Shanghai Jiao Tong University
上海交通大学
Shanghai's engineering-led university, founded in 1896, with an English-taught Engineering Cluster via the Common App.
- Students
- 61,100
- International
- 5%
- of students
- Tuition
- CN¥24,800
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1896
About SJTU
Shanghai Jiao Tong University was founded in 1896 as Nanyang Public School, one of the earliest modern universities in China, and grew into one of China's strongest universities for engineering and applied science. Its historic Xuhui campus in central Shanghai, with red-brick buildings such as the Old Library, sits alongside a much larger main campus in Minhang in the south-west of the city.
SJTU today spans engineering, science, medicine, business, law and the humanities, with 21 disciplines in the global top 1% in 2025. It reports more than 61,100 students (about 30% undergraduates) including over 2,800 international students, and around 4,130 teaching faculty. Well-known units include the Global College (formerly the University of Michigan-SJTU Joint Institute), Antai College of Economics and Management, the Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance and the SJTU School of Medicine, which runs its own international admissions.
International students can take Chinese-taught degrees across most programmes, with HSK 5 and the CSCA required, apply via the Common App to the English-taught Engineering Cluster, where students spend their first 1.5 years at the Global College before choosing a major, or apply to a few other English- or French-taught programmes listed separately by SJTU. SJTU fits students aiming at engineering, computing or finance careers in Shanghai, and around 45% of its undergraduates take part in short-term exchanges abroad.
饮水思源，爱国荣校
“Gratitude and Responsibility” — university motto
Why students choose SJTU
The English-taught Engineering Cluster, applied to through the Common App, covers mechanical, electrical and computer engineering, computer science, data science, materials science, automation and power engineering.
The Global College (formerly the UM-SJTU Joint Institute) teaches engineering in English and offers dual-degree options.
Around 45% of undergraduates join short-term exchange programmes abroad, according to SJTU.
Merit scholarships for international students include SJTU and Shanghai Government awards covering tuition, housing subsidy and a monthly living allowance.
Admissions
Entry in September 2027 (English-taught Engineering Cluster: 2027 dates; Chinese-taught programmes: 2026 cycle shown)
Selectivity
SJTU does not publish admit rates. Chinese citizens are admitted through the gaokao and schemes such as the Strong Base Plan and comprehensive evaluation; international students apply directly. For the English-taught Engineering Cluster, the middle 50% of the 2026 admitted class scored SAT 1390-1500 (SAT Math 750-790) and ACT 30-34.
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
Typical entry requirements
| Gaokao (PRC citizens) | National College Entrance Examination plus SJTU schemes such as the Strong Base Plan and Shanghai/Zhejiang comprehensive evaluation |
|---|---|
| International: English-taught Engineering Cluster | Common App, CSCA with Mathematics, SAT/ACT/A-level/IB (SAT mid-50% 1390-1500, ACT 30-34; A-level Mathematics A or above; IB Maths HL 5+ or SL 7+), TOEFL 90 / IELTS 6 / Duolingo 120 |
| International: Chinese-taught programmes | CSCA, transcripts and international or national exam results, HSK 5 (200+, Writing 60+) or HSK 6 (180+, Writing 60+), English proof, interview; regular round adds SJTU's own entrance exam |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 90 Engineering Cluster (English-taught): TOEFL iBT 90 (or 4.5 on the new scale for tests from 21 January 2026), IELTS 6.0 or Duolingo 120; waived with SAT EBRW 650+, ACT Reading and English 27+, or four recent years of study in listed English-speaking countries. Chinese-taught programmes ask for TOEFL, IELTS or other English proof without a stated minimum. |
Deadlines
- Chinese-taught programmes - Early Round Non-binding Passed5 February 2026, 17:00 Beijing time
2026 cycle: 8 December 2025 to 5 February 2026.
- Chinese-taught programmes - Regular Round Non-binding Passed10 March 2026, 17:00 Beijing time
2026 cycle: 6 February to 10 March 2026; online entrance exam 21-22 March 2026.
- Engineering Cluster (English-taught) - Early Action Non-binding Next deadline · In 26 days1 November 2026 (Beijing time)
Apply via the Common App; CSCA scores can follow and must be submitted by 30 June 2027 if pre-admitted.
- Engineering Cluster (English-taught) - Regular Application Non-binding In ~6 months31 March 2027 (Beijing time)
Admission decisions are based on comprehensive evaluation.
Engineering Cluster dates are for 2027 admission; Chinese-taught dates are from the 2026 cycle because the 2027 notice was not yet published on 28 September 2026. Expect a similar December-March window.
How to apply
Engineering Cluster: submit the Common Application first, then complete the SJTU Portal (apply.sjtu.edu.cn) after passing preliminary review, with CSCA/test scores, transcripts, English scores and proof of a 100,000 RMB financial guarantee. Chinese-taught programmes: apply on apply.sjtu.edu.cn (800 RMB fee), then online entrance exam (regular round) and interview; pre-admitted students pre-pay tuition within two weeks. Medicine applicants apply to the SJTU School of Medicine directly.
What admissions looks for
- Excellent academic proficiency shown by transcripts and international or national exam results, plus CSCA scores.
- Strong mathematics for the Engineering Cluster (A-level Mathematics A or above, IB Maths HL 5+ or SL 7+).
- Excellent language proficiency: Chinese (HSK 5/6) for Chinese-taught programmes, English for the Engineering Cluster.
- Comprehensive qualities and language ability assessed in the interview.
Tips for applying to SJTU
- 1 For the Engineering Cluster, apply by Early Action on 1 November 2026 through the Common App; you can submit SAT/IB/A-level results first and add CSCA later.
- 2 Take the SAT EBRW or ACT seriously: a 650+ EBRW score or ACT Reading and English 27+ waives the English test.
- 3 Budget for accommodation: SJTU does not provide free housing, and dorms cost 6,600-12,600 RMB per semester for Chinese-taught students.
- 4 Tick 'Apply for scholarship' in the online form to be considered for SJTU and Shanghai Government scholarships.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in CNY
SJTU offers First-, Second- and Third-Class scholarships for international undergraduates (from tuition waiver plus 1,000 RMB monthly housing subsidy and 2,500 RMB monthly living allowance, down to insurance and housing subsidy only), alongside the Shanghai Government Scholarship and the Chinese Government Scholarship applied for through Chinese embassies.
- Tuition waiver + 1,000 RMB/month housing + 2,500 RMB/month living allowance + insurance
- First-Class Scholarship (Chinese-taught)
- 6,600-12,600 RMB per semester
- On-campus accommodation (international)
- 800 RMB
- Application fee
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Engineering Cluster Program in English
Common App entry, 1.5 years of foundation engineering at the Global College, then a choice of majors taught in English or Chinese.
Global College: Electrical and Computer Engineering / Mechanical Engineering
English-taught degrees at the unit formerly known as the University of Michigan-SJTU Joint Institute.
Computer Science and Technology
Offered both in the Global College and the School of Computer Science as part of the English-taught cluster.
Global Institute of Future Technology
A separately priced (120,000 RMB a year) programme for international undergraduates focused on emerging technologies.
Clinical medicine (SJTU School of Medicine)
Admits international students through its own independent process.
Research
- 21 disciplines in the global top 1% of ESI in 2025.
- Ranked 27th in the world in ARWU 2026.
- SJTU ranked 40th in the Global Employability University Ranking 2026, according to its homepage.
Schools & faculties
- Global College (formerly UM-SJTU Joint Institute)
- School of Mechanical Engineering
- School of Computer Science
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- School of Automation and Intelligent Sensing
- Antai College of Economics and Management
- Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance (SAIF)
- KoGuan School of Law
- Global Institute of Future Technology
- SJTU School of Medicine
SJTU cites 40th place in the Global Employability University Ranking 2026.
Student life
Most undergraduates live and study on the large Minhang campus in south-west Shanghai, while the historic Xuhui campus closer to the centre keeps the university's early-20th-century buildings. International students can reserve on-campus dormitories during a set booking period or rent privately off campus. The university runs orientation, cultural and competition programmes for international students, and a large share of undergraduates spend time abroad on short-term exchanges. Engineering Cluster students also take Chinese language and culture courses and are expected to reach HSK 4 by graduation.
- Two main campuses: Minhang (main) and the historic Xuhui campus
- About 45% of undergraduates join short-term exchanges abroad
- More than 2,800 international students
- Chinese language and culture courses built into the English-taught Engineering Cluster
Housing. On-campus dormitories for international students cost 6,600-12,600 RMB per semester and must be reserved in the booking window; SJTU does not provide free housing.
Location
Shanghai is China's largest city and financial centre, with an extensive metro, a large international community and fast rail links across the Yangtze River Delta. SJTU's Minhang campus is in the south-west suburbs and connected to the city by metro, while the Xuhui campus sits in a leafy central district. Living costs are among the highest in mainland China but still well below major Western cities.
Nearest airport: Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA); Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Notable alumni
- QX Qian XuesenChief scientist of China's missile and space programme
- JZ Jiang ZeminFormer General Secretary of the Communist Party and President of China
- WW Wu WenjunMathematician; Shaw Prize laureate
- AW An WangComputer scientist and founder of Wang Laboratories
- YY Yang YuanqingChairman of Lenovo Group
- NS Neil ShenFounding partner of Sequoia Capital China
- CZ Chen ZhuHematologist and former Minister of Health
- YM Yao MingBasketball player and Hall of Famer
Frequently asked questions
Can I study engineering in English at Shanghai Jiao Tong University?
Yes. The Engineering Cluster Program in English accepts applications through the Common App, with Early Action on 1 November 2026 and Regular on 31 March 2027 for 2027 entry.
What SAT score do you need for SJTU?
For the English-taught Engineering Cluster, the middle 50% of the 2026 admitted class scored SAT 1390-1500 (SAT Math 750-790) or ACT 30-34.
How much is SJTU tuition for international students?
Chinese-taught programmes cost 24,800 RMB a year; the English-taught Engineering Cluster costs 150,000 RMB a year; the Global Institute of Future Technology costs 120,000 RMB.
Does SJTU require HSK?
Chinese-taught programmes require HSK 5 (200+) or HSK 6 (180+) with Writing at least 60, or equivalent proof; the English-taught cluster does not require HSK for admission but expects HSK 4 by graduation.
Do international applicants need the CSCA for SJTU?
Yes. SJTU requires the China Scholastic Competency Assessment for international undergraduate applicants; SAT, IB or A-level results cannot replace it, but pre-admitted students may submit CSCA scores by 30 June.
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.
- QS TopUniversities: Shanghai Jiao Tong University (QS World University Rankings 2027)
- Times Higher Education: Shanghai Jiao Tong University (World University Rankings 2026)
- ShanghaiRanking: Shanghai Jiao Tong University (ARWU 2026)
- SJTU: About Us (students, faculty, exchange)
- SJTU English homepage (rankings, ESI disciplines)
- SJTU: Undergraduate Programs in Chinese for International Students (2026)
Explore nearby in the world top 100
Universities ranked close to SJTU in the QS World University Rankings 2027.