co-supervisor based at the University of Liverpool.

•​​​​​​​ Pursuing a full-time PhD typically involves three years of conducting research and one year of writing a thesis, supported by subject-specific and general skills training and development. A full-time PhD student must submit their thesis within four years (or six years for part-time PhD students).

Why should I do my PhD in Urban Planning and Design at XJTLU?

Key benefits of This PhD programme:

• •​​​​​​​ The PhD degree is awarded by the University of Liverpool in the UK. The degree is recognised by the UK Department of Education as well as China’s Ministry of Education;
• •​​​​​​​ Our PhD programme equips you with a range of general skills to maximise future employability;
• •​​​​​​​ You will be supervised by respected academics at both XJTLU and the University of Liverpool;
• •​​​​​​​ As a registered full-time PhD student, you will have the opportunity to apply for a research visit to the University of Liverpool. You will also have travel budgets for participating in international conferences;
• •​​​​​​​ You will be able to transfer knowledge to others, develop effective lectures, design course materials, and learn how to apply for research funding and work in research teams.

Upon successful completion of the programme, you should be able to:

• •​​​​​​​ work as an independent researcher;
• •​​​​​​​ undertake research at an advanced level;
• •​​​​​​​ understand research integrity and ethics;
• •​​​​​​​ develop new ideas, techniques or approaches;
• •​​​​​​​ conceptualise, design and implement a research project;
• •​​​​​​​ evaluate the existing literature relevant to your thesis topic;
• •​​​​​​​ understand PhD research in the context of urban planning and design and beyond;
• •​​​​​​​ relate theory and concepts to evidence in a systematic way, and draw conclusions based on evidence;
• •​​​​​​​ recognise your research impact and help more people understand an issue better than they had before; and
• •​​​​​​​ manage a research project effectively, from identifying research questions, planning interim milestones and timescale, to prioritising activities, managing research resources and timely completion.

Research areas

• •​​​​​​​ infrastructure
• •​​​​​​​ rural revitalisation
• •​​​​​​​ urban regeneration
• •​​​​​​​ transport and city planning
• •​​​​​​​ smart cities and technology
• •​​​​​​​ landscape and urban design
• •​​​​​​​ environment and public health
• •​​​​​​​ planning, governance and politics
• •​​​​​​​ territorial development and restricting
• •​​​​​​​ real estate, economic development and regeneration

Research environment and facilities

•​​​​​​​ The Department of Urban Planning and Design encourages multi-disciplinary approaches. We encourage students to explore academic enquiries and applicable research methods including quantitative, qualitative, and research-by-design. We also organise PhD seminars regularly to create an active research environment.

•​​​​​​​ We work closely with the University Research Centre for Urban and Environmental Studies, and our PhD students will be involved in real-world studies in sustainable urban and environmental development.

•​​​​​​​ There are two workshops in the department, offering technical support on large-scale plotters and scanners, laser cutters, paper trimmers, hot wire foam cutters, DJI drones, multiple tools that go with workbenches and so on. PhD students will also have their own offices in the department.

The ongoing PhD projects can be found here.

Potential supervisors

Find out potential supervisors from

•​​​​​​​ Design School – Department of Urban Planning and Design.

Why Choose XJTLU?

• Two Degrees: 1 from the University of Liverpool & 1 from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (Bachelor's students)
• The University of Liverpool degree (Master's and PhD students)
• All degree courses are taught 100% in English.
• No knowledge of the Chinese language is required to apply to XJTLU.
• Learn free of charge Chinese alongside your course.
• A friendly international community.
• International Opportunities: "2+2" study route to the University of Liverpool, UK for undergraduate students (more than 3,500 XJTLU students are now studying at the University of Liverpool, UK through "2+2")
• International Opportunities: Wide range of study abroad opportunities in partner institutions in Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, the UK, the USA, South Korea, Russia, etc.
• International Opportunities: Partnerships with multinational companies in the likes of HSBC, Standard Chartered, Siemens, KPMG, Alstom, Schneider, ICBC, etc.

About Suzhou

You have the opportunity to live in one of the most culturally rich areas of China, with Suzhou’s UNESCO World Heritage gardens and canals famous around the world.

Suzhou combines its rich 2,500-year-old history with a drive to become one of the most modern cities in China. It has a population of more than six million and a GDP of a trillion RMB – far larger than those of many entire countries!

Alongside its beautiful tourist spots, Suzhou has many excellent learning resources and sports facilities, a great choice of shopping malls, cinemas and restaurants, and a variety of bars and nightclubs.

Today, the city’s canals, stone bridges, pagodas, and meticulously designed gardens have contributed to its status as one of the top tourist attractions in China. The classical gardens in Suzhou were added to the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1997 and 2000.

Suzhou is located in the southeast of Jiangsu Province in eastern China. Within Suzhou is Suzhou Industrial Park, one of the most competitive development zones in China. This area also contains the Suzhou Dushu Lake Science and Education Innovation District (home to XJTLU), which sits beside Dushu Lake, one of two lakes in SIP.

Central Shanghai can be reached from Suzhou in just 30 minutes by high-speed train.

Library

XJTLU students have access to a wide range of library resources, from books and journals to electronic databases and articles. The library plays a key role as a research support and learning centre for the University, developing its collection by focusing on subject development and research requirements.

The library currently holds over 500,000 books, which are added to and updated throughout the year in response to requests from academic departments. It provides 22,000 square metres of space, housing 300 PCs and 2,500 seats for studying, discussion and computer and studio work.

Campuses

North Campus

Full of striking, architecturally impressive buildings, our North Campus provides state-of-the art teaching, laboratory, research and support facilities. This includes the award-winning and iconic Central Building, which houses our library.

The campus also has sports facilities, world class-fully equipped science and engineering laboratories, International Business School Suzhou, and design studios, as well as a variety of catering facilities, including Subway, Pacific Coffee Company, and many canteen-style fast-food options.

Landscaped gardens complement pieces of modern art to create a campus environment that has become one of the striking features of Suzhou Industrial Park.

South Campus

The first phase of our South Campus was opened to the public on 26 July 2016, as a major part of the University’s 10th anniversary celebrations.

Architecturally it contrasts our North Campus and features modern designs that complement the surrounding area. Eventually, the South Campus will satisfy the learning and teaching needs of approximately 6,000 XJTLU students as well as the University’s academic exchanges and research development plans. It will consist of eight buildings and be developed over two further phases:

Phase II: International Business School Suzhou at XJTLU

This phase will see the completion of a new building for International Business School Suzhou, set to open by the end of 2017.

PHASE III: XJTLU-GF School of Film and Television Arts and XJTLU Gym

Phase III consists of two buildings – the construction of the XJTLU-GF School of Film and Television Arts and a gym. Both buildings are expected to open by the end of 2018. The development of the School, in collaboration with financial services provider Gold Finance Group, is a significant part of XJTLU’s academic development strategy. It will mix digital media arts and film and television production and technology with performance and acting. The gym will provide improved and diversified sports facilities for students and staff on campus.

Living in University

When you come to XJTLU, you will have the opportunity to try a whole range of different sports and activities as well as developing any existing skills you already have.

Student clubs and societies

Student clubs and societies play an important part of student life. XJTLU has many organisations with themes such as art, sports, music, entrepreneurship, dance to name but a few. Some of the more established groups include a Model United Nations and the Student Union.

Another society, Intercom, provides a platform for all international students to arrange activities and events, and share ideas and experiences with the wider student body.

Catering

3 canteens, 3 coffee shops, Bar, Restaurants

Sports 

Currently, 21 sports are offered through PE classes at XJTLU, including badminton, basketball, belly dancing, billiards, boxing, bridge, Chinese martial arts, football, free combat, body building, golf, popping, roller-skating, sport dancing, table tennis, taekwondo, tai chi, tai chi sword, tennis, Ultimate Frisbee and yoga.

We have outside sport facilities that include basketball and tennis courts as well as indoor facilities, such as a golf training venue, gym, dance room, and table tennis room. There is also a football field located next to the new South Campus.