Painted illustration inspired by Shanghai University’s distinctive Baoshan campus library
Shanghai University official seal

SHUShanghai, China

International undergraduate study

Shanghai University

上海大学

Engineering, business and the arts in Shanghai

  • Roots in 1922
  • Project 211
  • Double First-Class
Official SHU admissions sourcesUpdated 27 October 2026
QS ranking#=443
LocationShanghai
Teaching languageChinese / English
Degree length4–5 years
Tuition guideRMB 21,000–40,000/year
Application status2026 closed

01/ 11Overview

A remarkable place to begin.

Shanghai University has roots in 1922 and spans technical and creative disciplines. Its English-taught business degrees are offered at the Sydney Institute of Language and Commerce (SILC), a joint business school with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).

Explore SHU’s story and strengths

A Shanghai university with a long history

Shanghai University traces its roots to 1922. The present university was formed in 1994 through a merger of four institutions. It is a public comprehensive university supported by Shanghai and the Ministry of Education, with Project 211 and Double First-Class status.

Engineering meets creative disciplines

The international undergraduate catalogue brings materials, automation, computing and sciences together with business, law, humanities and social sciences. Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts and Shanghai Film Academy add painting, sculpture, design, filmmaking and performance.

Three campuses, different daily settings

Baoshan is the main campus; Yanchang is in Jing’an and Jiading is home to SILC Business School. Your programme determines where you study. Confirm the campus in your offer before choosing housing or planning a commute.

  • Engineering meets the arts

    Explore technical and creative disciplines within one comprehensive university.

  • International study connections

    SILC Business School partners with the University of Technology Sydney; SHU offers three engineering degrees with the University of Lisbon.

  • Three Shanghai settings

    Study at Baoshan, Yanchang or Jiading, with your programme shaping your daily campus routine.

02/ 11Language requirements

What language do you need?

Chinese language HSK 4–5 · subject-specific For Chinese and bilingual degrees; thresholds vary by subject Scores, alternatives & exam details
Chinese Language / International Chinese Language Education
HSK 4 · 180+
Arts, science, engineering, economics and management
HSK 5 · 180+
Humanities and social sciences
HSK 5 · 210+
SHU–Ulisboa bilingual engineering
HSK 5 · 180+ AND IELTS 5.0 / TOEFL 60 or equivalent

Accepted alternatives

  • Chinese as a native/common language, or a completed Chinese-medium qualification with official teaching-language evidence

HSK results should be within two years. The bilingual engineering degrees require both language thresholds; their English component does not make them English-only degrees. Shanghai Government Scholarship Chinese thresholds are higher than the general entry requirements.

English language IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL 90 For SILC’s English business degrees Scores, alternatives & exam details
SILC’s four English business tracks
IELTS Academic 6.5 / TOEFL 90
Other listed language tests
Duolingo 120 / CAE or CPE 180
Test validity
Results within two years
Chinese for graduation
English-taught undergraduates need HSK 4 · 180+ under the rules effective September 2026

Accepted alternatives

  • Native English, or a completed English-medium qualification with official teaching-language evidence

These entry thresholds apply to SILC’s English degrees. SILC also lists GRE 320 and GMAT 550 as accepted evidence. A language waiver needs the required supporting proof. Entry-language exemptions do not remove programme-specific CSCA requirements. An optional UTS second degree has its own academic, language and fee conditions.

03/ 11Entry requirements

Your grades. Your starting point.

Compare the published requirement with a competitive target.

Official requirementPublished by SHU

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 humanities, business, law and arts; STEM Chinese for technical/science majors. Chinese Language and SILC are exempt; Chinese Language Education requires Humanities Chinese.

By programme
Mathematics

All 76 options, including Chinese Language and SILC.

Required
Physics

Most technical majors, including Architecture, Digital Media Technology, computing, materials, mechanics and all bilingual engineering. Applied Chemistry also requires Physics.

By programme
Chemistry

Bioengineering, Biopharmaceuticals, Biomedical Engineering, and Chemical Engineering and Technology.

By programme

Chinese/bilingual routes take papers in Chinese; SILC takes Mathematics in English. No minimum score is published. For 2026, scores were due 15 May for scholarships and 30 June for self-funded study; a registration screenshot was accepted while awaiting results.

See the CSCA column in the official 2026 undergraduate catalogue. Official CSCA exam details.

05/ 11Admission routes

Find your way in.

Choose Chinese-taught study, English business at SILC, or bilingual engineering.

Application dates & eligibility
Official route details

06/ 11Application process

From application to arrival.

Step 01

Choose & test

Choose your exact major and take its CSCA papers. For 2026, scores were due by 15 May for scholarships or 30 June for self-funded study; funding deadlines are separate.

Documents that deserve an early start

Application materials

Study plan

All applicants

Explain why you chose the programme, your academic preparation and your study and career plans. Write in the programme’s teaching language; SILC requires English. Follow the current portal’s length and upload instructions.

Self-introduction video

All applicants

Include a self-introduction and study plan for China in the programme’s teaching language. The guide accepts AVI, MOV or MP4 files under 50 MB. Prepare a clear, audible introduction that supports your written application.

Portfolio or performance evidence

Relevant art / film / music applicants

The general guide requests at least two relevant works for art applications, such as paintings, scripts or short films. Music applicants supply audio/video evidence. Follow the chosen academy’s programme instructions; a portfolio is not required for every major.

All other required documents

  • School, language and CSCA records

    Provide your high-school diploma or equivalent, complete transcripts, language evidence and CSCA score report. Final-year applicants may use a school-issued expected-graduation certificate and the required commitment, then provide the final documents. GPA must be at least 3.0/4.0.

  • Passport and photograph

    For 2026, the guide requires an ordinary passport valid beyond 1 March 2027; include the visa page if applying from outside your home country. The recent blue-background photograph is 295 × 413 pixels, JPG under 100 KB.

  • Financial support and fee payment

    Upload the university’s financial-support statement and pay the RMB 500 application fee. Prepare funds for tuition prepayment if self-funded, and for living costs and deposits even where tuition is funded.

  • Non-criminal and nationality evidence

    Provide the requested non-criminal record certificate; the guide allows SHU’s commitment form where a certificate cannot be obtained. Applicants with a Chinese-nationality background need the specified birth, nationality, parent-status and entry/exit evidence. Under-18 applicants need admissions confirmation and the guardian documents.

  • Translations and originals

    Documents outside Chinese or English need a Chinese/English translation certified as required by the guide. SILC specifies notarised translations. Bring the matching originals for the registration recheck.

Application details can differ by academy and scholarship. Use the latest programme checklist and retain the originals of every submitted record.

SHU application portal Email admissions

07/ 11Subjects

What will you study?

76 options
Browse all 76 options

SHU undergraduate admission catalogue

MajorSchool / departmentLanguage
Electronic Science and TechnologySchool of Materials Science and EngineeringChinese
Metallurgical EngineeringSchool of Materials Science and EngineeringChinese
Metallic Materials EngineeringSchool of Materials Science and EngineeringChinese
Inorganic Non-metallic Materials EngineeringSchool of Materials Science and EngineeringChinese
Polymer Materials and EngineeringSchool of Materials Science and EngineeringChinese
New Energy Materials and DevicesSchool of Materials Science and EngineeringChinese
Business AdministrationSchool of ManagementChinese
Mechanical Design, Manufacturing and AutomationSchool of Mechatronic Engineering and AutomationChinese
Mechatronic EngineeringSchool of Mechatronic Engineering and AutomationChinese
Intelligent Manufacturing EngineeringSchool of Mechatronic Engineering and AutomationChinese
Robotics EngineeringSchool of Mechatronic Engineering and AutomationChinese
Measurement and Control Technology and InstrumentationSchool of Mechatronic Engineering and AutomationChinese
AutomationSchool of Mechatronic Engineering and AutomationChinese
Industrial EngineeringSchool of Mechatronic Engineering and AutomationChinese
EconomicsSchool of EconomicsChinese
FinanceSchool of EconomicsChinese
International Economics and TradeSchool of EconomicsChinese
ArchitectureShanghai Academy of Fine ArtsChinese
Fine ArtsShanghai Academy of Fine ArtsChinese
Painting (Oil Painting)Shanghai Academy of Fine ArtsChinese
Painting (Printmaking)Shanghai Academy of Fine ArtsChinese
SculptureShanghai Academy of Fine ArtsChinese
Visual Communication DesignShanghai Academy of Fine ArtsChinese
Environmental DesignShanghai Academy of Fine ArtsChinese
Digital Media ArtsShanghai Academy of Fine ArtsChinese
Chinese PaintingShanghai Academy of Fine ArtsChinese
CalligraphyShanghai Academy of Fine ArtsChinese
Product DesignShanghai Academy of Fine ArtsChinese
Arts and CraftsShanghai Academy of Fine ArtsChinese
Art ManagementShanghai Academy of Fine ArtsChinese
BioengineeringSchool of Life SciencesChinese
BiopharmaceuticalsSchool of Life SciencesChinese
Biomedical EngineeringSchool of Life SciencesChinese
Theoretical and Applied MechanicsSchool of Mechanics and Engineering ScienceChinese
Chinese Language and LiteratureCollege of Liberal ArtsChinese
HistoryCollege of Liberal ArtsChinese
AnimationShanghai Film AcademyChinese
Radio and Television DirectingShanghai Film AcademyChinese
Drama, Film and Television DirectingShanghai Film AcademyChinese
Drama, Film and Television Art DesignShanghai Film AcademyChinese
Cinematography and ProductionShanghai Film AcademyChinese
ActingShanghai Film AcademyChinese
Digital Media TechnologyShanghai Film AcademyChinese
Computer Science and TechnologySchool of Computer Engineering and ScienceChinese
Artificial IntelligenceSchool of Computer Engineering and ScienceChinese
Intelligent Science and TechnologySchool of Computer Engineering and ScienceChinese
Mathematics and Applied MathematicsCollege of SciencesChinese
Information and Computing ScienceCollege of SciencesChinese
Applied PhysicsCollege of SciencesChinese
Applied ChemistryCollege of SciencesChinese
Electronic Information Science and TechnologyCollege of SciencesChinese
LawLaw SchoolChinese
Intellectual PropertyLaw SchoolChinese
Chinese LanguageCollege of International EducationChinese
International Chinese Language EducationCollege of International EducationChinese
Chemical Engineering and TechnologySchool of Environmental and Chemical EngineeringChinese
Electronic Information EngineeringSchool of Communication and Information EngineeringChinese
Communication EngineeringSchool of Communication and Information EngineeringChinese
Optoelectronic Information Science and EngineeringSchool of Communication and Information EngineeringChinese
Information Resource ManagementSchool of Cultural Heritage and Information ManagementChinese
Archival StudiesSchool of Cultural Heritage and Information ManagementChinese
ArchaeologySchool of Cultural Heritage and Information ManagementChinese
Music PerformanceSchool of MusicChinese
SociologySchool of SociologyChinese
JournalismSchool of Journalism and CommunicationChinese
Radio and Television StudiesSchool of Journalism and CommunicationChinese
Internet and New MediaSchool of Journalism and CommunicationChinese
AdvertisingSchool of Journalism and CommunicationChinese
Exhibition and Convention StudiesSchool of Journalism and CommunicationChinese
Business Administration (Digital Marketing)SILC Business SchoolEnglish
Business Administration (Innovation and Entrepreneurship)SILC Business SchoolEnglish
International Economics and Trade (Cross-border E-commerce)SILC Business SchoolEnglish
Finance (Corporate and Quantitative Finance)SILC Business SchoolEnglish
Environmental EngineeringSHU–Ulisboa Joint CollegeChinese / English
Electrical Engineering and AutomationSHU–Ulisboa Joint CollegeChinese / English
Civil EngineeringSHU–Ulisboa Joint CollegeChinese / English

How you choose your majorAll 76 advertised options are retained: 69 Chinese, four English SILC tracks and three bilingual engineering degrees. Sculpture lasts five years; the other options last four. “Chinese / English” means both languages are required for SHU–Ulisboa. SILC’s UTS second degree is optional, requires a separate application and may add fees; it is not automatic admission to a second qualification.

Official admission catalogue

08/ 11Annual budget

What will one year cost?

Estimated annual total · RMB60,575

Tuition

RMB / year21,000Published tuition reference

Accommodation

RMB / year12,775Living-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

Four-bed room at RMB 35/day × 365; utilities extra, allocation and billing vary.

Official general-guide rate × 365

Food

Campus meals, groceries and occasional meals out.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: RMB 1,500 × 12

Transport

Public transport and occasional city outings.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: RMB 200 × 12

Other costs

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

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: RMB 5,600 + RMB 800 insurance

Tuition: 2026 catalogue and SILC guide. Living costs: RMB 39,575 for a shared-room year. Excludes application fee, travel, visa, deposits and optional UTS fees; next-cycle rates are unconfirmed.

09/ 11Scholarships

Big ambitions. Extra support.

National scholarship

Chinese Government Scholarship · Bilateral

FundingFull / partial funding
Competition*Very high

Coverage

  • Full award: tuition and comprehensive medical insurance
  • Full award: campus housing or approved housing subsidy
  • Full award: RMB 2,500 monthly undergraduate stipend
  • Partial award: benefits depend on the country agreement

Normally for Chinese-taught study through CSC Type A. SHU’s advertised Type B schemes do not establish an undergraduate route.

Application
Apply through your country’s authority using CSC Type A; deadlines vary. Request SHU pre-admission evidence through its portal if required; pre-admission does not confirm funding.
CSCA
Required from 2026–27; use your Chinese-taught major’s papers. School exams do not replace CSCA.
Selection
High-school graduation, strong academics, normally under 25. Approved preparatory Chinese may apply; direct entry needs SHU’s language standard. Country nomination, CSC approval and annual review apply; no concurrent award.
Official scholarship details
Municipal scholarship

Shanghai Government Scholarship · Type B

FundingTuition + insurance
Competition*High

Coverage

  • Tuition for the normal degree duration
  • Comprehensive medical insurance
  • Accommodation and living costs remain self-funded

SHU’s 2026 guide offers partial scholarships to undergraduates. Its full Shanghai Government Scholarship is reserved for master’s and doctoral programmes.

Application
Select Shanghai Government Scholarship in SHU’s portal and upload supporting documents. Deadline: 30 April 2026, now closed; next-cycle dates are unconfirmed.
CSCA
Required; the 2026 degree guide requested scholarship applicants’ scores by 15 May. Follow the programme combination.
Selection
High-school graduation, normally under 25, GPA 3.0/4.0+. HSK 5 at 210+ for science, engineering, economics, management and arts; HSK 6 at 180+ for humanities. English: IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL 90 or alternatives. No concurrent award; annual review applies.
Official scholarship details
School scholarship

SILC New International Student Scholarship

Funding20% / 50% / 100% tuition
Competition*Moderate–very high

Coverage

  • 20%, 50% or 100% reduction in tuition
  • Published duration: four academic years
  • Living costs, housing and insurance need a separate budget

For new SILC undergraduate business students. Annual tuition savings: RMB 8,000, 20,000 or 40,000.

Application
Automatic consideration. The 2026 scholarship rounds closed 31 March/31 May; degree applications closed 30 June.
CSCA
SILC applicants take Mathematics in English. The main guide requested scholarship scores by 15 May; follow SILC’s individual instructions when applying for a later scholarship round.
Selection
Application and interview review. GPA 3.0/4.0 and English entry standards are eligibility floors. Award quotas/CSCA cut-off are unpublished; continuation follows the award letter.
Official scholarship details
Language-teaching scholarship

International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship

FundingFull funding
Competition*High

Coverage

  • Tuition and comprehensive medical insurance
  • Normally a double room, or approved off-campus subsidy
  • RMB 2,500 monthly undergraduate stipend
  • Funding for a four-year undergraduate degree

For International Chinese Language Education, aimed at applicants preparing for Chinese-language teaching. This is distinct from general Chinese Language admission and from short-term language scholarships.

Application
Apply in the scholarship system and SHU portal with an authorised recommending institution. The September 2026 cycle is closed.
CSCA
SHU lists Humanities Chinese + Mathematics for International Chinese Language Education. The scholarship language tests do not establish a CSCA exemption.
Selection
High-school diploma, normally under 25; HSK 4 at 210+ and HSKK Intermediate 60+. Host and recommending-institution review, final award approval and annual review apply.
Official scholarship details

The published 2026 undergraduate cycles are closed; next-cycle awards are not confirmed. Competition levels are ChinaStudyGuide estimates because award rates are unpublished. Funding decisions are separate from admission.

Explore the scholarship guide

10/ 11Accommodation

Find your Shanghai base.

On campus

Campus accommodation

SHU and SILC rooms, subject to your campus and allocation.

Rooms subject to availabilityLocations & practical details
Locations
SHU has international accommodation across its campuses. SILC is based at Jiading, 20 Chengzhong Road; other programmes may use Baoshan or Yanchang. Confirm the assigned location before booking.
Published rates
The 2026 general guide quotes RMB 35 / 70 / 140 per day for four-bed / double / single rooms. SILC’s guide quotes RMB 30 / 60 / 100 respectively for its Jiading arrangements. Electricity and other billed utilities are additional; confirm the charge period.
Plan for
The annual calculator uses the standard four-bed rate for 365 days. Full-scholarship housing follows the award and allocation. Type B and self-funded students need their own housing budget.
Off campus

Private rental in Shanghai

An independent lease near your assigned study campus.

Independent housing routeLocations & practical details
Locations
Choose the area around the campus named in your offer. Baoshan, Yanchang and Jiading have different commutes; a city-centre address may be inconvenient for daily study at Jiading.
Costs to allow for
Rent, utilities, internet and a refundable deposit. SHU does not set private-rental prices. The calculator’s campus four-bed allowance is not a private-rental quote; obtain a property-specific budget before signing.
Plan for
Allow for temporary housing before move-in, check the lease and commuting time, and follow the arrival guide for accommodation registration. Keep a backup while campus or rental arrangements are being confirmed.

Have a housing backup. Campus rooms are limited. Check the offer’s campus, room allocation and payment instructions before travel; the two published tariff schedules describe different accommodation arrangements.

11/ 11Student life

A campus to call home. A city to discover.

Painted interpretation of Shanghai University’s Baoshan library and fountains beside the campus lake
By the Baoshan campus lake
Painted AI interpretation of Shanghai’s Huangpu waterfront and skyline
Beyond the campus gates

Shanghai after class

Shanghai combines a major business centre with museums, galleries, historic neighbourhoods and a river skyline. SHU’s three campuses give students different everyday settings, while the city offers a wide choice of weekend activities.

Life on campus

Expect library time, shared meals and a routine shaped by your school. SHU’s technical subjects sit alongside art studios, film and music programmes. Baoshan’s lakeside campus provides green spaces between classes; SILC students build their weekday routine at Jiading.

Around your neighbourhood

Baoshan, Yanchang and Jiading have different surroundings. Explore the local shops, affordable meals and everyday services near your actual campus. Yanchang’s Jing’an setting is more central; journeys from Jiading need more time.

Weekends in Shanghai

Visit the Bund, art museums, exhibitions and the city’s historic streets, or try food from different parts of China. Shanghai offers plenty for art, film and business students to observe beyond class; arrange outings around your timetable and campus travel time.

Keep exploring

More universities. More possibilities.

Official sources & latest updates

Checked 27 October 2026. The spring 2027 preparation notice is separate from degree entry. Degree admission and fee details refer to the published 2026 intake, whose windows are closed. Next-cycle admission dates and fees were not yet established. QS uses the 2027 rankings.

The current Chinese catalogue controls programme names, teaching language, tuition, duration and CSCA. SILC’s separate guide controls its named business tracks and Jiading tariffs. General admission, Shanghai scholarship and Chinese-language teaching scholarship thresholds differ. Academic targets, competition levels and non-housing living costs are ChinaStudyGuide planning estimates.