Welcome! And congratulations on choosing to study in Shanghai. If you wish to learn about how to apply to universities in the city, please read the following.

There are five ways to apply to a university in China:

1. Self-funded applications: Foreign students apply directly to Chinese universities or do so through relevant agencies.

2. Government exchanges: Applications made in accordance with intergovernmental exchange agreements. Applicants may apply to the relevant government departments, agencies or Chinese embassies (consulates).

3. Interschool exchanges: Handled in accordance with interschool agreements.

4. Chinese University Scholarship Programme: Apply to Chinese universities involved with this programme.

5. Institutional recommendations: Recommended by overseas schools, educational institutions or friendly groups through relevant Chinese institutions or directly to relevant universities in China.

Choose universities and programmes

Prior to the application, if you have clear ideas about the universities, locations, majors and (or) programmes to which you intend to apply, you can search online for relevant information.

The International Services Shanghai website provides basic information on universities in the city that you can apply to. You can access this by browsing the "Choices" section. Click "Apply Now" within this article to access the official website of the universities’ international students' office for detailed application procedures.

Prepare application documents

1. Fill out the application form

2. Upload the application documents

3. Submit personal application

* Materials for application to Chinese universities

Obtain results

Upon receiving your application documents, the Chinese institution will review your eligibility and decide whether to accept you. If the materials are not complete, the institution may ask you to submit additional materials.

For non-degree courses, the admission period is generally two to four weeks; for degree courses, it is generally four to eight weeks.

The specific length of time is up to the respective institutions. Some may require applicants to pay the registration fees before admission.

Preparations before departure

Preparing to study in Shanghai

Visas and residence permits for foreign students in Shanghai

Source: studyinchina.edu.cn