Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are some of the fastest-growing, highest-paying, and most popular fields for students to study at university. But forget about Silicon Valley: China is already leading the STEM world in innovation, funding, and services for students. Westlake University in Hangzhou is one of the best universities to study at to take advantage of China’s growing importance in STEM areas and receive a high-quality education that can jumpstart your research career.
High-tech University Research Facilities
The future of STEM relies on training world-class students who will drive the innovation of tomorrow. The Chinese higher education system is growing fast and government investment in higher education through projects like the Double First-Class University plan are ever increasing funding for STEM majors and STEM research training. Westlake University, in China’s flourishing tech hub Hangzhou, offers STEM students high-quality labs and research facilities as well as access to the newest technology and future-oriented majors. All classes at Westlake are taught in English and the university strives to provide an open, diverse, and international environment. Moreover, this trailblazing institution hosts some of the world’s leading research centers, offering students the chance to immerse themselves in, and take part in, frontier discovery. These include:
- The Biomedical Research Core Facilities at Westlake University provide elite multidisciplinary research support across eleven specialized units, including CryoEM, Flow Cytometry, Genomics, High-throughput Screening, Mass Spectrometry & Metabolomics, and Microscopy. Students benefit from access to cutting-edge technology, enabling breakthroughs in the life sciences.
- The Laboratory Animal Resource Center at Westlake University offers comprehensive services for biomedical research, including optimized animal care, generation of genetically modified mice, strain expansion through IVF, cryopreservation, and sophisticated animal model development. This facility supports high-standard in vivo research essential for advances in biomedical sciences.
- The Westlake High-Performance Computing Center, established in 2019, provides state-of-the-art computational resources, supporting intensive data analysis and scientific simulations. Students and researchers utilize advanced computing power to conduct innovative, data-driven research projects across multiple scientific disciplines.
- The Instrumentation and Service Center for Physical Sciences at Westlake University houses over 40 advanced analytical instruments distributed across specialized labs, such as Electron Microscopy, Surface Physics Analysis, and Physical Property Measurement. These facilities enhance student research from condensed matter physics to biomedical engineering.
- The Center of Artificial Photosynthesis for Solar Fuels, directed by Professor Licheng Sun, is dedicated to solving critical issues in solar energy utilization and storage, supporting China’s drive toward carbon neutrality. CAP provides cutting-edge research into materials that enable efficient solar energy conversion into renewable fuels and valuable chemical products.
World-leading Innovation Hub
Many Chinese cities have established high-tech districts where STEM work is flourishing. However, one of the best examples of technological innovation in China today is Hangzhou. Located near Shanghai in eastern China, Hangzhou is home to Alibaba, Deepseek, and the Black Myth developer Game Science, quickly becoming known as one of the country’s leading innovation hubs. STEM students flock to this city to study among top universities and some of the biggest and most influential tech companies in China.
Hangzhou’s credentials support the popularity of the city as a top STEM destination. The city is home to one of the fastest-growing digital economies in China and ranks among the top science and technology clusters globally. In 2024, Hangzhou recorded a GDP of over 2.18 trillion RMB (around 299 billion USD), with a per capita GDP of approximately 183,000 RMB (about 25,700 USD), placing it among the highest in the country. The pace of technological innovation in Hangzhou is described as ambitious and highly collaborative, with a strong push toward real-world application and commercial success. As part of China’s investment in future industries, Hangzhou is focusing on artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum computing, green energy, and robotics.
With strong local government support, funding opportunities, and close ties between universities and industry, Hangzhou has created an ideal environment for STEM students to learn, innovate, and launch their careers.
Needless to say, STEM students in Hangzhou enjoy a major advantage from being immersed in one of China’s smartest tech cities. Everywhere you look, there are real-life examples of high-tech in action, from AI-driven traffic systems to ubiquitous mobile payments. Hangzhou has become the biggest beneficiary of mobile-internet-enabled social services; more than 95% of the supermarkets and convenience stores in the city use Alipay, and public services, from taxis to government apps, are fully cashless.
Incredible Opportunities for Students
Students and researchers at Westlake University can pursue groundbreaking research at undergraduate and graduate level and funding opportunities supported by both municipal and provincial governments. Hangzhou’s Municipal Graduate Scholarship offers full coverage (tuition, accommodation, and insurance) to outstanding international graduate students. On top of that, Westlake University offers a wide range of tuition scholarships and financial aid options to help students cover tuition, on-campus housing, insurance, and living costs.
Westlake University also provides numerous undergraduate and graduate level summer programs and internship opportunities to both domestic and international students, giving them the chance to experience hands-on research in cutting-edge laboratories across science, engineering, and life sciences. These programs are designed to foster global academic exchange and allow students to work alongside top faculty on real-world research projects.
In addition to research and funding opportunities, Westlake offers robust support services for STEM students developing their career paths. Students have access to personalized mentorships, job fairs, and career counseling. With a low student-to-faculty ratio, students receive close guidance from internationally recognized professors and begin contributing to research as part of the lab team from their first semester. Many students also receive support for participating in international competitions, internships, and conferences, helping them build global experience during their studies.
Westlake’s programs are designed to prepare students not only for immediate research success but also for long-term academic and professional growth. Many students who graduate from Westlake’s undergraduate programs go on to pursue doctoral studies and their PhD graduates are offered premier postdoctoral, research, or professor positions at top universities, research institutes, and companies worldwide. With strong academic training, real-world experience, and access to a global network, Westlake students are equipped to become the next generation of innovators and leaders in science and technology.
Globally Recognized STEM Faculty
Westlake’s professors are globally renowned for their contributions to scientific advancement and research. Educated in the world’s top institutions, with an international outlook, and vast experience in the world of STEM, the quality of education, teaching, and research mentorship offered to Westlake students is on par with the best global higher education institutions. Because China’s position in the STEM world is growing ever-more prominent, major researchers and prize-winning scientists have been drawn to China to participate in its rapid development. At Westlake University, the faculty is notably diverse, with professors coming from 15 different countries. Westlake also boasts its own internationally acclaimed faculty, including:
- Hanqing Jiang, Chair Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Westlake University, was awarded the 2025 Daniel C. Drucker Medal by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), one of the highest honors in the field of applied mechanics. He was recognized for his pioneering work on origami-inspired mechanical structures and his exceptional service to the engineering academic community.
- Professor Yao Yang, Assistant Professor at Westlake University, was named one of MIT Technology Review’s 2024 Innovators Under 35 for China for his breakthrough work on atomic electron tomography.
- Professor Jian Yang, Chair Professor of Biomaterials and Regenerative Engineering at Westlake University, received the 2023 Wallace H. Coulter Award for Healthcare Innovation from the American Biomedical Engineering Society for his pioneering work in citrate-based biomaterials used in regenerative medicine and FDA-approved medical devices.
The Future of R&D is in China
China’s investment in research and development (R&D) reached a record high in 2023, totaling 3.33 trillion RMB (approximately $458.5 billion USD), representing 2.64% of GDP. This sustained growth marks China as the world’s second-largest R&D investor after the U.S. and the country is well on course to surpass the U.S. in total R&D spending in the coming years. The government’s funding is directed toward both basic research and strategic high-tech sectors, including artificial intelligence, quantum information, semiconductors, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing.
In 2023, the National Natural Science Foundation of China funded over 52,000 research projects, and China remained the world leader in international patent filings according to WIPO.
As China rapidly increases its investment in key scientific fields, STEM students in China can expect world-class research opportunities and high-caliber university facilities to become the norm.
China is also accelerating efforts in sustainable development. The country has committed to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. This has led to massive investment in green technology, including renewable energy, carbon capture, smart infrastructure, and clean transportation. Platforms like Alibaba’s City Brain, which originates from Hangzhou, are being adopted globally to manage urban congestion and reduce environmental impact.
Corporate and university-led innovation in areas such as New Energy Science and Engineering continues to expand, offering a wide range of opportunities for the next generation of researchers focused on global sustainability challenges.
Job prospects in the sector are projected to rapidly expand in the future, and talented international students are in the perfect position to connect China and the world for a greener future.
Apply Now
Technological and scientific development are always advancing. You can advance your own STEM education by applying to Westlake’s STEM programs right here on China Admissions:
