Duke Kunshan University

Duke Kunshan is a world-class liberal arts university based in Kunshan, China, that offers a range of high quality, innovative academic programs for students from around the world. It was established in September 2013 as a U.S.-China partnership between Duke University and Wuhan University.

Duke Kunshan welcomed its first students in August 2014. The university began by offering Duke graduate degrees as well as a Global Learning Semester program for undergraduate students from Duke and top-tier Chinese and international universities.

In August 2018, the university welcomed its first undergraduate degree students. The four-year bachelor’s degree program follows the liberal arts and sciences tradition, with emphasis on critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and self-exploration.

Our vibrant, high-tech campus covers 200 acres in Kunshan’s Yangcheng Lake Science and Technology Park. Take a virtual tour to see our advanced classrooms, conference facilities and library, as well as student and faculty housing, and multiple dining and recreational areas. We also have multipurpose meeting spaces, break rooms and study rooms that allow students to work individually or in groups to review course materials and complete assignments.

The city of Kunshan, in Jiangsu province, is one of China’s fastest-growing economies and is a hub for high-tech research and manufacturing. The city is surrounded by picturesque forests and water towns, and is also connected by high-speed rail and subway to Shanghai and Suzhou, two of China’s most dynamic cities.

Mission Statement

Duke Kunshan University is a highly selective research-oriented, liberal arts and sciences university located in China, whose primary mission is to enable students from around the world to lead purposeful and productive lives. By delivering the highest quality undergraduate and graduate education that is truly interdisciplinary, we prepare students for professional, intellectual and societal leadership roles across the globe. The core of our educational offering is a four-year undergraduate degree program featuring an integrated and multi-disciplinary curriculum, with an effective blend of Chinese, American, and global techniques and values and a culture of academic excellence and freedom. Our world-class faculty pursue knowledge in service to society, involving students in innovative scholarship and research programs. As a premier Sino-US joint-venture university, we embrace the integration of global, national, and local traditions of thought and experience and promote cross-cultural understanding and cross-border collaborations.

Duke Kunshan University’s core educational principles are:

• Curiosity, passion and the search for truth augmented by advanced research skills and the capacity and desire to generate creative, reasoned responses to complex issues and problems. 
• A liberal arts and sciences pedagogy that emphasizes the importance of educational breadth, free inquiry and deep engagement. Duke Kunshan University’s interdisciplinary framework draws on multiple disciplines and integrates knowledge and research methodologies.
• Pluralism, tolerance and a willingness to engage with and learn from others in preparation for living, working and leading – effectively and ethically – in an interconnected, multi-cultural world.  
• Community action and service that is globally connected and locally grounded. 

Statement on diversity and inclusion:

Duke Kunshan University welcomes passionate, creative and intellectually driven students, faculty and staff from all walks of life, from all over the world. We affirm the diverse histories, perspectives, experiences, identities, languages and cultures that enhance our community, and we aim to create an environment where all members of our community are accepted, appreciated and celebrated. Our commitment to inclusivity is grounded in the university’s mission. Duke Kunshan University is a community where those who study, live and work see difference as an opportunity for meaningful dialogue, creative expression and innovative thinking. The university aspires to foster mutual respect and understanding among and for all people, regardless of differing cultures, ethnicities, races, religions, genders, sexual orientations, ages, national origins, socioeconomic backgrounds, capabilities, or any other category that can be used to divide people. Our uniquely rich cultural community is designed to cultivate informed and engaged citizens of the world.