East China Normal University is a major public university in Shanghai that combines strong academic traditions with a growing international presence. Founded in 1951, it is supported by China’s national “Project 211” and “Project 985” initiatives. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programmes—including English-taught degrees—and hosts around 6,000 international students from over 130 countries. Students benefit from its well-established strengths in education, teacher training, science and liberal arts, coupled with a commitment to high-quality research, campus life and global exchange. With campuses in vibrant Shanghai districts, ECNU provides an environment where students can engage in rigorous study while experiencing cultural diversity. The university has gained international recognition, appearing in global ranking tables and earning a reputation for its academic programmes and research output. For international applicants seeking a globally recognized Chinese university with a diverse student body and solid academic offerings, ECNU is a compelling choice.
| Intakes | September |
|---|---|
| All Campuses | Shanghai |
| Website | https://english.ecnu.edu.cn |
| Monthly Living Cost | 4,000 – 6,000 RMB |
| Funds Requirements for Visa | 20,000 RMB |
| Application Fees | 800 RMB |
| Currency | |
| Is Lang Mendatory | Yes |
| Part Time Work Details | <p>International students may take on authorised on-campus employment or permitted off-campus internships (subject to China’s visa/residence rules). Hours and eligibility vary; check with ECNU’s International Students Office.</p> |
Times Higher Education World University Rankings: # 251–300 worldwide (2026)
QS World University Rankings: ≈ #433 globally (2026)
UK University League Table: (Specific “UK League Table” not applicable; data not listed)
The Guardian University Rankings: (Not listed in The Guardian table)
For programmes taught in English at ECNU, applicants from non-English native countries should provide one of the following:
IELTS score at least 6.0
TOEFL score at least 85
Cambridge English certificate at level B2 or above
For Chinese-taught programmes, applicants must hold an effective HSK certificate (level depends on programme)
ECNU offers several scholarships for international students, including:
Chinese Government Scholarship (full/partial)
Shanghai Municipal Government Scholarship
International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship
ECNU Excellent Freshmen Scholarship (for incoming undergraduate international students)
Application process: Applicants must apply via the ECNU international admissions portal and select the relevant scholarship category by deadline; some scholarships require separate submission (e.g., Chinese Government Scholarship Type A).
Eligibility: Good academic record, meeting language and programme requirements, and in many cases being first-time enrollee as international student.
Undergraduate tuition fees for international students: ~22,000 RMB/year for liberal arts; ~24,000 RMB/year for science/business programmes.
Master’s: ~25,000–35,000 RMB/year or more for English-taught programmes.
Doctoral: ~30,000–35,000 RMB/year depending on programme.
Funding options: International students may apply for the scholarships listed above; additionally, there may be other internal grants or assistantships depending on department.
Choose your programme on the ECNU website.
Complete and submit the online application form via ECNU’s portal (lxsapply.ecnu.edu.cn).
Submit required documents: passport, highest degree certificate, transcripts, language certificate, recommendation letters if required.
Pay application fee (800 RMB).
If accepted, ECNU issues Admission Notice and JW 202/DQ form for visa application.
For scholarship applicants: follow additional submission steps and deadlines as published (eg. Chinese Government Scholarship open until March 31).
Yes — ECNU supports fully online application for international and exchange students through its portal.
ECNU’s International Students Office provides assistance for visa and residence permit procedures: after admission the university supports international students with the JW 202/DQ form required for the X-visa, guides registration and residence permit application, and offers orientation, accommodation advice and welfare services.
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East China Normal University (ECNU) was founded in October 1951 in Shanghai. It emerged from the merger of several teacher training institutes and university departments to create a dedicated institution for educator education. In 1959 it became one of China’s first 16 National Key Universities. Over the decades it expanded into a broad research university, joining major national initiatives such as “Project 211” and “Project 985”. Today ECNU is recognised for its strong teaching-education heritage, wide range of academic fields, and international collaborations.
Students select ECNU because it offers a range of well-designed academic programmes, strong research and teaching resources, and dedicated support for international learners. The university hosts multiple faculties covering liberal arts, science, business and education, giving access to diverse options. The campus environment in Shanghai offers access to a major global city, while the university’s international student services help with adaptation, accommodation and language support.
Major academic units at ECNU include:
School of Education (teacher training programs)
Faculty of Economics and Management (business & economics)
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
School of Science and Engineering
School of Foreign Languages
College of Marxism (study of ideological & political education)
International College of Chinese Studies
These units reflect a mix of traditional teacher-training roots and broader academic disciplines.
Key financial support at ECNU includes:
Chinese Government Scholarship for international students (tuition waiver + stipend + accommodation)
Shanghai Government Scholarship for outstanding international students
“Excellent Freshmen Scholarship” for incoming international undergraduate students (cash award)
Application processes normally require good academic standing, health certificate, and non-Chinese citizenship.
On-campus accommodation is available at both ECNU’s main campuses.Dormitories for international students on the Zhongshan Road campus list nightly rates such as RMB 80-145 for double or single rooms. On the Minhang campus, graduate student dorms are located at South Hongmei Road.
Nearby housing outside campus is available via community residences. For example the Shanghai International Students Service Center (SISSC) offers off-campus rooms with AC, internet, kitchen and laundry. ECNU assists with reservation. These options offer more independence but may require commuting compared to living on campus.
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