Universities and admissions in Shanghai

Universities in Shanghai for Russian speakers — in brief

Top: Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong (SJTU), Tongji, East China Normal (ECNU).

Cost:

• paid: 23,000–45,000/year (~$3,500–6,500)
• on a CSC / Shanghai Government scholarship: FREE + stipend + accommodation

What is needed:

• diploma/degree, study plan, 2 letters of recommendation
• HSK 4–5 (Chinese) or IELTS/TOEFL (English-language programmes)
• apply directly to the university + for the scholarship

Residence permit: X1 visa → residence permit within 30 days of arrival.

Shanghai Government Scholarship — a separate, generous city-level programme.

Data as of 2026. Source: CSC, Shanghai Education Commission.

Shanghai: studying for free on a scholarship — how

Two paths to ’free’:

CSC (Chinese Government Scholarship) — tuition + stipend of 2,500–3,500/month + accommodation.

Shanghai Government Scholarship — a city-level programme at Fudan/SJTU/Tongji.

Step by step:

1. Choose a university and a program (often taught in English)

2. Apply via csc.edu.cn + directly to the university (November–April)

3. Documents: transcript, 2 references, study plan, medical certificate

Language: HSK 4–5 for Chinese-language programs, IELTS 6.5 for English-language ones.

Data as of 2026. Source: CSC, Shanghai Education Commission.

Shanghai: documents, diploma, student residence permit

Documents:

• school certificate/diploma + notarised translation
• transcript
• HSK or IELTS/TOEFL
• medical exam form (Physical Examination), photo, passport

Visa → residence permit:

• admission letter + JW201/JW202 form from the university
• X1 visa at the Chinese consulate
• within 30 days of arrival — residence permit for study

Fee-paying: 23,000–45,000/year; on a scholarship — free.

Degree recognition — through the university; verification is required for employment.

Data as of 2026. Source: Chinese Embassy, CSC.