Shanghai’s Own Flagship University
The city’s leading municipal university, backed directly by Shanghai government funding, scholarships and industry programs.
Shanghai, ChinaQS #443
Shanghai University
Shanghai’s own comprehensive university — engineering, business and film since 1922
Shanghai University traces its roots to 1922 and was re-established in its present form in 1994 through the merger of the former Shanghai University, Shanghai University of Technology, Shanghai University of Science and Technology and the Shanghai Institute of Science and Technology. It is a 211 Project and Double First Class university administered by the Shanghai Municipal Government — the city’s flagship municipal institution — with its main Baoshan campus plus the Yanchang Road and Jiading campuses. Uniquely broad in scope, SHU pairs nationally strong mechanics, metallurgy, materials and communication engineering with the Shanghai Film Academy, the SILC Business School and the Sydney Institute of Language and Commerce. Around 3,000 international students from more than 150 countries study on the Baoshan campus, choosing between English-taught business degrees, Chinese-English bilingual engineering programs and Chinese-taught majors, with tuition among the lowest of Shanghai’s major research universities.
Project 211Double First-Class
- QS World Ranking
- #443
- Location
- Shanghai, China
- Founded
- 1922
- International Students
- 3,000+
- Teaching Language
- English / Chinese
- Tuition
- CNY 24,000 - 75,000 / year
- Intake
- September
- Application Deadline
- June 30
Why Choose
Why Choose Shanghai University
Key reasons international students choose Shanghai University for their studies in China.
National Strength In Mechanics
Mechanics, metallurgy and materials science are SHU’s Double First Class disciplines with dedicated national research platforms.
Shanghai Film Academy
A full film and television school inside a research university — rare among Chinese universities open to international students.
Sino-Foreign Joint Colleges
SILC and the Ulisboa College deliver English and bilingual degrees with Australian and Portuguese partner universities.
Low Tuition For Shanghai
Chinese-taught majors from CNY 24,000 a year make SHU one of Shanghai’s most affordable research universities.
Single Integrated Campus
International students live and study together on the large Baoshan campus, on the Line 7 metro into central Shanghai.
Rankings & Recognition
Academic Reputation
National designations and world rankings that signal academic strength and prestige.
QS World University Ranking#443
China National Ranking#60
National Designations
Project 211Double First-Class
Programs
Programs for International Students
Explore the degree programs and academic strengths available to international students at Shanghai University.
International Economics & Trade (SILC)
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 40,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Shanghai University Scholarship eligible
Finance (SILC)
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 40,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Shanghai University Scholarship eligible
Business Administration (SILC)
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 40,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Shanghai Government Scholarship eligible
Civil Engineering (Ulisboa College)
BachelorLanguage: Chinese & English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 30,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Shanghai University Scholarship eligible
Mechanics & Engineering Science
MasterLanguage: English
Duration: 3 years
Tuition: CNY 29,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC full scholarship eligible
Materials Science & Engineering
DoctorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 40,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC full scholarship eligible
Admission
Admission Requirements
What you need to apply to Shanghai University as an international student.
- Academic RequirementsHigh school diploma with satisfactory results for bachelor’s; a bachelor’s degree for master’s and a master’s degree for doctoral applications.
- Language RequirementsEnglish-taught: IELTS Academic 6.5 or TOEFL 90 within two years, or prior education in English. Chinese-taught: HSK Level 5 with 180 or above.
- Supervisor AcceptanceMaster’s and doctoral applicants must secure online acceptance from a prospective supervisor, except in designated schools such as Economics and Management.
- Required DocumentsPassport, transcripts, graduation certificate, study plan, language certificate, two recommendation letters and a non-criminal record certificate.
- Application DeadlineApplications open November 20 and close June 30 for the September intake; scholarship rounds close earlier.
- Application FeeCNY 500, non-refundable, paid through the apply.shu.edu.cn online system.
- Medical ExaminationA Foreigner Physical Examination Form is required and is re-verified in Shanghai after arrival.
- Visa DocumentsSHU issues the JW202 form and Admission Notice so you can apply for an X1 student visa at a Chinese embassy.
Tuition & Scholarships
Costs & Funding
Transparent tuition, living costs and scholarship options for international students.
Cost Breakdown
- Annual Tuition
- CNY 24,000 - 75,000 / year
- Accommodation
- CNY 35 – 140 / dayOn-campus rooms, limited places booked online from late July
- Application Fee
- CNY 500 (one-time)
- Medical Insurance
- CNY 800 / yearCompulsory comprehensive insurance for international students
- Estimated Living Cost
- CNY 2,500 – 4,000 / monthMeals, transport & personal expenses
Estimated First-Year CostCNY 60,000 – 95,000
Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
Coverage: Full tuition, on-campus accommodation, monthly stipend and comprehensive insurance.
Eligibility: Outstanding non-Chinese applicants for master’s or doctoral degrees at SHU.
Deadline: Late March
Shanghai Government Scholarship
Coverage: Full or partial tuition, with accommodation and stipend at the full award level.
Eligibility: Degree-seeking international students admitted to a Shanghai municipal university.
Deadline: Late April
Shanghai University Scholarship
Coverage: Partial tuition award for degree students, renewed on annual academic review.
Eligibility: Self-funded international degree applicants with strong academic records.
Deadline: June 30
Confucius Institute Scholarship
Coverage: Tuition, accommodation and stipend for Chinese language and teaching programs.
Eligibility: Applicants for Chinese language, literature or Teaching Chinese as a Second Language.
Deadline: Varies by round
Campus Life
Life on Campus
What daily student life looks like at Shanghai University.
Large Baoshan Campus
A single spacious campus with lakes, canteens and academic quarters where most international students live and study.
On-Campus Residences
International dormitory rooms priced by day, from shared to single en-suite options, booked online after admission.
Central University Library
One of Shanghai’s largest university libraries, with extensive Chinese and international digital collections.
Film & Media Culture
The Shanghai Film Academy brings screenings, student productions and festival events into everyday campus life.
Sports & Recreation
Stadium, indoor gymnasium, swimming and courts supporting student leagues and daily fitness activity.
Metro Line 7 Access
Shanghai University station connects the campus directly to the city centre, Jing’an and the Bund.
Gallery
Campus Gallery
A visual tour of Shanghai University.
Research & Innovation
Research Strengths
Research capacity and innovation ecosystem at Shanghai University.
Mechanics & Applied Mechanics
A Double First Class discipline with national platforms in fluid, solid and computational mechanics research.
Metallurgy & Materials
Long-standing strength in metallurgical engineering, advanced alloys and materials processing for industry.
Communication & Information
Research in signal processing, communication systems and intelligent information technologies for smart cities.
Film & Media Studies
The Shanghai Film Academy leads research on Chinese cinema, digital media production and cultural industries.
Shanghai Industry Projects
Municipal funding links laboratories to Shanghai’s manufacturing, steel, energy and creative sectors.
International Joint Research
Collaborations with Australian, Portuguese and European partners through SILC, Ulisboa College and joint centres.
Career Outcomes
Graduate Outcomes
Where a degree from Shanghai University can take you after graduation.
Shanghai Employer Network
Deep municipal ties give graduates access to Shanghai’s finance, trade, manufacturing and media employers.
Engineering & Manufacturing
Mechanics, metallurgy and materials graduates recruited by steel, automotive and advanced manufacturing firms.
Business & Trade Careers
SILC graduates enter international trade, banking, consulting and digital marketing roles across the Yangtze Delta.
Creative Industry Routes
Film Academy graduates work in production, broadcasting, animation and China’s growing streaming sector.
Graduate Study Pathways
Internal progression to SHU master’s and doctoral programs, plus partner universities abroad.
Alumni Across Shanghai
A large alumni base in Shanghai business, engineering and cultural organisations supports graduate hiring.
Student Support
International Student Support
How Shanghai University helps international students settle in and succeed.
Accommodation Assistance
Help with the late-July online dormitory booking and with nearby off-campus housing if rooms are full.
Residence Permit
Guided assistance converting your X1 visa into a residence permit within 30 days of arrival in Shanghai.
Orientation
Orientation covers registration, campus systems, banking, safety and settling into Baoshan district.
Academic Advising
International Students Centre and school advisors support course selection, credits and supervisor contact.
Chinese Language Support
Mandarin courses for English-track students and long-term Chinese language programs for HSK preparation.
Health Services
Campus clinic access, compulsory insurance enrolment and help with referrals to Shanghai hospitals.
Emergency Assistance
Round-the-clock campus security and International Students Centre contacts for urgent situations.
Visa Guidance
Support with JW202 forms, visa renewals, exit-entry procedures and travel documentation.
Student Community
International student associations, national societies and cultural festivals spanning 150+ countries.
Timeline
Application Timeline
Key dates and milestones for applying to Shanghai University.
- From November 20
Applications Open
The SHU online application system at apply.shu.edu.cn opens for the September intake.
- December – March
Contact A Supervisor
Master’s and doctoral applicants secure online acceptance from a prospective supervisor where required.
- March – April
Scholarship Deadlines
Chinese Government and Shanghai Government Scholarship rounds close well before the general deadline.
- By June 30
Final Application Deadline
Last date for self-funded applicants to submit documents and pay the CNY 500 application fee.
- June – July
Admission Results
Schools review applications and successful candidates receive Admission Notices and scholarship decisions.
- Late July
Book Accommodation
Admitted students book limited on-campus dormitory rooms online after notification from the university.
- July – August
Apply For X1 Visa
Use your Admission Notice and JW202 form to apply for an X1 student visa in your home country.
- Around September 1
Arrival & Registration
Arrive in Shanghai, register on the Baoshan campus, complete the medical check—then classes begin.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions international students ask most about Shanghai University.
Explore More
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