China’s Leading Architecture School
The College of Architecture and Urban Planning is consistently ranked the best in mainland China for design education.
Shanghai, ChinaQS #146
Tongji University
Building China’s cities — architecture, engineering and design in Shanghai since 1907
Tongji University began in 1907 as a German medical and engineering school in Shanghai and grew into one of China’s foremost technical universities, holding 985, 211 and Double First Class status. Its College of Architecture and Urban Planning is the most influential in China, and civil engineering, transportation, environmental science, automotive engineering and oceanography rank among the country’s strongest disciplines. Teaching is split between the historic Siping Road campus in Yangpu District and the large Jiading campus that houses automotive, transportation and software engineering. German-language double-degree tracks with partners such as RWTH Aachen and TU Berlin, English-taught bachelor’s, master’s and MBBS programs, and around 3,000 international students from more than 130 countries make Tongji a practical choice for students who want to work on real cities and real infrastructure.
Project 985Project 211Double First-Class
- QS World Ranking
- #146
- Location
- Shanghai, China
- Founded
- 1907
- International Students
- 3,000+
- Teaching Language
- English / Chinese
- Tuition
- CNY 33,800 - 50,000 / year
- Intake
- September
- Application Deadline
- March 31
Why Choose
Why Choose Tongji University
Key reasons international students choose Tongji University for their studies in China.
Deepest German Academic Ties
Founded by German physicians in 1907, with Chinese-German colleges and double degrees at top German technical universities.
Civil Engineering Powerhouse
State key laboratories in disaster reduction and bridge engineering behind China’s tunnels, metros and long-span bridges.
Automotive And Rail Research
Jiading campus hosts automotive, intelligent vehicle and rail transit institutes partnered with SAIC, Volkswagen and Shanghai Metro.
Urban Planning In Shanghai
Students study urbanism inside the city that planners study, with live municipal and Yangtze Delta projects.
English-Taught MBBS Track
A six-year English medical degree with clinical training in affiliated Shanghai teaching hospitals.
Rankings & Recognition
Academic Reputation
National designations and world rankings that signal academic strength and prestige.
QS World University Ranking#146
China National Ranking#18
National Designations
Project 985Project 211Double First-Class
Programs
Programs for International Students
Explore the degree programs and academic strengths available to international students at Tongji University.
Architecture (International Class)
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 5 years
Tuition: CNY 33,800 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Shanghai Government Scholarship eligible
Civil Engineering
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 35,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Shanghai Government Scholarship eligible
Clinical Medicine (MBBS)
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 6 years
Tuition: CNY 45,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Self-funded only
Urban Planning
MasterLanguage: English
Duration: 2-3 years
Tuition: CNY 40,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC full scholarship eligible
Automotive Engineering
MasterLanguage: English
Duration: 2-3 years
Tuition: CNY 40,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC full scholarship eligible
Civil Engineering
DoctorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 50,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC full scholarship eligible
Admission
Admission Requirements
What you need to apply to Tongji University as an international student.
- Academic RequirementsHigh school diploma with strong mathematics, physics and drawing or chemistry results for bachelor’s; a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree for graduate study.
- Language RequirementsEnglish-taught: IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 85, or secondary education completed in English. Chinese-taught: HSK Level 4–5 depending on the major.
- Entrance AssessmentUndergraduate applicants must take the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) and submit the score report; architecture applicants also submit a design portfolio.
- Required DocumentsPassport, transcripts, graduation certificate, study or research plan, language certificate, two recommendation letters and a non-criminal record certificate.
- Application DeadlineUndergraduate: January 10 – March 31. CSC postgraduate: October 25 – December 20. Shanghai Government Scholarship: January 10 – March 20.
- Application FeeCNY 600, non-refundable, paid through the online application system.
- Medical ExaminationA Foreigner Physical Examination Form is required, with a re-check at the Shanghai international travel health centre after arrival.
- Visa DocumentsTongji issues the JW202 form and Admission Notice so you can apply for an X1 student visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate.
Tuition & Scholarships
Costs & Funding
Transparent tuition, living costs and scholarship options for international students.
Cost Breakdown
- Annual Tuition
- CNY 33,800 - 50,000 / year
- Accommodation
- CNY 1,200 – 2,400 / monthOn-campus international dormitory, Siping Road or Jiading
- Application Fee
- CNY 600 (one-time)
- Medical Insurance
- CNY 800 / yearMandatory comprehensive insurance for international students
- Estimated Living Cost
- CNY 3,000 – 5,000 / monthMeals, metro travel & personal expenses in Shanghai
Estimated First-Year CostCNY 75,000 – 115,000
Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
Coverage: Full tuition, on-campus accommodation, monthly stipend and comprehensive medical insurance.
Eligibility: Non-Chinese applicants for master’s or doctoral programs, applying through the CSC High-Level Postgraduate Program at Tongji.
Deadline: December 20
Shanghai Municipal Government Scholarship
Coverage: Full or partial tuition, with accommodation and stipend for full awards.
Eligibility: Outstanding degree-seeking international students admitted to Tongji, including undergraduates.
Deadline: March 20
Chinese-German Exchange Scholarships
Coverage: Mobility and tuition support for study or research at partner German universities.
Eligibility: Students in Chinese-German College, CDHK or double-degree engineering and management tracks.
Deadline: Varies by program
Tongji Outstanding International Student Award
Coverage: Partial tuition award renewed annually on academic performance.
Eligibility: Enrolled self-funded degree students with excellent grades and conduct.
Deadline: Announced each academic year
Campus Life
Life on Campus
What daily student life looks like at Tongji University.
Two Distinct Campuses
Historic Siping Road for architecture, civil and design; spacious Jiading for automotive, transport and software engineering.
International Dormitories
Dedicated residence halls with single and double rooms, shared kitchens and study lounges on both campuses.
Famous Campus Canteens
Tongji canteens are known across Shanghai for cheap regional Chinese food, halal counters and Western options.
Design Studios And Workshops
Open model-making workshops, fabrication labs and exhibition halls where students build and display their projects.
Yangpu District Location
Metro Line 10 links the Siping Road campus to the Bund, People’s Square and Shanghai’s creative districts.
Sports And Rowing Culture
Stadium, gymnasium, swimming pool and a long-standing rowing and football tradition with inter-university leagues.
Gallery
Campus Gallery
A visual tour of Tongji University.
Research & Innovation
Research Strengths
Research capacity and innovation ecosystem at Tongji University.
Disaster Reduction Engineering
State Key Laboratory of Disaster Reduction in Civil Engineering, home to Asia’s major shaking-table earthquake facilities.
Bridge And Tunnel Engineering
Research behind long-span bridges, metro tunnels and underground space projects across China and the Yangtze Delta.
Intelligent And New Energy Vehicles
Automotive institutes working on fuel cells, autonomous driving and vehicle testing with Chinese and German manufacturers.
Urban Sustainability Research
Pollution control, water treatment and low-carbon city research recognised by UN Environment collaboration programs.
Marine And Polar Science
State Key Laboratory of Marine Geology and deep-sea research contributing to China’s ocean drilling programs.
Chinese-German Research Platforms
Joint institutes with German universities and companies in mechatronics, economics, law and vehicle engineering.
Career Outcomes
Graduate Outcomes
Where a degree from Tongji University can take you after graduation.
Architecture And Design Firms
Graduates join international and Chinese design institutes, planning bureaus and architecture practices in Shanghai and abroad.
Infrastructure And Construction
Strong recruitment by state construction groups, rail and metro operators and global engineering consultancies.
Automotive And Mobility Industry
Direct pipelines to SAIC, Volkswagen, NIO and suppliers clustered around the Jiading automotive district.
German Employer Recognition
The German connection opens careers with German firms in China and graduate roles in Germany itself.
Postgraduate Progression
Many graduates continue to master’s or doctoral study at Tongji or leading European and North American universities.
Alumni In Urban Practice
Alumni lead planning institutes, design firms and infrastructure companies shaping Chinese and Asian cities.
Student Support
International Student Support
How Tongji University helps international students settle in and succeed.
Accommodation Assistance
Help reserving an on-campus dormitory room at Siping Road or Jiading, or finding housing nearby in Yangpu.
Residence Permit
Guided help converting your X1 visa into a Shanghai residence permit within 30 days of arrival.
Orientation
Orientation week covers registration, campus systems, banking, safety and settling into Shanghai life.
Academic Advising
College-level advisors support course selection, studio placement, credit planning and supervisor matching.
Chinese And German Courses
Mandarin classes for English-track students, plus German language options for exchange and double-degree tracks.
Health Services
Campus clinic access, insurance enrolment and referrals to Tongji-affiliated hospitals in Shanghai.
Emergency Assistance
Round-the-clock campus security and international office contacts for urgent situations.
Visa Guidance
Support with JW202 forms, visa renewals, exit-entry procedures and travel documentation.
Student Community
International student associations, national societies and cultural festivals spanning 130+ countries.
Timeline
Application Timeline
Key dates and milestones for applying to Tongji University.
- October – December
Postgraduate Applications Open
CSC High-Level Postgraduate and self-funded graduate applications open on the Tongji online system.
- By December 20
CSC Scholarship Deadline
Final date for Chinese Government Scholarship master’s and doctoral applications through Tongji.
- January 10
Undergraduate Applications Open
The international undergraduate application portal opens for the September intake.
- January – March
Sit The CSCA Assessment
Undergraduate applicants register for and complete the China Scholastic Competency Assessment, and prepare portfolios where required.
- By March 31
Undergraduate Deadline
Submit your application, CSCA score report and supporting documents; Shanghai Government Scholarship requests close March 20.
- May – July
Admission Results
Colleges review applications and interview shortlisted candidates before Admission Notices are issued.
- July – August
Visa Documents & X1 Application
Receive your Admission Notice and JW202 form, then apply for an X1 student visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate.
- Early September
Arrival & Registration
Arrive in Shanghai, move into your dormitory, register, complete the medical re-check—then classes begin.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions international students ask most about Tongji University.
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