Painted illustration inspired by Tongji University’s grey Siping Road entrance in Shanghai
Tongji University official seal

TongjiShanghai, China

International undergraduate study

Tongji University

同济大学

Architecture and engineering with global connections

  • Founded 1907
  • Project 985 / 211
  • Double First-Class
Verified official Tongji sourcesUpdated 27 October 2026
QS ranking#146
LocationShanghai
Teaching languageChinese / English
Degree length4–6 years
Tuition guideRMB 20,000–45,000/year
Application status2027 catalogue published

01/ 11Overview

A remarkable place to begin.

Founded in 1907. German medical roots, a national university heritage, and a distinctive focus on architecture and engineering in Shanghai.

Explore Tongji’s story and strengths

From German medicine to a national university

Tongji began in 1907 as a German medical school in Shanghai. It took the name Tongji University in 1923 and became a national university in 1927. Its identity grew from medicine and engineering into a comprehensive research university.

A university shaped by the built environment

Architecture, civil engineering, transport and design remain central to Tongji’s identity. The international undergraduate catalogue also includes computing, business, sciences, languages, law and medicine.

Two different Shanghai settings

Siping Road sits in Yangpu’s established university neighbourhood. Jiading provides a larger campus setting farther from central Shanghai. Your programme and housing allocation determine your everyday base; plan around the campus in your offer.

  • Research that shapes cities

    Explore architecture and engineering in a university known for infrastructure, transport and urban research.

  • Established European partnerships

    Long-standing German ties sit alongside Sino-French and Sino-Italian academic connections.

  • Links with global companies

    Joint research centres with Volkswagen, Siemens, Bayer and IBM connect Tongji with industry.

02/ 11Language requirements

What language do you need?

Chinese language HSK 5 · 180+ For most Chinese-taught degrees; Chinese Language exceptions Scores, alternatives & exam details
Most Chinese-taught degrees
HSK 5 · 180+
Chinese Language · Year 1
HSK 4 · 180+
Chinese Language · Year 2 entry
HSK 4 · 210+ and one year of eligible Chinese study
Chinese Language · Year 3 entry
HSK 5 · 210+ and two years of eligible Chinese study

Accepted alternatives

  • Chinese-medium high school with proof of teaching language

HSK certificates must be within their two-year validity. Advanced entry into Chinese Language requires prior Chinese study at a mainland Chinese university: language study or a Chinese-taught undergraduate course. The Chinese guide gives the Year 2 and Year 3 thresholds above; its English translation gives higher, different thresholds.

English language IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL 81–85 For the three English-taught degrees; thresholds vary Scores, alternatives & exam details
Architecture International Class
IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 81
Civil Engineering International Class
IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 85 / GRE 310
Medicine and Surgery (MBBS)
IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 85
Excellence Scholarship
IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL 85

Accepted alternatives

  • English-medium high school with evidence
  • English-language background under the programme’s exemption rule

Architecture and MBBS accept native English speakers or English-medium high-school graduates; Civil Engineering describes applicants from English-speaking countries or English-medium international high schools. Architecture requires test results valid within two years. HSK 4 gives admission priority in Civil Engineering and MBBS, rather than an entry requirement. The Excellence Scholarship sets TOEFL 85 even though its programme guide accepts 81. The updated general guide also gives TOEFL 85; this conflicts with the Architecture-specific threshold.

03/ 11Entry requirements

Your grades. Your starting point.

Compare the published requirement with a competitive target.

Official requirementPublished by Tongji

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 law, humanities, business, languages, arts, sport and politics; STEM Chinese for other Chinese degrees. English routes are exempt.

Chinese-taught only
Mathematics

Every major and teaching language, including Chinese Language.

Required
Physics

English Architecture/Civil Engineering; Chinese technical majors, architecture/planning, physics, mathematics and earth/marine sciences. Mechanical, manufacturing, Future Robotics and automotive engineering also need Chemistry.

By programme
Chemistry

English MBBS; Chinese materials, chemistry, environment, health, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics. Mechanical, manufacturing, Future Robotics and automotive engineering also need Physics.

By programme

Use Chinese for Chinese degrees. English: Mathematics + Physics for Architecture/Civil Engineering; Mathematics + Chemistry for MBBS. Chinese Language waives Humanities Chinese with HSK 4 at 180+. Upload results when applying; no general score floor is published.

Chinese programmes follow the 2027 catalogue; the three English routes retain their 2026 requirements. Official CSCA exam details.

05/ 11Admission routes

Find your way in.

Choose your teaching language or advanced Chinese Language entry.

Application dates & eligibility
Official route details

06/ 11Application process

From application to arrival.

Step 01

Choose & test

Choose one major and teaching language. Obtain its CSCA report before applying; check scholarship deadlines separately.

Documents that deserve an early start

Application materials

Personal statement

All applicants

Complete Tongji’s undergraduate personal-statement template in the programme’s teaching language. Explain your academic preparation and reasons for the chosen subject.

School and exam records

All applicants

Provide diploma/expected graduation, full transcripts and grading scale, language evidence and CSCA. Full-time schooling is required; online/equivalency routes are excluded. SPM needs STPM or a completed one-year foundation; other exams may support the file.

Portfolio / supplementary work

Architecture / Design

Show artistic training, spatial skills and relevant work in Tongji’s template. Chinese-route instructions specify PDF up to 10 MB; an English Architecture-specific format is not consistently published.

All other required documents

  • Passport and photograph

    For 2026, use an ordinary passport valid until at least 1 March 2027 and a recent front-facing colour passport photograph with a white or blue background.

  • Health report

    Provide the Foreigner Physical Examination Form issued within six months. Civil Engineering also lists a currently valid Chinese visa as an alternative.

  • Application-fee evidence

    Pay RMB 600 in the online system, or upload the receipt if you remit through a bank. Applications without payment are not reviewed.

  • Nationality and guardian documents

    Applicants with a Chinese-nationality background provide the specified nationality, parent-status and entry/exit evidence, including the nationality commitment. Applicants under 18 before 31 August 2026 need a mainland-China guardian, identity/residence documents and the required RMB 100,000 bank evidence.

  • Supporting awards or recommendations

    Civil Engineering and MBBS give priority for recommendations, HSK 4 and relevant achievement evidence; these are supporting materials rather than a universal two-referee requirement. MBBS eligibility requires a non-criminal record; its checklist does not separately specify a certificate.

Documents in languages other than Chinese or English need notarised translations. Bring the matching originals for enrolment.

Tongji application portal Email admissions

07/ 11Subjects

What will you study?

72 options
Browse all 72 options

Tongji undergraduate admission catalogue

MajorSchool / departmentLanguage
Materials Science and EngineeringSchool of Material Science and EngineeringChinese
New Energy Materials and DevicesSchool of Material Science and EngineeringChinese
Surveying Engineering in GeoinformaticsCollege of Surveying and GeoinformaticsChinese
Electrical Engineering and AutomationSchool of Electronics and Information EngineeringChinese
Telecommunications EngineeringSchool of Electronics and Information EngineeringChinese
Microelectronics Science and EngineeringSchool of Electronics and Information EngineeringChinese
Artificial IntelligenceSchool of Electronics and Information EngineeringChinese
AutomationSchool of Electronics and Information EngineeringChinese
LawSchool of LawChinese
Sports TrainingInternational College of FootballChinese
Marine Science and TechnologySchool of Ocean and Earth ScienceChinese
GeophysicsSchool of Ocean and Earth ScienceChinese
Engineering MechanicsSchool of Aerospace Engineering and Applied MechanicsChinese
Flight Vehicle Manufacture EngineeringSchool of Aerospace Engineering and Applied MechanicsChinese
Applied ChemistrySchool of Chemical Science and EngineeringChinese
Water Supply and Drainage EngineeringCollege of Environmental Science and EngineeringChinese
Environmental EngineeringCollege of Environmental Science and EngineeringChinese
Environmental ScienceCollege of Environmental Science and EngineeringChinese
Mechanical Design, Manufacturing and AutomationSchool of Mechanical Engineering and RoboticsChinese
Intelligent Manufacturing EngineeringSchool of Mechanical Engineering and RoboticsChinese
Future RoboticsSchool of Mechanical Engineering and RoboticsChinese
Computer Science and TechnologySchool of Computer Science and TechnologyChinese
Software EngineeringSchool of Computer Science and TechnologyChinese
Information SecuritySchool of Computer Science and TechnologyChinese
Data Science and Big-Data TechnologiesSchool of Computer Science and TechnologyChinese
ArchitectureCollege of Architecture and Urban PlanningChinese
Urban PlanningCollege of Architecture and Urban PlanningChinese
Landscape ArchitectureCollege of Architecture and Urban PlanningChinese
Historic Building Protection EngineeringCollege of Architecture and Urban PlanningChinese
Building Environment and Energy Application EngineeringCollege of Architecture and Urban PlanningChinese
Urban DesignCollege of Architecture and Urban PlanningChinese
Vehicle Engineering (Transportation)College of Transportation EngineeringChinese
Traffic and TransportationCollege of Transportation EngineeringChinese
Traffic EngineeringCollege of Transportation EngineeringChinese
FinanceSchool of Economics and ManagementChinese
Information Management and Information SystemsSchool of Economics and ManagementChinese
Project ManagementSchool of Economics and ManagementChinese
AccountingSchool of Economics and ManagementChinese
StomatologySchool of DentistryChinese
Vehicle Engineering (Automotive)College of Automotive and Energy EngineeringChinese
Thermal Energy & Dynamic EngineeringCollege of Automotive and Energy EngineeringChinese
PhilosophySchool of HumanitiesChinese
Chinese Language and LiteratureSchool of HumanitiesChinese
Culture Industry ManagementSchool of HumanitiesChinese
Industrial DesignCollege of Design and InnovationChinese
Art and DesignCollege of Design and InnovationChinese
BiotechnologySchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyChinese
BioinformaticsSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyChinese
Mathematics and Applied MathematicsSchool of Mathematical ScienceChinese
StatisticsSchool of Mathematical ScienceChinese
Civil EngineeringCollege of Civil EngineeringChinese
Intelligent ConstructionCollege of Civil EngineeringChinese
Geological EngineeringCollege of Civil EngineeringChinese
EnglishSchool of Foreign LanguagesChinese
GermanSchool of Foreign LanguagesChinese
JapaneseSchool of Foreign LanguagesChinese
Applied PhysicsSchool of Physical Science and EngineeringChinese
Optical Information Science and TechnologySchool of Physical Science and EngineeringChinese
Clinical MedicineSchool of MedicineChinese
Rehabilitation Physical TherapySchool of MedicineChinese
NursingSchool of MedicineChinese
CommunicationCollege of Arts and MediaChinese
Music PerformanceCollege of Arts and MediaChinese
ActingCollege of Arts and MediaChinese
Radio & Television Editing & DirectingCollege of Arts and MediaChinese
AnimationCollege of Arts and MediaChinese
Political Science & Public AdministrationSchool of Political Science and International RelationsChinese
Chinese Language (International Education)International SchoolChinese
Chinese Language (Economics and Trade)International SchoolChinese
Architecture (International Class)College of Architecture and Urban PlanningEnglish
Medicine and Surgery (MBBS)School of MedicineEnglish
Civil Engineering (International Class)College of Civil EngineeringEnglish

How you choose your major69 Chinese-taught choices follow the 2027 catalogue; three English choices retain the 2026 reference. Chinese and English versions are separate; the two vehicle-engineering degrees belong to different colleges. Chinese Architecture lasts five years, its English International Class four, and MBBS six. Other catalogue entries last four or five years. Programme-specific colour-vision restrictions are marked in the official catalogue. An agreed adjustment may lead to Chinese Language or foundation study if your first choice is not admitted.

Official admission catalogue

08/ 11Annual budget

What will one year cost?

Estimated annual total · RMB70,800

Tuition

RMB / year20,000Published tuition reference

Accommodation

RMB / year24,000Living-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

Shared-housing allowance; confirmed rates vary. Private or single rooms may cost more.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: RMB 2,000 × 12

Food

Campus meals, groceries and occasional meals out.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: RMB 1,500 × 12

Transport

Local public transport and occasional city outings.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: RMB 200 × 12

Other costs

Books, phone, utilities and personal essentials, including the published RMB 800 annual insurance.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: RMB 5,600 + RMB 800 insurance

Tuition: 2027 Chinese catalogue; English rates retain the 2026 reference. Living estimates cover 12 months: RMB 50,800 before tuition. Excludes application fee, travel, visa and deposits; 2027 English tuition remains unconfirmed.

09/ 11Scholarships

Big ambitions. Extra support.

National scholarship

Chinese Government Scholarship

FundingFull / partial funding
Competition*Very high

Coverage

  • Bilateral: full or partial funding under the country agreement
  • Silk Road: tuition and comprehensive medical insurance
  • Silk Road: campus housing or approved RMB 700/month housing subsidy
  • Silk Road: RMB 2,500 monthly living allowance

Chinese-taught undergraduate study only. Silk Road is limited to Chinese Civil Engineering and Architecture; the published country list names Indonesia, Pakistan, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, South Korea, Nepal, Myanmar, Mongolia and Kenya.

Application
Bilateral: apply through your country’s agency, usually November–March; request pre-admission via Tongji’s Type A option. Silk Road: apply to Tongji by 20 March 2026, then complete CSC Type B, agency 10247, when notified. Pre-admission does not confirm funding.
CSCA
Required before the Tongji application. Follow the Chinese programme’s papers; Architecture and Civil Engineering require STEM Chinese, Mathematics and Physics.
Selection
Normally aged 18–25 with high-school graduation, good health and strong academic potential. Country nomination and funding decisions apply; annual scholarship review governs continuation. No undergraduate CSC award for English-taught study is advertised.
Official scholarship details
Municipal scholarship

Shanghai Government Scholarship · Type A

FundingFull funding
Competition*Very high

Coverage

  • Tuition waiver
  • Comprehensive medical insurance
  • Campus housing or approved RMB 700/month subsidy if rooms are full
  • RMB 2,500 monthly living allowance

For Chinese-taught undergraduate degrees. Joint training and study of a native language or a third-country language/literature are excluded.

Application
Choose Shanghai Government Scholarship in Tongji’s online application and submit the required form and documents. The 2026 bachelor’s window was 10 January – 31 March.
CSCA
Required for undergraduate admission; use the paper combination for your chosen Chinese-taught major.
Selection
High-school graduates aged no more than 25, with strong academic preparation and good health. Other Chinese government or organisational funding cannot be held concurrently. Funding depends on annual review.
Official scholarship details
Municipal scholarship

Shanghai Government Scholarship · Type B

FundingTuition + insurance
Competition*High

Coverage

  • Tuition waiver
  • Comprehensive medical insurance

For eligible Chinese-taught undergraduate degrees. Accommodation and living expenses remain your responsibility; the same programme exclusions as Type A apply.

Application
Apply through Tongji’s Shanghai Government Scholarship option. The 2026 bachelor’s deadline was 31 March.
CSCA
Required for undergraduate admission; use your chosen programme’s papers.
Selection
High-school graduates aged no more than 25 with strong academics and good health. No concurrent Chinese government or organisational award; continuation depends on annual review.
Official scholarship details
University scholarship

Tongji International Student Excellence Scholarship

FundingFull funding
Competition*Very high

Coverage

  • Full tuition waiver
  • Comprehensive medical insurance
  • Campus housing or RMB 700/month off-campus housing subsidy
  • RMB 2,500 monthly living allowance

For the advertised English-taught undergraduate programmes. Undergraduate benefits differ from the doctoral and exchange awards.

Application
Submit Tongji’s online application with your programme documents. The scheme gives an October–May framework with programme-specific deadlines; the Architecture/MBBS and Civil Engineering degree deadlines remain relevant.
CSCA
High CSCA scores and strong standardised-exam results are part of scholarship selection.
Selection
Normally 18–25; full-time diploma; 85/100 or GPA 3.8/5.0; IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL 85. No concurrent Chinese government award; annual review applies. Award rate/CSCA cut-off unpublished.
Official scholarship details

These are the published undergraduate schemes; the 2026 admission windows are closed and 2027 award availability is not confirmed. Competition levels are ChinaStudyGuide estimates because award rates are unpublished. The dedicated Silk Road guide gives its country and programme restrictions.

Explore the scholarship guide

10/ 11Accommodation

Find your Shanghai base.

On campus

International student dormitories

Campus rooms for eligible full-award recipients, subject to allocation.

Limited campus capacityLocations & practical details
Locations
The 2026 arrival guide directs full-award recipients to Building 1 at Siping or Building 3, Pengyuan Dorm, at Jiading. Follow the campus and room allocation in your admission instructions.
Best for
CSC, Shanghai Type A and Tongji Excellence Scholarship recipients with a confirmed allocation.
Plan for
The admission guides warn that even full-scholarship students may need off-campus housing when dormitories are full. Earlier 2017 dormitory tariffs are not a current 2026 price quote.
Off campus

Student housing or private rental in Shanghai

A community residence or independent lease with a commute to organise.

Self-funded housing routeLocations & practical details
Locations
Self-funded and Shanghai Type B students may apply to the Tongji International Student Community at 888 Xiangyin Road, Yangpu. Private rentals should be chosen around the assigned study campus.
Best for
Self-funded students, Type B recipients and anyone needing an alternative to an allocated campus room.
Plan for
No current community tariff is stated in the reviewed arrival guide. The calculator uses a RMB 2,000/month housing allowance, not an official price. Allow separately for deposits and obtain accommodation registration after arrival.

Have a housing backup. Confirm your room and campus before travel. Dormitories can fill even for full-award recipients; self-funded and Type B students should plan around the Xiangyin Road community or a suitable rental. Arriving early may require temporary accommodation.

11/ 11Student life

A campus to call home. A city to discover.

Painted interpretation of a tree-lined campus avenue inspired by Tongji’s Siping Road setting
A leafy Siping afternoon
Painted AI interpretation of Shanghai’s Huangpu waterfront and skyline
Beyond the campus gates

Shanghai after class

Shanghai combines historic streets with a modern river skyline, museums, galleries and international food. Tongji’s Siping and Jiading campuses offer different everyday settings; city-centre outings fit best around your timetable and campus location.

Life on campus

Your routine depends on Siping or Jiading: lectures, studio or laboratory work, library time and shared meals. Architecture students can expect a studio-led programme; the broad Chinese-taught catalogue brings students from many disciplines together.

Around your neighbourhood

Siping’s Yangpu setting has established residential streets, local food and university neighbourhoods. Jiading offers a different, more spacious daily setting. Choose weekday plans and housing around your actual campus rather than treating all of Shanghai as a short commute.

Weekends in Shanghai

Explore the Bund, museums, exhibitions, theatres and the city’s varied food neighbourhoods. Architecture and design students have plenty of streets and buildings to observe; allow more travel time from Jiading when arranging city-centre outings.

Keep exploring

More universities. More possibilities.

Official sources & latest updates

Checked 27 October 2026. The 2027 Chinese catalogue published 22 October updates 69 programmes, schools, tuition and CSCA papers. Degree application dates and the three English routes remain the 2026 reference; a 2027 calendar is unconfirmed. QS uses the 2027 edition.

The 2027 attachment covers Chinese programmes and fees, without a replacement calendar or eligibility guide. Dates, language thresholds, documents and funding retain their explicitly dated 2026 references. Architecture’s TOEFL 81 threshold differs from the updated general guide’s TOEFL 85. Chinese Language advanced-entry HSK thresholds follow the Chinese guide, which differs from the English translation. The current arrival guide takes precedence over the 2017 housing tariff. Academic targets, living budgets and competition levels are ChinaStudyGuide planning estimates.