School Introduction
Established in 2004, School of Design of East China Normal University now has four undergraduate majors (including ten directions): Public art, Environmental Design, Visual Communication and Product design. All majors are equipped with Chinese-foreign joint cultivation 2+2 double-degree programs. English taught courses are offered in both undergraduate and graduate programs to international students. Currently, School of Design has 76 international students.
The four-year English-taught undergraduate program of the School of Design now has two majors: Environmental Design and Visual Communication. It is open to all non-Chinese citizens holding valid foreign passports (see the specific requirements below). The application deadline for 2025 admission is June 30th.
01 . Visual Communication
Program Introduction
Visual Communication Design is the basic major of the design discipline, running through the basic and professional skills in design field, such as composition layout, color matching, spatial balance, detail setting, decorative language, textual expression, visual system design, etc., and it is also one of the design majors with the widest range of employment and the most complete embodiment of the individual’s ability.
The program is taught in English and is carefully designed to meet the needs of international students, focusing on developing students who are not only proficient in a wide variety of visual design techniques and media, but also able to skillfully integrate critical thinking and creative problem solving skills in practical work. The program focuses on interdisciplinary integration, incorporating artistic, technological, humanities, and social science ways of thinking to enhance students’ creativity and ability to solve complex problems.
Degree and Study Period
Study Period: 4 years
Degree: BFA-Bachelor of Fine Arts
Main Courses
Painting Foundation, Photography Foundation, The History of Design, Pattern Design and Cultural Expression, Drawing for Design：Drawing Expressive, Info-graphic, Creative Coding and AI-Generated Content: Interdisciplinary Innovation Practice, Social Design, Typography and Layout, Infographics and Data Visualization, Digital Image Foundation, User Experience and User Interface Design, Project Practice I, II, III, Professional Internship, Graduation Design.
02 . Environmetal Design
Program Introduction
The Environmental Design program, highlighted by its practice-oriented and interdisciplinary approach, cultivates students’ comprehensive and applied abilities in areas like environmental planning, architectural design, interior decoration, and landscape design. Emphasizing the integration of global multiculturalism, we actively advocate for the application and exploration of artificial intelligence in the design field. The program provides international students with broad academic platforms and practical opportunities, aiming to develop their abilities in cross-cultural communication and collaboration. Through participation in interdisciplinary academic research and practical projects alongside peers and professors from different countries and backgrounds, students enhance their innovative awareness and problem-solving skills, making positive contributions to the global design field.
Degree and Study Period
Study Period: 4 years
Degree: BFA-Bachelor of Fine Arts
Main Courses
Painting Foundation, Photography Foundation, The History of Design, Pattern Design and Cultural Expression, Drawing for Design：Drawing Expressive, Info-graphic, Creative Coding and AI-Generated Content: Interdisciplinary Innovation Practice, Social Design, Master works analysis, Fundamentals of Architecture, Introduction to Landscape Architecture, Cultural Space Design, Project Practice I II III, Professional Internship, Graduation Project.
Application Guide
1.Application Form for International Student Admission to East China Normal University
Please log in to the online application system(http://lxsapply.ecnu.edu.cn) to fill out the application form online.
2.High School Diploma
*A scanned copy of the original. If the diploma is not in Chinese or English, a notarized Chinese or English translation must be provided.
*For current senior high school students, a pre-graduation certificate (indicating that the diploma will be obtained before August 31st 2025) should be provided during the application. The official diploma must be submitted upon registration.
3.Complete High School Transcript
*Must be in Chinese or English. If not in Chinese or English, a notarized Chinese or English translation must be provided.
4.Language Proficiency Certificate (IELTS 6.0 or above, TOEFL 85 or above, Cambridge English B2 or above)
5.Personal Statement
6.Passport Copy
7.Guardian’s Guarantee Letter for Applicants Under 18
8.800 RMB Application Fee (Online Payment)
9.After Official Admission, Tuition Fees: 50,000 RMB per year
Note:
Applicants who are former residents of the main land of China (including Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) who have acquired foreign nationality through immigration, or those whose parents are Chinese citizens settled abroad and who acquired foreign nationality at birth, must provide an Entry-Exit Information Form and a Commitment Letter (templates can be downloaded from the East China Normal University Global Education Center(http://lxs.ecnu.edu.cn/) under Download Documents”).
Once the application materials and application fee are submitted and processed, they will not be refunded.
Students Sharing
As a first year student at the East China Normal University (ECNU), I can say my first semester has been quite fulfilling. The curriculum is very diverse, including theory, research, discussions, and hands-on projects, which encouraged me to think critically and creatively. The faculty was also very helpful and offered a lot of guidance for our projects, from the main topic to selecting methods and to the refinement of the final look. I gained new experience with both physical mediums and digital softwares, which expanded my vision for my design projects.
The university also organized field trips for various museums and art exhibitions, some in Shanghai and some in Hangzhou. I learned about the history of China, the local history of Shanghai, the contemporary art scene, and many more during these trips.
Outside of academia, the ECNU campus is a beautiful place with a lot of trees and flowers, and it always gives me a sense of tranquility. The canteens here serve a variety of Chinese and international dishes at a rather affordable price, which is very convenient for students that wish to dine on campus. I also have to mention the campus cats, all of whom are full of personality and whimsy, and everytime I see them I am enamoured with their antics.
All in all, my experience with ECNU has been wonderful, and I look forward to the next three years I will be spending here.
I applied for the Environmental Design degree English taught program at ECNU, and from the first day, I felt welcomed into a supportive and inspiring environment. The professors are incredibly helpful, making the learning experience engaging and fulfilling.
This program allows me to explore both the artistic and technical sides of design, offering diverse perspectives on architecture and the art industry. Although I am not fluent in Chinese, I never feel left behind, as the university provides English-taught courses and bilingual practical subjects, along with Chinese language lessons that help with communication.
Living in the dormitory, I enjoy a vibrant student life with various extracurricular activities such as yoga, painting, and volunteering. The international community here has broadened my cultural understanding, while ECNU’s events, like International Day, and field trips to museums and art exhibitions have deepened my appreciation for architecture, design field and Chinese heritage.
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