25 Best Universities In Shanghai For International Students 2025

Shanghai is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in China. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 34 universities and colleges in Shanghai, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 34 universities in Shanghai, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Fudan University are the top-performing schools in Shanghai. This list covers both public and private institutions in Shanghai.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Shanghai. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Shanghai.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Shanghai?

Applying to the universities in Shanghai involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Shanghai to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Shanghai?

Tuition fees at Shanghai’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 16,000 RMB to 54,600 RMB , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 20,000 RMB to 144,000 RMB. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Shanghai!

As we cover the best universities in Shanghai for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Shanghai for International Students

Shanghai Jiao Tong University, founded in 1896, is one of the best universities in China and has been among the top 100 in several prestigious university rankings. There are more than 31,000 students in the university and over 2,500 international students. The university focuses on the internationalization of its academic prestige, strengthening its global influence and future-oriented strategies.

Fudan University has four total campuses located throughout China. The university holds a variety of challenging courses of study, including history, science, research and more. Fudan University desires to challenge their students in the education of their chosen field and help them learn to take on the world.

Tongji University is a comprehensive university located in Shanghai, China. Founded in 1907, it is one of China’s oldest and most prestigious universities. TJU is known for its excellence in engineering, architecture, environmental science, business, and other disciplines. The University attracts a significant number of international students from around the world. The university provides programs and support services specifically designed for international students, creating a diverse and multicultural learning environment.

East China Normal University, founded in 1951, is one of the universities located in Shanghai, China. The university is known for its nickname “Garden University,” with its campuses in the Putuo and Minha districts occupying an area of more than 207 hectares. From its initial focus on teacher training, the university’s academic profile has extended to scientific research, talent training, global education, and community service.

Shanghai University was established in 1922, with the initial purpose of molding figures in the Chinese revolution. As a result of the Shanghai Massacre on April 12, 1927, the school was closed and was only reopened in 1983. Shanghai University, or SHU, has since become one of the renowned and recognized universities around the world.

The East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST) is located in the dynamic area of Shanghai. The institution puts importance on both education and research. It offers a wide variety of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, some of which are offered in the English language. The school is also selective when it comes to admissions since they are only accepting students who reached the top 5% in the National College Entrance Examination.

With three campuses, Donghua University has been educating students for over the last 70 years. Situated in the city of Shanghai, the university has a focus on the work of textile, research, chemistry, and biology. Training students to become the leaders of the future is the mind and goal of Donghua University.

The roots of the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics can be traced to 1917, when a business program under a higher normal school was opened and 1921, when the first commercial university in China was established. Since then, the institution has been transformed from a single program into elite university offering courses in economics, law, management, arts, and science. It is also a Double First-Class and Project 211 University.

Shanghai International Studies University specializes in teaching languages and literature. It actively encourages the development of a global perspective and offers excellent programs that aim to train future global leaders. It operates on two campuses and is home to state-of-the-art linguistic laboratories, interpretation systems, and vast libraries.

The University of Shanghai for Science and Technology is a public institution focused on engineering and applied research in science, economics, arts, and other fields. It comprises two campuses (Jungong Road and Fuxing Road). It also works closely with other universities and institutions, forming alliances dedicated to engineering, medical engineering, and the machinery industry. For sure, opportunities abound for its students.

One of Shanghai’s top centers of learning for tertiary students is none other than Shanghai Normal University (SHNU). It is a public research university that was established more than 50 years ago. Moreover, as one of the city’s best institutions, it is noted for producing graduates who turn out to be successful individuals in their chosen fields.

Founded in 1959, Shanghai Maritime University is a public university in China. It offers degree programs in various disciplines aligned with the shipping and logistics industries. With over 26,000 students taking English and Chinese courses, the university is among the significant providers of globally competitive education in the country.

Shanghai University of Engineering Science (SUES) is a public institution focusing on engineering, economics, arts, management, and design. It comprises three campuses: Songjiang, Changning, and Hongkou. These campuses offer many undergraduate and graduate courses. These courses are high caliber, especially its engineering programs that are part of the world’s top 1%.

Shanghai Ocean University is a public institute of tertiary studies in China. Its historical roots can be traced back to 1912, and at the time, it was named Jiangsu Provincial Fisheries College. Today, it has two campuses and offers various courses spread out across its 14 faculties.

Shanghai University of Sports (SUS) is one of China’s “Double First-Class University”. It’s a recognition given to the country’s most elite universities and colleges. The institution is also the very first sports university in mainland China. SUS currently ranks first in Asia and top 51-75 worldwide for its outstanding performance in sports science and physical education-related courses. Not only does this university specializes in sports, but it’s a comprehensive and multidisciplinary institution offering degree programs in management, science, literature, medicine, and arts featuring sports.

The China Europe International Business School was established in 1994 and was built by the Chinese government and European Union. It’s the first business school in China, and they offer several master’s degrees in business and related fields. This school aims to create leaders in the business field as they move forward with the economy.

They have been highly accredited by business organizations, proving their excellence in the field.

ShanghaiTech University is a public educational institution in China. It opened its doors to students in the year 2013. Despite being a relatively young center of learning, it is popular for being a distinguished university in the bustling city of Shanghai.

The East China University of Political Science and Law in Shanghai, China, is a public institution specializing in legal and political science subjects. It comprises 22 faculties and two campuses (Changning and Songjiang). Students get to choose from many specialized undergraduate and graduate courses.

Established in the early 1950s, Shanghai University of Electric Power offers courses focused mainly on engineering, science, and technology. The university has around 12,000 students all studying to pursue their dreams. The university is striving to educate these students to change their communities and make the world of electronics, engineering, and science a better place.

Shanghai Institute of Technology, founded in 1954, is one of the public academic institutions in Shanghai, China. It has more than 15,000 students across its two campuses in the city. The institute offers undergraduate and graduate programs in Engineering, Science, and Technology.

Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine was established in 1956. It was formerly known as Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine College before officially using its current name in 1993. The university is one of the pioneers in providing higher education in the specialized field of Chinese medicine. As the institution progresses, its primary goal is to provide improved and advanced teaching and research to its students without straining the original context of traditional Chinese medicine.

Shanghai University of International Business and Economics is a public center of learning in China. It was formerly named Shanghai Institute of Foreign trade until the year 2013. Furthermore, it is regarded as an excellent business school not just in the city of Shanghai, but also throughout the whole country.

Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance is a public university in China. Its roots can be traced back to 1928, but it was officially formed in 2016 when the Lixin University of Commerce and Shanghai Finance University merged into one institution. Moreover, it is well-known as a leading business-focused center of learning in the country.

Shanghai Second Polytechnic University, also referred to as Shanghai Polytechnic University, is one of the public institutions for higher learning in Shanghai, China. Since its foundation in 1960, the university has undergone significant improvements. At present, the university offers undergraduate and master’s degree programs in Engineering, Business, and Arts.

The Shanghai Conservatory of Music was originally named the National Conservatory of Music when it was established in 1927. It is known as the first tertiary academic institution for music in China. SHCM has earned its nickname as “a cradle for musicians” because of its excellence in education and research in the performing arts and for producing numerous notable artists for over 90 years.