Public university in Hefei, Anhui, China
Old North gate of the East Campus
The University of Science and Technology of China (USTC ) is a public university in Hefei , China. It is affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences , and co-funded by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Ministry of Education of China , and the Anhui Provincial Government. It is part of Project 211 , Project 985 , and the Double First-Class Construction .
The university was founded in Beijing by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in September 1958. In the beginning of 1970, the university moved to Hefei during the Cultural Revolution .[ 2] The university has 13 schools, 11 national research platforms, 8 science-education integration colleges, and 5 joint cooperative institutes with local governments.[ 3] The university is a member of the C9 League .
The university was founded in Beijing by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in September 1958. The director of CAS, Guo Moruo was appointed the first president of USTC. USTC's founding mission was to develop a high-level science and technology workforce, as deemed critical for development of China's economy, defense, and science and technology education. The establishment was hailed as "A Major Event in the History of Chinese Education and Science." CAS has supported USTC by combining most of its institutes with the departments of the university. In 1959, USTC was listed in the top 16 national key universities , becoming the youngest national key university.[ 4]
In the beginning of 1970, the university moved to Hefei during the Cultural Revolution.[ 2]
In 2012, USTC and the National University of Defense Technology signed a strategic agreement to cooperate on quantum computing research at a ceremony attended by Pan Jianwei and Yang Xuejun .[ 5]
Chang Jin (常进 ), President
Shu Gequn (舒歌群 ), Party Secretary
Bai Chunli (白春礼 ), Honorary President
Presidents:[ 6]
Guo Moruo , September 1958 – June 1978
Yan Jici , February 1980 – September 1984
Guan Weiyan , April 1985 – January 1987
Teng Teng , January 1987 – February 1988
Gu Chaohao , February 1988 – July 1993
Tang Honggao , July 1993 – June 1998
Zhu Qingshi , June 1998 – September 2008
Hou Jianguo , September 2008 – January 2015
Wan Lijun , March 2015 – June 2017
Bao Xinhe , June 2017 – October 2024[ 7]
Chang Jin , October 2024 – present[ 8]
Honorary President:
A sculpture near the old library on the East Campus
Since its participation in the CAS Experimental Program of Knowledge Innovation, USTC has achieved a batch of important and innovative results in the basic research of nano science and technology,[ 11] quantum information science , life science research, fire science,[ 12] and fire protection technology, polar scientific investigation and research, bio-mass clean energy research.
Rankings and reputation [ edit ]
USTC is generally considered one of the most competitive universities in the country,[ 24] and consistently ranked among the top universities in Asia according to several major international university rankings.[ 25] [ 26] The joint THE-QS World University Rankings 2005 ranked USTC 4th in China (after Peking , Tsinghua and Fudan ), 13th in Asia and 93rd in the world.[ 27] The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2011 placed USTC 49th in the world, 7th in Asia and 2nd in China after Peking.[ 28] It ranked 10th in Asia and 4th in Emerging countries & Mainland China after (Tsinghua, Peking and Zhejiang) in 2020 by Times Higher Education .[ 29] [ 30]
As of 2023,[update] the Times Higher Education World University Rankings ranked USTC 57th overall in the world.[ 31] The Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), also known as the "Shanghai Ranking", placed USTC 42nd in the world, 6th in Asia, and 5th in China.[ 32] The 2022 QS World University Rankings ranked USTC 93rd overall in the world.[ 33] The 2024 US News Best Global Universities ranked USTC 82nd overall in the world and 6th in mainland China.[ 34] USTC is regarded as one of the most reputable Chinese universities by the Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings where they ranked 51–60th globally.[ 35]
Research Strength and Subject Rankings [ edit ]
The Nature Index Research Leaders 2024, which measures the largest groups of papers published in 145 leading high-quality science journals,[ 36] ranks USTC the No.2 university in China and the Asia Pacific region, and 3th in the world among the global universities (after Harvard and UCAS ).[ 37] In 2024, USTC is ranked 44th globally by the Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers for World Universities with "Engineering" & "Natural Science" related-fields ranked in the global top 10.[ 38]
In the 2021 ARWU Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, the USTC had six disciplines in the world's top 20, 14 disciplines in the world's top 50 and 18 disciplines in the world's top 100.[ 39]
ARWU Discipline Rankings[ 39]
Subjects
2021
Global Ranking
Nanoscience and Technology
4
Chemistry
8
Energy Science and Engineering
8
Materials Science and Engineering
13
Mechanical Engineering
17
Chemical Engineering
18
Computer Science and Engineering
24
Library & Information Science
25
Metallurgical Engineering
25
Biomedical Engineering
29
Instruments Science & Technology
30
Physics
30
Transportation Science & Technology
38
Telecommunication Engineering
42
Automation & Control
51-75
Mathematics
51-75
Earth Science
51–75
Environmental Science & Engineering
51-75
Electrical & Electronic Engineering
101-150
Management
101-150
Atmospheric Science
151-200
Biotechnology
151-200
Statistics
151-200
Civil Engineering
201-300
Economics
201-300
Biological Sciences
301-400
Business Administration
301-400
Human Biological Sciences
301-400
Medical Technology
301-400
Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences
301-400
Agricultural Sciences
401-500
Times Higher Education (THE)[ edit ]
Nature Index tracks the affiliations of high-quality scientific articles and presents research outputs by institution and country on monthly basis.
Year
Rank
Valuer
2022
2[ 42]
Nature Index - Academic Institutions - China
2022
328[ 43]
Nature Index 2022 - Leading 500 institutions by patent influence metric
2023
4[ 44]
Nature Index - Academic Institutions - Global
2023
2[ 45]
Nature Index - Academic Institutions - China
Only the National Laboratories, State Key Laboratories, and Key Laboratories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences are listed below, among which the National Laboratories have the highest qualification. USTC is the only university in mainland China which possess two National Laboratories at the same time.
National Laboratories (2)
The National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory[ 46]
Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale (under construction).[ 47]
State Key Laboratories and Ministerial Level Units
The State Key Laboratory of Fire Science (SKLFS)[ 48]
National High Performance Computing Center (Hefei)[ 49]
National Engineering Laboratory of Speech and Language Information Processing[ 50]
The State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics (Under Construction)
Mengcheng National Geophysical Observatory
Microsoft Key Laboratory of Multimedia Computing and Communications, Ministry of Education
Key Laboratories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
The Key Laboratory of Bond Selective Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences
The Key Laboratory of Wu Wenjun Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
The Key Laboratory of Quantum Information, Chinese Academy of Sciences [ 51]
The Engineering & Technology Research Center for Thermal Safety, Chinese Academy of Sciences [ 52]
The Key Laboratory of Material Mechanical Behavior and Material Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences
The Key Laboratory of Structural Analysis, Chinese Academy of Sciences
The Key Laboratory of Structural Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
The Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Strong Magnetic Field Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences
The Key Laboratory of Basic Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences [ 53]
The Key Laboratory of Energy Conversion Materials, Chinese Academy of Sciences
The Key Laboratory of Galaxies and Cosmology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
The Network Communication System and Control Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences (training building)
The Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences
The Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Brain Disease, Chinese Academy of Sciences
The Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic, Space, and Information, Chinese Academy of Sciences
The Research Center of Solar Thermal Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences
The Quantum Technology and Application Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Schools and Departments [ edit ]
Highlights: USTC set up the first graduate school in China in 1978 to effectively cultivate its postgraduate students.
School for the Gifted Young[ 54]
School of Mathematical Sciences[ 55]
School of Physical Sciences[ 56]
Department of Modern Physics
Department of Astronomy
Department of Physics
Department of Optics and Optical Engineering
Physics Experiment Teaching Center
School of Chemistry and Materials Science[ 57]
Department of Chemistry
Department of Chemical Physics
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Department of Polymer Science and Engineering
Chemical Experimental Teaching Center
School of Nuclear Science and Technology[ 58]
School of Life Science[ 59]
Molecular Biology and Cell Biology
Neurobiology and Biophysics
Systems Biology
Biomedicine and Biotechnology
School of Engineering Science[ 60]
Modern Mechanics
Thermal Science and Energy Engineering
Precision Machinery and Instrumentation
School of Information Science and Technology[ 61]
Electronic Science and Technology
Automation
Electrical Engineering and Information Science
Information Security
School of Computer Science and Technology[ 62]
Computer Science and Technology
School of Earth and Space Science[ 63]
Earth and Space Science
Faculty of Geochemistry and Environmental Science
School of Software Engineering[ 64]
School of Management[ 65]
Statistics and Finance
Management Science
Business Management (Information Management and Decision Science)
Humanities and Social Science[ 66]
Sci-tech Communication and Sci-tech Policy
The Teaching and Research Division of Marxism
Scientific History and Archaeometry
Center for Modern Art
School of Environment Science and Electrooptical Technology
School of Material Science and Engineering
Suzhou Institute for Advanced Study, USTC
Shanghai Institute for Advanced Studies, USTC
Institute of Advanced Technology, USTC
Continuing Education
Notable faculty members [ edit ]
Zhou Guangzhao (1929–2024) – Famous theoretical physicist, Vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, Honorary President of USTC at present.
Yan Jici (1901–1996) – Pioneer of Modern physics research and education in China, former Vice-president, President and Honorary President of USTC.
Qian Linzhao (1906–1999) – Famous physicist and educator, pioneer of scientific history and education in China, former Vice-president of USTC.
Hua Luogeng (1910–1985) – Pioneer of modern mathematics research and education in China, former Chairman of the Department of Mathematics and Vice-president of USTC.
Guo Moruo (1892–1978) – A Chinese author, poet, historian, archaeologist, the first president of USTC.
Meng Xuenong (1948–) – Former Mayor of Beijing, and former Governor of Shanxi Province
Qian Xuesen (1911–2009) – Father of missiles of China, former Chairman of the Department of Mechanics with USTC.
Zhao Zhongyao (1902–1998) – Pioneer of modern particle physics research and education in China, one of the first in the world to find positrons, former Chairman of the Department of Modern Physics with USTC.
^ a b c d "Facts" . University of Science and Technology of China . Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023 .
^ a b "ABOUT at the University of Science and Technology of China" . Archived from the original on 28 May 2011.
^ "院系介绍-中国科学技术大学" . University of Science and Technology of China . Archived from the original on 25 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022 .
^ "University of Science and Technology of China(USTC)" . Archived from the original on 6 July 2007. Retrieved 13 July 2007 .
^ CORBETT, THOMAS; SINGER, PETER W. (18 May 2023). "Chinese Breakthroughs Bring Quantum Tools Closer to Practicality" . defenseone.com . Defense One. Retrieved 5 June 2023 .
^ "China Vitae" . Archived from the original on 4 July 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2015 .
^ "国务院任免国家工作人员(2017年6月9日)" . www.mohrss.gov.cn . Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2023 .
^ "常进同志任中国科学技术大学校长" . 中国科学技术大学 . 11 October 2024. Retrieved 12 October 2024 .
^ "周光召与中国科技大学的若干关联" . 北京中国科学技术大学新创公益基金会 . 29 August 2024. Retrieved 12 October 2024 .
^ "Top atomic bomb scientist dies at 95" . China Daily . 19 August 2024. Retrieved 12 October 2024 .
^ "提示信息" . Archived from the original on 5 March 2007. Retrieved 7 March 2007 .
^ "State Key Laboratory for Fire Science" . Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023 .
^ "2024 Best Chinese Universities Ranking" . Shanghai Ranking. 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024 .
^ "Wu Shulian University Ranking" . Chinese Academy of Management Science. 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2024 .
^ Chinese Universities Alumni Association (2024). "Alumni Association (22nd Edition): Chinese University Rankings 2024" . Retrieved 16 January 2024 . Alternative URL
^ "QS University Rankings 2025 - China (Mainland)" . Top Universities. 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2024 .
^ "THE University Rankings 2025 - China" . Times Higher Education (THE). 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2024 .
^ "QS World University Rankings: Asia 2025" . QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited. 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2024 .
^ "Asia University Rankings 2024" . Times Higher Education. 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024 .
^ "Academic Ranking of World Universities" . Institute of Higher Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024 .
^ "QS World University Rankings" . QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited. 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2024 .
^ "THE World University Rankings" . Times Higher Education. 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2024 .
^ U.S. News & World Report (2024). "2024-2025 Best Global Universities Rankings" . Retrieved 24 June 2024 .
^ "China University Ranking – China Education Center" . chinaeducenter.com . Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2022 .
^ "QS Asia World University Rankings" . Top Universities . Archived from the original on 24 October 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2022 .
^ "Asia University Rankings" . Times Higher Education (THE) . 18 May 2021. Archived from the original on 13 May 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2022 .
^ "Times Higher Education: WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS 2005" . www.timeshighereducation.co.uk . 7 October 2005. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008.
^ "World University Rankings 2011" . Times Higher Education (THE) . 13 April 2015. Archived from the original on 2 February 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2022 .
^ "Asia University Rankings" . Times Higher Education (THE) . 28 May 2020. Archived from the original on 3 June 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2021 .
^ "Emerging Economies" . Times Higher Education (THE) . 22 January 2020. Archived from the original on 20 February 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2021 .
^ "World University Rankings" . Times Higher Education (THE) . 27 September 2023. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023 .
^ "ShanghaiRanking's Academic Ranking of World Universities" . www.shanghairanking.com . Archived from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 4 September 2024 .
^ "QS World University Rankings 2021 Results" . February 2017. Archived from the original on 9 June 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2020 .
^ "US News Best Global Universities 2024-2025 Results" . US News . Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2024 .
^ "World Reputation Rankings" . Times Higher Education (THE) . 25 October 2021. Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2022 .
^ "FAQ | Nature Index" . www.nature.com . Archived from the original on 2 December 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2024 .
^ "2024 Research Leaders: Leading academic institutions | Nature Index" . www.nature.com . Retrieved 19 June 2024 .
^ "University of Science and Technology of China" . nturanking.csti.tw . Archived from the original on 21 August 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2024 .
^ a b "ShanghaiRanking-University of Science and Technology of China" . ShanghaiRanking . Archived from the original on 27 May 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2021 .
^ "Top Universities With The Best Student-to-staff Ratio 2021" . 9 February 2022. Archived from the original on 18 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023 .
^ "Top Universities With The Best Student-to-staff Ratio 2022" . 9 February 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2023 .
^ "2022 tables: Institutions - academic - Annual tables - Nature Index" . Nature Index. Archived from the original on 5 February 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2023 .
^ "Leading 500 institutions by patent influence metric - Nature Index 2022 Innovation - Supplements - Nature Index" . Nature Index. Archived from the original on 17 January 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023 .
^ "2023 tables: Institutions - academic - Annual tables - Nature Index" . Nature Index. Archived from the original on 18 July 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2023 .
^ "2023 tables: Institutions - academic - Annual tables - Nature Index" . Nature Index. Archived from the original on 21 June 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023 .
^ "National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory" . Archived from the original on 4 July 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2015 .
^ "Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale" . Archived from the original on 4 July 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2015 .
^ "State Key Laboratory of Fire Science" . Archived from the original on 4 July 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2015 .
^ "National High Performance Computing Center at Hefei" . Archived from the original on 23 March 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2015 .
^ jumbot,随风缘. "语音及语言信息处理国家工程实验室 -" . Archived from the original on 4 July 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2015 .
^ "Key Laboratory of Quantum Information, USTC, CAS" . Archived from the original on 20 August 2011.
^ "University of Science and Technology of China(USTC)" . Archived from the original on 6 July 2007. Retrieved 13 July 2007 .
^ "中国科学技术大学等离子体物理实验室" . Archived from the original on 11 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2015 .
^ "School of Gifted Young, USTC" . en.scgy.ustc.edu.cn . Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2016 .
^ "School of Mathematical Sciences, USTC" . math.ustc.edu.cn . Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2015 .
^ "School of Physical Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China" . Retrieved 3 July 2015 .
^ "School of Chemistry and Materials Science" . Archived from the original on 4 July 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2015 .
^ "School of Nuclear Science and Technology" . Archived from the original on 19 July 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2015 .
^ "University of Science and Technology of China" . en.biox.ustc.edu.cn . Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2016 .
^ "School of Engineering Science USTC" . en.ses.ustc.edu.cn . Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2016 .
^ "Welcome to School of Information Science and Technology!" . en.sist.ustc.edu.cn . Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2016 .
^ "School of Computer Science and Technology, USTC" . en.cs.ustc.edu.cn . Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2016 .
^ "University of Science and Technology of China" . en.ess.ustc.edu.cn . Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2016 .
^ "University of Science and Technology of China" . sse_en.ustc.edu.cn . Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2016 .
^ "The School of Management, University of Science and Technology of China" . en.business.ustc.edu.cn . Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2016 .
^ "University of Science and Technology of China" . en.hsss.ustc.edu.cn . Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2016 .
International National Academics Other