The University of Science and Technology of China is a new type of university established by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) after the founding of the New China. The establishment of the University is aimed at fostering high-level personnel of science and technology absolutely necessary for the development of the national economy, national defense construction, and education in science and technology. The University was founded in Beijing in September of 1958. Mr. Guo Moruo is the first president of the University. The establishment was hailed as "A Major Event in the History of Chinese Education and Science". CAS has supported the University by combining most of its Institutes with the departments of the University. CAS has pooled the entire strength of its faculty and its advantage in science and technology for the development of the University. USTC is listed in the top 16 national key universities by the Central Committee of the CCP, becoming the youngest national key university.

The University has more than 3600 faculty and staff numbers,22 CAS and CAE academicians, 432 professors. The number of students accepting normal higher education at USTC totals around 13794, 8243 undergraduate students, 3873 master degree students, and 1498 Ph.D. students among them. Besides, the University has 1575 professional master degree students, 110 post-doctoral fellows and 134 guest professors.

The University has concluded agreements of cooperation and exchange with around 100 universities and research institutions in more than 30 nations and regions. Around 300 international experts and scholars will visit USTC every year for lecturing and collaborative research. USTC has sent around 10,000 individual visits to more than 30 nations and regions for study and cooperative research.