Bachelor of Engineering in Soft Matter Science and Engineering

Develop and optimize functional and intelligent advanced materials.

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Qualification

BEng in Soft Matter

Science and Engineering

Duration

4 years

Start date

September 2026

Study mode

Full-time

Fees

CNY 95,000/year Home and overseas

Location

Guangzhou International Campus, SCUT, Panyu, Guangzhou

Program Overview

The Soft Matter Science and Engineering program is an emerging interdisciplinary discipline that responds to critical social needs for developing and optimize functional and intelligent advanced materials. Rooted in physics, chemistry, materials science, and biology, this program equips students with fundamental knowledge and problem-solving skills to address multidisciplinary scientific and engineering challenges.

First launched as Molecular Science and Engineering (2019-2023), the program was renamed as Soft Matter Science and Engineering in 2024. The program features a “comprehensive mentor system”, English-taught courses, and diverse learning opportunities including a two-week international summer school, international symposiums and cutting-edge short talks by experts and scholars from top international institutes.

The program is part of our comprehensive educational system for training undergraduates, postgraduate students, PhD students, and postdoctoral fellows, ensuring continuous research and professional development opportunities.

Why SESM at SCUT

Why you should study Soft Matter Science and Engineering at South China University of Technology.

01

World’s first school on soft matter science

We are the world’s first School on soft matter science.

02

Ranked No.1 in Best Universities for Polymer Science.

We ranked No.1 in Best Universities for Polymer Science in 2023 US News & World Report.

03

36 full-time world-leading faculties

Our school is home to 36 full-time teaching faculties, 70% of whom are under the age of 40. Most of the faculty members are young scientists recruited from famous universities around the world, such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, University of Tokyo and others, and 12 of them have published papers on Science or Nature.

04

5:1 faculty-student ratio and Faculty Mentoring Program

Our 5:1 faculty-student ratio and Faculty Mentoring Program provide you the opportunity to closely engage with faculty members. Our professors are committed to mentoring the next generation of soft matter researchers and engineers.

05

State-of-the-art facilities and platforms

Our state-of-the-art research facilities and platforms will immerse you in hands-on learning experiences at the forefront of innovation from the first year. You’ll participate in team-based experiments guided by our professors.

06

China’s leading 985 and 211 project university

Our university is one of China’s leading universities directly under the Ministry of Education, and one of the national 211 and 985 project universities, which qualifies it as a prestigious and highly sought-after institution in China.

07

World-class education while lower living costs

We offer you world-class education and vibrant campus life while you can enjoy lower living costs than comparable programs.

Entry Requirements

We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world! Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens and be under the age of 25.

01
Minimum requirement

We welcome applications from high-quality candidates in all subject areas with appropriate high school qualifications. Students will normally be expected to have a high standing in their high school performance with a minimum “B” or “75 points” average in mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering and other relevant subjects.

02
English language requirement

IELTS 5.5 or TOFEL iBT 70

Note
This is only for non-English speaking countries. The language test results must remain valid at the time of application (tests taken within the past 24 months).

Curriculum

  • Core Courses
  • Courses Schedule

Frontier Materials and Intelligent Manufacturing of Soft Matter

Organic Chemistry

Physical Chemistry

Polymer Chemistry

Structural Chemistry

Elementary Quantum Mechanics

Mathematical Methods in Soft Matter

Theoretical and Computational Chemistry

Research Frontiers in Soft Matter Sciences

Analytical Chemistry

Fundamentals of Materials Science and Engineering

How to Apply

Application Process

01

Create an account

Register on the SCUT Application Portal: www.scut.edu.cn/apply

02

Submit Application

Complete the online form with your personal details.

Upload scanned copy of the supporting documents (see checklist below).

Pay 450 CNY application fee online.

Processing time: 7-14 working days.

Notes: 1) Please upload all the required documents to complete your application. Each document must be under 1M in size.
2) All documents must be translated into Chinese or English.
3) If you have studied at a Chinese university before, please provide:
  • A copy of your passport visa page.
  • A transfer letter (including attendance records above 80%)
  • Transcripts.
4) Some applicants may be required to provide the “Non-criminal Check” notarized by Chinese embassy and personal resume or financial certificates. You will receive an email with further instructions if these documents are needed in your case.

03

Examination/Interview

Applicants are required to attend the examination/interview organized by the School of Emergent Soft Matter.

04

Receive Admission Letter

Successful applicants will receive a digital admission letter via email within 10 working days.

05

Receive Visa Documents

South China University of Technology (SCUT) will issue an electronic JW202 for your student visa application.

An official admission package will be mailed to your designated address.

06

Apply for Student Visa

Visit the Chinese Embassy/Consulate in your home country with the following documents:

  • Admission letter

  • JW202 Form

Apply for an X1 visa (long-term study).

07

Enroll at SCUT

Complete your registration upon arrival on campus.

01

Create an account

Register on the SCUT Application Portal: www.scut.edu.cn/apply

02

Submit Application

Complete the online form with your personal details.

Upload scanned copy of the supporting documents (see checklist below).

Pay 450 CNY application fee online.

Processing time: 7-14 working days.

Notes:

1) Please upload all the required documents to complete your application. Each document must be under 1M in size.
2) All documents must be translated into Chinese or English.
3) If you have studied at a Chinese university before, please provide:
  • A copy of your passport visa page.
  • A transfer letter (including attendance records above 80%)
  • Transcripts.
4) Some applicants may be required to provide the “Non-criminal Check” notarized by Chinese embassy and personal resume or financial certificates. You will receive an email with further instructions if these documents are needed in your case.

03

Examination/Interview

Applicants are required to attend the examination/interview organized by the School of Emergent Soft Matter.

04

Receive Admission Letter

Successful applicants will receive a digital admission letter via email within 10 working days.

05

Receive Visa Documents

South China University of Technology (SCUT) will issue an electronic JW202 for your student visa application.

An official admission package will be mailed to your designated address.

06

Apply for Student Visa

Visit the Chinese Embassy/Consulate in your home country with the following documents:

  • Admission letter

  • JW202 Form

Apply for an X1 visa (long-term study).

07

Enroll at SCUT

Complete your registration upon arrival on campus.

Document Checklist

Passport copy

Passport photo

English proficiency Test Report: TOEFL iBT or IELTS

High school diploma + transcripts (or A-Level equivalent)

Foreigner Physical Examination Form (The result is
only valid for 1 year)

Two recommendation letters.

Application fee receipt

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester: June 15


Note:

The Soft Matter Science and Engineering program admits for Fall semester only.

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fee Scholarships and Deadlines
Tuition Fee 95,000 CNY/year Scholarships and Deadlines
  • Chinese Government Scholarship: October 1 – February (following year)
  • Guangdong Provincial Government Scholarship (New Students): June 30
  • SCUT Outstanding International Student Scholarship (New Students): June 30
Application Fee Note:
450 CNY Note: Scholarship deadlines may be updated according to the latest annual notice.
For more scholarship details, please check the FAQ

Student Spotlight

“My time at SESM has been transformative. The English-taught courses connected me with the latest global research, while the Faculty Mentoring Program provided me amazing opportunities to learn directly from world-leading professors. Thanks to our school’s support, I was able to participate in research programs such as the Student Research Program (SRP) and the Undergraduate Innovation Training Program, gaining hands-on experience with world-class equipment. This “learning-by-doing” philosophy has been incredibly valuable for my study.”

ZHANG Ruzhe, Year 3 student School of Emergent Soft Matter

“I chose SESM because of its renowned interdisciplinary approach to soft matter science. I have been deeply immersed in an educational environment that emphasizes “solid foundations, well-rounded competence, and strong innovation.” What excited me most were the international educational resources from international Summer Schools to lectures by leading academicians, and joint education programs with top universities worldwide. These experiences are helping me develop both professional skills and a global perspective.”

KUANG Ye, Year 1 student School of Emergent Soft Matter

Student Outcomes

Further Study

Almost 80% of our undergraduate students pursue further study in top-tier Chinese universities and world-leading international institutions, including the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Chicago, Imperial College London, University of Akron, National University of Singapore, Peking University, South China University of Technology, and others.

Career Opportunities

Our undergraduate program has achieved a 96% employment rate, with graduates primarily engaging in technical research and product development positions across cutting-edge fields such as chemistry, materials science, energy, and life sciences.

Admissions Videos

About Study
About Research
About Campus Life

Frequently Asked Questions

  • ABOUT APPLICATION AND ENTRY
  • ABOUT SCHOLARSHIPS
  • ABOUT ADMISSION LETTER
  • FEES
  • ABOUT STUDY VISAS
ABOUT APPLICATION AND ENTRY
  • ABOUT APPLICATION AND ENTRY
  • ABOUT SCHOLARSHIPS
  • ABOUT ADMISSION LETTER
  • FEES
  • ABOUT STUDY VISAS
What can I do if I have difficulties in uploading my documents on the application system?

Please note that the size of each uploaded file cannot exceed 2MB. You can upload the complete file in parts or pages. Please read carefully the requirements of uploading on the system and if you still have any further questions, then contact Admissions Office by sending email to sieinfo@scut.edu.cn.

Do I need to pay application fee?

Yes. Applicants are required to pay the application fee online if they apply for self-sponsored programs. Application fee is 450 RMB and it is not refundable. Application can only be proceeded after application fee is paid.

Note: Application fee is free for applicants who apply for Chinese Government Scholarship and International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship.

Can I change application information after I submitted online application?

If you want to make changes to your application such as change program, upload documents, etc, then please contact Admissions Office by sending email to sieinfo@scut.edu.cn.

Can I apply by using the previous old application?

No. If you submitted an application before and now want to apply again, you will need to start a new online application. It is not possible to transfer your old application to the new one.

When will I receive my application result?

After your online application is submitted and application fee is paid successfully, Admissions Office will start to proceed your application. Normally we will release result in 2 weeks after procedure is finished. Applications for certain programs will take more time to be reviewed. If we require any further information or supporting documents in order to process your application, we will contact you by email. Please check the application system regularly for the progress and pay attention to the Email notifications.

When do the classes start normally?

Degree programs begin in September. Details are subject to the admission letter.

Contact us for enquiries

Ms. Shen

shend@scut.edu.cn

+86-20-8118-1701

Ms. Yang

mslyang@scut.edu.cn

+86-20-8711-2581