Fudan University is a public research university in Shanghai, founded in 1905, with four campuses: Handan, Fenglin, Zhangjiang and Jiangwan.[1] Its own 2027 admissions brochure states that it ranks 26th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, up from 30th a year earlier.[1][2]
For international students, Chinese-taught undergraduate programmes cost RMB 23,000 to 42,000 a year. Academic master’s degrees cost RMB 26,000 to 48,000 and doctorates RMB 30,000 to 54,000 a year, depending on the field.[1][3] English-taught undergraduate programmes cost RMB 75,000 to 100,000 a year.[4] Chinese-taught programmes require HSK level 5 or 6.[1][3]
Key facts
| Official name | Fudan University (复旦大学) |
| Location | No. 220 Handan Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai 200433[1] |
| Type | Public university, affiliated with the Ministry of Education and co-funded with the Shanghai Municipal Government; member of the C9 League[5] |
| Founded | 1905, as Fudan Public School; named Fudan University in 1917; merged with Shanghai Medical University in 2000[6] |
| Students (page updated 1 May 2019) | 13,623 undergraduate and associate-degree students, 22,610 graduate students, 3,672 international students[6] |
| Staff (page updated 1 May 2019) | 3,110 full-time teaching faculty and researchers[6] |
| Campuses | Handan, Fenglin, Zhangjiang and Jiangwan[1] |
| Disciplines | 12 discipline categories; 12 disciplines in the top 1‰ of ESI (2027 brochure)[1] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 26th (30th in 2026, 39th in 2025)[2] |
| Tuition, Chinese-taught undergraduate (2027 brochure) | RMB 23,000–42,000 a year, by programme[1] |
| Tuition, academic graduate degrees (2027 brochure) | Master’s RMB 26,000 / 30,000 / 48,000 and doctorate RMB 30,000 / 37,000 / 54,000 a year (liberal arts / science / medicine)[3] |
| Chinese requirement | HSK 5 (210 or 240 points, by field) or HSK 6 (180 points) for Chinese-taught programmes[3] |
| Application fee | RMB 800, non-refundable[3] |
| Official website | fudan.edu.cn |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.
About Fudan University
Fudan University was established in 1905 as Fudan Public School. In 1917 it was renamed Fudan University, a name it has kept since. In 2000 it merged with Shanghai Medical University.[6] The university has four campuses, Handan, Fenglin, Zhangjiang and Jiangwan.[1] Its admissions brochure counts 12 discipline categories, from philosophy and economics to medicine and arts.[1]
The university’s “About FDU” page (updated as of 1 May 2019) reports 13,623 undergraduate and associate-degree students, 22,610 graduates, 3,672 international students and 3,110 full-time teaching faculty and researchers.[6] We found no newer official total. Wikipedia gives 31,900 students without a clear date, so treat the totals as approximate.[5]
Academician counts differ by date: the 2019 page lists 47 members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the October 2025 graduate brochure lists 59.[6][7]
How is Fudan University ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, Fudan is 26th in the world, up from 30th in 2026 and 39th in 2025.[2] Fudan’s own 2027 admissions brochures, published on 3 November 2026, state the same position, and its 2026 graduate brochure gave 30th for the 2026 edition.[1][3][7] In the same edition Peking University is 13th, Tsinghua University 14th and Zhejiang University 47th.[2] A second table reports 26th for Fudan as well.[8]
QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access, so we cite secondary tables and the university’s own brochures. Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings. For the national league table see Best universities in China.
What can you study at Fudan University?
International students can apply to Chinese-taught undergraduate programmes (a separate 2027 catalogue lists the majors), to Chinese-taught master’s and doctoral programmes, and to English-taught programmes.[1][3]
The 2026 list of English-taught undergraduate programmes names four programmes plus the medical degree:[4]
- International Organizations and Global Governance (IOGG), School of International Relations and Public Affairs, 4 years;
- Undergraduate International Program in Economics (UIPE), School of Economics;
- Global Bachelor of Fintech (GBF), International School of Finance;
- Undergraduate International Program in Data Science and Big Data Technology (UIPDB), School of Data Science;
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), School of Clinical Medicine, 6 years.
Change of major is not allowed in any of them. The list also tells MBBS applicants to check the practising requirements of their home country in advance.[4] English-taught master’s and doctoral programmes are posted individually on the international students’ office site.[4]
How much does Fudan University cost for international students?
| Programme | Tuition per year |
|---|---|
| Chinese-taught undergraduate (2027 intake) | RMB 23,000–42,000, by programme |
| Academic master’s: liberal arts / science / medicine | RMB 26,000 / 30,000 / 48,000 |
| Doctorate: liberal arts / science / medicine | RMB 30,000 / 37,000 / 54,000 |
| English-taught: IOGG | RMB 100,000 |
| English-taught: UIPE, GBF, UIPDB | RMB 80,000 |
| English-taught: MBBS (6 years) | RMB 75,000 |
The undergraduate and graduate figures come from the 2027 admissions brochures; the graduate rates apply to academic degrees, and professional degrees are priced by the school or department.[1][3] The English-taught figures come from the 2026 list.[4] Fudan states that all fees are for reference and that the exact amount is announced at enrolment.[3][4]
Scholarships
The 2027 undergraduate brochure lists the Chinese Government Scholarship (bilateral programme), an International Chinese Teacher scholarship and the Shanghai Government Scholarship for international students.[1] The graduate brochure for 2026 describes the Chinese Government Scholarship (High Level Graduate Program and Silk Road Program) and the Shanghai Government Scholarship together. Awards under these listed schemes cover tuition, a dormitory or accommodation subsidy and medical insurance, plus a stipend of RMB 3,000 a month (master’s) or RMB 3,500 (doctorate). Applicants must be under 35 for a master’s and under 40 for a doctorate.[7] For living costs see our Study in China guide.
How do you apply to Fudan University?
- Undergraduate, Chinese-taught: take the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) organised by the China Scholarship Council, apply in Fudan’s online system (istudent.fudan.edu.cn/apply), pay the RMB 800 fee and attend an interview that focuses on overall quality and Chinese ability. Required documents include the passport, high school certificate and transcripts, CSCA report, HSK certificate, a criminal-record certificate and proof of financial means.[1]
- Nationality rules: applicants born abroad with a Chinese-citizen parent, or former Chinese citizens, must meet extra conditions and give proof, including time actually lived abroad.[1]
- Graduate, Chinese-taught: apply in the same online system, pay the RMB 800 fee and submit degree certificates, transcripts, two reference letters from professors or associate professors, an HSK certificate and further documents. The school or department then assesses the applicant. A master’s needs a bachelor’s degree, a doctorate a master’s degree.[3]
We give no deadlines because they change every year and are set per phase and programme. Current dates are on the International Students Office site.
Which language level do you need?
Chinese-taught undergraduate: HSK level 5 with 210 points or more, or HSK level 6 with 180 points or more. Holders of the Malaysian UEC certificate are exempt from the HSK.[1]
Chinese-taught graduate: for arts, humanities and social sciences, HSK 5 with 240 points or more or HSK 6 with 180 or more; for science, engineering and medicine, HSK 5 with 210 or more or HSK 6 with 180 or more. Applicants whose previous degree was taught in Chinese can apply for an exemption.[3]
The English-taught undergraduate list gives no English test requirement; ask the school of your programme.[4]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is tuition at Fudan University for international students?
How is Fudan University ranked?
Do I need to speak Chinese to study at Fudan?
Does Fudan require an entrance exam for international undergraduates?
More about studying in China
- China: best universities
- Study in China: complete guide
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in China
- Beijing Institute of Technology
- Beijing Normal University
- Harbin Institute of Technology
- Huazhong University of Science and Technology
- Nanjing University
- Nankai University
- Peking University
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University
- Sichuan University
- Southeast University
- Sun Yat-sen University
- Tianjin University
- Tongji University
- Tsinghua University
- University of Science and Technology of China
- Wuhan University
- Xiamen University
- Xi’an Jiaotong University
- Zhejiang University
Sources
[1] Fudan University International Students Office: 2027 Admissions Brochure for the Chinese-taught Undergraduate Programme (in Chinese) (published 3 Nov 2026)
[2] Xuanxiao: QS World University Rankings 2027, results and analysis (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (article dated 19 Jun 2026; QS edition released 18 Jun 2026)
[3] Fudan University International Students Office: 2027 Admissions Brochure for Chinese-taught Postgraduate Programmes (in Chinese) (published 3 Nov 2026)
[4] Fudan University International Students Office: 2026 List of English-taught Undergraduate Programs (published 1 Dec 2025)
[5] Wikipedia: Fudan University (type, C9 membership; undated student figure)
[6] Fudan University: About FDU (“updated as of May 1st, 2019”)
[7] Fudan University: 2026 Admission Information on Chinese-taught Postgraduate Programs (PDF) (listed 14 Oct 2025)
[8] Uhomes: QS World University Rankings 2027 (table with 2027 and 2026 ranks) (page updated 15 Jul 2026)
[9] Fudan School of Economics: UIPE Tuition and Expenses (page without a date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.