China’s Top Finance University
ShanghaiRanking 2026 places SUFE first among all Chinese finance and economics universities and 35th nationally.
Shanghai, China
Shanghai University of Finance and Economics
China’s oldest business university — finance and economics in Shanghai since 1917
Founded in 1917 as the Commerce Department of Nanjing Higher Normal School, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE) is the oldest institution of higher business education in China. Administered by the Ministry of Education, it is a 211 Project and Double First Class university, and ShanghaiRanking’s 2026 China University Rankings place it first among all Chinese finance and economics universities and 35th nationally. Statistics is its Double First Class construction discipline, while accounting and finance are long-standing national key disciplines, and the SUFE College of Business holds the AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA “Triple Crown” of international business school accreditations. The main Guoding Road campus in Yangpu District sits within Shanghai — China’s financial capital and home to the Shanghai Stock Exchange, the Lujiazui financial district and the regional headquarters of most global banks. For international students the combination is unusually direct: English-taught bachelor’s degrees in finance and international economics and trade, English master’s tracks in finance, international finance, LLM and public administration, and an internship market on the doorstep.
Project 211Double First-Class
- Location
- Shanghai, China
- Founded
- 1917
- International Students
- 1,000+
- Teaching Language
- English / Chinese
- Tuition
- CNY 30,000 - 144,000 / year
- Intake
- September
- Application Deadline
- May 31
Why Choose
Why Choose Shanghai University of Finance and Economics
Key reasons international students choose Shanghai University of Finance and Economics for their studies in China.
Oldest Business School In China
Founded in 1917, SUFE pioneered higher business and commerce education in China and shaped the discipline nationally.
Triple Crown Accredited Business School
The College of Business holds AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA accreditation — a distinction held by few Chinese institutions.
Inside China’s Financial Capital
Shanghai hosts the Stock Exchange, Lujiazui and global bank headquarters, putting the industry within commuting distance.
Double First Class Statistics
Statistics is SUFE’s Double First Class discipline and a Ministry of Education Basic Discipline 101 Plan program.
Finance Recruitment Pipeline
Deep employer ties with banks, Big Four accounting firms, securities houses and asset managers across Shanghai.
Rankings & Recognition
Academic Reputation
National designations and world rankings that signal academic strength and prestige.
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 of Finance and Economics.
Finance
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 30,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Shanghai Government Scholarship eligible
International Economics & Trade
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 30,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: SUFE International Student Scholarship eligible
Accounting
BachelorLanguage: Chinese
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 30,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Shanghai Government Scholarship eligible
Finance
MasterLanguage: English
Duration: 2 years
Tuition: CNY 70,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC full scholarship eligible
Business Administration (MBA)
MasterLanguage: English
Duration: 2 years
Tuition: CNY 144,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Partial tuition award eligible
Economic Law
DoctorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 50,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC full scholarship eligible
Admission
Admission Requirements
What you need to apply to Shanghai University of Finance and Economics as an international student.
- Academic RequirementsHigh school diploma with strong mathematics results for bachelor’s; a relevant bachelor’s degree for master’s and a master’s degree for doctoral programs.
- Language RequirementsEnglish-taught: IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80, or prior education in English. Chinese-taught: HSK Level 5 with 180 or above for most majors, HSK Level 4 with 180 for Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages.
- Entrance AssessmentUndergraduate applicants submit a China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) result in the language of their chosen program; shortlisted candidates may be interviewed.
- Required DocumentsPassport, transcripts, graduation certificate or proof of expected graduation, study plan, language certificate, two recommendation letters and a non-criminal record certificate.
- Supervisor ContactDoctoral applicants should contact a prospective supervisor early, as research fit in economics, finance or statistics strongly affects the outcome.
- Application DeadlineScholarship applicants: January 1 – March 31. University award applicants: April 1 – April 30. Self-funded applicants: May 1 – May 31.
- Application FeeCNY 830, non-refundable, paid through the SUFE online admissions system.
- Medical ExaminationA Foreigner Physical Examination Form is required after admission and verified in Shanghai after arrival.
- Visa DocumentsSUFE issues the JW202 form and Admission Notice so you can apply for an X1 student visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate.
Tuition & Scholarships
Costs & Funding
Transparent tuition, living costs and scholarship options for international students.
Cost Breakdown
- Annual Tuition
- CNY 30,000 - 144,000 / year
- Accommodation
- CNY 1,200 – 2,400 / monthOn-campus international dormitory, Guoding Road campus
- Application Fee
- CNY 830 (one-time)
- Medical Insurance
- CNY 800 / yearCompulsory comprehensive insurance for international students
- Estimated Living Cost
- CNY 2,500 – 4,500 / monthMeals, transport & personal expenses in Shanghai
Estimated First-Year CostCNY 70,000 – 105,000
Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
Coverage: Full tuition, on-campus accommodation, comprehensive insurance and a monthly living stipend.
Eligibility: Outstanding non-Chinese applicants for master’s or doctoral degrees in economics, finance, management or law.
Deadline: March 31
Shanghai Government Scholarship (Type A)
Coverage: Full tuition, accommodation subsidy, insurance and a monthly stipend.
Eligibility: High-achieving degree applicants in SUFE’s priority disciplines, including statistics, finance and accounting.
Deadline: March 31
Shanghai Government Scholarship (Type B)
Coverage: Full or partial tuition award for degree-seeking international students in Shanghai.
Eligibility: Admitted or enrolled international students with strong academic records.
Deadline: March 31
SUFE International Student Scholarship
Coverage: Partial tuition award reviewed annually on academic performance.
Eligibility: Self-funded degree students maintaining excellent grades and conduct at SUFE.
Deadline: April 30
Campus Life
Life on Campus
What daily student life looks like at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.
Historic Guoding Road Campus
A century-old campus in Yangpu District with heritage buildings, tree-lined avenues and modern teaching facilities.
International Dormitories
Dedicated international student residences on campus with single and double rooms and shared study lounges.
Finance & Economics Library
Specialist collections in economics, accounting and finance alongside Wind, Bloomberg and CSMAR research databases.
Investment & Case Competitions
Student securities, investment and case clubs run trading simulations and compete in national finance competitions.
Connected Shanghai Location
Metro links from Yangpu reach the Bund, Lujiazui and the Shanghai Stock Exchange within about forty minutes.
Sports & Recreation Facilities
Stadium, indoor gymnasium, swimming pool and courts supporting campus leagues and daily student fitness.
Gallery
Campus Gallery
A visual tour of Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.
Research & Innovation
Research Strengths
Research capacity and innovation ecosystem at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.
Institute For Advanced Research
SUFE’s flagship economics institute produces internationally published research on Chinese macroeconomic policy.
Accounting & Finance Research
The Institute of Accounting and Finance is a Ministry of Education key research base for corporate finance studies.
Statistics & Data Science
Double First Class statistics research spanning econometrics, financial risk modelling and applied data science.
Public Policy Think Tanks
Research centres on public policy, regional economics and free trade zones advise government and industry bodies.
Economic Law Scholarship
Research on financial regulation, taxation and commercial law supporting China’s capital market reforms.
International Research Partnerships
Joint projects and exchange with leading business schools across Europe, North America and Asia.
Career Outcomes
Graduate Outcomes
Where a degree from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics can take you after graduation.
Banking & Securities Employers
Graduates join commercial banks, securities houses, asset managers and insurance groups headquartered in Shanghai.
Big Four & Consulting Firms
Strong recruitment into Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG and international management consultancies each year.
Corporate Finance Roles
Placements in financial analysis, treasury, audit and controlling functions at multinational regional headquarters.
Graduate School Pathways
A large share of graduates continue to master’s and doctoral study at SUFE or leading global business schools.
Professional Qualification Support
Curricula align with CPA, CFA and ACCA pathways, shortening the route to professional certification.
Influential Alumni Network
Alumni hold senior positions across China’s financial regulators, listed companies and accounting profession.
Student Support
International Student Support
How Shanghai University of Finance and Economics helps international students settle in and succeed.
Accommodation Assistance
Help reserving an on-campus international dormitory room or nearby housing before you arrive in Shanghai.
Residence Permit
Guided assistance converting your X1 visa into a residence permit within 30 days of arrival.
Orientation
Orientation week covers registration, campus systems, banking, safety and settling into life in Shanghai.
Academic Advising
School-level advisors support course selection, credit planning and elective choices across business disciplines.
Chinese Language Support
Mandarin courses for English-track students, plus preparatory Chinese programs for HSK-based degree entry.
Health Services
Campus clinic access, compulsory insurance enrolment and help with referrals to Shanghai hospitals.
Career & Internship Services
Career centre support with CVs, interviews and internship placements with Shanghai financial employers.
Visa Guidance
Support with JW202 forms, visa renewals, exit-entry procedures and travel documentation.
Student Community
International student association, national societies and cultural festivals across the SUFE community.
Timeline
Application Timeline
Key dates and milestones for applying to Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.
- January 1
Applications Open
The SUFE international student online application system opens for the September intake.
- January – March
Sit The CSCA Assessment
Undergraduate applicants register for and complete the China Scholastic Competency Assessment.
- By March 31
Scholarship Deadline
Final date for Chinese Government and Shanghai Government Scholarship applications.
- By April 30
University Award Deadline
Deadline for SUFE International Student Scholarship and university award applicants.
- By May 31
Self-Funded Deadline
Final date for self-funded applicants to complete their application and upload documents.
- June – July
Admission & Visa Documents
Schools confirm results and SUFE issues Admission Notices and JW202 forms for successful candidates.
- July – August
Apply For X1 Visa
Apply for your X1 student visa at the Chinese embassy or consulate in your home country.
- Early September
Arrival & Registration
Arrive in Shanghai, move into your dormitory, register, complete the medical check—then classes begin.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions international students ask most about Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.
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