Painted interpretation inspired by ECUPL’s historic Taofen clock tower and courtyard at Changning
East China University of Political Science and Law official seal

ECUPLShanghai, China

International undergraduate study

East China University of Political Science and Law

华东政法大学

Law and society in Shanghai

  • Founded 1952
  • Law specialist
  • Public university
Verified official ECUPL sourcesUpdated 8 October 2026
QS rankingNot Listed
LocationShanghai
Teaching languageChinese and English
Degree length4 years
Tuition guideRMB 22k–30k
Application status2026 closed

01/ 11Overview

A remarkable place to begin.

Founded in 1952. A Shanghai university with law at its centre and undergraduate choices in politics, social studies, media and Chinese language.

Explore ECUPL’s story and strengths

A legal education heritage

ECUPL began in 1952, bringing together law, politics and sociology departments from nine institutions at the former St John’s University site. The Songjiang campus opened in 2003; the university adopted its present name in 2007.

Law at the centre

Law is the university’s defining discipline, supported by political science, public administration and social studies. Its law discipline received an A rating in China’s 2016 national evaluation; that historical assessment is distinct from a current world ranking.

Chinese and English pathways

Most international undergraduate options teach in Chinese. International Commercial Law provides a four-year English route, with six semesters of coursework followed by internships and a thesis.

  • Law with a wider perspective

    Study Law or Intellectual Property alongside politics, public affairs and society.

  • An international outlook

    Overseas universities, WIPO and the Asian Law Institute connect ECUPL with international scholarship.

  • A distinctive Shanghai setting

    Explore historic Changning or spacious Songjiang; your assigned campus shapes everyday life.

02/ 11Language requirements

What language do you need?

Chinese language HSK 4 · Business Chinese: HSK 3 For the 14 Chinese-taught catalogue options Scores, alternatives & exam details
Most Chinese-taught degrees
HSK 4
Business Chinese pathway
HSK 3

Accepted alternatives

  • Chinese-medium secondary education generally removes the HSK certificate requirement

No numerical HSK score threshold is published. The guide calls the lower-entry pathway Chinese Language and Literature (Business Chinese); the catalogue names it Business Chinese Communication. Its CSCA Chinese exemption needs a valid HSK 4 report, even though degree entry permits HSK 3.

English language IELTS 5.0 / TOEFL 60 / interview For English-taught International Commercial Law Scores, alternatives & exam details
International Commercial Law
IELTS 5.0, TOEFL 60+, or an English telephone interview
Chinese proficiency
No HSK entry requirement for the English degree

Accepted alternatives

  • Prior English-medium education in an English-speaking region generally removes the English certificate requirement

These alternatives come from the programme brochure. The general undergraduate guide describes an English telephone interview without listing IELTS or TOEFL scores. Interviews may still be used in admission review. English law brochure ↗

03/ 11Entry requirements

Your grades. Your starting point.

Compare the published requirement with a competitive target.

Official requirementPublished by ECUPL

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

Humanities Chinese for Chinese degrees. English Law is exempt; Chinese Language is exempt with valid HSK 4.

By programme
Mathematics

All applicants, including English Law and Business Chinese.

Required
Physics

No required ECUPL undergraduate Chemistry paper.

Not required
Chemistry

No required ECUPL undergraduate Chemistry paper.

Not required

Take Mathematics in your teaching language. No minimum score is published. Physics and Chemistry appear in the test timetable but are not ECUPL requirements.

CSCA applies to self-funded and scholarship applicants. ECUPL’s exam notice ↗ · Official CSCA information ↗

05/ 11Admission routes

Find your way in.

Choose your programme and teaching language.

Application dates & eligibility
Official route details

06/ 11Application process

From application to arrival.

Step 01

Choose & test

Choose your programme and teaching language. Take Mathematics plus Humanities Chinese where required; scholarship deadlines may precede self-funded entry.

Documents that deserve an early start

Application materials

Study plan

All applicants

Explain why you chose the subject and how your previous studies prepare you. The Chinese general guide asks for at least 500 Chinese characters; the English law brochure asks for at least 500 words.

Recommendation letters

Two letters · route-dependent

The general undergraduate guide asks for two expert recommendation letters. The English law brochure limits this item to scholarship applicants; its self-funded checklist does not list the letters as compulsory. Choose referees who can assess your academic preparation.

School, language & CSCA records

All applicants

Provide the high-school diploma or expected-graduation certificate, transcripts for all completed courses, the appropriate language evidence and your CSCA score report. Prepare the report for your teaching language and any eligible Chinese-paper exemption.

All other required documents

  • Application form

    Complete the ECUPL degree application form with accurate contact, study and funding details.

  • Passport and photograph

    Provide a scan of your foreign passport and an ID photograph.

  • Non-criminal record

    Provide the required non-criminal-record certificate.

  • Financial support

    Provide proof of financial support or the economic guarantee requested by the degree guide.

  • Medical examination

    Submit a medical examination report. Scholarship schemes may specify a particular form and validity period.

  • Scholarship application

    Complete the scheme’s separate application and supporting documents. CSC may require pre-admission evidence and notarised translations in addition to the university checklist.

Keep the original school, passport and health documents for registration; scholarship translation requirements are separate from the degree checklist.

ECUPL application portal Email admissions

07/ 11Subjects

What will you study?

15 options
Browse all 15 options

ECUPL undergraduate admission catalogue

MajorLanguage
LawChinese
Intellectual PropertyChinese
Economic InvestigationChinese
Criminal InvestigationChinese
Political Science and AdministrationChinese
Public AdministrationChinese
Labour and Social SecurityChinese
SociologyChinese
Social PolicyChinese
Social WorkChinese
JournalismChinese
Cultural Industry ManagementChinese
Internet and New MediaChinese
Business Chinese CommunicationChinese
International Commercial LawEnglish

How you choose your majorChoose from the 15 options in the international undergraduate catalogue: 14 Chinese-taught and one English-taught. Business Chinese Communication is the catalogue’s name for the language pathway described as Chinese Language and Literature (Business Chinese) in the guide. Law and English-taught International Commercial Law remain separate choices. All programmes are four years.

Official admission catalogue

08/ 11Annual budget

What will one year cost?

Estimated annual total · RMB86,800

Tuition

RMB / year24,000Published 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

Room or shared-rental allowance; not an ECUPL dormitory tariff.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: 12 × RMB 3,000

Food

Campus meals, groceries and occasional meals out.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: 12 × RMB 1,500

Transport

Local bus, metro and occasional taxi trips.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: 12 × RMB 200

Other costs

Books, phone, utilities and personal essentials, including a medical-insurance allowance.

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

Tuition follows the 2026 international catalogue. Living costs are ChinaStudyGuide estimates for 12 months. The RMB 400 application fee, flights, visa charges and deposits are excluded. Next-intake tuition has not been announced.

09/ 11Scholarships

Big ambitions. Extra support.

National scholarship

Chinese Government Scholarship · bilateral awards

FundingFull or partial award
Competition*Very high

Coverage

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

Benefits and eligible programmes depend on the country scheme and award. ECUPL’s general guide advertises CSC support; it does not publish a separate undergraduate university Type B competition.

Application
Apply through your country’s dispatching authority and the CSC system. Obtain the required ECUPL admission evidence; use that authority’s agency number and deadline. The university’s April deadline does not replace an earlier country deadline.
CSCA
Required for undergraduate applications; ECUPL’s programme paper rules apply.
Selection
Normally high-school graduation and under 25, authority nomination, university admission and CSC approval. Programme and teaching-language availability must be supported by the country scheme.
Official scholarship details
Municipal scholarship

Shanghai Government Scholarship · Types A & B

FundingA: full / B: tuition + insurance
Competition*High

Coverage

  • Both types: tuition and medical insurance
  • Type A: on-campus housing or off-campus subsidy
  • Type A: RMB 2,500/month undergraduate allowance

Type B does not fund accommodation or living expenses. Awards require annual review; changes of major or extensions are generally restricted.

Application
Apply through Study in Shanghai and complete ECUPL degree admission. Published 2026 window: 1 November 2025–30 April 2026. Decisions arrive by email.
CSCA
Required for ECUPL undergraduate admission.
Selection
High-school graduation, age ≤25, strong results and no concurrent Chinese award. Municipal standard: HSK 4; English Law advertises its language alternatives. HSK 3 Business Chinese entry does not establish scholarship eligibility.
Official scholarship details

* Competition levels are ChinaStudyGuide estimates. The 2026 scholarship window is closed; next-intake awards are not yet confirmed. CSC country availability and Shanghai programme eligibility are separate from degree admission.

Explore the scholarship guide

10/ 11Accommodation

Find your Shanghai base.

On campus

International student housing

A university residence can keep your daily routine close to campus.

Allocation requiredLocations & practical details
Locations
ECUPL has international student accommodation at both Songjiang and Changning. The university’s 2025 dormitory notice identifies student housing in both locations.
Best for
Students who want a university residence near their assigned teaching campus, including full-award recipients where housing is covered.
Plan for
The current degree guides do not publish room prices, room-type availability or a guaranteed reservation. Follow the accommodation instructions issued with your admission; establish the campus, charge and allocation before travel.
Off campus

Private rental in Shanghai

More choice over room type and location, with rent and commuting to organise.

Independent arrangementLocations & practical details
Locations
Choose a room near your assigned campus: Songjiang University Town or the Changning / Suzhou River area. The two campuses are far apart.
Best for
Students seeking more independence or an alternative when university housing is unavailable.
Plan for
The budget allows RMB 3,000/month for accommodation. Actual rent depends on district, sharing and room type. Allow separately for deposits and check the commute before signing a lease.

Have a housing backup. Admission does not establish a room reservation. Type B Shanghai scholarship recipients must budget for their own accommodation and living costs.

11/ 11Student life

A campus to call home. A city to discover.

Painted interpretation inspired by ECUPL’s curved Mingfa Building and leafy Songjiang campus
Songjiang, reimagined
Painted AI interpretation of Shanghai’s Huangpu waterfront and skyline
Beyond the campus gates

Shanghai after class

Shanghai pairs riverside walks and neighbourhood cafés with museums, theatre and a major commercial centre. Changning and Songjiang offer different everyday rhythms, while the wider city gives you plenty to explore after class.

Campus routine

Build time for reading, research and seminar preparation alongside clubs, exercise and friendships. Songjiang offers a spacious campus setting; Changning has historic buildings and riverside surroundings. International-student orientation includes academic, cultural and practical support.

Around your campus

Songjiang University Town brings student food streets and neighbouring campuses into your routine. Changning places you beside the Suzhou River in an established urban district. Choose housing around your actual teaching campus rather than assuming the two offer the same commute.

Weekends in Shanghai

Explore Shanghai’s museums, the Bund, galleries and neighbourhood restaurants. Songjiang also puts Sheshan and the district’s historic streets within reach. Central-city trips need more travel time from the university town than from Changning.

Keep exploring

More universities. More possibilities.

Official sources & latest updates

Checked 8 October 2026. Admission, tuition and programme choices follow the published 2026 guides; that intake is closed. No next-intake undergraduate guide was established. The QS profile displays a 2026 subject ranking of 151–200; an overall world ranking is not listed there.

The English law brochure gives IELTS / TOEFL alternatives and restricts recommendation letters to scholarship applicants; the general guide describes a telephone interview and asks for two letters. Programme-specific differences are retained above. Academic preparation, scholarship competition and living costs are ChinaStudyGuide planning guidance.