The English Department is one of the oldest liberal arts departments at South China University of Technology, established in 1985. It is primarily responsible for undergraduate teaching in the English major. The department began enrolling undergraduate students in 1988. In 1993, with the approval of the Academic Degrees Committee of the State Council, it established a master's program in English for Specific Purposes (later renamed Foreign Linguistics and Applied Linguistics) and began enrolling postgraduate students in this field. In 1995, the department launched a minor program in English for students across the university, followed by a 3+2 dual-major and dual-degree program in 1999. In 2003, the department established a master's program in English Language and Literature. In 2006, with the approval of the Academic Degrees Committee of the State Council, it was granted the authority to confer master's degrees in the first-level discipline of Foreign Language and Literature. In 2010, a Master of Translation and Interpreting program was added.
The English Department boasts a strong faculty, currently consisting of 22 full-time teachers, including 9 professors and 6 associate professors, with 14 holding doctoral degrees. Their research and teaching primarily focus on English language and literature, foreign linguistics and applied linguistics, translation and cross-cultural communication, and business English. Over the past five years, the department has undertaken over 30 research projects, received 3 teaching awards at the provincial and ministerial levels, published more than 50 academic monographs, translations, and textbooks, and publicly released over 200 academic papers. In the 2023 Soft Science Ranking of Chinese University Disciplines, the Business English major ranked first nationwide (A+ discipline).
The English Department has long offered a major in English for Science and Technology. In response to societal needs, it began enrolling students in the Business English major in 2014, with a four-year program. The aim is to cultivate interdisciplinary and applied English talents with solid language fundamentals, an international perspective, and a strong humanistic foundation. Students are equipped with knowledge in foreign language and literature, applied economics, business administration, and law (international business law), along with practical abilities in business English application, cross-cultural communication, business practice, critical thinking, and innovation, preparing them for careers in international business. The Business English major is interdisciplinary in nature, grounded in foreign language and literature, applied economics, business administration, and law (international business law). It emphasizes the development of skills in business language application, business knowledge and practice, and cross-cultural business communication.
To enhance the quality of talent cultivation, the English Department encourages students to pursue dual majors or dual degrees. It also actively establishes undergraduate exchange programs, encouraging students to study and exchange at universities both domestically and abroad. Key exchange programs include: the 985 Project University Undergraduate Exchange Program, lasting from half a year to a full year; undergraduate exchange programs with institutions such as Pittsburg State University (USA), Lingnan University (Hong Kong), Tainan University (Taiwan), Kaohsiung University (Taiwan), and Taiwan Normal University (Taiwan), lasting from half a year to a full year; and international education cooperation programs for undergraduates, such as the 2+1+1 program with the University of Queensland (Australia), the 2+2 dual-degree program with the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse (USA), and the 2+0.5+1.5 program with Edge Hill University (UK).
Graduates of the English Department are highly sought after and well-regarded in the job market, with the department consistently achieving the highest employment rate among similar disciplines in Guangdong province for several consecutive years. Graduates primarily pursue further studies at prestigious domestic and international postgraduate institutions or secure positions in government agencies, research institutions, large state-owned enterprises, public institutions, multinational corporations, foreign-invested enterprises, and international-facing companies. Their career paths include teaching, research, banking, securities, insurance, investment, media, publishing, and international exchange.
Department Head: Su Ping
Deputy Department Heads: Che Siqi, Wang Yangyu
Mailing Address: Building 4, South China University of Technology, Wushan Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou (Postal Code: 510640)
