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Fudan University

Shanghai, China · Fudan University is one of the leading universities in China and Asia, founded in 1905. It is part of the C9 League, an elite association of nine leading Chinese universities, which is often compared to the American Ivy League. For foreign applicants, Fudan in Shanghai is a combination of a high academic level, an international student environment and direct access to one of the largest financial and business centers in Asia. About 4,000 foreign students from more than 100 countries study at Fudan at the same time — the university is one of the most international in China.

  • Undergraduate: 23,000 to 40,000 RMB per hour (about 3,200-5,500 USD)
  • Master's degree: about 28,000 to 50,000 RMB per hour (about 3,900-7,000 USD)
  • Doctoral studies: about 30,000 to 55,000 RMB per hour (about 4,100-7,600 USD)
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No. 26 in the worldQS World University Rankings 2026
No. 36 in the worldTimes Higher Education 2026
No. 41ARWU 2025

About the university

Fudan University was founded in 1905 in Shanghai as one of the first independent higher educational institutions in China that was not under the control of missionaries or the government. The name “Fudan” comes from the ancient Chinese text “Shang Shu” and means “every day is renewed” – a principle that reflects the academic culture of the university to this day.

Today, Fudan is a large research university with more than 30,000 students, 35 schools and faculties, 70 bachelor’s programs and about 250 master’s programs. The university manages 17 affiliated hospitals and 5 key state laboratories; the library fund includes more than 5.5 million volumes. Fudan received the status of “Class A Double First Class University” — one of eight universities in the country with this highest classification.

Shanghai is the financial and business capital of China and one of the most international cities in Asia. For a student planning a career in finance, technology, international business or medicine, this means direct access to internships, networking and a professional environment while still studying.

Degree of study
bachelor's degree, master's degree, doctoral degree, and professional programs
Scholarships
Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC), Shanghai Government Scholarship, university grants
Areas of study
economics, finance, medicine, computer science, humanitarian and natural sciences, law, politics
Type
public research university; member of C9 League (Chinese Ivy League)
Size of the student campus
more than 30,000 students; about 4,000 foreign students from 100+ countries
% of international students
about 15% of the number of undergraduate students
Student town
4 campuses in Shanghai: Handan (main), Fenglin, Jiangwan, Zhangjiang

The cost of studying at Fudan University

The cost of training is indicated in yuan (RMB) and varies depending on the program and level of training. Indicative data for the 2024–2025 academic year:

Undergraduate
  • RMB 23,000 to 40,000 per hour (about USD 3,200-5,500) — medical and technical programs tend to be more expensive
Master’s degree
  • About 28,000 to 50,000 RMB per hour (about 3,900-7,000 USD)
Doctoral studies
  • About 30,000 to 55,000 RMB per hour (about 4,100-7,600 USD)

Application processing fee: about 800 RMB for most programs

The full annual budget of a foreign student (excluding stipend) is approximately 50,000–90,000 RMB per hour (about 7,000–12,500 USD), depending on the program and lifestyle. This is significantly lower than the cost of education in most Western universities of a comparable level.

Dormitory
From 800 to 2500 yuan per month, depending on the type of room
Medical insurance
About 800 RMB per year (mandatory for all students)
Transport, personal expenses, food
From 3,000 RMB per month when eating in university canteens

Diversity of educational programs

Bachelor’s degree
  • STEM and Exact Sciences
  • Business and Management
  • Natural sciences and Biomedicine
  • Journalism and Media
  • Engineering
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Computer Science and IT
  • Medicine
  • International Relations and Diplomacy
  • Law and Legal Research
  • Psychology
  • Advertising and marketing
  • Social Sciences and Public Policy
  • Ecology and Geosciences
  • Economics, finance and management
  • Pharmaceuticals
Master’s degree
  • STEM and Exact Sciences
  • Business and Management
  • Natural sciences and Biomedicine
  • Journalism and Media
  • Engineering
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Computer Science and IT
  • Medicine
  • International Relations and Diplomacy
  • Law and Legal Research
  • Psychology
  • Advertising and marketing
  • Social Sciences and Public Policy
  • Ecology and Geosciences
  • Economics, finance and management
  • Pharmaceuticals
Doctoral studies
  • STEM and Exact Sciences
  • Business and Management
  • Natural sciences and Biomedicine
  • Journalism and Media
  • Engineering
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Computer Science and IT
  • Medicine
  • International Relations and Diplomacy
  • Law and Legal Research
  • Psychology
  • Social Sciences and Public Policy
  • Ecology and Geosciences
  • Economics, finance and management
  • Pharmaceuticals

Faculties

Fudan University unites 35 schools and faculties in 11 broad areas. The most popular among foreign students:

Economy, finance and business

Fudan University School of Economics is one of the strongest in China and Asia. It offers undergraduate, graduate, and PhD programs in economics, international economics and trade, and finance. Additionally, Fudan University School of Management offers MBA and specialized master’s programs, including the Fudan IMBA (International MBA), one of the few fully English-language business programs in China with international accreditation from AACSB. QS Global MBA 2026: #82 in the world.

Data Science и FinTech

The School of Computer Science is one of the university’s most actively developing areas. It offers programs in AI, data analysis, cybersecurity, and financial technologies. Some of the master’s programs are available in English, particularly in Data Science and AI.

Medicine

In 2000, Fudan merged with Shanghai Medical University. The School of Medicine is one of the strongest in China: 17 affiliated hospitals, programs in clinical medicine, dentistry, pharmacology, and public health. ARWU 2025: Pharmacy is #4 in the world, and Nanotechnology is #9 in the world.

Political science and international relations

School of International Relations and Public Affairs (SIRPA) is one of the leading political science departments in Asia. QS Subject Rankings 2025: Fudan’s political science is ranked #20 in the world, one of the highest subject rankings among Chinese universities.

Humanities and natural sciences

The program in literature, history, philosophy, physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics covers a wide range of subjects through the Arts and Sciences College.

Right

Fudan Law School is one of the leading law schools in China, offering programs in Chinese with the opportunity to exchange with international partners.

Arrangement

Campus

Fudan University работает на четырёх кампусах в разных частях Шанхая:

Ханьдань (главный)

В районе Янпу, здесь сосредоточена большая часть гуманитарных и социальных факультетов, студенческая жизнь.

Фэнлинь

Медицинский кампус в районе Сюйхуэй.

Цзянвань

В районе Янпу, ближе к Хуанпу; естественнонаучные факультеты.

Чжанцзян

В районе Пудун, фокус на технологиях и компьютерных науках.

Студенты-бакалавры проживают в 5 жилых колледжах (Zhide, Tengfei, Keqing, Renzhong, Xide) — каждый с собственным деканом и самоуправлением; студенты остаются в одном колледже на все четыре года. Для аспирантов и докторантов доступно отдельное жильё на кампусе. Общежития разного класса — от бюджетных многоместных комнат до отдельных блоков для иностранных студентов.

На кампусе работают университетские столовые (одни из самых доступных в Шанхае), спортивные комплексы, библиотеки, медицинские пункты. Более 300 студенческих клубов, включая около 20 организаций, ориентированных на иностранных студентов. Около 40% студентов бакалавриата участвуют в программах международного обмена.

Шанхай предлагает то, чего нет у большинства университетских городов: развитую транспортную сеть (метро с 20 линиями), богатейшую культурную жизнь, международную гастрономическую сцену и прямой доступ к региональным и глобальным работодателям.

Admission process

The admission process for international students at Fudan University consists of several consecutive steps:

Selecting a faculty.

Decide on the level (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD), field, and language of study. Make sure that the program is open to international students by checking the specific set on the website iso.fudan.edu.cn.

Academic documents.

A certificate or diploma with a transcript and an official translation into Chinese or English. Fudan does not publish a single minimum GPA, but a high average score and specialized training significantly increase your chances.

Language requirements.

For English-language programs: IELTS 6.0–6.5 or TOEFL 80–90 iBT (depending on the program). For Chinese-language programs: HSK 4 or HSK 5. Always check the specific threshold for the chosen program, as requirements may vary.

Additional materials.

For master’s and PhD programs: CV, letters of recommendation (usually two), study plan, or personal statement. For PhD programs, a research proposal and a preliminary contact with a potential supervisor are also required.

Submitting an application.

Through the official portal of Fudan University’s International Office – iso.fudan.edu.cn. Processing fee: approximately 800 RMB.

Deadlines.

Approximately: for the autumn semester, applications are accepted from February to May; for the spring semester, applications are accepted from October to November. Deadlines for CSC scholarships are much earlier (March-December, depending on the route). It is recommended to start preparing documents 4-6 months before the deadline.

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Admission Features

Educational process

Fudan University does not officially publish a single acceptance rate for international students. The competition varies significantly depending on the program: it is traditionally higher for medical, technical, and economic programs than for a number of humanities programs. According to available data, the acceptance rate for certain programs (such as Software Engineering or Pharmacy) can be around 17%.

What strengthens the application:

  • High academic performance with specialized subjects
  • A clear and well-reasoned study plan — why Fudan, why this program, and what are your professional goals
  • Research experience — required for PhD programs
  • Preliminary contact with a potential supervisor (for PhD)
  • Participation in Olympiads, research projects, and academic competitions

Important for international students: the primary language of instruction at Fudan is Chinese. It is crucial to understand this before submitting the application. If you plan to study in Chinese, confirmation of the HSK level (usually 4-5) is mandatory. English-language programs focus primarily on the Master’s and PhD levels; the choice of bachelor’s degrees is limited.

Scholarships and grants

Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) is the main government funding program for international students in China. It is implemented through the China Scholarship Council. For scholarship recipients, it covers:

  • Full tuition fee (tuition waiver)
  • Living in a university dormitory (or housing subsidy)
  • Comprehensive medical insurance
  • Monthly stipend: RMB 2,500 (undergraduate), RMB 3,000 (master), RMB 3,500 (doctoral)

Applying for CSC is possible through the Chinese embassy in the country of origin or directly through the university (Chinese University Program). The deadlines are significantly ahead of the university deadline — as a rule, December-April, depending on the route and recruitment. Not all countries have CSC quotas – check with the embassy.

Shanghai Government Scholarship (SGS) is a program of the Shanghai government for international students in Shanghai universities. Coverage varies depending on the category: from partial payment of tuition to a more complete package. Current conditions are specified at the time of admission.

Fudan University Grants are our own scholarship programs for outstanding foreign students. Fudan IMBA provides scholarships based on GMAT results.

Prospects after graduation

Shanghai is one of the main career hubs of Asia. The headquarters of the world’s largest companies (Goldman Sachs Asia, HSBC, McKinsey, BCG, ByteDance, Alibaba, Huawei) are located in the city or region, which creates unique opportunities for internships and employment even while studying.

The diploma of Fudan University is one of the most recognized in China and Asia. For a foreign student, it opens up career prospects primarily in the following areas:

  • Finance and Investments (Pudun Financial Center is within easy reach of the campus)
  • Technologies and FinTech (Zhangjiang High-Tech Park 30 minutes from the main campus)
  • International business and consulting
  • Diplomacy, international organizations and public policy
  • Medicine and biomedical research

Fudan cooperates with almost 200 foreign universities, which opens up opportunities for double degrees, joint research and career networking outside of China.

Scientific achievements

The annual amount of research funding at Fudan University is one of the highest among universities in China. The university has 5 key state laboratories and 29 provincial and ministerial level laboratories.

According to the subject ratings of ARWU 2025, Fudan is among the world’s top 10 in pharmaceuticals (#4) and nanotechnology (#9). According to QS Subject Rankings 2025: political science — #20 in the world, business and management — #67, engineering — #88. According to the Nature Index, Fudan is consistently among the top research universities in Asia in terms of the volume of publications in leading scientific journals.

The Fudan Faculty of Medicine operates a network of 17 affiliated hospitals—one of the largest among all universities in China—which provides a large-scale base for clinical research.

Interesting facts

Story

Fudan University is one of the first independent universities in China, founded outside the control of missionaries and the government (1905).

Rating

It is a member of the C9 League, an elite association of Chinese universities that is similar to the American Ivy League. Other members include Peking University, Tsinghua University, Zhejiang University, Nanjing University, Fudan University, Shanghai Transport University, Xi’an University of Electronic Technology, Harbin Polytechnic University, and USTC.

Status

It has been awarded the “Class A Double First Class University” status, the highest national classification for Chinese universities in the government’s world-class development program.

International exchange

About 40% of Fudan’s undergraduate students participate in international exchange programs, one of the highest rates among Chinese universities.

Courses

Fudan IMBA is one of the first and most well-known English-language MBA courses in China, which has been offered since 1997 and is internationally accredited by AACSB.

Clubs

There are more than 300 student clubs on campus, including about 20 international organizations.

How SelfStartGlobal Helps You Get into Fudan University

Admission to Fudan University is a multi-step process in which it is easy to waste time on the wrong program, missed deadline for a scholarship or incorrectly filled out document. We at SelfStartGlobal help to build it systematically:

  • Profile assessment and selection of programs for academic results, language competencies and career goals
  • Admission strategy taking into account deadlines for scholarships (CSC, SGS) and specific programs
  • Selection and preparation of documents for a scholarship – we do not guarantee the result, but we help to submit a competitive application
  • Preparation of a study plan, personal statement, CV, letters of recommendation, and research proposal
  • Control of deadlines and support at all stages, from application to receiving an offer and obtaining a visa

Our students have already received scholarships worth more than $35 million.

If you want to apply to Fudan University, come for a free consultation.

We will tell you how it works in your specific case.

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