UPV Opens Its Historic Campus in Hangzhou, China: Opportunities for International Students

A historic milestone for Spanish higher education

In October 2025, the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) officially inaugurated the Beihang Valencia Polytechnic Institute (BVPI) in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China. With this move, UPV becomes the first Spanish university to establish an in-person campus outside of Spain.

The BVPI is the result of a strategic partnership between UPV and Beihang University (BUAA), one of China's most prestigious engineering institutions. The institute has been selected as a pilot project for the Chinese government's Sino-Foreigner Excellence Engineering Program, underscoring its strong institutional backing.

What is the BVPI?

The Beihang Valencia Polytechnic Institute is a joint academic center occupying over 2,000 m² of space on Beihang's Hangzhou campus, with a 20-year concession. It combines UPV's engineering tradition with BUAA's resources and industrial network.

The BVPI operates under the supervision of China's Ministry of Education and features active participation from faculty at both universities. Its mission is to train top-level professionals in strategic technology fields.

Programs offered

The BVPI offers a comprehensive academic portfolio in cutting-edge technology fields, all taught in English:

4 bachelor's programs in telecommunications, artificial intelligence, aerospace engineering, and robotics
6 master's programs specializing in advanced communications, applied AI, and aerospace systems
4 doctoral programs focused on joint UPV-BUAA research
All degrees lead to internationally recognized dual diplomas

The Hangzhou advantage

Hangzhou is often called "China's Silicon Valley." It's home to Alibaba, DeepSeek, TikTok/ByteDance, and Unitree Robotics, among other tech giants. For BVPI students, this means direct access to one of the world's most dynamic innovation ecosystems.

The city also boasts West Lake (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), a vibrant food and cultural scene, and excellent transport links to Shanghai (25 minutes by high-speed rail). With over 12 million residents, Hangzhou offers a high quality of life at lower costs than Beijing or Shanghai.

Opportunities for students

The BVPI creates several concrete pathways for international students interested in UPV:

Dual UPV-BUAA degrees recognized in both Europe and Asia
CSC (China Scholarship Council) scholarships available for international candidates
UPV-Martín de Rada mobility program between the Valencia and Hangzhou campuses
Joint R&D labs in telecommunications, AI, and aerospace
Admission through GaoKao or other international pathways

What this means for students considering Spain

The opening of the BVPI significantly elevates UPV's international profile. Students enrolling at UPV in Valencia now have the possibility to access exchange and mobility programs with Hangzhou, gaining a truly global education.

Furthermore, the dual-degree framework increases the value of the degree in Asian job markets, where BUAA is a highly recognized name. For students from Latin America, the Middle East, or South Asia seeking a European education with projection into Asia, this program is a unique opportunity.

How we can help

At Postgrad Spain, we advise international students who want to study at UPV, whether in Valencia or through the new BVPI pathways. We help with program selection, admission applications, visa documentation, and accommodation planning.