You have just started your first week at the Zhejiang University -University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJE), so take a huge breath: it’s normal to feel a bit like you’re starting university in two places at once.That’s the whole point of TNE @ ZJE.
You’re on Zhejiang University’s International Campus in Haining, with its residential colleges, modern labs, sports facilities, and student support. At the same time, you’re working towards a dual award University of Edinburgh degree and Zhejiang University degree in Biomedical Sciences / Biomedical Informatics, following Edinburgh’s curriculum and academic standards.
Your first weeks might feel all a bit much. Getting to orientate on the Haining campus, welcomes events and walkthroughs, two sets of emails, portals, and timetables, thinking about which guidelines apply. All this means you are now part of a joint institute designed to give you the best of both universities.
To Our ZJE Undergraduat
Your first weeks look like this:
Moving into your new living space with your own bedroom in your residential college, making new friends to share food and have fun with from across China and the world.
Meeting your residential college tutor, programme leads, lectures and new classmates.
Getting used to English-medium teaching with Edinburgh-style module guides and assessments.
Discovering the campus: libraries, study spaces, sports centre, dining options, and finding the shortcuts between buildings!
It’s okay if you’re still unsure about how to access library and learning platforms.
It’s okay if you don’t know which office to email for extensions, mitigatingcircumstances, or academic advice.
It’s okay if you miss home, family and friends.
It’s okay if you don’t know how to balance ZJU and UoE expectations.
Your lecturers and student support teams expect these questions, sojust ask.
To Our ZJE Postgraduates (MSc & PhD)
For master’s and PhD students, the first weeks will feels more researchfocused, some of you are on our dual award PhD, some on ZJU only PhD, some on UoE only PhD, some on our 1 year UoE only MSc and some on our ZJU only 3 year MSc but you are all one postgraduate community.
You will all be joining labs and research groups that sit within the joint ZJE institute, with supervisors linked to both ZJU and Edinburgh.
You will be navigating postgraduate induction sessions, safety training, and research integrity briefings that reflect both institutions’ standards irrespective of your programme. Remember research has one universal global standard.
Use the wealth of opportunities available, think about your project in a bilingual, multicultural context. Postgraduate life at ZJE is intense but uniquely global. You’re not “just” a ZJU student or “just” an Edinburgh student - you’re part of a shared research and teaching community that exists because of this partnership.
Remember: your “dual” identity is your superpower!
To our Parents and Families: Your Child Belongs in Both Worlds
Your child has just begun their first weeks at the Zhejiang University - University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJE). It’s normal for them, and for you, to feel a mix of pride, excitement, and a little worry. They have a new to feel a mix of pride, excitement, and a little worry. They have a new dual belonging which is exactly what this transnational education (TNE) partnership was designed to offer.
It’s completely normal if they are unsure how to access certain platforms, which office to contact for extensions or mitigating
circumstances, or how to balance expectations from both universities. Their lectures, tutors and support staff expect these questions and expect and want them to ask.
You know your child best. Your role now is less about solving every problem and more about helping them build confidence and
independence in this new, bicultural environment.
A few tips!
Listen more than you fix. Early weeks can be overwhelming. Often, they just need to talk through what feels confusing or lonely.
Normalize. Remind them that it’s okay to feel connected to both ZJU and Edinburgh, and that not knowing everything yet is part of the process.
Encourage them to use support. If they’re stuck or confused, suggest they email their residential college tutor, programme lead, or the ZJE student support team. These teams exist precisely to help.
Agree on a check-in rhythm. Many families and caregivers find it helpful to agree on a regular time to call or message, so your child has something stable to look forward to without pressure.
Like many UK universities, Edinburgh treats students as independent adults. This means Edinburgh University will usually communicate directly with your child, not with you as parents or guardians, unless your child gives explicit consent or there are exceptional welfare concerns.This does not mean that we care any less and staff at ZJE/ZJU are in any always there to help you.
If you’re worried, encourage your child to contact:
Their residential college tutor (for pastoral and day-to-day issues)
Their programme lead / personal tutor (for academic questions)
The ZJE student support / postgraduate support team (for administrative, wellbeing, or disability-related queries)
For general ZJE enquiries, the Institute’s central contact (e.g.zje@intl.zju.edu.cn or ZJEPGsupport@ed.ac.uk for postgraduates) can direct you to the right office.
Remember: their dual identity is a strength, it will become theirsuperpower!
Our students are not “half ZJU, half Edinburgh.” They are part of a single, joint institute that exists because of this trusted partnership. Over time, the two sets of emails, portals, and expectations will feel like one coherent system, and that “in-between” space is where they will develop a uniquely global perspective.
Your support, patience, and belief in them will help them lean into that dual identity with confidence. They belong in both worlds.
Written by Suesan Welburn
Executive Dean, ZJE
