The university plays an active role in international exchanges and has established exchange and cooperation with institutions of higher learning and research institutes in a score of countries and regions including the USA, UK, France, Russia, Canada, South Korea, Japan and Australia. It has expanded cooperation of various kinds at different levels. It is accredited to enroll international students and students from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. In the past years, more than 400 foreign teachers and experts have come to CUST for teaching and lectures. 500 staff members have been sent abroad for studies, international conferences, visits and lectures.

The university is active in exploring international education and talent training modes, has jointly established Confucius Institute with the University of Liberia, and has cooperated with enterprises in training organized international students of bachelor’s degree. The university is one of ten Pilot “Training Bases of International Talents” granted by China Oversea-Education Scholars Development Foundation, and has sent more than 100 excellent students to study in France, UK, USA, Russia and South Korea in recent years.