University of Saint Joseph

The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) is a multicultural Catholic university of Macao, China.

Heritage

Established in 1996 by the Catholic University of Portugal and the Diocese of Macao, USJ was modelled after top universities in Europe and is now a hub for international collaboration framed by Macao’s unique local character. USJ stands squarely within the Macanese tradition of intercultural education that began with the founding of the first Western-style university in East Asia in 1594.

Purpose

At USJ, students and faculty members come from over 40 different nations for the shared pursuit of knowledge in service of humanity. This mix of backgrounds and perspectives makes USJ’s learning environment an effective incubator of ideas, sparking innovation and creative solutions to relevant challenges in the world.

Academics

USJ operates primarily in English and every student may learn the two official languages of Macao: Chinese and Portuguese. Programmes of study are offered in the Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, Environmental Science, Religious Studies and Philosophy, and Business and Law. In each programme, critical and creative thinking is underlined by collaborative and practice-based learning, where self-reflection on the ethical implications of one’s education is always encouraged.

Campus

In 2017, USJ expanded to its new Ilha Verde Campus. USJ’s new “Green Campus” is a model of architectural innovation, featuring state of the art academic facilities and a residential hall that has single and double room accommodation for undergraduates, as well as studio apartments for graduate students and visiting academics.

Connection

Outside the classroom, USJ provides many opportunities for you to form close friendships through clubs and other athletic and cultural activities. As a graduate of USJ, you join a global network of passionate alumni engaged in their chosen fields.

Degree Recognition

USJ’s degree programmes have all received Macao government accreditation and every USJ degree can be recognised in Europe through USJ’s relationship with the Catholic University of Portugal (UCP).

Scholarships

USJ provides needs-based and merit-based scholarships, while also offering tuition deductions for members of certain partner organisations and the families of USJ and UCP alumni.

Internships

Students can get work experience while studying through USJ’s Student Ambassador Programme, which pairs students with administrative offices of the University for ongoing and project-based internships.

Culture

While students at USJ have access to the latest technologies for science and art, USJ is also the only university in Asia with courses in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. USJ’s harmonisation of preservation and progress can be found throughout Macao. Unique architecture and charming streets are a testament to Macao’s centuries-old encounter between China and Europe. Macanese dishes, known as the world’s first fusion food, combine the best of Portuguese and Chinese ingredients with flavours from Africa and South Asia.

Lifestyle

Macao is one of safest and healthiest cities in the world with a high life expectancy. Students at USJ can stay physically fit by swimming in the University’s swimming pool, playing basketball, badminton, volleyball, or football, and exercising at the Residential Hall’s gym.

Travel

Beyond Macao, students can easily explore East and Southeast Asia from USJ. Mainland China is only a short walk from the Ilha Verde Campus, where you can board a train for weekend trips to big cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, or the quiet countryside of Guilin or Hangzhou. From Macao’s international airport, a 15-minute drive from Ilha Verde, you can take direct flights to destinations such as Bangkok, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, or Tokyo

USJ works closely with the local community to foster social development and to nurture a sustainable society.

Social Responsability

In order to highlight the basic right of people with disabilities to enjoy arts and cultural creativity, USJ is involved in events like the Asia Pacific Accessible Art Festival 2019, co-hosted with Caritas Macau.

When invited to design an experimental exhibit for the Macau Museum of Art in partnership with the British Museum, the USJ Faculty of Arts and Humanities (FAH) used 3-D printing and laser-cutting technologies to make the display of Italian Renaissance Drawings accessible to visitors of all abilities.

Acting on USJ’s concern for the most vulnerable in society, the USJ Faculty of Social Sciences and Education (FSSE) has developed an outreach programme with the Macao Correctional Services Bureau to train incarcerated individuals as social workers.

Environmental Sustainability

The USJ Institute for Science and Environment (ISE) works with the Clean the World Foundation and Las Vegas Sands, within the framework of the Drop by Drop Project, to create nature-based solutions for a cleaner and safer Macao. ISE educates children and the general public on the value of environmental sustainability through the project “Bringing Science to Schools in Macao: from Genes to Ecosystems.” ISE is also regularly involved with volunteer coastal cleaning efforts.