Painted interpretation inspired by SISU’s Songjiang entrance, stone university sign and domed main building
Shanghai International Studies University official seal

SISUShanghai, China

International undergraduate study

Shanghai International Studies University

上海外国语大学

Languages and global perspectives in Shanghai

  • Founded 1949
  • Project 211
  • Double First-Class
Verified official SISU sourcesUpdated 5 October 2026
QS ranking#1401+
LocationShanghai
Teaching languageChinese required
Degree length4 years
Tuition / yearRMB 22k–24.8k
Application status2026 closed

01/ 11Overview

A remarkable place to begin.

Founded in 1949. A specialist university for languages, translation and international perspectives, with two distinctive Shanghai campuses.

Explore SISU’s story and strengths

From Russian studies to global studies

Founded in 1949 as the Shanghai Russian School, SISU developed into a specialist university for languages and international understanding. It belongs to Project 211 and the Double First-Class initiative.

Language expertise with wider applications

Language and literature underpin SISU’s academic identity. Translation, linguistics, global and area studies, international journalism and political studies connect that expertise with the wider world.

Two different Shanghai settings

Hongkou provides a central urban base for Chinese language and related degrees. Songjiang offers a spacious campus within Shanghai’s university town and the wider undergraduate catalogue.

  • Turn language into expertise

    Explore translation, linguistics and Chinese language in a specialist language university.

  • A world of people on campus

    Meet an international student community shaped by different languages and cultures.

  • Shanghai beyond the classroom

    Enjoy museums, neighbourhood cafés and the Huangpu waterfront alongside a leafy campus routine.

02/ 11Language requirements

What language do you need?

Chinese language HSK 4 or HSK 5 Requirements differ at Hongkou and Songjiang campuses Scores, alternatives & exam details
Campus / entry routeChinese requirement
Hongkou campus · first yearHSK 4 · 180+
Songjiang campusHSK 5 or equivalent proficiency

Accepted alternatives

  • Songjiang campus accepts equivalent Chinese proficiency evidence under the Chinese-language guide
  • No general HSK waiver is published for first-year entry at Hongkou campus

The Songjiang campus guide does not state a numerical HSK 5 score threshold. Chinese is also assessed orally in its entrance examination. Advanced entry at Hongkou campus has higher, year-specific language requirements; scholarship standards are separate.

English language No IELTS / TOEFL minimum At Songjiang campus, English is assessed in the entrance exam Scores, alternatives & exam details

Accepted alternatives

Not applicable

Applicants to Songjiang campus take SISU’s English written and oral entrance tests. The international bachelor’s guide lists no fully English-taught degree. The Chinese–English bilingual track at Hongkou campus still requires HSK 4; it is a Chinese Language degree, not an English-taught business degree.

03/ 11Entry requirements

Your grades. Your starting point.

Compare the published requirement with a competitive target.

Official requirementPublished by SISU

Competitive estimateChinaStudyGuide target

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

These provisional ranges guide preparation for general self-funded study. Language, CSCA and campus assessments also matter; scholarship selection can be more demanding. SISU has not published admitted-student grade ranges to validate these estimates.

04/ 11CSCA

Do you need CSCA?

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

Songjiang degrees and Hongkou Trade/TCSOL. Hongkou Chinese Language tracks are exempt.

By programme
Mathematics

Every listed undergraduate option.

Required
Physics

Choose Physics or Chemistry for Songjiang Actuarial Science, Educational Technology, or Data Science and Big Data Technology.

Choose one · 3 subjects
Chemistry

Alternative to Physics for those three Songjiang degrees; other options need neither science paper.

Choose one · 3 subjects

Submit results with your application. SISU specifies neither the Chinese stream nor Mathematics/science test language; no minimum score is published.

Submit results with the application. SISU paper requirements ↗ · Official CSCA information ↗

05/ 11Admission routes

Find your way in.

Choose your campus and entry point.

Application dates & eligibility
Official route details

06/ 11Application process

From application to arrival.

Step 01

Choose your route

Choose your programme and campus, checking HSK and CSCA. Songjiang language majors cannot be your native language. Decide on funding early; scholarship deadlines may be earlier.

Documents that deserve an early start

Application materials

School records

All applicants

Prepare your diploma and transcript in Chinese or English, as originals or notarised copies. Final-year students may use expected-graduation evidence; arrange translations early.

Language & CSCA evidence

Route-specific papers

Prepare HSK and the programme’s CSCA results. Songjiang also accepts equivalent Chinese evidence. Scholarships may require higher HSK or HSKK scores.

Scholarship recommendation

Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship

Arrange the authorised recommending-institution letter for Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship. Contact the institution early and follow the scheme’s checklist; general SISU admission does not require a universal teacher-reference letter.

All other required documents

  • Prior university records — advanced entry

    Hongkou advanced-entry applicants provide Chinese-university study evidence and transcripts. Prior subjects, study duration, HSK and placement results determine the possible entry year or semester.

  • Passport and nationality evidence

    Provide a valid foreign passport. Chinese-high-school graduates must also provide parents’ passports. The nationality/residence rules for applicants with relevant Chinese family or citizenship history apply separately.

  • Non-criminal record

    Provide the non-criminal record certificate required by both campus routes.

  • Under-18 guardian guarantee

    If under 18 on 1 September of the intake year, provide the university’s guardian guarantee. The guardian must be an adult living in mainland China with an income.

  • Scholarship documents

    Shanghai Government Scholarship applicants upload its application form. CSC and Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship applicants follow their scheme’s additional documents and recommendation procedures.

  • Application and payment

    Submit the completed online form and fee; upload a payment receipt if paying by overseas remittance. SISU may request supplementary documents during review.

Use the university’s current checklist for your route and retain originals for enrolment verification.

SISU application portal Email admissions

07/ 11Subjects

What will you study?

33 options
Browse all 33 options

SISU undergraduate admission catalogue

Major / admission optionCampusLanguage
Chinese Language · Business-orientedHongkouChinese
Chinese Language · Chinese–English bilingualHongkouChinese
International Economics and Trade (Chinese)HongkouChinese
Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other LanguagesHongkouChinese
FinanceSongjiangChinese
Actuarial ScienceSongjiangChinese
International Economics and TradeSongjiangChinese
International Economics and Trade (Japanese)SongjiangChinese
LawSongjiangChinese
Political Science and AdministrationSongjiangChinese
International PoliticsSongjiangChinese
DiplomacySongjiangChinese
Educational TechnologySongjiangChinese
Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other LanguagesSongjiangChinese
EnglishSongjiangChinese
English (Education)SongjiangChinese
RussianSongjiangChinese
GermanSongjiangChinese
FrenchSongjiangChinese
SpanishSongjiangChinese
ArabicSongjiangChinese
JapaneseSongjiangChinese
KoreanSongjiangChinese
PortugueseSongjiangChinese
ItalianSongjiangChinese
TranslationSongjiangChinese
Business EnglishSongjiangChinese
LinguisticsSongjiangChinese
News and Communication — Journalism; International Journalism and Communication; Advertising; Broadcasting and Television; Internet and New MediaSongjiangChinese
Data Science and Big Data Technology — Natural Language Processing; Financial Big DataSongjiangChinese
Management Science and Engineering — Information Management and Information Systems; Big Data Management and ApplicationSongjiangChinese
Business Administration — Business Administration; Marketing; Financial Management; Public RelationsSongjiangChinese
AccountingSongjiangChinese

How you choose your majorThe 33 options retain Hongkou’s two Chinese Language tracks and the separate campus choices. Songjiang’s broad categories list their included destinations; these are not all independent application choices. All routes require Chinese proficiency; language majors also study their named language. The Chinese–English bilingual track is not a fully English-taught degree. You cannot apply for your native-language major at Songjiang.

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 chosen campus and programme.

Accommodation

Room or shared-rental allowance; actual provider rates vary.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: 12 × RMB 3,000

Food

Campus meals, groceries and occasional meals out.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: 12 × RMB 1,500

Transport

Local metro, bus and occasional taxi journeys.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: 12 × RMB 200

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 follows the published undergraduate guide. Living costs are ChinaStudyGuide estimates for 12 months. Application fees (RMB 500 Hongkou / RMB 750 Songjiang), flights, visa costs and deposits are excluded.

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 for full awards
  • RMB 2,500/month stipend for full undergraduate awards
  • Medical insurance for full awards

Coverage depends on the bilateral award. Preparatory Chinese study may apply.

Application
Apply through your home-country dispatching authority; its deadline and nomination process apply. Select SISU where available in the scheme.
CSCA
Required for SISU undergraduate admission; programme exemptions still apply.
Selection
Authority nomination, academic eligibility and CSC approval. SISU’s general CSC guidance includes undergraduate bilateral awards; its university Type B postgraduate scheme is not an undergraduate route.
Official scholarship details
Municipal scholarship

Shanghai Government Scholarship · Type B

FundingTuition + insurance
Competition*High

Coverage

  • Tuition for the normal degree duration
  • Medical insurance

Type B does not cover accommodation or living costs. Type A is for postgraduate programmes only.

Application
Apply in the SISU portal with the Shanghai scholarship form and campus application fee. Published 2026 window: 1 January–31 March.
CSCA
Required for undergraduate admission.
Selection
High-school graduates no older than 25, strong results and no other scholarship. Hongkou TCSOL is excluded. SISU organises a written test and interview; selection concerns the first-choice major. Renewal requires annual review.
Official scholarship details
Chinese language education

International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship

FundingFull-study support
Competition*High

Coverage

  • Tuition
  • Accommodation
  • RMB 2,500/month undergraduate living allowance
  • Medical insurance

Four-year TCSOL support in SISU’s standing guide; the 2026 host list confirms bachelor’s funding. 2027 awards are unconfirmed.

Application
Apply through the official Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship system with a recommending institution and SISU as host. Prepare HSK, HSKK, school records and the recommendation.
CSCA
SISU’s current TCSOL entry rules require Chinese and Mathematics.
Selection
The standing SISU guide lists high-school graduation, normally under 25, HSK 4 at 210+ and HSKK Intermediate at 60+. Scholarship eligibility is higher than the general Hongkou language minimum.
Official scholarship details
After enrolment

School of Chinese Studies and Exchange awards

FundingAward amount not published
Competition*Merit-based

Coverage

  • Outstanding Student Award
  • Study Diligence Award

Semester awards for eligible enrolled students; these are not guaranteed first-year funding.

Application
Assessment takes place through the school after enrolment, using semester performance.
CSCA
No additional CSCA requirement for the award; entry rules are separate.
Selection
Chinese Language/International Trade students: all courses 80+, good conduct and at most eight approved absence periods. Published cohort shares: 4% Outstanding, 7% Diligence.
Official scholarship details

* Competition levels are ChinaStudyGuide estimates. The Shanghai scheme is dated 2026; CSC, Chinese Language Teachers and school awards also draw on standing SISU guidance, not confirmed 2027 offers. School awards are for enrolled students.

Explore the scholarship guide

10/ 11Accommodation

Find your Shanghai base.

On campus

Campus and university-linked housing

Match the residence to your teaching campus before reserving.

Limited availabilityLocations & practical details
Locations
Songjiang offers single and twin rooms reserved for students studying there. Hongkou options include SISU Guest House at 189 West Tiyuhui Road and UNIJIA at 179 Guangji Road. The two Hongkou providers handle their own reservations.
Best for
Students who prefer a university-linked setting and convenient access to their assigned campus.
Plan for
Book after receiving your admission letter, using its student number. The published September 2025 notice describes first-come reservations through each provider. New-intake booking dates and prices have not been announced in that notice; arrange housing against the instructions issued with your admission.
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 near Hongkou for Hongkou study or around Songjiang University Town for Songjiang study. The two campuses are not interchangeable daily bases.
Best for
Students seeking more independence or an alternative when campus rooms are unavailable.
Plan for
The budget uses RMB 3,000/month as an accommodation estimate. Actual rent depends on district, sharing and room type. Budget separately for deposits and check the commute before signing a lease.

Have a housing backup. An admission offer does not reserve a room. Shanghai Scholarship Type B recipients also need to budget for housing.

11/ 11Student life

A campus to call home. A city to discover.

Painted interpretation inspired by Songjiang campus architecture and a landscaped pond
Songjiang, reimagined
Painted AI interpretation of Shanghai’s Huangpu waterfront and skyline
Beyond the campus gates

Shanghai after class

Shanghai brings riverside walks, galleries, theatre, cafés and international communities into reach. Hongkou and Songjiang offer different everyday rhythms: an established urban neighbourhood or a spacious university-town base.

Campus routine

Make language practice part of everyday life: study groups, reading, conversation and campus activities. Songjiang’s varied architecture and green spaces give it a distinctive university-town feel, while Hongkou offers a compact urban setting.

Around your campus

Hongkou puts Lu Xun Park and established Shanghai neighbourhoods nearby. Songjiang places you among a cluster of universities, with student food streets and a more spacious setting outside the city centre.

Weekends in Shanghai

Explore museums, live music, small restaurants and the Huangpu waterfront. From Songjiang, allow more travel time for central-city plans; from Hongkou, many urban neighbourhoods are easier to reach.

Keep exploring

More universities. More possibilities.

Official sources & latest updates

Checked 5 October 2026. Undergraduate requirements and fees follow the published 2026 guide. Applications for that intake are closed. QS ranking: 2027 edition.

The Chinese guide takes precedence where translations differ, including Songjiang’s equivalent-Chinese option and the age wording. Academic preparation, competition and living budgets are ChinaStudyGuide guidance, not admission predictions. Dated housing and standing scholarship rules are identified in their sections.