Our Joint Institute builds upon a highly successful and longstanding partnership between Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) and the University of Jinan (UJN), which has flourished for almost 20 years. Throughout this period, the collaboration has demonstrated a shared commitment to academic excellence, student success, and international engagement, creating strong foundations of trust, mutual respect, and sustainable partnership working.
A key strength of the Joint Institute is the strong alignment of values shared by UJN and GCU. Both institutions are committed to widening access to education, fostering social responsibility, supporting innovation, and preparing graduates to make meaningful contributions to society and the economy. The universities share a student-centred approach, placing a strong emphasis on academic excellence, employability, internationalisation, and creating opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds to achieve their full potential. This shared commitment provides a solid foundation for collaboration and ensures that the Joint Institute will deliver a high-quality educational experience that reflects the aspirations and strategic priorities of both partners.
The partnership is further strengthened by GCU's distinctive mission as the University for the Common Good. This commitment aligns closely with UJN's focus on serving regional and national development through education, research, and innovation. Together, the institutions seek not only to provide students with internationally recognised qualifications but also to develop globally minded graduates equipped with the knowledge, skills, and ethical values required to address the challenges and opportunities of an increasingly interconnected world. By bringing together complementary strengths and a shared vision for education, the Joint Institute will create a sustainable platform for academic excellence, cultural exchange, innovation, and long-term impact.
The Joint Institute of UJN and GCU represents an exciting opportunity to further strengthen the relationship between the two universities, providing students with access to a world-class educational experience that combines the academic expertise, international outlook, and graduate employability focus of both institutions. Through this collaboration, students will benefit from a truly international learning environment, exposure to global perspectives, and qualifications that will enhance their opportunities in both domestic and international employment markets.
By building on nearly two decades of successful collaboration, the Joint Institute of UJN and GCU will create a platform for continued innovation, academic development, and international engagement, supporting the strategic ambitions of both universities while delivering significant educational and societal benefits for students, staff, and the wider community.
The Joint Institute of UJN and GCU is located in Jinan, the vibrant capital of Shandong Province and one of China's leading educational, cultural, and economic centres.
The Joint Institute combines GCU's distinctive, professionally focused approach to higher education with the academic strengths and regional reputation of UJN. Together, the two institutions will provide students with a truly international learning experience, preparing graduates to thrive in an increasingly global workforce.
The city offers extensive transport links, access to major population centres including Beijing and Shanghai, and a well-established environment for international staff and students.
The Joint Institute will deliver a range of innovative courses designed to meet the needs of both industry and society. Undergraduate degrees offered are:
- BA (Hons) Finance, Investment and Risk
- BSc (Hons) Environmental Management
- BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering.
In addition, the Institute will offer weekend-delivered postgraduate programmes in:
- MSc Financial Technology
- MSc Environmental Management.
GCU is a modern, globally connected institution with a strong reputation for industry-relevant education, impactful research, and its commitment to the Common Good. As Scotland's largest modern university, GCU brings extensive experience in Transnational Education, delivering high-quality international partnerships that combine academic excellence with real-world application. The University's strengths in areas such as business, engineering, computing, health, and social innovation align closely with regional economic priorities and the aspirations of students seeking a globally recognised education.
- We're the top ranked Scottish modern university (Daily Mail University Guide 2027)
- We're also the top ranked UK modern university (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026)
- We're proud to report that 90% of our graduates are in employment and/or further study within 15 months, with the majority in highly skilled occupations (HESA 2026)
- We're Scotland’s leading provider of Graduate Apprenticeships
- We're the top modern Scottish university in providing research that is world leading or internationally excellent (REF2021)
