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Last modified: 2026-09-24

# Universities in Shanghai: Where International Students Study, What It Costs and How to Win the City Scholarship

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Shanghai has 69 regular higher education institutions (adult-education colleges excluded), 40 of which award bachelor's degrees (Ministry of Education list, 17 June 2026). Three Shanghai universities are in the QS World University Rankings 2027 top 150: Fudan (26th), Shanghai Jiao Tong (36th) and Tongji (146th). Fourteen of the city's civilian universities are on the government's Double First-Class list. A Chinese-taught bachelor's at a leading Shanghai university mostly cost $2,980–4,480 (RMB 20,000–30,000) a year in 2026, while English-taught programmes ranged from $4,480 to $17,900. Shanghai also runs its own scholarship for international students, accepted by more than 30 local institutions.

Below: how Shanghai universities differ, which to choose for your field, what tuition and housing cost, how deadlines and entrance tests work and how to apply for the city scholarship. For the national picture, see [universities in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-china-for-international-students) and the [study in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-china) page.

The old gate of Shanghai Jiao Tong University's historic Xuhui campus, Shanghai, China. Photo: 钉钉 / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:上海交大老校门.jpg), [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

## Studying in Shanghai: pros and cons {#section-1}

- Finance and multinational employers. As China's business capital, Shanghai is strong in economics, finance, business, logistics and shipbuilding.
- Three internationally ranked universities. Fudan and Jiao Tong belong to the C9 league; Tongji is one of China's best-known schools of architecture and engineering.
- A city scholarship in place since 2006, covering tuition and, in its full form, housing and living costs.
- An official information portal run by the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, including a Russian-language section with university profiles and scholarship rules.
- High living costs. Shanghai is among China's most expensive cities. Jiao Tong's first-class scholarship, for example, pays $375 (RMB 2,500) a month for living costs plus $165 (RMB 1,100) for housing, which gives a sense of a minimum student budget.

What can get in the way:

- Too few dorm places. Tongji states that when rooms run out, even full scholarship holders must find their own housing, and Jiao Tong pays Chinese Government Scholarship holders a housing allowance instead of a room.
- Short winter windows. Fudan's first 2026 bachelor's window lasted only two weeks, 1–15 January.
- The city scholarship requires Chinese. HSK 4 is needed even for English-taught programmes.
- Wide price range in English. Jiao Tong's English-taught engineering costs $17,900 (RMB 120,000) a year, SUFE's English-taught finance $4,480 (RMB 30,000).

## Which Shanghai universities international students choose and why {#section-2}

| University | Profile | Official Double First-Class strengths | What matters for international students |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Fudan University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-fudan) | Comprehensive research | 20 disciplines incl. philosophy, economics, politics, languages, history, maths, physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, pharmacy, integrated circuits | QS 2027: 26th; Chinese-taught bachelor's $3,430–6,270, English-taught $11,180–14,910 a year |
| [Shanghai Jiao Tong University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-shanghai-jiao-tong) | Engineering, medicine, business | Maths, physics, mechanical engineering, electronics, telecoms, computing, naval architecture, medicine, stomatology, business | QS 2027: 36th; Chinese-taught bachelor's $3,700, English-taught engineering $17,900 a year |
| [Tongji University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-tongji) | Architecture and engineering | Architecture, urban planning, landscape, civil engineering, surveying, environment, design | QS 2027: 146th; CSCA required of all bachelor's applicants |
| East China Normal University | Education and sciences | Education, ecology, statistics | Chinese-taught bachelor's $3,280–4,170 a year, English-taught design and business $7,450–8,050; self-funded deadline 1 June |
| [Shanghai International Studies University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-sisu) | Languages and international relations | Foreign languages and literature | Bachelor's $3,280–3,700 a year; Chinese language and Chinese-taught international trade |
| Shanghai University of Finance and Economics | Economics and finance | Applied economics | Chinese-taught bachelor's and English-taught finance both $4,480 a year; the application window depends on the scholarship |
| East China University of Science and Technology | Chemistry and chemical engineering | Chemistry, materials, chemical engineering | For chemists and process engineers |
| Donghua University | Textiles and materials | Materials, textile science | Fashion, textiles, materials design |
| Shanghai University | Comprehensive municipal | Mechanical engineering | Wide programme choice; accepts the Shanghai Government Scholarship |
| NYU Shanghai | Sino-US joint university | — | English-taught (international students must also reach proficiency in Mandarin); tuition for 2026/27 $68,576; NYU degree plus Chinese-accredited NYU Shanghai diploma |

The Double First-Class list also includes Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai University of Sport, the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and ShanghaiTech University.

## Which Shanghai university fits your goal {#section-3}

| Goal | Start with | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Strong brand and broad choice | Fudan, Jiao Tong | City leaders with high competition and their own entrance tests |
| Architecture, urban planning, civil engineering | Tongji | Ministry-recognised strengths and an English-taught international class |
| Engineering and IT | Jiao Tong, Tongji, ECUST | Jiao Tong for electronics and mechanical, ECUST for chemical engineering |
| Economics and finance | Fudan, SUFE, Jiao Tong | Fudan and SUFE are strong in applied economics, Jiao Tong in business |
| Languages, translation | SISU, Fudan | SISU is the city's main language university |
| English-taught medicine | Fudan, Tongji | MBBS costs $11,180 a year at Fudan and $6,710 at Tongji; see [studying medicine in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-studying-medicine-in-china) |
| US-style degree without Chinese | NYU Shanghai | Expensive, but fully English-taught with an NYU degree |

## What study costs in Shanghai {#section-4}

| University and programme (2026) | Annual fee |
| --- | --- |
| Fudan, Chinese-taught bachelor's | $3,430–6,270 (RMB 23,000–42,000) |
| Fudan, English-taught: international organisations and global governance / economics, fintech, data science / MBBS | $14,920 / $11,930 / $11,190 (RMB 100,000 / 80,000 / 75,000) |
| Jiao Tong, Chinese-taught bachelor's | $3,700 (RMB 24,800); Puyuan School of Future Technology $17,900 (RMB 120,000) |
| Jiao Tong, English-taught: engineering / civil engineering | $17,900 / $11,930 (RMB 120,000 / 80,000) |
| Tongji, Chinese-taught: humanities / technical and economics / architecture, medicine, design, arts | $2,980 / $3,670 / $4,280 (RMB 20,000 / 24,600 / 28,700) |
| Tongji, English-taught: architecture / civil engineering / MBBS | $5,040 / $5,220 / $6,710 (RMB 33,800 / 35,000 / 45,000) |
| SISU: Chinese language / other programmes | $3,280 / $3,700 (RMB 22,000 / 24,800) |
| ECNU: Chinese-taught / English-taught design / business | $3,280–4,180 / $7,460 / $8,060 (RMB 22,000–28,000 / 50,000 / 54,000) |
| SUFE: Chinese-taught / English-taught finance and international trade | $4,480 / $4,480 (RMB 30,000 / 30,000) |
| NYU Shanghai, 2026/27 | $68,576 tuition; total cost of attendance incl. housing, food and travel $91,676 |

Among strong universities, the cheapest Chinese-taught options are Tongji (from $2,980 (RMB 20,000) in the humanities) and ECNU and SISU ($3,280 (RMB 22,000) for Chinese language); the most expensive English-taught ones are Jiao Tong's engineering cluster and Fudan's international organisations programme.

Other mandatory costs: application fees of $120 (RMB 800) at Fudan, Jiao Tong and ECNU, $125 (RMB 830) at SUFE, $90 (RMB 600) at Tongji and $75–110 (RMB 500–750) at SISU; insurance of $120 (RMB 800) a year at Jiao Tong and Tongji (no registration without it); campus housing at Jiao Tong of $985–1,880 (RMB 6,600–12,600) per semester depending on room type and campus. A full annual budget is in [the cost of studying in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-china).

## Where to live: what to expect from Shanghai dorms {#section-5}

Campus places are not guaranteed. Jiao Tong books dorms only through applications within a set window and pays Chinese Government Scholarship holders a housing allowance of $165 (RMB 1,100) a month instead of a free room. Tongji warns that rooms are limited and even full-scholarship students may have to find housing themselves. The Shanghai Government Scholarship, by contrast, expects recipients to live in university housing in their first year.

If you rent a flat, you must register with the local police within 24 hours of moving in. Payments, SIM cards and insurance are covered in [student life and housing in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-life-and-housing-in-china).

## How to get the Shanghai Government Scholarship {#section-6}

The scholarship was created in 2006 and is awarded through local institutions; 31 of them accept it, including Fudan, Jiao Tong, Tongji, ECNU, SUFE, SISU and Shanghai University.

| Category | Covers | Levels |
| --- | --- | --- |
| A (full) | Tuition, housing, living costs, comprehensive medical insurance | Bachelor's, master's, doctorate, pre-bachelor's foundation |
| B (partial) | Tuition and comprehensive medical insurance | Bachelor's, master's, doctorate |

Conditions: bachelor's applicants up to 25, master's up to 35, doctoral up to 40, foundation up to 23 with a conditional bachelor's offer; at least HSK 4 plus the programme's own language requirement; no other Chinese government scholarship at the same time. Applications go to the university, usually from February to April; Jiao Tong's 2026 deadline for the Shanghai and university scholarships was 31 March. At SUFE, Shanghai scholarship applicants had to use the first window, 1 January – 31 March, while self-funded applicants applied in May: miss the early window and you could no longer compete for the city scholarship there. Renewal depends on an annual review of grades, attendance and conduct. Other funding options are in our [scholarships abroad overview](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-abroad-2026).

## How to apply: steps and deadlines {#section-7}

1. Choose the language. For 2026, Chinese-taught bachelor's programmes required HSK 5: Jiao Tong 200+ (or HSK 6 with 180+) with writing of at least 60, Tongji, ECNU and SUFE 180+. HSK 4 with 180+ was enough for some fields: ECNU's International Chinese Studies and design programmes and SUFE's teaching Chinese programme; ECNU's communication school asked for HSK 6. ECNU's English-taught programmes accepted IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 85. Jiao Tong's English-taught programmes required TOEFL 90 or IELTS 6.0. See [the HSK exam](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-hsk-exam-guide) and [English-taught degrees in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-english-taught-degrees-china).
2. Take the CSCA. Tongji (all bachelor's applicants), Fudan, Jiao Tong, ECNU, SUFE and SISU required it; Jiao Tong allowed results by 30 June after a conditional offer.
3. Apply in time. Latest cycle (the 2026 windows have closed; use them as a guide to the usual timing):

| University | Programme | Window |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Fudan | Chinese-taught bachelor's 2026 | 1–15 Jan and 23 Feb – 6 Mar 2026 |
| Jiao Tong | Chinese-taught bachelor's 2026 | early round 8 Dec 2025 – 5 Feb 2026; regular round 6 Feb – 10 Mar 2026 |
| Jiao Tong | Master's and doctorate 2026 | from 15 Oct 2025; CSC by 15 Dec and 15 Feb; Shanghai and university scholarships by 31 Mar; self-funded by 31 May 2026 |
| Tongji | Bachelor's 2026 | 20 Jan – 31 Mar 2026 |
| SISU | Bachelor's 2026 | by 15 Apr (most programmes), by 20 Jul (Chinese language) |
| ECNU | Bachelor's 2026 | by 1 Jun (self-funded) |
| SUFE | Chinese-taught bachelor's 2026 | 1 Jan – 31 Mar (Shanghai scholarship), April (other scholarships), May (self-funded) |
| SUFE | English-taught finance and international trade 2026 | 10 May – 25 Jun |

1. Sit the entrance test. Jiao Tong's regular-round applicants took an online exam on 21–22 March 2026: maths, physics and English for science, engineering and medicine; maths, Chinese and English for humanities. An interview followed.
2. Confirm your place. At Jiao Tong, admitted applicants must prepay tuition within two weeks of the conditional offer.
3. Get the admission letter and JW202 form, apply for an X1 visa ([student visa guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-visa-china)) and, within 30 days of arrival, apply for a study residence permit.

Documents are listed in [applying to Chinese universities](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-chinese-universities). The university decides on admission, the university and the Shanghai Education Commission on the city scholarship, and the Chinese consulate on the visa.

## Preparation calendar for 2027 entry {#section-8}

| When | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| Sep – Nov 2026 | Shortlist 3–5 programmes, check language and fees, book HSK or IELTS/TOEFL and the CSCA |
| Dec 2026 – Feb 2027 | Apply in early rounds (Jiao Tong opened on 8 December last cycle) and for the Chinese Government Scholarship |
| Jan – Mar 2027 | Main windows at Fudan, Jiao Tong and Tongji; entrance tests and interviews |
| Feb – Apr 2027 | Apply for the Shanghai Government Scholarship through your university |
| Apr – Jun 2027 | Admission decisions, place confirmation payments, late CSCA results where allowed |
| Jul – Aug 2027 | X1 visa, dorm booking, insurance, flights |
| Sep 2027 | Arrival, registration, residence permit within 30 days |

Universities announce exact 2027 dates in autumn and winter; the calendar above follows the last cycle, so check each university's site before applying.

## Mistakes to avoid when applying in Shanghai {#section-9}

- Overlooking the price gap between Chinese- and English-taught programmes at the same university (almost fivefold for Jiao Tong engineering).
- Missing the early rounds: Jiao Tong and Fudan windows are short and fall in winter.
- Assuming campus housing: book right after admission and, at Tongji, be ready to rent.
- Applying for the Shanghai scholarship without HSK 4: the certificate is required even for English-taught programmes.
- Confusing SISU (languages) with SUFE (finance and economics).

## FAQ {#faq}

### Which is the best university in Shanghai?

In QS 2027: Fudan (26th), then Shanghai Jiao Tong (36th) and Tongji (146th). For architecture and civil engineering, Tongji is the strongest; for finance also consider SUFE; for languages, SISU.

### How much does it cost to study in Shanghai?

Chinese-taught bachelor's programmes at leading universities cost $2,980–6,270 (RMB 20,000–42,000) a year in 2026; English-taught ones range from $4,480 at SUFE to $17,900 at Jiao Tong. NYU Shanghai charges $68,576.

### Who can get the Shanghai Government Scholarship?

International students with good grades, at least HSK 4 and within the age limits (bachelor's up to 25, master's up to 35). Apply through the university, usually February to April.

### Can I study in Shanghai in English?

Yes. Fudan, Jiao Tong and Tongji run English-taught bachelor's programmes, and NYU Shanghai teaches only in English. Master's options are broader.

### Do Shanghai universities require the CSCA?

For bachelor's entry, yes: Tongji, Fudan, Jiao Tong, ECNU, SUFE and SISU required it in 2026. Master's applicants do not need it.

### Which Shanghai university is the cheapest?

Among strong universities, the lowest 2026 fees for Chinese-taught programmes were at Tongji ($2,980 (RMB 20,000) in the humanities) and at ECNU and SISU ($3,280 (RMB 22,000) for Chinese language). In English, SUFE was the cheapest at $4,480 (RMB 30,000) for finance and international trade.

### Where do students live in Shanghai?

In university housing if you book in time (Jiao Tong: $985–1,880 per semester). If you rent, register with the police within 24 hours of moving in.

## Sources {#section-11}

- [Ministry of Education of China — list of institutions, 17 June 2026](http://www.moe.gov.cn/jyb_xxgk/s5743/s5744/A03/202606/t20260618_1441074.html) — checked 23.09.2026
- [Ministry of Education — Double First-Class list (2022)](http://www.moe.gov.cn/srcsite/A22/s7065/202202/t20220211_598710.html) — checked 23.09.2026
- [QS — top universities in mainland China, updated 17 June 2026](https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings-articles/world-university-rankings/top-universities-mainland-china) — checked 23.09.2026
- [Shanghai Municipal Education Commission — universities](https://edu.sh.gov.cn/study_ru_universities/index.html) and [Shanghai Government Scholarship](http://edu.sh.gov.cn/study_ru_scholarships/20240904/00ff2537b26d42d298263eefba2c7b88.html) — checked 23.09.2026
- [Fudan — 2026 undergraduate admissions, fees and English-taught programmes](https://iso.fudan.edu.cn/16062/list.htm) — checked 23.09.2026
- [Shanghai Jiao Tong — 2026 Chinese-taught bachelor's](https://isc.sjtu.edu.cn/CN/content.aspx?info_lb=133&flag=64), [English-taught engineering](https://isc.sjtu.edu.cn/CN/content.aspx?info_lb=205&flag=64), [English-taught civil engineering](https://isc.sjtu.edu.cn/CN/content.aspx?info_lb=361&flag=64) and [2026 graduate admission](https://isc.sjtu.edu.cn/CN/content.aspx?info_lb=101&flag=64) — checked 23.09.2026
- [Tongji — 2026 undergraduate admission](https://study.tongji.edu.cn/info/1013/1183.htm) and [programme list with fees](https://study.tongji.edu.cn/2026nianguojixueshengbenkezhaoshengzhuanyemuluhanzhongyingwenshouke.xls) — checked 23.09.2026
- [SISU — 2026 bachelor's programmes](http://www.oisa.shisu.edu.cn/index.php/index/lxxm/cid/87.html) — checked 23.09.2026
- [East China Normal University — 2026 bachelor's admission and fees (PDF)](http://lxs.ecnu.edu.cn/_upload/article/files/7d/ab/e3834e2d4673979be9dad4850c6f/9e8ae442-dc9d-4c63-a070-918831938c01.pdf) — checked 24.09.2026
- [Shanghai University of Finance and Economics — 2026 bachelor's](https://intlstu.sufe.edu.cn/ch/f8/21/c12480a260129/page.htm), [programmes and fees](https://intlstu.sufe.edu.cn/ch/d4/75/c12480a250997/page.htm) and [English-taught finance](https://intlstu.sufe.edu.cn/ch/2e/d3/c12480a208595/page.htm) — checked 24.09.2026
- [NYU Shanghai — cost of attendance 2026/27](https://shanghai.nyu.edu/page/cost-attendance) and [degrees and language of instruction](https://shanghai.nyu.edu/about) — checked 23.09.2026
- [National Immigration Administration — Exit and Entry Administration Law](https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147458/c155978/content.html) — checked 23.09.2026

Dollar amounts are converted at the ECB reference rate of 29 September 2026 ($1 = RMB 6.7033) and rounded.

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step. [Apply](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply)

## Next steps

- [HSK Exam Guide 2026: Levels, the Switch to HSK 3.0 on 13 December, Dates, Fees and Test Centres](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-hsk-exam-guide)
- [Studying Medicine in China: English-Taught MBBS, the Ministry of Education List and Recognising the Degree Back Home](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-studying-medicine-in-china)
- [English-Taught Degrees in China: Programmes, Universities, Fees and Requirements](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-english-taught-degrees-china)
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- [Studying in China for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-china)
- [Scholarships abroad 2026: where international students study for free](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-abroad-2026)

Updated: September 2026