Project Information | Introduction to the "National Excellence Program" Specialized Master's Program of Southern University of Science and Technology in 2027

In August 2024, with the approval of the Ministry of Education, Southern University of Science and Technology became one of the pilot universities for the second batch of the "National Excellence Program", aiming to "promote high-level universities to cultivate high-quality teachers at the postgraduate level for primary and secondary schools, allowing the outstanding to cultivate even more outstanding individuals, and laying a solid foundation for the cultivation of top-notch innovative talents". In order to implement the "Notice of the General Office of the Ministry of Education on Further Promoting the Implementation of the National Excellent Primary and Secondary School Teacher Training Program" (Teacher [2024] No. 16), our university introduces the 2027 "National Excellence Program" specialized master's degree program. 

I. Training Objectives 

Cultivate outstanding primary and secondary school teachers of the new era who possess firm ideals and beliefs, profound educational sentiments, excellent professional qualities in science and technology, superb teaching abilities, outstanding innovative and creative capabilities, and the qualities of being passionate about teaching and skilled at teaching. 

II. Admission Objectives 

We are recruiting students majoring in science or engineering who have a profound educational passion, solid professional foundation, excellent professional and scientific literacy in science-related fields, and are passionate about teaching and skilled at teaching. The recruitment is based on the "Notice of the General Office of the Ministry of Education on Further Promoting the Implementation of the National Plan for Cultivating Outstanding Primary and Secondary School Teachers" (Teacher Office Letter [2024] No. 16). The recruitment targets are undergraduate students in the third year of study at national universities (2027 graduating undergraduates) who are expected to obtain the qualification for direct enrollment. 

III. Enrollment Requirements 

Citizens of the People's Republic of China. 

2. Support the leadership of the Communist Party of China, have good moral character, and abide by laws and regulations. 

3. College students in their third year of study at national universities who are expected to be eligible for direct admission (2027 graduating undergraduates). 

4. The candidate's physical condition meets the health examination requirements stipulated by the state and the admission institution. 

5. Possess a strong academic research interest in professional disciplines and education, and have strong abilities in analyzing and solving problems as well as a strong sense of innovation. 

6. Aspires to work as a primary and secondary school teacher in the field of basic education, possesses an educational mindset, and is willing to engage in education at the primary and secondary levels. 

7. Physically and mentally healthy, honest and trustworthy, with a proper academic attitude, and without any unresolved records of illegal or disciplinary violations that have led to sanctions. 

8. Other conditions and requirements stipulated by the Ministry of Education and our university. 

IV. Admission Programs and Enrollment Plans

V. Registration Method 

Applicants who are interested in applying to our "National Excellence Program" should follow the relevant registration methods and requirements for pre-graduate admission announced by the respective engineering and science departments. Please refer to the official notifications of each admissions department for details. 

2. Candidates participating in the "National Excellence Program" selection will be evaluated by relevant science and engineering departments as well as humanities and social science departments. The assessment will focus on the candidates' academic performance in the first three years of undergraduate studies, professional knowledge, comprehensive ability, scientific spirit, teaching intention and potential, English proficiency and expression ability, etc. The specific arrangements will be based on the notifications from the science and engineering departments and the humanities and social science departments. 

Applicants are required to provide genuine and accurate materials. If an applicant engages in fraud, violates the admission regulations, or exhibits any improper behavior that goes against academic ethics, professional ethics, or honesty and integrity, upon verification, their eligibility for re-examination, admission, or enrollment will be immediately revoked. 

VI. Training Methods 

(1) Course Study 

1. Graduate courses in science and engineering disciplines. In accordance with the training plan for graduate students in science and engineering disciplines and personal training plan, complete the required courses during the graduate training period. 

2. Course study of the teacher education module. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences will, in accordance with the relevant implementation requirements of the "National Excellence Program", offer the teacher education module courses, which include no less than 18 credits of education, psychology, teaching of primary and secondary school courses, history of science and technology, etc., as well as no less than 8 credits of educational practice. The "National Excellence Program" graduate students participating in the "Grassroots Teaching Assistance Program" will have their teaching practice included in the educational practice credits for the "National Excellence Program" graduate student training. 

(2) Dissertation Guidance 

1. Guidance for scientific and technical degree theses. By the graduate supervisors of the science and technology disciplines, in accordance with the requirements for graduate education, they provide guidance on the degree theses of "National Excellence Program" graduate students in their respective disciplines. 

2. Guidance for Master of Education Degree Theses. The education theory mentors from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the industry-based education practice mentors jointly undertake the guidance of the "National Excellence Program" graduate education degree theses. 

VII. Project Features and Policy Incentives 

Explore the integrated model of learning and teaching. Integrate the learning of subject disciplines, the study of teacher education theories, educational practice activities, and educational research and training. This approach embodies the concept of learning through teaching and teaching through learning, and realizes the spiral deepening of student cultivation. 

2. Establish the "Three-Guide" guidance model. In the discipline and professional study module, for each graduate under the "National Excellence Program", one discipline and professional mentor will be assigned to guide the student through the entire training process according to the graduate training plan. In the teacher education module, one theoretical mentor will be assigned to each graduate for the study of internal educational theory. In the educational practice module, one educational practice mentor with rich teaching experience and high academic level will be assigned to each graduate at the educational practice base. The three mentors work collaboratively to systematically complete the training tasks and lay the foundation for students to become excellent teachers: 

3. Implement personalized learning methods. Graduate students under the "National Excellence Program" adopt an elastic teaching approach, flexibly arranging course study and educational practical activities. Based on the training objectives, the nature of the courses, and the teaching content, they employ flexible teaching methods such as project-based learning, research-based learning, and interdisciplinary learning. They emphasize the combination of in-class and out-of-class learning, and stress students' active and innovative learning. They encourage students to conduct teaching reflections and adopt methods such as case teaching, simulation teaching, and group collaborative learning. They fully utilize AI technology to achieve personalized teaching and deep interaction, and comprehensively improve educational quality. 

4. No need to take the national primary and secondary school teacher qualification examination for "National Excellence Program" graduate students. Graduate students of "National Excellence Program" enjoy the policy of exemption from the national primary and secondary school teacher qualification examination and obtaining the qualification for primary and secondary school teachers (referred to as the "no-examination-for-recognition" policy). Graduate students of "National Excellence Program" who have completed the prescribed credits can, in accordance with the relevant regulations on exemption from the qualification examination for education-related graduate students, apply for the certificate of primary and secondary school teacher qualification through the prescribed procedures. 

5. Implement a dual-degree training mechanism. Graduate students under the "National Excellence Program" can obtain a master's degree in their chosen discipline upon passing the thesis defense. At the same time, by completing the courses in the "National Excellence Program" training plan of our institution and passing the thesis defense for the educational master's degree, they can simultaneously obtain an educational master's degree. 

6. Implement the employment linkage mechanism. The school closely focuses on the basic education industry and the regional talent demand, actively cooperates with outstanding primary and secondary schools in the region to cultivate high-quality teachers at the postgraduate level, explores the "order-based" talent training model, and signs "order-based" training agreements with outstanding primary and secondary schools. After the "National Excellent Program" postgraduate graduates complete their training, they will make two-way employment choices under the guidance of the national employment policies. Establish a tracking service mechanism for the professional development of "National Excellent Program" graduates from teaching, meticulously organize cooperation with outstanding primary and secondary schools, actively cooperate with the local education administrative department to open a preferential channel for educational services, and vigorously promote the signing of employment agreements between "National Excellent Program" postgraduates and primary and secondary schools. Implement the support service mechanism after employment, including further study and training support, and subject research support, to strive to achieve the goal of cultivating high-level primary and secondary school teachers. 

VIII. Contact Information 

1. Science and Engineering Departments: Please contact them through the admission consultation methods announced by the science and engineering departments.

2. Special Office for the "National Excellence Program": 

Contact person: Teacher Qi 

Contact Number: (0755) 88015334 

Contact Email: guoyou.yzb@sustech.edu.cn