Foreign Trade Specialist Since 1960
One of China’s first institutions founded specifically to train foreign trade professionals — six decades of focus.
Shanghai, China
Shanghai University of International Business and Economics
Shanghai’s university of international trade — business built on the world’s busiest port since 1960
Shanghai University of International Business and Economics (SUIBE) was founded in 1960 as the Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade, one of the first institutions established in China to train professionals for foreign trade, and was renamed SUIBE in 2013. It is a Shanghai municipal university built around a single clear specialisation: international economics and trade, business administration, applied economics, finance, international law and business languages. The main Songjiang campus in Shanghai’s university town is complemented by the Gubei campus in Changning District, close to the city’s consular and multinational business district. SUIBE is the practical choice for international students who want a business or economics degree taught inside China’s largest commercial city rather than a broad comprehensive university: it operates a WTO-focused research institute, hosts the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone research base, runs English-taught programs in international business and trade, and maintains admission requirements and tuition that are accessible compared with Shanghai’s 985 universities, while placing graduates into the trade, logistics, banking and multinational sectors on its doorstep. More than 1,000 international students from over 60 countries study on its campuses.
- Location
- Shanghai, China
- Founded
- 1960
- International Students
- 1,000+
- Teaching Language
- English / Chinese
- Tuition
- CNY 23,000 - 33,000 / year
- Intake
- September
- Application Deadline
- June 30
Why Choose
Why Choose Shanghai University of International Business and Economics
Key reasons international students choose Shanghai University of International Business and Economics for their studies in China.
Free Trade Zone Research Base
Hosts research centres on the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, studying China’s trade policy where it is written.
WTO And Trade Policy Institute
A dedicated WTO research institute gives students direct access to international trade rules and negotiation expertise.
Multinational Employer Network
Located in Shanghai, base for thousands of regional headquarters in trade, logistics, banking and consulting.
Business Language Programs
Business English, Japanese and Italian taught alongside trade subjects — unusual language-plus-commerce combinations.
Accessible Business Admission
Moderate entry requirements and tuition below Shanghai’s 985 universities for a specialist business degree.
Rankings & Recognition
Academic Reputation
National designations and world rankings that signal academic strength and prestige.
China National Ranking#201
Programs
Programs for International Students
Explore the degree programs and academic strengths available to international students at Shanghai University of International Business and Economics.
International Economics & Trade
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 23,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Shanghai Government Scholarship eligible
Business Administration
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 23,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: SUIBE Freshman Scholarship eligible
Finance
BachelorLanguage: Chinese
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 23,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Shanghai Government Scholarship eligible
Business English
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 23,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: SUIBE Academic Excellence Scholarship eligible
International Business
MasterLanguage: English
Duration: 2 - 3 years
Tuition: CNY 30,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC full scholarship eligible
Applied Economics
DoctorLanguage: Chinese
Duration: 3 - 4 years
Tuition: CNY 33,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC full scholarship eligible
Admission
Admission Requirements
What you need to apply to Shanghai University of International Business and Economics as an international student.
- Academic RequirementsHigh school diploma with solid mathematics and English results for bachelor’s; a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree for graduate business and economics programs.
- Language RequirementsEnglish-taught: IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80, or prior education in English. Chinese-taught: HSK Level 4 for bachelor’s and HSK Level 5 for graduate programs.
- Assessment & InterviewApplications are reviewed on documents; shortlisted candidates may be asked to attend an online interview about their study plan and business motivation.
- Required DocumentsPassport, transcripts, graduation certificate, study plan, language certificate, recommendation letters, financial proof and a non-criminal record certificate.
- Application DeadlineScholarship applicants: April 30. Self-funded applicants: June 30.
- Application FeeCNY 400, non-refundable, paid through the online application system.
- Medical ExaminationA Foreigner Physical Examination Form is required after admission and re-checked in Shanghai after arrival.
- Visa DocumentsSUIBE issues the JW202 form and Admission Notice so you can apply for an X1 student visa at a Chinese embassy.
Tuition & Scholarships
Costs & Funding
Transparent tuition, living costs and scholarship options for international students.
Cost Breakdown
- Annual Tuition
- CNY 23,000 - 33,000 / year
- Accommodation
- CNY 1,000 – 2,000 / monthOn-campus international dormitory, Songjiang campus
- Application Fee
- CNY 400 (one-time)
- Medical Insurance
- CNY 800 / yearCompulsory comprehensive insurance for international students
- Estimated Living Cost
- CNY 2,500 – 4,000 / monthMeals, transport & personal expenses
Estimated First-Year CostCNY 55,000 – 85,000
Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
Coverage: Full tuition, on-campus accommodation, monthly stipend and comprehensive insurance.
Eligibility: Outstanding non-Chinese applicants for master’s or doctoral programs in economics, business or trade at SUIBE.
Deadline: April 30
Shanghai Government Scholarship
Coverage: Full or partial tuition award for degree students studying in Shanghai.
Eligibility: Admitted or enrolled international degree students with strong academic records at a Shanghai municipal university.
Deadline: April 30
SUIBE Freshman Scholarship
Coverage: Partial tuition award for outstanding incoming international undergraduates.
Eligibility: First-year degree applicants with excellent high school results and language qualifications.
Deadline: June 30
SUIBE Academic Excellence Scholarship
Coverage: Annual merit award renewed on academic performance for enrolled students.
Eligibility: Self-funded degree students maintaining excellent grades, attendance and conduct at SUIBE.
Deadline: Annual internal review
Campus Life
Life on Campus
What daily student life looks like at Shanghai University of International Business and Economics.
Songjiang University Town
The main campus sits in Songjiang’s university town, sharing facilities and student life with six neighbouring universities.
International Dormitories
On-campus residences for international students with single and double rooms, laundry and shared study lounges.
Trade And Business Library
Collections focused on international trade, economics and law with access to major commercial and financial databases.
Business Competition Culture
Student teams compete in trade simulation, negotiation, accounting and entrepreneurship contests across Shanghai.
Sports And Fitness Facilities
Stadium, running track, indoor courts and gym on the Songjiang campus with active student sports clubs.
Metro Line 9 To Downtown
Metro Line 9 connects Songjiang directly to central Shanghai, the Bund and the Lujiazui financial district.
Gallery
Campus Gallery
A visual tour of Shanghai University of International Business and Economics.
Research & Innovation
Research Strengths
Research capacity and innovation ecosystem at Shanghai University of International Business and Economics.
WTO Research Institute
A dedicated institute analysing WTO rules, trade disputes and China’s multilateral trade commitments.
Free Trade Zone Studies
Research base on the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, examining policy pilots before national rollout.
Applied Economics Research
Provincial key discipline work on trade flows, industrial upgrading, taxation and regional economic policy.
International Business Law
Study of cross-border contracts, trade remedies, arbitration and compliance for companies operating in China.
Digital Trade And E-Commerce
Research on cross-border e-commerce, digital services trade and platform-driven supply chains.
Government And Industry Consulting
Faculty advise Shanghai commerce authorities and trade associations, feeding live policy work into teaching.
Career Outcomes
Graduate Outcomes
Where a degree from Shanghai University of International Business and Economics can take you after graduation.
Foreign Trade And Logistics
Graduates enter import-export firms, freight forwarders, port operators and supply chain companies across Asia.
Multinational Regional Offices
Shanghai hosts thousands of regional headquarters recruiting bilingual trade, marketing and operations staff.
Banking And Financial Services
Finance and economics graduates join commercial banks, insurers, fintech firms and Lujiazui institutions.
Consulting And Accounting
Business administration and accounting graduates recruited by professional services and audit practices.
Postgraduate Business Study
Graduates continue to master’s programs in China, Europe and North America in business and economics.
Trade Sector Alumni Network
Six decades of alumni hold posts in trade companies, customs, chambers of commerce and government agencies.
Student Support
International Student Support
How Shanghai University of International Business and Economics helps international students settle in and succeed.
Accommodation Assistance
Help reserving an on-campus international dormitory room or nearby housing before you arrive in Shanghai.
Residence Permit
Guided assistance converting your X1 visa into a residence permit within 30 days of arrival.
Orientation
Orientation week covers registration, campus systems, banking, safety and daily life in Shanghai.
Academic Advising
School-level advisors support course selection, credit planning and business project supervision.
Chinese Language Support
Mandarin and business Chinese courses for English-track students, plus preparatory Chinese for degree entry.
Health Services
Campus clinic access, compulsory insurance enrolment and help with referrals to Shanghai hospitals.
Emergency Assistance
Round-the-clock campus security and international office contacts for urgent situations.
Visa Guidance
Support with JW202 forms, visa renewals, exit-entry procedures and travel documentation.
Student Community
International student associations, national societies and cultural festivals across 60+ countries.
Timeline
Application Timeline
Key dates and milestones for applying to Shanghai University of International Business and Economics.
- December – January
Applications Open
The SUIBE international student online application system opens for the September intake.
- January – April
Prepare Documents
Assemble transcripts, language certificates, study plan, recommendation letters and financial proof.
- By April 30
Scholarship Deadline
Submit your application to be considered for CSC and Shanghai Government Scholarship awards.
- By June 30
Self-Funded Deadline
Final date for self-funded applicants to complete their application and upload documents.
- May – July
Admission Results
Schools review applications, hold interviews where required and issue Admission Notices and scholarship decisions.
- July
JW202 & Visa Documents Issued
SUIBE sends your Admission Notice and JW202 form so you can begin your visa application.
- July – August
Apply For X1 Visa
Apply for your X1 student visa at the Chinese embassy or consulate in your home country.
- Early September
Arrival & Registration
Arrive in Shanghai, move into your dormitory, register, complete the medical check—then classes begin.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions international students ask most about Shanghai University of International Business and Economics.
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