Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Key facts

Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.

About Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Shanghai Jiao Tong University traces its start to 1896, when Xuanhuai Sheng founded Nanyang College in Shanghai.^[9] The school was renamed several times and, after a merger of institutions in 1921, took the name Chiao Tung University. The Shanghai branch became independent in 1959 under the present name and was recognised as one of China’s 16 key universities.^[9] In 2005 it merged with Shanghai Second Medical University to form its School of Medicine.^[9]

SJTU is a national key university administered directly by the Ministry of Education and jointly supported by the Shanghai Municipal Government.^[8] It belongs to the C9 League, the group of nine leading Chinese research universities.^[10] Its colleges cover science, engineering, medicine, economics, management, humanities, law and agriculture.^[1]

The university reports more than 61,100 students, more than 2,800 international students and 4,130 teaching faculty.^[1] Its campuses are in Xuhui, Minhang, Huangpu, Changning, Pudong and Chongming.^[8]

How is Shanghai Jiao Tong University ranked?

In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, Shanghai Jiao Tong University is 36th in the world, up from 47th (tied) in the 2026 edition.^[2][11] Press coverage lists it among the mainland Chinese universities in the global top 100.^[11]

The university’s own About Us page still shows a world ranking box for the 2025 edition (45th), so always check the edition year.^[1] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.

What can you study at Shanghai Jiao Tong University?

International students can apply at three levels, each with its own page and rules.

• Bachelor’s, Chinese-taught: most programmes are listed in a yearly programme list; the School of Medicine admits independently and must be contacted directly.^[3]
• Bachelor’s, English-taught: an Engineering Cluster (about 1.5 years of introductory engineering at Global College before choosing a major), a Civil Engineering programme, and a Sustainable Energy and Health Science and Technology track.^[4][5] The programme menu also lists a French-taught Engineering Cluster.^[3]
• Master’s and doctorate: graduate programmes are taught in Chinese or entirely in English. Master’s programmes normally take two to three years, doctoral programmes four years.^[8]

Some programmes need a Letter of Intent for Supervision from a professor before you apply; the admissions guide lists the schools concerned.^[8] The English-taught Engineering Cluster students must also reach HSK level 4 in Chinese to graduate.^[4]

How much does Shanghai Jiao Tong University cost?

Figures come from the university’s admissions pages and its 2027 English-language programme catalogues.^{[3][4][5][6][12]} The English-taught bachelor’s pages add that tuition rates are subject to record-filing with the governing authorities.^[4]

Graduate fees vary a lot

In the English master’s catalogue most programmes list RMB 80,000 per year over 2.5 years, several list RMB 100,000 per year, and business and finance programmes are priced separately: the Master of Finance lists RMB 114,000 per year, the Master of International Business RMB 188,000 in total and two MBA programmes RMB 368,000 in total over two years.^[6] The English doctoral catalogue lists RMB 89,000 per year for most programmes, with a few at RMB 90,000 or RMB 100,000.^[12] The admissions guide itself gives no tuition figure and points to the catalogue.^[8]

Other costs and funding

The Chinese-taught bachelor’s page lists compulsory insurance of RMB 800 per academic year and says the university provides no free dormitory but an accommodation subsidy of RMB 1,100 per month for Chinese Government Scholarship holders.^[3] Scholarships named on the page are the Chinese Government Scholarship, the Shanghai Government Scholarship, the SJTU Scholarship and the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship; the SJTU first-class tier waives tuition and adds a living allowance of RMB 2,500 per month.^[3] Graduate scholarship amounts are shown only inside the application system.^[8] For living costs, see our Study in China guide and the China overview.

How do you apply to Shanghai Jiao Tong University?

All applications run through the university’s online system “Study@SJTU” (apply.sjtu.edu.cn).^[3][8]

• Chinese-taught bachelor’s: create an account, upload your documents and pay the non-refundable application fee of RMB 800. The documents include your high school transcript, standardised test scores such as SAT, ACT, A-Level or IB (or a written explanation if you have none), a China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) report and language proof. Regular-round applicants sit the online SJTU International Undergraduate Entrance Exam, and shortlisted applicants are interviewed.^[3]
• English-taught bachelor’s: the Engineering Cluster asks for a USD 75 application fee, CSCA and SAT or ACT scores, recommendation letters and a financial guarantee of at least RMB 100,000.^[4]
• Master’s and doctorate: a non-refundable fee of RMB 800, your degree certificate with verification (CSCSE for degrees from outside mainland China), transcripts, language proof, a passport valid at least 12 months from enrolment and two recommendation letters.^[8]

We give no deadlines here because they change every year and differ by programme and scholarship route; the graduate guide lists separate dates for Chinese Government Scholarship, Shanghai Government and SJTU scholarship, and self-funded applicants.^[8] Check the current guide for your programme.

Which language level do you need?

Chinese-taught bachelor’s: HSK level 5 with a score of at least 200 (writing at least 60) or HSK level 6 with at least 180 (writing at least 60). Other proof such as Chinese as a native language is accepted, and conditionally admitted applicants can apply for a year of Chinese language courses.^[3]

English-taught bachelor’s: for the Engineering Cluster and Civil Engineering, a TOEFL iBT, IELTS or Duolingo English Test result. The Engineering Cluster minimums are TOEFL iBT 90 (tests taken before 21 January 2026) or 4.5 on the new 1–6 scale (from that date), IELTS 6.0 and Duolingo 120.^[4]

Graduate programmes: English-taught programmes accept IELTS Academic (overall 6.0, each component 5.5), TOEFL (overall 85 for tests before January 2026), GRE, GMAT and Cambridge C1 or C2 results at the stated minimums. Being born in an English-speaking country does not count as proof. Chinese-taught programmes need HSK 5 (total 200, each component 60) or HSK 6 (total 180, each component 60), and most Chinese-taught science and engineering programmes also require English proof.^[7]

More about studying in China

• China: best universities
• Study in China: complete guide
• Cost of Studying Abroad
• International Student Scholarships
• University Ranking Methodology

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