South University of Science and Technology is a new public research university with high starting point and high orientation. It is an innovative university founded by National Experimental School for Comprehensive Reform of Higher Education, Guangdong High-level University of Science and Technology, Guangdong High-level University Key Construction University and Shenzhen.

The school focuses on science, engineering and medicine, and has a discipline system of business and characteristic humanities and social sciences. It runs schools at undergraduate, master and doctoral levels, and conducts research in a series of new disciplines, making the school a think tank leading social development and a source of new knowledge and technology.