Study in Shanghai, China

About Shanghai

Shanghai is one of China's largest cities and a major financial and trading centre on the country's east coast. According to the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Statistics, the city had 24.8541 million permanent residents at the end of 2025.

For international students, Shanghai combines large research universities with a wide choice of private Mandarin schools, and an international, business-oriented city life. The statistics bureau counted 69 regular higher-education institutions in the 2025 school year.

Studying in Shanghai

Our directory lists 15 schools in Shanghai: five universities, several Mandarin language schools, an international school and a centre that runs sustainability programmes and internships for international students. Examples:

• Fudan University, with its main address at 220 Handan Road, publishes separate lists of English-taught and Chinese-taught undergraduate programmes for 2026, including an English-taught Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS). It also runs a Pre-University Program and an International Cultural Exchange School for Chinese language study.
• Tongji University has 41,575 full-time students, 18,920 of them undergraduates, and 4,426 international students, of whom 2,679 are on degree programmes, according to its own statistics.
• East China Normal University (ECNU) has campuses in Minhang and Putuo and runs international Chinese language education.
• Shanghai Normal University (SHNU) describes itself as a comprehensive local university with a focus on teacher training and the liberal arts. It has two campuses, Xuhui and Fengxian, and an International College of Chinese Studies.

Donghua University is also in the directory. For Mandarin, private schools in the directory include That's Mandarin, Miracle Mandarin, Mandarin Garden, Mandalingua, easyMandarin and Coffee, Tea & Mandarin. They usually offer small-group and one-to-one classes with frequent start dates, as an alternative to the semester-based language programmes of the universities.

Visa and residence

China has two student visas: X1 for study of more than 180 days and X2 for study of up to 180 days. According to Fudan University's guidance, you apply at the Chinese embassy or consulate with, among other documents, a valid passport and the university's admission notice. Students who enter China on any other type of visa cannot register at Fudan. Holders of an X1 visa must apply for a residence permit within 30 days of arrival; Fudan gives the fee as usually RMB 400-800. That's Mandarin provides the documents for an X2 student visa for its visa programme.

Cost of living for students

Budget for the arrival formalities: in Shanghai, the physical examination costs around RMB 500, or RMB 70-400 to verify a report from your home country, according to Fudan. University tuition is set per programme and published by each university. As an example for language courses, That's Mandarin's visa programme starts at RMB 104 per class, with four classes a day from Monday to Friday. No official figures for student rents were found; ask your university about its international student dormitories.

Getting around and daily life

Shanghai has an extensive metro network: at the end of 2025 it had 22 lines with 962 km and 532 stations, according to the statistics bureau. Most bus routes cost 1 to 2 yuan. From Pudong Airport, Metro Line 2 is the cheapest route into the city, at about 7 yuan and around one hour to People's Square.

Frequently asked questions

Which universities are in Shanghai?

Our directory lists Fudan University, Tongji University, East China Normal University, Shanghai Normal University and Donghua University.

Can I study in English in Shanghai?

Yes, at some universities. Fudan University, for example, publishes a list of English-taught undergraduate programmes for 2026, including an MBBS in medicine.

Which visa do I need for a Chinese course in Shanghai?

An X2 visa for study of up to 180 days or an X1 visa for longer study. Schools such as That's Mandarin provide the documents for an X2 visa.

How do I get around Shanghai?

By metro, with 22 lines and 532 stations at the end of 2025, and by bus, with most fares between 1 and 2 yuan.