Painted interpretation inspired by Shanghai Maritime University’s Lingang entrance and sail-shaped canopies
Shanghai Maritime University official seal

SMUShanghai, China

International undergraduate study

Shanghai Maritime University

上海海事大学

Maritime expertise on Shanghai’s coast

  • Roots in 1909
  • Public university
  • Maritime specialist
Verified official SMU sourcesUpdated 26 October 2026
QS rankingNot Listed
LocationShanghai
Teaching languageChinese / English
Degree length4 years
Tuition guideRMB 20,000/year
Application statusOpens 1 Dec 2026

01/ 11Overview

A remarkable place to begin.

Maritime roots since 1909. A specialist university connecting shipping, logistics and engineering on Shanghai’s Lingang coast.

Explore SMU’s story and strengths

A maritime education heritage

SMU traces its roots to maritime education in Shanghai in 1909. Shanghai Maritime College was established in 1959; the university’s Lingang campus opened in 2008.

Shipping connects its disciplines

Transport, logistics and marine industries connect SMU’s engineering, management and legal teaching. Its international catalogue includes maritime law, navigation, logistics, computing and ocean-related engineering.

A spacious base in Lingang

The main campus sits in Shanghai’s southeast, near Dishui Lake. Expect a coastal university setting with more space and a longer journey to central Shanghai than at an inner-city campus.

  • Maritime study with practical depth

    Marine Navigation connects nautical study with simulator and shipboard training.

  • International maritime connections

    Partnerships with overseas universities and shipping organisations connect SMU with the wider maritime world.

  • A spacious coastal campus

    Make Lingang your base, with Dishui Lake nearby and Shanghai available for weekend trips.

02/ 11Language requirements

What language do you need?

Chinese language HSK 5 For Chinese-taught study; two catalogue exceptions Scores, alternatives & exam details

Accepted alternatives

  • Native Chinese speaker
  • Previous high-school study taught in Chinese

The general guide requires an HSK 5 certificate without a separate score threshold. The catalogue specifies HSK 4 for English (Shipping) and Business English, both labelled Chinese / English; these are not routes without Chinese. No HSK 4 score threshold is stated.

English language IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 80 For English-taught undergraduate programmes Scores, alternatives & exam details

Accepted alternatives

  • Cambridge English B2 or higher
  • Native English speaker
  • English-medium high school
  • Other equivalent evidence approved by SMU

English-taught applicants need an accepted certificate from the preceding two years unless an exemption applies. Prepare the self-introduction video in your programme’s teaching language; a certificate exemption does not remove the video requirement.

03/ 11Entry requirements

Your grades. Your starting point.

Compare the published requirement with a competitive target.

Official requirementPublished by SMU

Competitive estimateChinaStudyGuide target

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

04/ 11CSCA

Do you need CSCA?

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

STEM Chinese for Chinese-taught science, engineering, transport and logistics. Humanities Chinese for Maritime Law and the two language degrees.

Chinese-taught only
Mathematics

Every applicant. Chinese-taught routes use the Chinese paper; English-taught routes use the English paper.

Required
Physics

Chinese-taught Communications and Transportation, Traffic Engineering, five Information Engineering majors and six Logistics Engineering majors. Environmental Engineering also lists Physics.

By programme
Chemistry

Materials Science and Engineering; Environmental Engineering lists Physics and Chemistry without specifying whether one or both are required.

By programme

Chinese routes take papers in Chinese. The 2027 guide requires only English Mathematics for English-taught applicants, but the catalogue also lists Chemistry for English Materials Science. This combination remains inconsistently published.

CSCA is required for undergraduate admission, including scholarship applicants; SMU publishes no minimum score. Undergraduate Chinese Government Scholarship applicants must submit a valid CSCA score report. Programme paper list ↗ · Official CSCA information ↗

05/ 11Admission routes

Find your way in.

Choose the teaching language that matches your preparation.

Application dates & eligibility
Official route details

06/ 11Application process

From application to arrival.

Step 01

Choose your major

Choose your major and teaching language; check language and CSCA requirements. For September 2027 entry, applications open on 1 December 2026.

Documents that deserve an early start

Application materials

Study statement

All applicants

Write at least 800 words explaining your academic background, relevant experience, intended study or research plan and career aims. Connect your preparation to the major you have chosen.

Self-introduction video

All applicants

Record no more than five minutes covering your personality, interests, school performance and awards. Use Chinese for a Chinese-taught programme or English for an English-taught programme.

School and exam records

All applicants

Provide your high-school diploma or official expected-graduation certificate, transcripts, language evidence and CSCA results. School documents must be in Chinese or English and carry the required school stamp or notarisation.

All other required documents

  • Application and passport

    Complete the online application and upload your passport identity page. Renew your passport if it has less than ten months of validity calculated from January 2027.

  • Medical examination

    Use the full Foreigner Physical Examination Form with the physician’s signature, hospital stamp and stamped photograph. Its validity is six months.

  • Non-criminal record

    Provide an official certificate, normally issued within six months before submission.

  • Financial support and payment

    Upload the financial-support statement and application-fee receipt. Unpaid applications are not reviewed.

  • Scholarship or nationality evidence

    Scholarship applicants upload the signed SGS form and sign the downloaded application form. Former Chinese citizens provide the required nationality and overseas-residence evidence.

Submit readable electronic documents and retain the matching originals for registration.

SMU application portal Email admissions

07/ 11Subjects

What will you study?

27 options
Browse all 27 options

SMU undergraduate admission catalogue

MajorSchool / departmentLanguage
Communications and TransportationCollege of Transportation and CommunicationsChinese
Logistics ManagementCollege of Transportation and CommunicationsChinese
Logistics ManagementCollege of Transportation and CommunicationsEnglish
Traffic EngineeringCollege of Transportation and CommunicationsChinese
Transport Management (Shipping)College of Transportation and CommunicationsChinese
Transport Management (Shipping)College of Transportation and CommunicationsEnglish
Marine NavigationMerchant Marine CollegeChinese
Marine NavigationMerchant Marine CollegeEnglish
Computer Science and TechnologyInformation Engineering CollegeChinese
Network EngineeringInformation Engineering CollegeChinese
Artificial IntelligenceInformation Engineering CollegeChinese
Electronic and Information EngineeringInformation Engineering CollegeChinese
Communication EngineeringInformation Engineering CollegeChinese
Mechatronics EngineeringLogistics Engineering CollegeChinese
Mechanical Design, Manufacture & AutomationLogistics Engineering CollegeChinese
Electrical Engineering and AutomationLogistics Engineering CollegeChinese
AutomationLogistics Engineering CollegeChinese
Logistics EngineeringLogistics Engineering CollegeChinese
Industrial EngineeringLogistics Engineering CollegeChinese
Materials Science and EngineeringCollege of Ocean Science and EngineeringEnglish
Materials Science and EngineeringCollege of Ocean Science and EngineeringChinese
Environmental EngineeringCollege of Ocean Science and EngineeringChinese
Naval Architecture and Ocean EngineeringCollege of Ocean Science and EngineeringChinese
Law (Maritime Law)School of LawChinese
English (Shipping)College of Foreign LanguagesChinese / English
Business EnglishCollege of Foreign LanguagesChinese / English
Mathematics and Applied MathematicsCollege of ScienceChinese

How you choose your majorThe 2027 catalogue offers 27 programme-and-language options across 23 named majors at SMU’s Lingang campus. English options are Marine Navigation, Transport Management (Shipping), Logistics Management and Materials Science and Engineering. English (Shipping) and Business English require HSK 4 and are not English-only routes.

Official admission catalogue

08/ 11Annual budget

What will one year cost?

Estimated annual total · RMB55,800

Tuition

RMB / year20,000Published tuition reference

Accommodation

RMB / year9,000Living-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 2027 tuition for all listed bachelor’s options.

Accommodation

Campus-housing allowance, including time outside billed semesters.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: RMB 750 × 12

Food

Campus meals, groceries and occasional meals out.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: RMB 1,500 × 12

Transport

Local travel and occasional journeys into central Shanghai.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: RMB 200 × 12

Other costs

Books, phone, utilities and essentials; includes RMB 800 insurance.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: RMB 5,600 + RMB 800

Tuition: 2027 international undergraduate guide. Living costs assume 12 months in campus housing; private rent may be higher. Excludes application fee, travel, visa and deposits; partner schemes have separate rates.

09/ 11Scholarships

Big ambitions. Extra support.

Municipal scholarship

Shanghai Government Scholarship · Type A

FundingFull funding
Competition*Very high

Coverage

  • Tuition waiver
  • Twin-room campus accommodation
  • RMB 2,500 monthly living allowance, 12 months/year
  • RMB 800 annual medical insurance

A full undergraduate award under the 2027 Shanghai scheme.

Application
Apply from 1 December 2026 to 30 April 2027 through SMU’s portal. Upload the signed SGS form and sign the downloaded application form.
CSCA
Required for SMU undergraduate admission. Follow the teaching-language and subject rules in the CSCA section.
Selection
High-school graduates under 25 with strong academic potential, non-Chinese nationality and good health. Other government or organisational scholarships cannot be held concurrently. Continuing funding depends on annual academic, attendance and conduct review.
Official scholarship details
Municipal scholarship

Shanghai Government Scholarship · Type B

FundingTuition + insurance
Competition*High

Coverage

  • Tuition waiver
  • RMB 800 annual medical insurance

Accommodation and living costs remain your responsibility.

Application
Apply from 1 December 2026 to 30 April 2027 through SMU’s portal. Upload the signed SGS form and sign the downloaded application form.
CSCA
Required for SMU undergraduate admission. Follow the teaching-language and subject rules in the CSCA section.
Selection
High-school graduates under 25 with strong academic potential, non-Chinese nationality and good health. Other government or organisational scholarships cannot be held concurrently. Continuing funding depends on annual academic, attendance and conduct review.
Official scholarship details

SGS Type A and B are available for September 2027 entry. Competition levels are ChinaStudyGuide estimates; SMU does not publish award rates.

Explore the scholarship guide

10/ 11Accommodation

Find your Shanghai base.

On campus

International student dormitories

A campus base close to study and student facilities.

Reserve when applyingLocations & practical details
Locations
Building 62 on Lingang campus. Rooms include a bathroom, air conditioning, internet access, refrigerator and storage.
Best for
Students wanting a campus routine and lower housing costs. Type A Shanghai scholarship coverage includes a two-person room.
Plan for
The standing housing page lists RMB 3,000/semester for a double suite, RMB 4,500 for a single bunk-bed suite and RMB 6,000 for a single-room suite. Corresponding daily rates are RMB 20/30/40 per bed. These undated rates are not a new-intake room guarantee; extra utilities and holiday periods can add costs.
Off campus

Private rental in Lingang

More independence, with a lease and commute to organise.

Independent arrangementLocations & practical details
Locations
Look around Lingang and Dishui Lake with a practical route to 1550 Haigang Avenue. Central Shanghai is a much longer daily commute.
Best for
Students wanting more space or an alternative if campus accommodation is unavailable.
Plan for
Budget beyond the campus allowance for rent, deposits and utilities. Compare an actual lease and travel time before committing; no university-set private-rental price is published.

Have a housing backup. Request a room with your application and obtain a confirmed allocation before arrival. The annual budget assumes campus-style housing; keep a separate rental budget if you need a private room.

11/ 11Student life

A campus to call home. A city to discover.

Painted interpretation inspired by SMU’s Lingang lighthouse and landscaped campus
The Lingang lighthouse
Painted AI interpretation of Shanghai’s Huangpu waterfront and skyline
Beyond the campus gates

Shanghai after class

Shanghai offers major museums, riverside neighbourhoods, theatres and international food. At SMU, everyday life starts in Lingang: a spacious coastal district near Dishui Lake, with central-city outings that take some planning.

Life on campus

Study in a setting shaped by shipping and the sea, with modern teaching buildings, landscaped waterways and a recognisable lighthouse. Build your routine around library time, student activities and shared meals.

Around Lingang

Dishui Lake and the surrounding coastal district offer open skies, waterfront walks and a quieter pace than central Shanghai. Choose local plans for ordinary weekdays and leave longer city journeys for free afternoons.

Weekends in Shanghai

Explore the Huangpu waterfront, museums, exhibitions and the city’s varied food neighbourhoods. Lingang is well outside the centre, so allow substantial travel time when arranging a full day out.

Keep exploring

More universities. More possibilities.

Official sources & latest updates

Checked 26 October 2026 against SMU’s 2027 undergraduate guide, programme catalogue and SGS guidance. Applications open on 1 December 2026 for September 2027 entry.

The English Materials Science CSCA discrepancy and Marine Navigation’s earlier deadline are identified above. Accommodation rates are undated standing guidance. Academic targets, scholarship competition and living budgets are ChinaStudyGuide estimates.