Shanghai International Studies University
A well-established university providing quality higher education. Offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs with dedicated faculty and supportive learning environment.
- Acceptance Rate
- 67.1%
- SAT Range
- 1050–1250
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.4
- Size
- Large (31,976 students)
- Type
- N/A
- Student:Faculty
- 1:20
- Setting
- urban
- Graduation Rate
- 80.0%
- Retention Rate
- 78.0%
- Tuition (In-State)
- $5,000
- Tuition (Int'l)
- $8,000
Academic Programs
STEM
Business
Social Sciences
Humanities
Health
Arts
English Proficiency Requirements
Student Life & Environment
SISU operates across multiple campuses, with main facilities in the Hongkou district of central Shanghai and newer facilities in the Songjiang University Town in the southwestern suburbs. The Hongkou campus offers urban convenience and historic character, while Songjiang provides modern facilities in a setting shared with other universities. The student body includes significant numbers of international students, creating a more multicultural environment than at most Chinese universities. Language practice happens naturally as Chinese students interact with native speakers of the languages they study. Student organizations include language clubs, cultural associations, and groups focused on international exchange. The focus on languages and international affairs shapes campus culture. Students serious about language mastery spend long hours in study and practice. Those preparing for interpretation careers develop exceptional discipline. The atmosphere tends more academic than social compared to some universities. Shanghai's attractions provide entertainment options when students take breaks from their studies.
Location & Surroundings
Shanghai, China's largest city and financial center, provides an appropriate setting for a university focused on international affairs. The city has served as China's primary point of contact with the outside world for over a century, and today hosts thousands of multinational companies, foreign consulates, and international organizations. Students at SISU find internship and career opportunities that would be unavailable in smaller cities. The Hongkou campus sits in a district with significant historical connections to international presence in Shanghai, not far from the Bund and the landmarks of the former International Settlement. The neighborhood offers the services and atmosphere of central Shanghai. The Songjiang campus, about 30 kilometers from the center, occupies a planned university district that concentrates several institutions but feels more suburban and isolated. Shanghai's climate brings hot, humid summers and chilly, damp winters. The city offers extraordinary cultural resources, dining, entertainment, and shopping, though costs run high by Chinese standards. The international presence in the city creates a cosmopolitan atmosphere unusual in China. Public transportation is excellent, and the city's airports provide convenient connections throughout Asia and beyond.
Costs & Career Outcomes
Tuition at SISU follows government-set rates for Chinese students at public universities, keeping costs modest. International students pay higher fees that vary by program and level but remain competitive with other Chinese universities. Shanghai's high cost of living adds substantially to the overall expense of attending the university. Career outcomes for SISU graduates draw on the specialized preparation the university provides. Graduates work in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chinese embassies worldwide. Translation and interpretation graduates find positions with international organizations, media companies, and businesses requiring language services. Journalists with SISU backgrounds work for international media or cover foreign affairs for Chinese outlets. Business graduates often work for multinational companies where language skills complement commercial expertise. The alumni network includes influential figures in diplomacy, media, and international business. These connections help current students access internships and job opportunities. Career services supports students in navigating the job market for internationally-oriented positions. Graduates who have developed genuine proficiency in their target languages find that this specialized skill opens doors that remain closed to those with only general education.
Campus Location
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