Painted AI interpretation of ECNU’s modern white Putuo campus gate and a leafy Shanghai campus avenue
East China Normal University official seal

ECNUShanghai, China

International undergraduate study

East China Normal University

华东师范大学

Education and discovery in Shanghai

  • Founded 1951
  • Double First-Class
  • Project 985
  • Project 211
Verified official ECNU sourcesUpdated 5 October 2026
QS ranking#394
LocationShanghai
Teaching languageChinese & English
Degree length4 years
Tuition / yearRMB 22k–108k
Application status2026 closed

01/ 11Overview

A remarkable place to begin.

Founded in 1951. A Shanghai research university with a strong education tradition, a broad international undergraduate catalogue and garden campuses in Putuo and Minhang.

Explore ECNU’s story and strengths

A university shaped by education

ECNU was established in Shanghai in 1951, building on the traditions of Great China University and Kwang Hua University. Teacher education remains central to its identity, alongside research and degree programmes across the humanities, social sciences, sciences and technology.

Education, people and the environment

Education, psychology, geography and the study of the environment are distinctive parts of ECNU’s academic identity. International undergraduate choices include preschool and special education, psychology, geography, ecology, statistics and computing.

Two main Shanghai campuses

Putuo is the historic campus around the Liwa River; Minhang offers a larger campus setting in southern Shanghai. Your school determines your teaching location. Software Engineering may move to the Dishui Lake Lingang campus after 2.5 years or according to academic needs.

  • Depth in education and psychology

    Study education, rehabilitation or psychology through specialist schools open to international undergraduates.

  • Study between China and France

    The BBA double degree combines two years in Shanghai with two at emlyon in France.

  • Garden campuses in Shanghai

    Combine green campus life with Shanghai’s museums, neighbourhoods and international business scene.

02/ 11Language requirements

What language do you need?

Chinese language HSK 4, 5 or 6 · 180+ HSK level depends on your programme; minimum score 180 Scores, alternatives & exam details
Chinese-taught programmes
Programme groupMinimum HSK
English major; International Chinese Studies; Chinese-taught DesignHSK 4 · 180
School of CommunicationHSK 6 · 180
Other Chinese-taught programmesHSK 5 · 180

Accepted alternatives

Not applicable

Submit an HSK certificate from within the previous two years; no general HSK exemption is published. Scholarship thresholds can be higher: the Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship also requires HSKK, and the Excellent Freshmen Scholarship requires at least HSK 5 at 180.

English language IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 85 For the four English-taught options; alternatives below Scores, alternatives & exam details

Accepted alternatives

  • Cambridge English B2 or above
  • Exemption where English is your native or official language
  • Other equivalent English certificates, subject to ECNU approval

Submit a certificate from within the previous two years. These requirements apply to English-taught business and design. The English major is in the Chinese-taught catalogue and requires HSK 4. Prior English-medium schooling alone is not a published general exemption.

03/ 11Entry requirements

Your grades. Your starting point.

Compare the published requirement with a competitive target.

Official requirementPublished by ECNU

Competitive estimateChinaStudyGuide target

Our competitive estimate is planning guidance, not an official admission requirement.

Your school record, language evidence, CSCA results and departmental assessment are considered together. A stronger academic record also matters for scholarship selection.

04/ 11CSCA

Do you need CSCA?

General admissionRequired
Chinese Government ScholarshipRequired
Which CSCA subjects do you need?
Chinese

STEM Chinese for science and engineering, including Psychology and Educational Technology; Humanities Chinese for other Chinese-taught subjects. The five Chinese Language tracks are exempt. English-taught programmes do not require Chinese.

By programme
Mathematics

Every listed undergraduate programme, including all four English-taught options and the five Chinese Language tracks.

Required
Physics

All programmes requiring STEM Chinese, except Chemistry. This includes psychology, statistics, Educational Technology and Spatial Intelligence.

By programme
Chemistry

Required for Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, the three School of Geographic Science degrees, and the three ecology/environment degrees. Spatial Intelligence needs Physics, without Chemistry.

By programme

Both Physics and Chemistry are required for the listed life science, geography and ecology/environment programmes; they are not alternatives. ECNU’s official programme catalogue gives each combination but does not specify the test-language version of Mathematics or science papers.

The 2026 guide sets no minimum CSCA score. Results form part of the academic assessment. ECNU paper combinations ↗ · Official exam details ↗

05/ 11Admission routes

Find your way in.

Choose your teaching language and programme.

Application dates & eligibility
Official route details

06/ 11Application process

From application to arrival.

Step 01

Choose your programme

Choose one programme, teaching language and funding route. Check language/CSCA requirements and the relevant deadline; scholarship deadlines are earlier.

Documents that deserve an early start

Application materials

Self-recommendation / study plan

All applicants

Explain your background, motivation and study plan in 500–600 Chinese characters or English words. English BBA limits statement plus plan to two pages; Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship requires at least 800 words.

CV and digital presentation

English BBA applicants

For either English BBA, prepare a CV and creative digital personal presentation or e-portfolio. Show your interests, activities and preparation for business study.

Portfolio or performance video

Fine Arts / Music applicants

Fine Arts applicants submit recent original artwork; Music applicants submit a recent instrumental or vocal performance video. Follow your school’s additional-material instructions.

All other required documents

  • Language and CSCA results

    Provide the programme’s exact papers and language evidence within two-year certificate validity. Scholarship language standards may be higher; Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship also requires HSKK Intermediate 60+.

  • Online application form

    Complete it in the ECNU portal and pay RMB 800 online. An incomplete or unpaid application is invalid. If unsuccessful, you may apply for another programme before the deadline, with a new application fee.

  • Diploma and complete transcripts

    Submit high-school graduation evidence and the full academic record. Final-year students need expected-graduation evidence and must obtain their certificate before 31 August, then bring the original for registration.

  • Passport and applicable nationality records

    Upload the personal-information and Chinese-visa pages. Applicants with relevant Chinese nationality history or parentage must also provide the required four-year entry/exit records and the 2026 Entry and Exit Information Form and Letter of Commitment.

  • Guardian guarantee for applicants under 18

    If your parents are outside China, appoint a Chinese resident or foreign national in China as your guardian and submit the required guarantee.

  • Health and non-criminal certificates

    Required for scholarship applications. The medical examination must be within six months and cover every item on the official form, including blood-test details, a stamped photograph, hospital seal and doctor’s signature.

  • Additional scholarship evidence

    The Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship needs its own online application, recommending-institution letter, study plan, HSK and HSKK certificates, CSCA results and a notarised non-criminal certificate. CSC Type A follows the home-country dispatching authority’s checklist.

  • English BBA passport photograph

    Supply the passport photograph requested by the programme checklist alongside the CV and digital personal presentation.

Use clear scans of original documents and notarised translations where required. ECNU may request originals or further verification during review.

ECNU application portal Email admissions Official application guidance

07/ 11Subjects

What will you study?

69 options
Browse all 69 options

ECNU undergraduate admission catalogue

MajorSchool / departmentCampusLanguage
Chinese Language — Chinese Language and CultureSchool of International Chinese StudiesPutuoChinese
Chinese Language — Business ChineseSchool of International Chinese StudiesPutuoChinese
Chinese Language — International Business (Chinese–English)School of International Chinese StudiesPutuoChinese
Chinese Language — International TradeSchool of International Chinese StudiesPutuoChinese
Chinese Language — Applied ChineseSchool of International Chinese StudiesPutuoChinese
Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other LanguagesSchool of International Chinese StudiesPutuoChinese
Software EngineeringSchool of Software EngineeringPutuoChinese
Computer Science and TechnologySchool of Computer Science and TechnologyPutuoChinese
Educational TechnologyFaculty of EducationPutuoChinese
Public Service ManagementFaculty of EducationPutuoChinese
Preschool EducationFaculty of EducationPutuoChinese
Special EducationFaculty of EducationPutuoChinese
Education and RehabilitationFaculty of EducationPutuoChinese
Public AdministrationSchool of Public AdministrationPutuoChinese
Visual Communication DesignSchool of DesignPutuoChinese
Environmental DesignSchool of DesignPutuoChinese
Product DesignSchool of DesignPutuoChinese
Environmental DesignSchool of DesignPutuoEnglish
Visual Communication DesignSchool of DesignPutuoEnglish
Applied PsychologySchool of Psychology and Cognitive SciencePutuoChinese
PsychologySchool of Psychology and Cognitive SciencePutuoChinese
EnglishSchool of Foreign LanguagesMinhangChinese
JapaneseSchool of Foreign LanguagesMinhangChinese
FrenchSchool of Foreign LanguagesMinhangChinese
RussianSchool of Foreign LanguagesMinhangChinese
SpanishSchool of Foreign LanguagesMinhangChinese
Editing and PublishingSchool of CommunicationMinhangChinese
Radio and Television DirectingSchool of CommunicationMinhangChinese
Broadcasting and Hosting ArtsSchool of CommunicationMinhangChinese
JournalismSchool of CommunicationMinhangChinese
Chinese Language and LiteratureDepartment of Chinese Language and LiteratureMinhangChinese
HistoryDepartment of HistoryMinhangChinese
PhilosophyDepartment of PhilosophyMinhangChinese
Political Science and Public AdministrationSchool of Politics and International RelationsMinhangChinese
Ideological and Political EducationSchool of MarxismMinhangChinese
Marxist TheorySchool of MarxismMinhangChinese
LawLaw SchoolMinhangChinese
Social WorkSchool of Social DevelopmentMinhangChinese
SociologySchool of Social DevelopmentMinhangChinese
Business Administration — Double DegreeAsia Europe Business SchoolMinhangEnglish
Business Administration — AEBSAsia Europe Business SchoolMinhangChinese
Business Administration — Single DegreeAsia Europe Business SchoolMinhangEnglish
Business Administration — Economics and ManagementSchool of Economics and ManagementPutuoChinese
AccountingSchool of Economics and ManagementPutuoChinese
EconomicsSchool of Economics and ManagementPutuoChinese
FinanceSchool of Economics and ManagementPutuoChinese
StatisticsSchool of StatisticsMinhangChinese
Microelectronics Science and EngineeringSchool of Information and Electronic Engineering (School of Integrated Circuits Science and Engineering)MinhangChinese
Communication EngineeringSchool of Information and Electronic Engineering (School of Integrated Circuits Science and Engineering)MinhangChinese
Data Science and Big Data TechnologySchool of Data Science and EngineeringMinhangChinese
Biological SciencesSchool of Life SciencesMinhangChinese
BiotechnologySchool of Life SciencesMinhangChinese
Pure and Applied MathematicsSchool of Mathematical SciencesMinhangChinese
PhysicsSchool of PhysicsMinhangChinese
Electronic Information Science and TechnologySchool of PhysicsMinhangChinese
ChemistrySchool of Chemistry and Molecular EngineeringMinhangChinese
Geographical SciencesSchool of Geographic ScienceMinhangChinese
Geographic Information ScienceSchool of Geographic ScienceMinhangChinese
Human Geography and Urban-Rural PlanningSchool of Geographic ScienceMinhangChinese
Environmental ScienceSchool of Ecological and Environmental ScienceMinhangChinese
EcologySchool of Ecological and Environmental ScienceMinhangChinese
Environmental Ecological EngineeringSchool of Ecological and Environmental ScienceMinhangChinese
Fine ArtsSchool of Fine ArtsMinhangChinese
MusicSchool of MusicMinhangChinese
Music PerformanceSchool of MusicMinhangChinese
Sports TrainingCollege of Physical Education and HealthMinhangChinese
Physical EducationCollege of Physical Education and HealthMinhangChinese
Social Sports Guidance and ManagementCollege of Physical Education and HealthMinhangChinese
Geographic Information Science — Spatial IntelligenceSchool of Geospatial Artificial IntelligenceMinhangChinese

How you choose your majorChoose one programme per application. All 69 listed options last four years. Chinese Language tracks, the two Chinese-taught Business Administration school options, English BBA single/double degrees and Spatial Intelligence remain separate choices. International Business (Chinese–English) is a Chinese Language track with HSK 4 entry, not a fully English-taught BBA. The double BBA includes study in France; Software Engineering may later move to Lingang.

Official admission catalogue

08/ 11Annual budget

What will one year cost?

Estimated annual total · RMB84,800

Tuition

RMB / year22,000Published tuition reference

Accommodation

RMB / year36,000Living-cost estimate

Food

RMB / year18,000Living-cost estimate

Transport

RMB / year2,400Living-cost estimate

Other costs

RMB / year6,400Living-cost estimate
What’s included in the estimate?

Tuition

Published tuition for your selected programme.

Accommodation

Allowance for a private room or shared rental. Published campus rooms can cost less.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: 12 months × RMB 3,000

Food

Campus meals, groceries and occasional meals out.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: 12 months × RMB 1,500

Transport

Local metro, bus and occasional taxi journeys.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: 12 months × RMB 200; flights excluded

Other costs

Books, phone, utilities and personal essentials, including an RMB 800 medical-insurance allowance.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: RMB 5,600 essentials + RMB 800 insurance allowance

Tuition: 2026 programme catalogue. Living estimates cover 12 months in Shanghai; France needs a separate budget. Excludes application fee, flights, visa and deposits.

09/ 11Scholarships

Big ambitions. Extra support.

National scholarship

Chinese Government Scholarship · Type A

FundingFull or partial support
Competition*Very high

Coverage

  • Tuition support
  • Accommodation support
  • Living allowance for full awards
  • Medical insurance for full awards

The bilateral scheme may fund all or only some of these items; the award notice controls coverage.

Application
Apply through your home-country dispatching authority and follow its deadline. If it requires an ECNU pre-admission letter, submit an ECNU application and pay RMB 800 for school review.
CSCA
Required for ECNU undergraduate admission
Selection
Home-country nomination, university assessment and CSC approval. Programme eligibility and any preparatory Chinese study follow the bilateral award conditions.
Official scholarship details
Municipal scholarship

Shanghai Government Scholarship

FundingFull or partial support
Competition*High

Coverage

  • Type A: tuition
  • Type A: campus accommodation
  • Type A: RMB 2,500/month living allowance
  • Type A: medical insurance

Type B covers tuition and medical insurance only.

Application
Submit the ECNU application and fee by 30 April 2026. ECNU nominates candidates; no separate SGS application is required.
CSCA
Required for undergraduate admission
Selection
Under 25, high-school diploma and the programme’s Chinese standard. Joint programmes, English-taught programmes and the School of International Chinese Studies are excluded.
Official scholarship details
University scholarship

ECNU Excellent Freshmen Scholarship

FundingRMB 30,000 · first year
Competition*High

Coverage

  • RMB 2,500/month for 12 months

A first-year living allowance; this is not a tuition waiver.

Application
Apply through ECNU’s portal and pay RMB 800 by 30 April 2026. Funding decisions follow academic review.
CSCA
Required for undergraduate admission
Selection
Under 25, excellent high-school results and HSK 5 at 180+. Major competition winners receive preference. English-taught and joint programmes are excluded; it cannot be held alongside another scholarship.
Official scholarship details
Chinese language education

International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship

FundingFull support
Competition*High

Coverage

  • Tuition
  • Campus accommodation
  • RMB 2,500/month living allowance
  • Medical insurance

Four-year undergraduate support for the specified Chinese language and education programmes.

Application
Apply through ECNU’s portal and the Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship system, 1 March–15 May 2026. Select a recommending institution and complete its recommendation process.
CSCA
Chinese Language and Culture / Business Chinese: Mathematics. TCSOL / Chinese Language and Literature: Humanities Chinese and Mathematics.
Selection
Under 25 on 1 September 2026. HSK 4 at 210+ for TCSOL, Chinese Language/Culture and Business Chinese; HSK 5 at 180+ for Chinese Language/Literature. All: HSKK Intermediate 60+, video interview and CLEC approval.
Official scholarship details

* Competition levels are ChinaStudyGuide planning estimates. These are the published 2026 schemes and deadlines; the 2027 cycle was not yet published when checked. Award conditions determine continued funding.

Explore the scholarship guide

10/ 11Accommodation

Find your Shanghai base.

On campus

International student dormitories

Campus rooms in Putuo and Minhang, booked through the online reservation system.

First come, first servedLocations & practical details
Locations
Putuo Dorm No. 1: economy twin, RMB 40/bed/night. Dorm No. 2: economy twin RMB 40 or standard twin RMB 60/bed/night. Minhang: standard single with private bathroom, RMB 35/room/night. Fees are collected for the prescribed semester dates.
Best for
Students who want a campus routine and a shorter journey to classes
Plan for
Formal admission and completed tuition payment—or a tuition waiver—are required before access opens. ECNU emails eligible students the booking date, usually in January or July. Self-funded bookings must be paid within the stated period.
Off campus

Private rental in Shanghai

A wider choice of living arrangements, with rent, bills and commuting to organise.

Independent arrangementLocations & practical details
Locations
Choose near your assigned Putuo or Minhang campus. They are in different parts of Shanghai; a home convenient for one can be impractical for the other.
Best for
Students seeking more independence or those unable to secure a campus room
Plan for
The annual budget allows RMB 3,000/month for accommodation as a planning estimate. Actual rents vary by room, district and sharing arrangement. Allow separately for deposits and inspect the lease and commute before committing.

Have a housing backup. ECNU requires students who cannot reserve a campus room to arrange their own off-campus housing. An admission offer alone does not secure a room.

11/ 11Student life

A campus to call home. A city to discover.

Painted AI interpretation inspired by the Liwa River, bridges and greenery at ECNU Putuo campus
The Liwa River, reimagined
Painted AI interpretation of Shanghai’s Huangpu waterfront and skyline
Beyond the campus gates

Shanghai after class

Shanghai offers art museums, live performances, neighbourhood cafés and riverside walks. Putuo and Minhang give you different daily surroundings, while the city’s metro network opens up weekend trips to the Bund, galleries and historic streets.

Campus routine

Putuo’s Liwa River and green paths are part of ECNU’s garden-campus identity. At either main campus, build your week around classes, libraries, dining halls, sport and international student activities.

Around your campus

Putuo sits within an established urban district near the Jinshajiang Road and Global Harbor area. Minhang has a more spacious campus setting in southern Shanghai. Choose accommodation and daily plans around your teaching campus.

Weekends in Shanghai

Explore the Huangpu waterfront, visit a museum, or spend an afternoon among Shanghai’s tree-lined streets and small restaurants. Longer trips across the city need more planning from Minhang than from central neighbourhoods.

Keep exploring

More universities. More possibilities.

Official sources & latest updates

Checked 5 October 2026 against ECNU’s published 2026 undergraduate guidance and current programme catalogue. The 2026 cycle is closed; 2027 undergraduate dates were not yet published. QS ranking: 2027 edition.

Academic targets, scholarship competition and living budgets are ChinaStudyGuide estimates, not official thresholds or admission predictions. Programme-specific guidance supplements the general admission guide; the Chinese original takes precedence where versions differ.