Why Macao & UM?

Macao was a territory administered by Portugal and now a Special Administrative Region of China, Macao’s architecture, art, religion, traditions, food and community reflect the integration of Chinese, Western and Portuguese cultures. The Historic Centre of Macao was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List due to its unique historical and cultural landscape. Thanks to its rich history, cultural diversity and booming gaming industry, Macao has gradually developed into a metropolitan city and currently positioning itself as the World Centre of Tourism and Leisure as it develops into a quality international tourist destination.

Macao is one of the core cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), which links two special administrative regions (Macao S.A.R. and Hong Kong S.A.R) with nine cities in Guangdong province of China. The longest bridge-tunnel system sea-crossing in the world namely the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge was built to facilitate traveling between cities. Among the world’s major bay areas, GBA already surpassed the most famous San Francisco Bay Area in terms of area, population and GDP, and continuously plays an important role in the construction of the “Belt and Road”. By taking the advantage of historical background and culture of Macao, it serves as a platform for business cooperation and service between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, and foster the development of the cooperation base with “Chinese culture as the mainstream and multiculturalism coexist”. In addition, Macao focuses on building a tourism education and training base in GBA, and moving towards a world tourism and leisure center.

The nine mainland cities in the Bay Area establish a variety of beneficial incentives to encourage the youth specialist to pursue their innovation, start their business, and internships there. Those policies boost the diversity of industries to offer sufficient job opportunities for the youth.

Macao not only serves as a platform for business cooperation between China and Lusophone countries but also extend its industry chain through the cooperation with GBA cities, where uplift the interchange of the market or network in the wholesale and retail business, traditional Chinese medicine, cultural and creative industries, health care sectors and so on.

UM is an internationalised public comprehensive university in Macao. In the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024, UM ranked 193 with a global ranking of No. 67 in International Outlook; in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2024, UM ranked No. 254. In Essential Sciences Indicators (ESI) rankings, it is among the top 1% in ten subjects, namely Engineering, Chemistry, Computer Science, Pharmacology & Toxicology, Materials Science, Biology & Biochemistry, Clinical Medicine, Psychiatry/Psychology, Social Sciences, General, and Agricultural Science. Many academic programmes at UM have received international accreditations, namely AACSB Accreditation, AMBA Accreditation, the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) Accreditation, etc.

UM’s education model encompasses education, research, internship and community education, all with equal emphasis and importance. UM has devoted abundant resources in excelling the teaching and research quality, 80% of the faculty members at UM come from outside Macao and many of them have earned prestigious titles. UM actively cooperates with institutions and enterprises in 33 countries and regions to offer exchange and internship opportunities for students, the University also cooperates with reputable universities to offer joint or dual degree programmes for high-achieving students. In order to enrich university life and achieve the goal of whole person development, UM has implemented Residential College system which offers students with a unique community atmosphere and learning opportunities outside the classrooms.

The UM campus, occupying 1.09 square kilometres, offers a modern and tranquil environment for studying and living in a harmonious blend of South China and South European architectural styles. Apart from the modern teaching, research, dormitory and college buildings, there are adequate facilities to support students’ need, students will find numerous sports and recreational venues, open areas and Macao’s biggest library. Sport facilities include an Olympic-standard swimming pool, a sports complex, an archery range, a football field, basketball courts, squash courts, sports climbing walls and gym rooms that fits all students’ sporting interests. Several stores and food outlets are within close reach in the university mall and also can be found in all areas of the campus. The university security team, clinic and public services (police and firefighter stations) on campus will provide immediate assistance in case of emergency need. Counselling services are always available to meet students’ mental wellness. UM is dedicated to side by side with you during your university life.