Universities in Shanghai
29 universities in Shanghai, China for international students — compare tuition, scholarships and CSCA admission requirements.
What it costs to study in Shanghai
Tuition requires programme and intake verification; catalogue amounts do not establish an annual fee. City living reference: about CNY 2,579 per month, excluding tuition.
Shanghai — mainland China's financial capital and its most international city — pairs world-class universities with the country's largest city economy (GDP over ¥5 trillion in 2024) and the world's busiest container port. Its apex is four Project 985 universities — Fudan, Shanghai Jiao Tong, Tongji and East China Normal — backed by a deep layer of Project 211 and Double First-Class specialists in finance, engineering and medicine. For international students it offers global exposure, English-taught programs and unmatched career networks — at tier-one prices.
Why study in Shanghai?
- Four Project 985 universities anchor the city — Fudan and Shanghai Jiao Tong (both C9 League, top for medicine, science and engineering), plus Tongji (China's leading civil-engineering and architecture school) and East China Normal (one of only two teacher-training universities in the 985) — over a strong layer of 211 + Double First-Class specialists.
- It's China's financial and business capital: the mainland's leading financial centre (home to the Shanghai Stock Exchange) and largest city economy, with GDP over ¥5 trillion in 2024 — strong for finance, economics, business and internships.
- It's the most international, English-friendly big city in China, with a large catalogue of English-taught degrees and the country's biggest expat and multinational presence — an easier landing for students who don't yet speak fluent Chinese.
- It's a hub for advanced industry — integrated circuits, biomedicine and AI — and the world's busiest container port, with deep ties for engineering, tech and logistics students.
- One honest caveat: alongside Beijing, Shanghai is China's most expensive city for students, and its flagship universities are highly selective.
Flagship universities for international students
Shanghai's four Project 985 universities — Fudan, Shanghai Jiao Tong, Tongji and East China Normal — anchor the city, over a strong layer of 211 and Double First-Class specialists. Be precise about tiers: a Double First-Class discipline does not mean a school is 211 or 985.
Shanghai's top comprehensive university and a C9 League member — full Project 985 + 211 + Double First-Class. Elite across medicine, science, economics and the humanities, and on the Ministry of Education's list to teach clinical medicine (MBBS) in English to international students.
A C9 League member and full Project 985 + 211 + Double First-Class — top for engineering and medicine. Its English-taught MBBS for international students is newly launched (first cohort 2025); read our Study MBBS in China guide before committing.
Full Project 985 + 211 + Double First-Class — China's leading civil-engineering and architecture university, and among the Shanghai schools authorised to teach clinical medicine (MBBS) in English to international students.
Full Project 985 + 211 + Double First-Class — one of only two teacher-training universities in the 985 — strong in education, ecology, statistics and geography.
One of China's top finance and economics universities — Project 211 + Double First-Class in Applied Economics, but NOT a 985 (its old "985 innovation platform" status is often mistaken for full 985). A standout for finance, economics and accounting.
Project 211 + Double First-Class (NOT 985), and one of China's strongest chemical-engineering universities — also strong in materials, pharmacy and biotech.
China's leading TCM university and top-rated in Chinese medicine — but note it is Double First-Class only, NEITHER 985 NOR 211 (a common inflation point). Excellent if Chinese medicine or integrated medicine is your field.
Cost of living & tuition
Alongside Beijing, Shanghai is China's most expensive city for students. As rough planning figures from study-abroad guides (not official tariffs, and varying by university, program and lifestyle): undergraduate tuition commonly runs about ¥20,000–45,000/year, with medicine (MBBS / clinical) higher (often around ¥40,000–60,000+/year) and flagship programs at Fudan / SJTU above these ranges. Living costs run roughly ¥3,500–6,500/month — near the low end dorm-based, higher with private housing. Always confirm exact tuition and dormitory fees with each university.
Scholarships in Shanghai
Beyond the national Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC), Shanghai runs its own Shanghai Government Scholarship for International Students (上海市外国留学生政府奖学金), established in 2006. It has two tiers: Type A (full) covers tuition, accommodation, a living stipend and comprehensive medical insurance; Type B (partial) covers tuition and insurance. Per the municipal scholarship table, a Type A undergraduate award totals roughly ¥59,200–66,200/year depending on discipline (tuition plus an accommodation allowance and a living stipend near ¥2,500/month). Treat the figures as a guide — they derive from a municipal notice and are administered through individual universities — and confirm the current tiers and amounts on each university's admissions page.
Admission & the CSCA
Shanghai's Chinese-Government-Scholarship universities — including Fudan, Shanghai Jiao Tong and others — fall within the CSCA's scope: from the 2026/27 intake, international undergraduate applicants to these universities sit the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (expanding to all universities by 2028). It tests Academic Chinese plus Mathematics (compulsory) and optional Physics and Chemistry — and the maths and science papers can be taken in English. Chinese-taught undergraduate programs also typically require HSK 4; English-taught programs differ (and English-taught MBBS programs set their own English-test thresholds). Prepare the maths and science papers with CSCA practice.
Practice for the CSCA| University | City | Tuition | Bachelor programs | Scholarship | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asia Europe Business School, East China Normal University | Shanghai | Check programme evidence | 1 | — | |
| Donghua University | Shanghai | Check programme evidence | 50 | Yes | |
| East China Normal University | Shanghai | Check programme evidence | 23 | — | |
| East China University of Political Science and Law | Shanghai | Check programme evidence | 6 | Yes | |
| East China University of Science and Technology | Shanghai | Check programme evidence | 18 | — | |
| Fudan University | Shanghai | Check programme evidence | 64 | — | |
| Shanghai Business School | Shanghai | Check programme evidence | 2 | — | |
| Shanghai Conservatory of Music | Shanghai | Check programme evidence | — | — | |
| Shanghai Dianji University | Shanghai | Check programme evidence | 1 | — | |
| Shanghai International Studies University | Shanghai | Check programme evidence | 9 | — | Math-only |
| Shanghai Jiao Tong University | Shanghai | Check programme evidence | 50 | Yes | |
| Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine | Shanghai | Check programme evidence | 2 | Yes | HSK-exempt |
| Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance | Shanghai | Check programme evidence | 4 | Yes | |
| Shanghai Maritime University | Shanghai | Check programme evidence | 1 | — | |
| Shanghai Normal University | Shanghai | Check programme evidence | 15 | — | |
| Shanghai Ocean University | Shanghai | Check programme evidence | 2 | — | |
| Shanghai Polytechnic University | Shanghai | Check programme evidence | 4 | — | |
| Shanghai University | Shanghai | Check programme evidence | 76 | — | |
| Shanghai University of Engineering Science | Shanghai | Check programme evidence | 8 | Yes | |
| Shanghai University of Finance and Economics | Shanghai | Check programme evidence | 8 | Yes | |
| Shanghai University of Political Science and Law | Shanghai | Check programme evidence | 9 | Yes | |
| Shanghai University of Sport | Shanghai | Check programme evidence | — | — | |
| Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine | Shanghai | Check programme evidence | 2 | — | |
| ShanghaiTech University | Shanghai | Check programme evidence | — | — | |
| SN Mandarin | Shanghai | Check programme evidence | 14 | — | |
| The Sino-British College, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology | Shanghai | Check programme evidence | 10 | Yes | |
| Tongji University | Shanghai | Check programme evidence | 65 | Yes | |
| Tongji University School of Medicine | Shanghai | Check programme evidence | 1 | — | |
| University of Shanghai for Science and Technology | Shanghai | Check programme evidence | — | — |
Admission to these universities runs through the CSCA exam
International undergraduate admission to universities in Shanghai generally requires taking the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) exam (Mathematics is compulsory; Physics and Chemistry may be required depending on your university and major). Start preparing for free.
Scholarships in Shanghai
Scholarships available at universities in Shanghai.
All Scholarships (18)
Shanghai Jiao Tong University Scholarship
Our university provides abundant scholarships for outstanding undergraduate international students, such as Chinese Government Scholarship, Shanghai Municipal Government Scholarship, Shanghai Jiaotong University Scholarship and so on. How to Apply ● Applicants for Chinese Government Scholarships should apply directly through the local embassy or consulate general. Fill in the Chinese Government Scholarship Application Form...
Shanghai International Studies University School Scholarship
Scholarship Content and Criteria In order to further promote the development of foreign students' education in the university, help foreign students with good character and excellent academic performance to complete their studies smoothly, motivate foreign students to study hard and make efforts to promote their all-around development, Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) Scholarships for Outstanding Foreign Students are hereby established. The scholarship is awarded to...
Shanghai Academy of Political Science and Law "Belt and Road" Scholarships
I. Scholarship Content and Criteria The scholarship provides applicants with a one-time financial assistance of 10,000 RMB for the first year. II. Open Programs Undergraduate Programs: 1. Law (International Economic Law Direction); 2. Intellectual Property; 3. International Economics and Trade; 4. Economics; 5. Economics and Finance; 6. Business Administration; ...
Shanghai Academy of Political Science and Law Shanghai Municipal Government Scholarship
I. Scholarship Contents and Standards 1. Scholarship Contents: (1) Full Scholarship: free tuition, free accommodation, free insurance and living expenses; (2) Partial Scholarship: free tuition and free insurance. 2.The standard of living expenses is as follows: Undergraduates: RMB 2,500/month Master's...
Shanghai University of Political Science and Law Chinese Government Scholarship
I. Scholarship Content and Standard 1. Scholarship content: free tuition, free accommodation, free insurance, and living expenses. 2.The standard of living expenses is as follows: Undergraduates: RMB 2,500/month Master's degree students and general advanced students: RMB 3,000/month II. Open Specialties Undergraduates specialize...
Shanghai Municipal Government Scholarship, East China Normal University
In order to further promote the development of Shanghai's foreign students' education, support and encourage more outstanding foreign students and scholars to study in our university, according to the relevant provisions of the "Trial Measures for Application of Shanghai Government Scholarships for Foreign Students", and combining with the actual situation of our university, these measures are hereby formulated. Application Objects 1.Category A...
East China Normal University (ECNU) Chinese Government Scholarship Independent Enrollment Program
Application Target Full-time enrolled postgraduate students (Master's and PhD students); Only for new students enrolled in September 2018, fresh graduates studying in China in 2018 are not allowed to apply Scholarship Content 1) Full Scholarship: tuition fee, medical insurance, accommodation and living expenses. 2) Partial ...
Single Scholarship for Outstanding Foreign Students of East China Normal University
Eligibility 1) All publicly-funded and privately-funded international students in their second year of study and above are eligible to apply (undergraduates must be enrolled for more than one year, and advanced students must be enrolled for more than one semester). 2) Academic awards: those who have good academic performance during their study, or those who have been awarded prizes in various competitions at home and abroad (undergraduates...
Degree Scholarship for Outstanding Foreign Students of East China Normal University
Qualifications 1) Self-financed international students in the second year or above who are normally enrolled in the university (undergraduate undergraduate students must be enrolled in the university for at least one year); 2) Students who have outstanding academic performance, social practice, innovation, scientific research ability and overall quality during the study period, and have won awards from the faculty or the university;...
East China Normal University Outstanding Undergraduate Freshman Scholarship
East China Normal University (ECNU) has established the "ECNU Outstanding International Students (Undergraduate) Freshman Scholarship" since 2016 to provide financial support for outstanding international students to study undergraduate degree in ECNU. The following enrollment procedures are established (hereinafter referred to as the "New Student Scholarship"): Admission Objects 1....
East China Normal University Confucius Institute Scholarship for Chinese Language Teachers from South Asian Countries
In order to expand humanistic exchanges between China and South Asian countries, and to promote the localization of Chinese language teachers in South Asian countries, the Confucius Institute Headquarters/Sate Hanban (hereinafter referred to as Hanban) has established the Confucius Institute Scholarship Program for Chinese Language Teachers in South Asian Countries. Nationality of applicants: Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Af...
East China Normal University Confucius Institute Scholarship New Sinology Program
Sino-Foreign Cooperative Doctoral Program Program Content The program provides financial support for doctoral students registered in foreign universities to come to China to study, conduct research and write doctoral dissertations. Duration 6 months to 2 years. Eligibility - Non-Chinese citizens. - Chinese Language Proficiency Test (HSK) score must be at Level 3, and under the same conditions...
Frequently asked questions
How many universities in Shanghai accept international students?
29 universities in Shanghai, China are listed for international undergraduate admission, across 1 cities. Most are admitted through the CSCA exam.
How much does it cost to study a bachelor in Shanghai?
Tuition requires programme and intake verification; catalogue amounts do not establish an annual fee. City living reference: about CNY 2,579 per month, excluding tuition.
Do I need the CSCA exam to study in Shanghai?
Yes — admission to most universities in Shanghai for international undergraduates runs through the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) exam. Mathematics is compulsory; Physics and Chemistry may be required depending on the university and major.
Which is the best university in Shanghai for international students?
Fudan University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University are the apex — both C9 League, full 985 + 211 + Double First-Class, and top for medicine, science and engineering — followed by Tongji (civil engineering, architecture) and East China Normal (education). Among more accessible specialists, SUFE leads in finance, ECUST in chemical engineering, and SHUTCM in Chinese medicine.
Can I study MBBS in English in Shanghai?
Yes — Fudan, Shanghai Jiao Tong and Tongji are among the universities authorised by the Ministry of Education to teach clinical medicine (MBBS) in English to international students. (Shanghai Jiao Tong's English-taught MBBS is newly launched, with its first cohort in 2025.) The MOE list and quotas are reissued each year, so confirm current status and seats with the university — and note a Chinese MBBS is a degree, not a licence to practise back home; read our Study MBBS in China guide.
Are SUFE and ECUST 985 universities?
No — both Shanghai University of Finance and Economics and East China University of Science and Technology are Project 211 + Double First-Class universities, not 985. Their former "985 innovation platform" status is often mistaken for full 985. Shanghai's four 985 universities are Fudan, Shanghai Jiao Tong, Tongji and East China Normal.
Is studying in Shanghai expensive?
Alongside Beijing, it's China's most expensive city for international students. Undergraduate tuition commonly runs about ¥20,000–45,000/year (medicine higher), and living costs roughly ¥3,500–6,500/month. Treat these as estimates and confirm with each university.
Do I need to take the CSCA to study in Shanghai?
If you're applying for an undergraduate program at a Chinese-Government-Scholarship university like Fudan or Shanghai Jiao Tong, then from the 2026/27 intake yes — the CSCA is required, expanding to all universities by 2028. It tests Academic Chinese plus Maths (compulsory) and optional Physics/Chemistry, with the science papers available in English.
Sources
- Fudan University — International Students (official)
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University (official, English)
- Shanghai Government Scholarship — Shanghai municipal government
- China MOE — Double First-Class (双一流) university list (2022)
- China MOE — English-medium MBBS for international students
- China Scholarship Council (CSC) — campuschina.org