Tongji University

Tongji University is a research university in Shanghai known for architecture, urban planning, civil engineering, transport and automotive engineering, ranked 146th in the QS World University Rankings 2027. Its standard fees are lower than Fudan's and SJTU's: a Chinese-taught bachelor's costs $2,980–4,280 a year, and self-funded bachelor's applicants are accepted up to age 35. Bachelor's applicants need CSCA and HSK 5 at 180+ (or English for the three English-taught programmes), and the first year is a probation period. In the 2026 cycle bachelor's applications ran from 10 January to 31 March; the 2027 notices have not yet been published.

Who Tongji suits, and who should look elsewhere

Tongji suits future architects, civil engineers, transport, environmental and automotive specialists, and older applicants starting a bachelor's after 25. If you want a wider choice of English-taught programmes, compare it with Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Fudan. For a city overview see universities in Shanghai.

Which programmes are taught in Chinese and English

Chinese-taught bachelor's

The 2026 catalogue lists more than 70 majors, including architecture, urban planning, landscape and historic building conservation; civil engineering, intelligent construction and geology; transport and vehicle engineering; mechanical, energy and intelligent manufacturing; electrical engineering, telecommunications, microelectronics and AI; computer science, software, information security and data science; environmental science, chemistry, materials and new-energy materials; finance, accounting and project management; law, philosophy and foreign languages (English, German, Japanese); industrial design, animation, media and music; and clinical medicine, dentistry, rehabilitation and nursing. There are also Chinese Language programmes (teaching Chinese as a foreign language, and economics and trade).

English-taught bachelor's

Several majors, including architecture, design, materials, chemistry, environmental science, transport and rehabilitation, do not accept applicants with colour blindness or colour weakness. See studying medicine in China.

English-taught master's

English-taught master's programmes appear in a separate 2026 catalogue; the university's fee page lists, for example, the International MBA, Business Science, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science and Software Engineering. Most master's programmes are taught in Chinese.

How to apply to Tongji: requirements for international applicants

Bachelor's

• Age: 18–25 for scholarship applicants, 18–35 for self-funded applicants (up to 31 December of the application year).
• Education: regular full-time high school only; online or equivalency qualifications are not accepted. Final-year students submit an expected-graduation certificate.
• Under 18 (on 31 August): a guardian in mainland China with supporting documents and a bank certificate of at least CNY 100,000 ($14,910).
• CSCA: mandatory for every bachelor's programme, Chinese- or English-taught, scholarship or self-funded, with the score report uploaded at application. For Chinese-taught programmes, maths, physics and chemistry papers are taken in Chinese.
• Language: Chinese-taught programmes need HSK 5 at 180+ (valid for two years), with exemption for Chinese-medium school graduates; the Chinese Language programmes accept HSK 4 at 180+ for year one. English-taught programmes need IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 85, with exemptions for native speakers and English-medium school graduates.
• Documents: a passport valid until 1 March 2027 or later (for 2026 entry), school diploma, full high-school transcripts (optionally with SAT, ACT, A-Level, IB, AP or national exam results), a personal statement in the programme's language using Tongji's template, the foreigner physical examination form (within six months) and proof of paying the registration fee; architecture and design applicants add a portfolio.
• Selection: document review, then an online interview with the college. After preliminary admission you pay the first year's tuition within two weeks.

If you tick "accept adjustment", applicants who fail the academic review of their chosen major may be offered a Chinese Language programme or preparatory study. Each application covers one major.

Master's

• A bachelor's degree and transcripts. Documents not in Chinese or English need notarised translations certified by a Chinese embassy or consulate abroad, or by your country's embassy or consulate in China.
• Age: up to 35 for scholarship applicants, up to 45 for self-funded applicants.
• Language: HSK 5 at 180+ for Chinese-taught programmes (HSK 5 at 210+ and intermediate HSKK for International Chinese Education); TOEFL iBT 80 or IELTS 6.0, or an English-taught degree, for English-taught programmes (per the latest published version of the English-taught master's rules).
• A personal statement with study plan, two recommendation letters from associate professors or above, a medical form and, for design, a portfolio of up to 20 pages.
• A non-refundable application fee of CNY 600 ($90).

Step-by-step plan for 2027

1. September–October 2026. Choose a major, check its CSCA subjects and colour-vision rules, and register for CSCA and HSK.
2. Late October to late December 2026 (if 2026 timing repeats). First master's window, for the CSC High-Level Postgraduate Program and self-funded applicants.
3. January to late March 2027. Bachelor's applications at study-info.tongji.edu.cn; second master's window, including the Shanghai Government Scholarship.
4. Spring 2027. Online interview, preliminary admission and first-year payment within two weeks.
5. Summer 2027. Electronic admission documents, JW202 form and X1 visa; watch for the dorm booking notice.
6. Early September 2027. Registration with originals (language certificates, diploma, transcripts), insurance and residence permit.

When to apply: the latest published cycle

What studying at Tongji costs

All amounts are per year, taken from the International Students Office fee page, which does not state the academic year, so check them against your year's catalogue. The application fee is CNY 600 ($90) and insurance CNY 400 per semester. Tuition and insurance are paid at registration; bachelor's students prepay year one within two weeks of preliminary admission.

Where to live and what living in Shanghai costs

International dorms are on the Siping, Zhangwu Road and Jiading campuses. The dormitory page in force in spring 2026 quoted long-term rates (90+ days) per room per day; if you share a double, each student pays half:

In May 2026 Tongji announced a new residential complex for international students, the International Student Community at 888 Xiangyin Road. The International Students Office publishes 2026/27 rates in its booking notice, so check them before you arrive.

Dorm places go first to government scholarship holders and inter-university exchange students; self-funded students are housed if rooms remain. Self-funded students pay at least a semester in advance, with no refund for early departure. Full-scholarship students are in principle housed by the university, but if dorms are full everyone must find their own accommodation. For other monthly costs, use the CSC benchmark: a master's scholar receives CNY 3,000 ($450) and a doctoral scholar CNY 3,500 ($520) a month on top of free housing. 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 Tongji

The CSC Type A pre-admission letter supports a scholarship application and is not a final decision. See our guide to scholarships abroad in 2026. Awards are decided by CSC, the Shanghai authorities or Tongji.

How to get the X1 visa and residence permit

With the admission notice and JW202 form you apply for an X1 visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate. After arrival you register at the university and apply for a residence permit at the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau. Originals are checked at registration, and admission is cancelled if they do not meet the requirements. See our China student visa guide.

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

• A bachelor's age limit of 35 is rare among leading Chinese universities and suits career changers.
• Low standard fees and strong engineering and architecture schools.
• The option to accept a Chinese Language or preparatory placement if you miss your chosen major.
• HSK 5 is required at application for Chinese-taught bachelor's; beginners need a Chinese language programme or foundation year.
• A strict probation year with a 25-credit minimum.
• Master's translations must be certified by an embassy or consulate, and fees are paid in yuan only; check early which legal transfer route your bank offers.

Which mistakes to avoid

• Applying without CSCA. The report is required at submission; unlike SJTU, Tongji does not accept it later.
• Ignoring colour-vision rules. Several majors do not admit colour-blind applicants.
• Choosing several majors. Each application allows one.
• Falling short of 25 credits in year one. It is grounds for expulsion.
• Posting or emailing documents. Only uploads to the system are accepted.

Where teaching takes place: campuses and city

The main Siping campus is at 1239 Siping Road in Yangpu District, north-east Shanghai, home to the International Students Office and two international dorms. Further international dorms are on the Zhangwu Road and Jiading campuses. Teaching location depends on the college, so check it before booking housing.

How Tongji ranks

Overall rankings understate Tongji's specialist strengths; for architecture and construction, look at subject rankings and department staff.

FAQ

How much does Tongji cost?

Chinese-taught bachelor's: $2,980–4,280 a year (CNY 20,000–28,700); English-taught: $5,040–6,710. Chinese-taught master's: $3,420–4,890 a year.

Can I apply to Tongji after 25?

Yes for a self-funded bachelor's (up to 35); scholarship applicants must be 25 or under. For master's, self-funded applicants may be up to 45 and scholarship applicants up to 35.

Is CSCA required?

Yes, for every bachelor's programme, uploaded at application. It is not required for master's programmes.

Are there programmes in English?

At bachelor's level: architecture and civil engineering international classes and MBBS. There is a separate catalogue of English-taught master's programmes, including the International MBA.

When should I apply for 2027?

The notices are not out yet. In 2026 bachelor's applications ran 10 January–31 March and master's applications 25 October–20 December and 10 January–20 March.

Can I count on a place in university housing?

No. Government scholarship holders and exchange students have priority; self-funded students are housed if rooms remain. At spring 2026 rates a room costs CNY 35–80 a day, and each student in a shared double pays half; payment is at least a semester in advance.

Can StudyU help me apply to Tongji?

Under contract we choose a major, check requirements, prepare documents and portfolios and support the application, scholarship and visa stages. Tongji decides on admission, CSC, the Shanghai authorities or Tongji on scholarships and the Chinese consulate on the visa.

Sources

• Tongji University Undergraduate Enrollment Guide for International Students in 2026
• 2026 Undergraduate Major Catalog, Tuition and CSCA subjects (XLS)
• Master Programs: Enrollment Guide 2026
• English-taught Master's Enrollment Guide (latest published version, archived)
• Free & Costs: fees for international students
• International Student Community (888 Xiangyin Road), May 2026
• Dormitory page, April 2026 version (archived)
• Tongji University English site, 2025 (archived)
• Fudan University: Chinese-taught postgraduate admission 2026 (CSC stipend levels)
• QS: Tongji University
• THE: Tongji University
• ARWU 2026
• ECB reference rates, 23 Sep 2026

To compare Tongji with other Shanghai universities, see universities in Shanghai and studying in China. If you want to know whether Tongji fits your age, language level and budget, apply for a consultation.

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