Global E3: University of Michigan - Shanghai Jiao Tong Joint Institute

 

Overview: 
For the AY 2023-2024, this program will not be offered. The following information is provided as a reference for future years and is subject to change.  

 

Spend a semester studying engineering in Shanghai, China in an all-English environment! The University of Michigan-Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute (JI) is an equal-partner institution cooperatively sponsored by the University of Michigan (UM) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). The Chinese Government and both partner universities have made a strong commitment to develop the Joint Institute as a world-class, research-oriented institution.

This exchange program is College of Engineering (ENGR) specific, meaning only undergraduate ENGR students may participate. JI and Pitt are members of Global E3, an exchange consortium of over 60 Engineering Schools from around the world. This consortium is administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE) For more information about the university, see the Global E3 JI page and the  JI website.

 

Typically, semesters are: 

Fall: 14 weeks (of which one is a holiday week) from mid-September to late December

Summer: 13 weeks from mid-May to mid-August

Fall and Summer are the major semesters on the JI academic calendar. Exchange students may come for either or both semesters. Spring is not available.

JI accepts students for Fall or Summer ONLY.  

 
Learning Objectives: 

 

As an active and engaged participant on this program, you will have the opportunity to develop: 

  • the ability to succeed independently in a foreign education environment. 
  • non-US based perspectives on your field of study and/or future career path. 
  • a global network of peers in similar fields of study and connections with faculty in China.

 

 

Partner Information: 

 
Office Responsible for International Exchange Students  
International Programs Office   |   Viva.du@sjtu.edu.cn - Viva Du, International Programs Coordinator
 

Location Description: 

As a specially designated reform zone within the Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the Joint Institute has been given a high degree of autonomy to model itself after the University of Michigan. Shanghai, one of the most populous cities in China, is home to more than 20 million residents, 6,000 high-rises (and growing), and a constant chorus of jackhammers. Located at the mouth of the Yangtze River, the city is a prominent feature on China's East Coast. 

Housing Description: 

Exchange students are guaranteed on-campus housing, in the Joint Institute Dormitory together with JI students. Accommodation is either a double or triple shared room based on availability.    Please refer to the GE3 website for information.

Academic Description: 

Use the links below to see if the specific departments offer the types of courses you would like to take while studying abroad.  

Academic Departments: 

Visit the University's website to learn more about course offerings and check the GE3 website for general course information. The following disciplines are available: 

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Electrical & Computer Engineering

Courses are taught in English.
Minimum Requirements: 

  • SSoE student in good standing 
  • Minimum 2.75 GPA for engineering students 
  • Sophomore standing or higher 

Of note: 

  • All courses must be approved by the Faculty Director of your department in the Swanson School of Engineering. A course approval form must be completed and submitted to SSoE’s Engineering International Initiatives Office. 
  • Additionally, for the purpose of full-time status here at Pitt, students should be prepared to take what is equivalent to at least 12 Pitt credit hours.   
  • Courses taken at JI will be treated as transfer credits and will be marked as pass/fail (S/NC) on a Pitt student's transcript. In other words, transfer credits will not affect your Pitt GPA. However, students must receive a C grade or higher in order for the credits to transfer. Actual grades earned will appear on the transcript from the exchange university. 
  • Language Requirements: Non-native English speakers may be required to show evidence of English proficiency.     

 

Students who have attended this program in the past have taken classes in the areas of:: 
Engineering
Grading: 

In order to gain Pitt credit, you must receive a C or higher for each course you will transfer back to Pitt for credit. 

For information about the grading scale at JI, please see the JI handbook on website 

Transcripts: Please request that your university send a hardcopy to the Engineering International Initiatives Office. Make sure that you follow their instructions on how to ensure that an official copy of your grades are received. Hardcopies should be sent the following address: International Engineering Initiatives, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, 152 Benedum Hall, 3700 O’Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA. 

Exchange university transcripts typically do not arrive from the exchange university until 3 to 4 months after the end of exchange period. Therefore, Pitt students should be mindful of how this may affect their ability to graduate, especially when exchanging during one's senior year. Another consideration is how this may affect your financial aid package, as the S/NC grades are not posted until transcripts are received.
 

 

For information about the grading scale at JI, please see the JI handbook on website 

 

 

Experiential Learning Description: 

Exchange students may participate in capstone design/major design experience projects. Please see the Global E3 JI page for more info and remember that all course work must be approved by the Faculty Director of your department in the Swanson School of Engineering. A course approval form must be completed and submitted to SSoE’s Engineering International Initiatives Office. 

Program Fees: 

Pitt students participating on an exchange program will pay regular Pitt tuition and fees, according to their in-state or out-of-state residency status. In addition to the Study Abroad Administrative Fee, this also includes all Mandatory Fees, such as the Student Activity Fee, Wellness Fee, Computing and Network Services Fee, and the Security, Safety, and Transportation Fee.

Pitt Students on financial aid and/or tuition scholarships will need to consult the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid or respective entity providing the funds to confirm coverage for study abroad. 

Items Billed by Pitt

 Tuition: Check Pitt's website to verify current costs:https://ir.pitt.edu/undergraduate-tuition/ 
 
Program Fee: Check Pitt's website to verify current costs https://ir.pitt.edu/undergraduate-tuition/ 
 
Study Abroad Fee $400 
 
Total Billed by Pitt: Estimate your Pitt expenses based on current tuition and fees
 
 
How Much To Budget: 

Estimated Additional Out-of-Pocket Costs

     
Travel Expenses: Airfare, Passport, Visa, Resident Permit  $2,000  
Room & Board $3,000 - 5,000  
Personal Expenses $1,000 - 5,000  

 

The Estimated Costs reflect information provided by exchange partner and are reported to OAFA to calculate financial aid packages. The listed costs are defaulted to one semester. Multiply the costs by two for two semesters.Personal expenses vary with individual students. Review JI's website , the Global E3 JI specifc page as well as our budgeting page for more information.

The University of Pittsburgh provides comprehensive health insurance as part of studying abroad. More information about the type of insurance and coverage will be provided to you by the International Engineering Initiatives Office. However, you may need to purchase additional insurance if the exchange school you will attend requires you to purchase a specific health insurance per their regulations. It is your responsibility to ensure you know the cost of that insurance prior to committing to the program.

For global scholarship opportunities, check out:

  • the Pitt GEO scholarship page for links to national, provider and private scholarship samples
  • PittFund$Me  for Pitt sponsored funding including Pitt wide global scholarships, Nationality Rooms, VIH, etc.
  • PittFund$Me  for the SSOE Global Experience Scholarships!

 

 

Program Dates: 

Pitt students enroll at JI for either a full semester FALL or SUMMER ONLY. (Spring is not available for exchange.) JI’s calendar may differ from Pitt's normal fall (August through December) and spring (January through April) semesters, so Pitt students should check the academic calendar at the exchange university. JI has two main academic terms: Summer and Fall. The summer term is 13 weeks from mid-May to mid-August and the Fall: 14 weeks (of which one is a holiday week) from mid-September to late December. In most institutions, this allows students to spend their fall term at JI with no impact to their remaining academic year. The dates listed above are estimated and therefore subject to change according to the host university’s schedule.

Application Instructions: 

You must first be accepted by the Swanson School of Engineering International Initiatives Office, then you will be directed to apply to Global E3. (Typically SSoE application deadlines are late September for Spring and early February for Fall.) A formal nomination from SSoE Engineering International Initiatives  is required for Pitt students to be recognized as an exchange student at JI. Therefore, Pitt students must complete all necessary Pitt steps in addition to JI's requirements. In other words, acceptance by Pitt Engineering International Initiatives does not guarantee acceptance by the exchange university.  

Prior to being accepted, please visit the Global E3 website and read the application instructions and application deadlines. NOTE THE EARLY DEADLINE FOR SUMMER ABROAD, and March 1st for Fall abroad. There isn't a spring term abroad. 

Each university might have an additional application.  Please refer to the Global E3 JI website for details.  

Requirements: 

  • SSoE student in good standing 
  • Minimum 2.75 GPA for engineering students 
  • Sophomore standing or higher 

 

Additional Information: 

Questions about funding? Check out our funding pages and note that SSoE has funding specifically for engineering students! There are many other national funding sources you can review. One place to search is the Institute of International Education website. 
 

Language Requirements: Non-native English speakers will be required to show evidence of English proficiency. 

 
 

Insurance Requirements: 

 

The University of Pittsburgh provides comprehensive health insurance as a part of studying abroad. More information about the type of insurance and coverage will be provided to you by the Engineering International Initiatives office.  However, you may need to purchase additional insurance if the school you will attend requires you to purchase a specific health insurance per their regulations. It is your responsibility to ensure you know the cost of that insurance prior to committing to the program. 

 

Visa Requirements: 

 

In order to study as a student in specific countries, a visa is required. A visa is formal endorsement by the host country to grant permission for an individual to enter, live or stay in that country for a specific purpose and period. In addition to a visa, some host countries may require a residency permit upon arrival. 

For those without the host country’s nationality, students may need to obtain a student visa to study on this exchange. Pitt students should also research the visa and/or permit process through the specified country consulate website.  

In general visa application requirements may include but are not limited to the following requirements:  

  • Visa application 
  • Valid Passport 
  • Verification of acceptance from sponsoring university (exchange university) 
  • Financial Documents, such as bank statements, tax documents or pay statements.   
  • Passport photos 
  • Application fee 
  • Medical/physical examination (likely to require a doctor's appointment so plan accordingly)