Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) is a research university founded in 1896 with six campuses in Shanghai. In the QS World University Rankings 2027 it rose from 47th to 36th. International students can take a Chinese-taught bachelor's at $3,700 a year, English-taught engineering bachelor's programmes at $11,930–22,360 a year, and master's degrees at a standard $4,310 a year in either language. Admissions for the 2027 English-taught Engineering Cluster are already announced: the early deadline is 1 November 2026 and the regular deadline 31 March 2027.

Who SJTU suits, and who should look elsewhere

SJTU is a strong choice for future engineers, computer scientists and specialists in materials, energy and management, especially at master's level where English costs no more than Chinese. For humanities and international relations, compare it with Fudan; for engineering, with Tongji University and Tsinghua. For a city overview see universities in Shanghai, and for the country as a whole, study in China.

Which programmes are taught in Chinese and English

Chinese-taught bachelor's

SJTU publishes an annual list of Chinese-taught programmes, grouped into three entrance-exam categories: science, engineering, agriculture and medicine; humanities and social sciences; and Chinese language. Medical programmes are admitted separately by the SJTU School of Medicine, which you contact directly.

English-taught bachelor's

• Engineering Cluster (Global College). Students spend the first 1.5 years on common engineering courses in English, then choose a major in Global College or another engineering school: computer science, mechanical engineering, power and energy, materials, automation and others (robotics is planned). Graduation requires HSK 4, except for dual-degree students.
• Civil Engineering (Smart and Sustainable Construction) in English.
• Sustainable Energy, Health Science and Technology, run by the Global Institute of Future Technology with industry partners including battery maker CATL and medical-imaging company United Imaging.
• French-taught engineering programmes are also available at the SJTU Paris Elite Institute of Technology.

English-taught graduate programmes

SJTU offers more than 100 graduate programmes in English and in Chinese. The 2026 English-taught master's catalogue covers civil and ocean engineering, mechanics, mechanical engineering, electronics and computing, materials, economics and management (including Antai programmes), IMBA and more. Almost all carry the standard CNY 28,900 a year.

How to apply to SJTU: requirements for international applicants

Applying to Chinese-taught bachelor's

• A school diploma (final-year students submit a school certificate and the diploma before enrolment) and foreign nationality under Ministry of Education rules.
• Full high-school transcripts and test results such as SAT, AP, ACT, A-Level, IB or UEC; if you have none, you may submit a written explanation.
• CSCA, with subjects given in the programme list. Applicants who have not yet sat CSCA can apply with other documents and, after preliminary selection, submit CSCA scores (by 30 June in 2026).
• Chinese: HSK 5 at 200+ (writing 60+) or HSK 6 at 180+ (writing 60+). Applicants below this level can request a year of Chinese language study, which makes admission conditional.
• English: TOEFL, IELTS or other evidence.
• Regular-round applicants take SJTU's online entrance exam: maths, physics and English for science and engineering; maths, Chinese I and English for humanities; Chinese II and English for Chinese language. In 2026 it was held on 21–22 March.
• An interview follows, then pre-admission and tuition prepayment within two weeks.

English-taught bachelor's (Engineering Cluster)

1. Complete the Common App, then finish the SJTU portal application after passing the preliminary review.
2. CSCA with mathematics is mandatory. If you have not taken it, apply with SAT, ACT, A-Level, IB or a national exam and submit CSCA after preliminary selection (by 30 June 2027). These tests cannot replace CSCA.
3. For reference, the middle 50% of the 2026 admitted class scored SAT 1390–1500, SAT Math 750–790 and ACT 30–34. A-Level applicants need Mathematics at A or above; IB applicants need Mathematics HL 5+ or SL 7.
4. Applicants with national exam results contact Global College admissions; SJTU explicitly lists Kazakhstan's UNT as an example.
5. English: TOEFL iBT 90 (or 4.5 on the scale used from 21 January 2026), IELTS 6 or Duolingo 120. SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing of 650+ or ACT Reading and English of 27+ exempt you.
6. Two recommendation letters (school counsellor and a core-subject teacher), transcripts with emphasis on maths, physics and chemistry, a passport valid for 12+ months, proof of funds of at least CNY 100,000 ($14,910) and both parents' passports or IDs.

Master's and doctoral

• A bachelor's degree (a master's for PhD); foreign degrees must be authenticated by CSCSE before online registration.
• English for English-taught programmes: IELTS Academic 6.0 (5.5 per band); TOEFL iBT 85 with section minimums on the old scale, or 4 on the new scale; GRE 320, GMAT 550; CAE 176. Previous English-medium study in an English-speaking country can exempt you.
• Chinese for Chinese-taught programmes: HSK 5 at 200+ or HSK 6 at 180+, with 60+ in each section; most science and engineering programmes add English requirements.
• A personal statement and study plan, two recommendation letters from associate professors or above, and a passport valid for 12+ months.
• A supervisor acceptance letter is mandatory for master's applicants to mechanical engineering, computer science, integrated circuits, materials, mathematics, life sciences, biomedical engineering, agriculture, pharmacy and the Tsung-Dao Lee Institute.

Step-by-step plan for 2027

1. September–October 2026. Engineering Cluster: complete the Common App for the 1 November early deadline. Master's: secure a supervisor if your school requires one.
2. From mid-October (if 2026 timing repeats). Graduate applications open; CSC through SJTU had deadlines in mid-December and mid-February.
3. December 2026–March 2027. Chinese-taught bachelor's: early and regular rounds, with the online exam in late March.
4. By 31 March 2027. Regular Engineering Cluster deadline and, on 2026 timing, the SJTU and Shanghai scholarship deadline for master's applicants.
5. By 31 May 2027. On 2026 timing, the final deadline for self-funded master's applicants.
6. July 2027. Admission letters, JW202 form (JW201 for CSC scholars) and X1 visa; book housing in the set window.

When to apply for 2027 entry

What studying at SJTU costs

Tuition must be prepaid in the system within two weeks of the decision, or the place is treated as declined. The master's application fee is CNY 800 (about $120), payable in yuan or US dollars online or by bank transfer.

What living in Shanghai costs

• Campus housing: CNY 6,600–12,600 ($980–1,880) per semester depending on room type and campus. Rooms are reserved in a set period; living off campus is also allowed.
• Insurance: CNY 800 ($120) a year, compulsory for anyone studying longer than six months.
• SJTU benchmark: the first-class SJTU/Shanghai scholarship for bachelor's students includes CNY 2,500 ($370) a month for living costs and CNY 1,000–1,100 ($150–160) for housing, which indicates the monthly spending level the university's support is designed for.
• Proof of funds: English-taught bachelor's programmes require at least CNY 100,000 ($14,910).

Add flights, visa, medical checks and deposits in year one. See the cost of studying in China. Dollar figures use the ECB rate of 23 September 2026 ($1 ≈ CNY 6.71), rounded to $10.

Which scholarships are available: CSC Type A and B, Shanghai and SJTU

Graduate scholarship applicants must be under 35 (master's) or 40 (PhD). Awards cannot be combined, holders face an annual review, and you may use only one CSC channel: SJTU or the embassy. See our guide to scholarships abroad in 2026. Awards are decided by CSC, the Shanghai authorities or SJTU.

How to get the X1 visa and residence permit

SJTU sends electronic admission notices in July and hands paper copies over at registration. With the notice and JW202 (or JW201) form you apply for an X1 visa, then for a study residence permit at the Shanghai Exit-Entry Administration Bureau after arrival. See our China student visa guide.

What helps and what gets in the way for applicants from Russia, Kazakhstan and the CIS

• Kazakh applicants can use UNT for the Engineering Cluster in agreement with Global College; Russia's EGE is not named, so Russian applicants should plan on CSCA plus SAT or A-Level.
• CSCA can be submitted after preliminary selection, which helps with late test sessions.
• English-taught master's cost the same as Chinese-taught ones ($4,310 a year).
• The Engineering Cluster is expensive at $22,360 a year and requires HSK 4 to graduate.
• Payment is in yuan or dollars; check early which legal transfer route your bank offers.
• Off-campus work needs university approval and a residence-permit annotation; see work and internships for students in China.

Which mistakes to avoid

• Going straight to the SJTU portal for the Engineering Cluster. The Common App comes first; the SJTU portal opens after preliminary review.
• Treating SAT as a CSCA substitute. SJTU states that SAT, ACT, A-Level and IB cannot replace CSCA.
• Taking TOEFL without checking the scale. From 21 January 2026 thresholds use the new scale.
• Applying for a master's without a required supervisor letter. Such applications are not considered.
• Expecting free housing under CSC. SJTU pays a CNY 1,100 monthly allowance instead; you must book housing yourself.

Where teaching takes place: campuses and city

The main Minhang campus in south-west Shanghai (800 Dongchuan Road) hosts the international admissions office, Global College and most engineering schools. The School of Medicine runs separately, with its international office in Pudong New Area. Your programme's location is listed in the catalogue.

How SJTU ranks

FAQ

How much does SJTU cost?

Chinese-taught bachelor's: $3,700 a year (CNY 24,800); English-taught Engineering Cluster: $22,360 (CNY 150,000); English-taught Civil Engineering: $11,930. Most master's programmes in either language: $4,310 a year (CNY 28,900).

Is CSCA required at SJTU?

Yes, for bachelor's programmes, but it can be submitted after preliminary selection: by 30 June in 2026, and by 30 June 2027 for the 2027 Engineering Cluster.

When should I apply for 2027?

Engineering Cluster: by 1 November 2026 (early) or 31 March 2027. The 2027 notices for Chinese-taught bachelor's and master's are not out yet; last cycle bachelor's ran 8 December–10 March and master's 15 October–31 May.

Can I apply with UNT or EGE?

For the Engineering Cluster SJTU names UNT among national exams for which you should contact Global College admissions; EGE is not mentioned. CSCA with maths is required in any case.

What English score do I need for a master's?

IELTS Academic 6.0 (5.5 per band) or TOEFL iBT 85 on the old scale (4 on the new scale); GRE, GMAT and CAE options also exist.

Can I count on a place in university housing?

No. Rooms are booked in a set period and cost CNY 6,600–12,600 per semester. CSC scholars receive a CNY 1,100 monthly allowance instead of a free room.

Can StudyU help me apply to SJTU?

Under contract we shortlist programmes, prepare documents, the Common App and your statement, plan CSCA timing and support the scholarship and visa stages. SJTU decides on admission, CSC, the Shanghai authorities or SJTU on scholarships and the Chinese consulate on the visa.

Sources

• SJTU Undergraduate Programs in Chinese for International Students (2026)
• English-Taught Engineering Cluster: 2027 admission
• English-Taught Civil Engineering
• Sustainable Energy, Health Science and Technology
• 2026 SJTU International Graduate Admissions Guide
• 2026 Master's Programs in English (PDF)
• Language Requirements for SJTU International Graduate Programs (PDF)
• SJTU Global College: Undergraduate Admission
• Shanghai: China Scholastic Competency Assessment FAQs (CSCA fees)
• QS: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
• THE: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
• ARWU 2026
• ECB reference rates, 23 Sep 2026

To compare SJTU with its neighbours, see universities in Shanghai and English-taught degrees in China. If you want to know which SJTU route is realistic for you, apply for a consultation.

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.