Shanghai University
上海大学
Shanghai's large city-run comprehensive university, with engineering, film and fine arts schools on three campuses.
- Students
- 39,742
- 19,687 undergraduates
- International
- 6%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 13.4:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- CN¥21,000
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1994
About SHU
Shanghai University (SHU) is a comprehensive public university run by the Shanghai municipal government and co-sponsored by China's Ministry of Education. It is part of Project 211 and the Double First-Class initiative. The present university was formed in 1994 by merging Shanghai University of Technology, Shanghai University of Science and Technology, the former Shanghai University and Shanghai Institute of Science and Technology; it traces its name to a Shanghai University founded in 1922.
SHU covers almost every field, from engineering, materials and computer science to law, journalism and archaeology, across 31 schools and colleges. It reports 14 subjects in the ESI global top 1%, including engineering, materials science, chemistry and computer science. It is also unusually strong in the arts for a comprehensive university: the Shanghai Film Academy and the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts are both part of SHU.
The main campus is in Baoshan district, with further campuses at Yanchang in Jing'an and in Jiading, where the SILC Business School, run with the University of Technology Sydney, is based. SHU has about 40,000 full-time students, and about 3,400 international students from 146 countries study there (March 2026). Most international undergraduate programmes are taught in Chinese, so it suits students with good Chinese or those willing to study it first.
Why students choose SHU
The Shanghai Film Academy and Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts offer Chinese-taught degrees in animation, directing, oil painting, sculpture and design within a comprehensive university.
SILC Business School on the Jiading campus teaches English-taught business, finance and trade degrees as a Sino-foreign joint programme with double-degree options.
Ulisboa College offers bilingual Chinese-English degrees in environmental, electrical and civil engineering at 30,000 yuan a year.
Shanghai Government Scholarships cover tuition for international undergraduates, and full versions for graduate students add a monthly stipend.
Admissions
Autumn 2027 entry (the 2027-28 international undergraduate guide had not been published as of 29 September 2026; details below are from the 2026-27 guide)
Selectivity
SHU does not publish an admission rate for international undergraduates. Admission is competitive, based on a review of application materials, CSCA scores, the department's assessment and interview results.
Typical entry requirements
| High school diploma | GPA 3.0/4.0 or above; graduating students must obtain the diploma by 31 July of the entry year |
|---|---|
| CSCA | Required, with subjects set by programme; scholarship applicants must submit the score report by 15 May and self-funded applicants by 30 June (2026 cycle) |
| HSK (Chinese-taught programmes) | HSK 4 (180+) for Chinese Language and Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages; HSK 5 (180+) for science, engineering, economics, management and art; HSK 5 (210+) for humanities |
| Ulisboa College (bilingual) | HSK 5 (180+) plus IELTS 5 or TOEFL 60 |
| English language | IELTS 6.5 · TOEFL iBT 90 English-taught programmes: IELTS Academic 6.5, TOEFL 90 (MyBest and TOEFL Essentials accepted), Duolingo 120, or Cambridge CAE/CPE 180, taken within two years. Native English speakers and applicants whose previous degree was fully taught in English are exempt. |
Deadlines
- Shanghai Government Scholarship, 2026 entry - PAST CYCLE Non-binding Passed30 April 2026 (closed)
Undergraduates could apply for the partial (tuition) scholarship.
- Undergraduate programmes, autumn 2026 entry - PAST CYCLE, for reference only Non-binding Passed30 June 2026 (closed)
Applications ran from 20 November 2025 to 30 June 2026; semester began at the end of August 2026.
The 2026-27 guide opened applications on 20 November 2025. SHU's application site could not be reached directly on 29 September 2026 (content verified via archived copies from May 2026), and no 2027-28 guide had been published; expect a similar November-to-June window and confirm on apply.shu.edu.cn.
How to apply
Apply online at apply.shu.edu.cn and pay the 500 yuan application fee. Upload an ID photo, passport, CSCA score report (or registration screenshot), a selfie video introducing yourself and your study plan, high school diploma and transcripts, language certificate, statement of financial support, personal statement and a police certificate (or SHU's commitment form); art applicants add artwork. Individual applicants complete the Security and Background Check and University Qualification Assessment online, then an interview. Admitted self-funded students must pay a deposit of half or a full year's tuition within 20 working days.
What admissions looks for
- An academically excellent high school record, with GPA 3.0/4.0 or above.
- The right subject background: maths and physics for science and engineering, maths for economics and management, and a portfolio for arts.
- CSCA scores in the subjects your programme requires, plus a strong result in SHU's University Qualification Assessment.
- A clear study plan and motivation, shown in your personal statement, selfie video and interview.
Tips for applying to SHU
- 1 Record the selfie video in the language of your programme (Chinese or English), since it doubles as an early language check.
- 2 Take the UQA seriously: SHU says the results are an important consideration, and questions are timed at two minutes each.
- 3 If your CSCA score isn't out yet, upload the registration screenshot and email the official report to your programme coordinator before the deadline.
- 4 Budget for the tuition deposit: self-funded students must pay half or a full year's tuition within 20 working days of the e-admission notice.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in CNY
International undergraduates can apply for the partial Shanghai Government Scholarship, which covers tuition for the standard study period (the full version with free housing and a stipend is for master's and PhD applicants). SHU also takes part in Chinese Government Scholarship programmes through the CSC, and runs an International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship.
- 500 yuan, non-refundable
- Application fee
- 35 yuan per day (four-bed room, limited), 70 yuan (double) or 140 yuan (single with private bathroom), excluding electricity
- International student apartments
- Half or a full year's tuition within 20 working days of admission
- Tuition deposit
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters; autumn intake with registration around 1 September
Shanghai Film Academy degrees
Animation, drama and film directing, cinematography and performing art, taught in Chinese at 32,000 yuan a year.
Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts degrees
Oil painting, sculpture, calligraphy, traditional Chinese painting and design, with a portfolio required.
SILC Business School (English-taught)
Finance, business administration and cross-border e-commerce degrees in a Sino-foreign joint school, with double-degree options.
Materials science and engineering
Six Chinese-taught majors, from metallurgical engineering to new energy materials, in one of SHU's ESI top-1% fields.
Ulisboa College engineering
Bilingual Chinese-English degrees in environmental, electrical and civil engineering, run with the University of Lisbon.
Research
- SHU reports 14 disciplines in the ESI global top 1%, including engineering, materials science, chemistry, computer science, mathematics and physics.
- The late computer scientist and CAE academician Li Sanli was dean of SHU's School of Computer Engineering and Science.
- The university library system holds more than four million volumes, with its main library on the Baoshan campus.
Schools & faculties
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation
- School of Computer Engineering and Science
- School of Communications and Information Engineering
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering
- College of Science
- School of Economics
- School of Management
- Law School
- Shanghai Film Academy
- Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts
- SILC Business School
SHU had 10,757 graduates in the class of 2025; 51.31% of its bachelor's graduates went on to further study in China or abroad.
Student life
Most international students live in international student apartments, which exist on each campus, from shared four-bed rooms to singles with private bathrooms. The Baoshan campus is the main one, with the central library and lakeside green space; the Yanchang campus sits in central Jing'an, and SILC Business School is in Jiading. SHU hosts an International Culture Festival, and the metro runs close to campus, so the rest of Shanghai is easy to reach.
- International Culture Festival for SHU's students from more than 150 countries.
- International student apartments on every campus.
- Three campuses: Baoshan (main), Yanchang in Jing'an and Jiading.
- Film, fine arts and music schools bring exhibitions and performances to campus life.
Housing. International student apartments on each campus cost 35 to 140 yuan per person per day depending on room type, excluding electricity (2026-27 guide).
Location
Shanghai is China's largest city and main financial centre, with a huge metro network, international food and culture, and higher living costs than most Chinese cities. SHU's Baoshan campus is in the northern suburbs, calmer than downtown but connected by metro; the Yanchang campus puts some schools closer to the city centre.
Nearest airport: Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA); Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Notable alumni
- WX Wang XingxingFounder and CEO of Unitree Robotics; master's in mechatronics engineering from SHU (2016)
- NW Nanfu WangDocumentary filmmaker (One Child Nation); master's in English literature from SHU
- JX Jay XuDirector and CEO of the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, 2008-2025; attended SHU
- SG Steven GaoProfessor of electronic engineering known for antenna research; PhD from SHU (1999)
- JJ Ji-li JiangAuthor of the memoir Red Scarf Girl; graduated from Shanghai University
- XX Xie XuehongTaiwanese revolutionary; studied sociology at the 1920s Shanghai University whose name SHU carries
Frequently asked questions
How much is Shanghai University tuition for international students?
Under the 2026-27 guide, undergraduate tuition ranges from 21,000 yuan a year (humanities) to 40,000 yuan (SILC English-taught business programmes); most science and engineering majors cost 24,000 yuan.
Does Shanghai University have English-taught bachelor's degrees?
Yes, at SILC Business School on the Jiading campus (finance, business administration and cross-border e-commerce), plus bilingual engineering degrees at Ulisboa College. Most other programmes are taught in Chinese.
What HSK level does Shanghai University require?
HSK 5 with 180 or more for science, engineering, economics, management and art; HSK 5 with 210 for humanities; HSK 4 with 180 for Chinese Language and Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages.
Does Shanghai University require the CSCA and an interview?
Yes. Applicants need CSCA scores in the subjects set for their programme, and SHU arranges a 10-15 minute interview, which can be an AI interview. Individual applicants also take the online UQA.
When is the application deadline for 2027?
The 2027-28 guide had not been published by late September 2026. For 2026 entry, applications ran from 20 November 2025 to 30 June 2026, with an earlier 30 April deadline for the Shanghai Government Scholarship.
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.
- Shanghai University: Application for Undergraduate Programs 2026-2027 (PDF, archived copy)
- Shanghai University: International admissions application page (archived May 2026)
- Shanghai University: Shanghai Government Scholarship application guide 2026 (PDF, archived copy)
- Shanghai University: FAQs on Undergraduate Programs Admission (PDF, archived copy)
- Shanghai University: Facts and Figures (March 2023)
- Shanghai University English site
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