East China Normal University
华东师范大学
Shanghai's leading normal university, strong in education and the sciences, with Chinese- and English-taught degrees.
- Tuition
- CN¥22,000
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1951
- QS World Ranking
- #394
- 2027 edition
- Campus
- Urban
- More than 207 hectares across two campuses
About ECNU
East China Normal University was founded in Shanghai in October 1951 and traces its roots to the Great China University and Kwang Hua University of the 1920s. It is a Category A university in China's Double First-Class program and part of Projects 211 and 985. The university has more than 35,000 students, over 6,000 international students and more than 4,400 faculty and staff, organised into 4 faculties and 33 full-time schools on two campuses: the historic Putuo (North Zhongshan Road) campus and the larger Minhang campus.
As a "normal" university, ECNU grew up training teachers and still aims to lead China's teacher education, but it is now a comprehensive research university. Its strengths include education, psychology and cognitive science, geography and estuarine and coastal science, and optics, where it runs the State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy. It calls itself a "Garden University" for its green campuses of more than 207 hectares.
International undergraduates can choose Chinese-taught majors (HSK 4 to HSK 6 depending on the program) or a small set of English-taught degrees in business administration and design. From the 2026 intake, applicants must also submit CSCA results. ECNU suits students who want a large Shanghai university with a strong international student community, especially in education, the humanities, social sciences and the natural sciences.
求实创造，为人师表
“Seek truth, foster originality, and live up to the name of a teacher” — university motto
Why students choose ECNU
English-taught bachelor's degrees are available in Business Administration (single and double degree), Visual Communication Design and Environmental Design.
More than 6,000 international students study at ECNU, and the university runs its own International Students Office, dormitories and an annual International Cultural Festival.
The ECNU Excellent Freshmen Scholarship and the Shanghai Government Scholarship both pay a monthly stipend of 2,500 RMB, and ECNU nominates students for the Shanghai award without a separate application.
ECNU hosts the State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research and the State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy.
Admissions
Autumn 2026 intake (the latest published guide; classes began early September 2026); the 2027 guide had not been published as of 29 September 2026
Selectivity
ECNU does not publish an admission rate for international undergraduates. Applications get an eligibility review, then a comprehensive evaluation by the school or department, with interviews if needed. For 2026 the CSCA had no minimum score and was used as one reference in the academic review.
Typical entry requirements
| High school qualification | High school graduation or above with a valid foreign passport; applicants with Chinese-origin backgrounds must meet the Ministry of Education's 2020 Document No. 12 rules. Graduating students must obtain the certificate before 31 August. |
|---|---|
| HSK (Chinese-taught programs) | HSK 4 (180+) for the School of International Chinese Studies, English (Chinese-taught) and Chinese-taught Design; HSK 5 (180+) for most other programs; HSK 6 (180+) for the School of Communication |
| English test (English-taught programs) | IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 85 or Cambridge English B2 for applicants from non-English-speaking countries |
| CSCA | Required; test subjects depend on the program (see the program catalogue) |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 85 For English-taught programs only: IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 85 or Cambridge English B2, taken within two years. Waived if English is your native or official language. |
Deadlines
- ECNU Excellent Freshmen / Shanghai Government Scholarship, 2026 (past, for reference) Non-binding Passed30 April 2026
Scholarship applicants also need a health certificate and non-criminal record.
- International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship, 2026 (past, for reference) Non-binding Passed15 May 2026
For Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages and related Chinese majors; subject to the Center for Language Education and Cooperation.
- Self-financed applicants, 2026 intake (past, for reference) Non-binding Passed1 June 2026
Admitted self-funded students paid tuition by 31 July; classes began in early September 2026.
ECNU had not published its 2027 undergraduate guide as of 29 September 2026. Chinese Government Scholarship (Type A) deadlines are set by the Chinese embassy or consulate in your home country.
How to apply
Apply online at lxsapply.ecnu.edu.cn and pay the non-refundable 800 RMB application fee. Upload your high school certificate (or expected-graduation certificate), full transcript, HSK or English certificate, CSCA results, a 500–800 word self-recommendation letter (in Chinese for Chinese-taught programs, English for English-taught ones) and passport copy. Fine Art applicants add artwork and Music applicants a performance video. You may choose only one program per application; if not admitted, you can reapply to another program within the window and pay the fee again.
What admissions looks for
- A complete high school record and graduation certificate.
- Language proficiency at the HSK or English level required for the chosen program.
- CSCA results in the subjects set for the program, used as one reference in the academic review.
- A self-recommendation letter covering who you are, why you are applying and your study plan.
Tips for applying to ECNU
- 1 Pick your program carefully: each application covers one program only, and a second choice means a new application and another 800 RMB fee.
- 2 Check the HSK level for your program: most Chinese-taught majors need HSK 5, but Communication needs HSK 6.
- 3 Write the self-recommendation letter in the language of your program (Chinese or English) and keep it to 500–800 words.
- 4 Applicants for Chinese-taught programs whose Chinese is not yet strong enough can ask about the 1+4 foundation route offered with the Chinese Government Scholarship.
- 5 Upload everything through the online system: materials sent by email or WeChat are not accepted.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in CNY
International undergraduates can apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship (Type A, through Chinese embassies; not for English-taught or joint programs), the Shanghai Government Scholarship (Type A full scholarship covering tuition, accommodation, insurance and a 2,500 RMB monthly stipend), the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship and the ECNU Excellent Freshmen Scholarship (2,500 RMB a month for the first 12 months).
- Tuition, accommodation, insurance and 2,500 RMB monthly stipend
- Shanghai Government / CGS full scholarship
- 2,500 RMB per month for the first 12 months
- ECNU Excellent Freshmen Scholarship
- 800 RMB per application, non-refundable
- Application fee
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (academic year begins in early September)
Education
ECNU was built as a teacher-training university and aims to lead the development of China's teacher education through its Faculty of Education.
Business Administration (BBA, English-taught)
Offered as a single degree (54,000 RMB a year) or a double degree, and one of the few English-taught bachelor's routes at ECNU.
Visual Communication Design and Environmental Design
Available in both Chinese-taught (28,000 RMB) and English-taught (50,000 RMB) versions in the School of Design.
Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages
Eligible for the full International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship, with a lower HSK 4 entry requirement.
Psychology
Part of ECNU's psychology and cognitive science strength, one of the fields in its Education+ and Health+ action plans.
Research
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, working on sediment, environment and ecosystem dynamics along China's coasts.
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, approved in 2007, building on more than 60 years of optics research.
- ECNU researchers published a study in Nature on the origin of eukaryotic cells about 2.72 billion years ago.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Education
- School of Psychology and Cognitive Science
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering
- Asia Europe Business School
- School of Design
- School of Communication
- School of International Chinese Studies
- School of Foreign Languages
- School of Social Development
- School of Geographic Science
- School of Physics and Electronic Science
- School of Fine Art
Student life
ECNU's two campuses are known as a "Garden University" for their lawns, rivers and trees. International students mostly live in the international student dormitories on the Putuo campus, from economic doubles with shared bathrooms to standard rooms with private bathrooms, with single rooms in Buildings 12 and 14 on the Minhang campus. The International Students Office runs student organisations and support services, and the university hosts an annual International Cultural Festival. Student associations cover volunteering, the arts, science and fitness.
- Annual ECNU International Cultural Festival
- Student associations and clubs from volunteering to arts, science and fitness
- International student dormitories on both campuses
- 'AI+X' micro-majors open to undergraduates
Housing. On-campus international student rooms on the Putuo campus range from 40 RMB per night per bed (economic double, shared bathroom) to 60–90 RMB per night per bed (standard double, private bathroom), and Minhang's Buildings 12 and 14 have single rooms at 35 RMB per night; prices apply to stays of a semester or more.
Location
ECNU is in Shanghai. The Putuo campus is at 3663 North Zhongshan Road, closer to the city centre, and the Minhang campus is at 500 Dongchuan Road in the southern Minhang district. Students have Shanghai's metro network, food, cultural life and internship options within reach.
Nearest airport: Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA); Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Notable alumni
- HZ Han ZhengVice President of China since 2023; undergraduate degree in politics (part-time, 1985–1987) and master's in international political economy (1991–1994)
- CT Cui TiankaiDiplomat and China's longest-serving ambassador to the United States (2013–2021); graduated from the School of Foreign Languages
- LX Liu XiangOlympic 110 m hurdles champion in 2004; was an ECNU student at the time of his Athens win
- JJ Jason JiangFounder and CEO of Focus Media; degree in Chinese language and literature (1995)
- GF Ge FeiNovelist; studied Chinese literature, graduating in 1985
- YZ Yuan ZhongyiArchaeologist called the "father of the Terracotta Warriors"; bachelor's (1960) and master's (1963) in history
- SZ Stephen Z. D. ChengPolymer scientist and member of the US National Academy of Engineering; bachelor's in mathematics (1977)
- JZ Joe Z. TsienNeuroscientist known for the "Doogie" smart mice research; degree in biology/physiology (1984)
Frequently asked questions
Does East China Normal University have English-taught undergraduate programs?
Yes: Business Administration (single or double degree), Visual Communication Design and Environmental Design are taught in English. Most other bachelor's programs are taught in Chinese.
Does ECNU require the CSCA?
Yes. From the 2026 intake, applicants must submit CSCA results in the subjects set for their program; for 2026 there was no minimum score, and the result was one reference in the academic review.
What HSK level does ECNU require?
HSK 5 (180+) for most Chinese-taught programs, HSK 4 (180+) for International Chinese Studies, English and Chinese-taught Design, and HSK 6 (180+) for the School of Communication.
How much is ECNU tuition for international students?
In the 2026 catalogue, Chinese-taught programs cost 22,000 to 28,000 RMB a year, English-taught design programs 50,000 RMB and the English-taught BBA 54,000 RMB a year; the Sino-French BBA double degree costs 216,000 RMB for its two years at ECNU. The application fee is 800 RMB.
When is the ECNU application deadline?
For the 2026 intake, 30 April for the ECNU Excellent Freshmen and Shanghai Government scholarships, 15 May for the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship and 1 June for self-financed applicants. The 2027 guide had not been published as of 29 September 2026.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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