Chinese Academy Of Sciences Founded
Jointly established by CAS and Shanghai, giving students access to national institute facilities and adjunct CAS researchers.
Shanghai, China
ShanghaiTech University
A research-first university — small classes, big laboratories, since 2013
ShanghaiTech University was approved by China’s Ministry of Education on 30 September 2013 and jointly established by the Shanghai Municipal Government and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). It entered the Double First Class construction list in 2022 and ShanghaiRanking’s 2026 Best Chinese Universities Ranking places it 47th nationally — an exceptional position for an institution barely a decade old. Its model is deliberately different from that of China’s large comprehensive universities: roughly 7,000 students on campus with around 640 faculty members, a student-to-faculty ratio of at most 12 to 1, English as a working language of instruction and research, and laboratory placement as the core of the degree rather than an optional extra. The single campus in Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong, sits beside the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, the National Center for Protein Science Shanghai and the Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, and shares its neighbourhood with the R&D centres of global pharmaceutical, semiconductor and technology firms. For international students the appeal is a research apprenticeship inside CAS-linked facilities, taught in English, at a scale where faculty know students by name.
Double First-Class
- Location
- Shanghai, China
- Founded
- 2013
- International Students
- 200+
- Teaching Language
- English / Chinese
- Tuition
- CNY 8,000 - 45,000 / year
- Intake
- September
- Application Deadline
- March 31
Why Choose
Why Choose ShanghaiTech University
Key reasons international students choose ShanghaiTech University for their studies in China.
Twelve To One Ratio
A student-faculty ratio of at most 12:1 across roughly 7,000 students — rare among research universities in China.
Synchrotron On The Doorstep
Neighbours the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility and National Center for Protein Science, used directly in student research.
English As Working Language
Courses, seminars, laboratory work and publications operate in English, with internationally recruited faculty and Nobel laureates.
Zhangjiang Innovation District
Located inside Pudong’s science park among global pharmaceutical, semiconductor and AI research and development centres.
Research From Year One
Undergraduates join faculty laboratories early, and a summer semester is reserved for project and research work.
Rankings & Recognition
Academic Reputation
National designations and world rankings that signal academic strength and prestige.
China National Ranking#47
National Designations
Double First-Class
Programs
Programs for International Students
Explore the degree programs and academic strengths available to international students at ShanghaiTech University.
Physics
MasterLanguage: English
Duration: 3 years
Tuition: CNY 8,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC full scholarship eligible
Computer Science & Technology
MasterLanguage: English
Duration: 3 years
Tuition: CNY 8,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Shanghai Government Scholarship eligible
Biology
MasterLanguage: English
Duration: 3 years
Tuition: CNY 8,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC full scholarship eligible
Materials Science & Engineering
DoctorLanguage: English
Duration: 3 years
Tuition: CNY 45,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: ShanghaiTech Doctoral Award eligible
Electronic Science & Technology
DoctorLanguage: English
Duration: 3 years
Tuition: CNY 45,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC full scholarship eligible
Biomedical Engineering
DoctorLanguage: English
Duration: 3 years
Tuition: CNY 45,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: ShanghaiTech Doctoral Award eligible
Admission
Admission Requirements
What you need to apply to ShanghaiTech University as an international student.
- Academic RequirementsA bachelor’s degree in a related science or engineering field for master’s entry; a master’s degree, or an outstanding bachelor’s record for direct-entry doctoral consideration.
- Language RequirementsEnglish-taught programs require IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90, or prior degree study in English. Chinese proficiency is not required but Mandarin courses are available.
- Research ProposalA research statement and preferred faculty mentor or laboratory must be identified — admission is research-group based rather than purely course based.
- Required DocumentsPassport, transcripts, degree certificates, research statement, CV, two academic recommendation letters, language certificate and a non-criminal record certificate.
- Application DeadlineScholarship applicants: early March. Self-funded applicants: March 31 for the September intake.
- InterviewShortlisted applicants sit an academic interview with the school or institute, held online for overseas candidates.
- Medical ExaminationA Foreigner Physical Examination Form is required after admission and re-checked in Shanghai after arrival.
- Visa DocumentsShanghaiTech 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 8,000 - 45,000 / year
- Accommodation
- CNY 1,200 – 2,000 / monthOn-campus graduate dormitory
- Application Fee
- CNY 400 (one-time)
- Medical Insurance
- CNY 800 / yearMandatory comprehensive insurance for international students
- Estimated Living Cost
- CNY 3,000 – 4,500 / monthMeals, transport & personal expenses in Shanghai
Estimated First-Year CostCNY 50,000 – 110,000
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 study with a confirmed faculty mentor.
Deadline: Early March
Shanghai Government Scholarship
Coverage: Full or partial tuition award for degree-seeking international students in Shanghai.
Eligibility: Admitted international graduate students with strong academic and research records.
Deadline: Early March
ShanghaiTech Doctoral Award
Coverage: Tuition support plus a research assistantship stipend from the host laboratory.
Eligibility: Doctoral candidates accepted into a funded research group at a school or institute.
Deadline: March 31
Research Assistantship Support
Coverage: Monthly stipend for research, teaching or management assistant duties within the school.
Eligibility: Enrolled graduate students maintaining satisfactory research and academic progress.
Deadline: Rolling after enrolment
Campus Life
Life on Campus
What daily student life looks like at ShanghaiTech University.
Award-Winning Single Campus
A purpose-built Pudong campus by Moore Ruble Yudell that won an AIA California urban design award in 2012.
On-Campus Residences
Undergraduate and graduate dormitories on site, keeping laboratories, canteens and lecture halls within a short walk.
Library In The Tower
The central library and teaching tower anchor the main axis of campus with study space and digital collections.
Sports Hall And Fields
An indoor sports hall, outdoor courts and fields plus a conference centre with swimming facilities on campus.
Student Activity Centre
A dedicated activity centre hosts student clubs, maker projects, music, art and entrepreneurship events.
Zhangjiang Metro Access
Metro links from Zhangjiang to Lujiazui, People’s Square and Pudong Airport put central Shanghai within reach.
Gallery
Campus Gallery
A visual tour of ShanghaiTech University.
Research & Innovation
Research Strengths
Research capacity and innovation ecosystem at ShanghaiTech University.
Immunochemistry And Drug Discovery
The Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies runs antibody design, screening and drug development platforms.
iHuman Cell Signalling Institute
The iHuman Institute studies human cell signalling and receptor structures, with Nobel laureates leading research groups.
Post-Moore Microelectronics
Research centres target next-generation integrated circuits from device physics through to computer architecture.
Robotics And Visual Computing
The STAR robotics centre and virtual reality laboratory work on light-field capture, autonomy and intelligent systems.
Nature Index Young University
Ranked among the world’s leading young universities by Nature Index for high-quality research output.
National Facility Access
Adjacent to the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility and protein science centre used routinely in student projects.
Career Outcomes
Graduate Outcomes
Where a degree from ShanghaiTech University can take you after graduation.
Doctoral And Postdoctoral Routes
A research-heavy degree structure sends many graduates into doctoral or postdoctoral positions in China and abroad.
Biotech And Pharmaceutical Sector
Zhangjiang’s pharmaceutical and biotech cluster recruits life science and immunochemistry graduates locally.
Semiconductor And AI Employers
Integrated circuit, robotics and machine learning graduates enter Shanghai’s chip design and technology firms.
Entrepreneurship Training
The School of Entrepreneurship and Management teaches all students innovation, design thinking and venture skills.
Shanghai Graduate Job Market
Graduating in China’s largest commercial city gives direct access to multinational R&D and headquarters roles.
CAS Institute Network
Ties to Chinese Academy of Sciences institutes open research careers across national laboratories nationwide.
Student Support
International Student Support
How ShanghaiTech University helps international students settle in and succeed.
Accommodation Assistance
Help securing an on-campus dormitory room before arrival, or guidance on housing near Zhangjiang.
Residence Permit
Guided assistance converting your X1 visa into a residence permit within 30 days of arriving in Shanghai.
Orientation
Orientation covers registration, laboratory safety, campus systems, banking and settling into Pudong.
Faculty Mentorship
Every graduate student works under a named faculty mentor who guides research direction and progress.
Chinese Language Support
Mandarin courses for English-track students to build everyday language skills alongside research work.
Health Services
Campus clinic access, mandatory insurance enrolment and referral support to Pudong hospitals.
Emergency Assistance
Campus security and Office of International Affairs contacts available for urgent situations.
Visa Guidance
Support with JW202 forms, visa renewals, exit-entry procedures and conference travel documentation.
Student Community
A compact international community across exchange, summer lab and degree programs on one shared campus.
Timeline
Application Timeline
Key dates and milestones for applying to ShanghaiTech University.
- December – January
Applications Open
The ShanghaiTech international graduate application opens for the September intake.
- January – February
Contact A Faculty Mentor
Identify a school, institute and prospective supervisor whose research matches your proposal.
- Early March
Scholarship Deadline
Submit your application to be considered for CSC and Shanghai Government Scholarship awards.
- By March 31
Self-Funded Deadline
Final date for self-funded applicants to complete the application and upload documents.
- March – May
Academic Interview
Shortlisted candidates interview with the school or institute, held online for overseas applicants.
- May – June
Admission Results
Successful candidates receive Admission Notices along with scholarship and laboratory placement decisions.
- June – July
JW202 & Visa Documents Issued
ShanghaiTech sends your Admission Notice and JW202 form so you can begin your visa application.
- Mid September
Arrival & Registration
Arrive in Shanghai, move into your dormitory, register, complete the medical check—then the fall semester begins.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions international students ask most about ShanghaiTech University.
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