Fudan University in Shanghai admits international students to bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs, taught in both Chinese and English. According to the university, applications go through an online account and require an 800 RMB fee and, for bachelor's programs, a CSCA exam result. Below we explain which programs are open to you, what they cost, which HSK score and documents you need, and when to apply.
Key points • Fudan admits international students to Chinese- and English-taught programs, and the conditions differ noticeably. • Chinese-taught bachelor's programs cost 23,000–42,000 RMB per year; English-taught bachelor's programs cost 75,000–100,000 RMB per year. • Bachelor's applicants need a CSCA result; the brochure also asks for HSK 5 with at least 210 or HSK 6 with at least 180, marked as "if available." • The application fee is 800 RMB and is non-refundable. • Applications run in two rounds; the 2026 dates are below, and the university publishes the 2027 calendar later. |
What is Fudan University and who is it for
Fudan was founded in 1905 and is located in Shanghai. In its brochures for international students the university states that it ranks 30th in the world in the QS 2026 ranking. The university sets detailed requirements for documents and language, and it is worth studying them in advance.
It suits applicants who are choosing a university in Shanghai and are ready to prepare a detailed document package. If you are still comparing options, start with our overview of the top universities in China and our guide to studying in Shanghai.
The international office splits programs into Chinese-taught ones and English-taught programs. Their admission conditions differ, so we cover them separately.
English-taught programs
For English-taught bachelor's programs the university publishes a separate 2026 program list. It includes:
- International Organizations and Global Governance: 100,000 RMB per year, 4 years, CSCA in mathematics;
- Undergraduate International Program in Economics, Global Bachelor of Fintech and Undergraduate International Program in Data Science and Big Data Technology: 80,000 RMB per year each, CSCA in mathematics (and physics for the data science program);
- MBBS, clinical medicine: 75,000 RMB per year, 6 years, CSCA in mathematics, physics and chemistry.
For some programs the university asks for a strong background in mathematics and does not allow a change of major. It also notes that the prices are for reference and that exact amounts are given at registration.
English-taught master's programs include, for example, the Master Program in Global Public Policy: tuition is 100,000 RMB per year, and the English requirement is IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90. Other master's and doctoral programs taught in English are collected on the same program portal.
Chinese-taught programs
Fudan accepts students to Chinese-taught bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs. The figures below are for the 2026 intake and come from the university's Chinese-language brochures, which are the only versions published for these programs.
Bachelor's
Bachelor's programs usually take 4 years, and clinical medicine takes 5 years. The bachelor's brochure gives a tuition range of 23,000–42,000 RMB per academic year. According to the tuition list, humanities majors cost 23,000 RMB, science and engineering majors cost 26,000 RMB, and medical majors cost 42,000 RMB per year. Prices are for reference; the exact amounts are announced at admission.
Master's and doctorate
The brochure for master's and doctoral students lists master's tuition of 26,000 RMB per year for humanities, 30,000 RMB for sciences and 48,000 RMB for medicine. For doctoral programs the figures are 30,000, 37,000 and 54,000 RMB. These are the prices of academic programs; for professional programs, ask the department.
Level | Humanities | Science and engineering | Medicine |
Bachelor's, RMB per year | 23,000 | 26,000 | 42,000 |
Master's, RMB per year | 26,000 | 30,000 | 48,000 |
Doctorate, RMB per year | 30,000 | 37,000 | 54,000 |
Source: Fudan bachelor's tuition list, Fudan master's and doctoral brochure
Language requirements and CSCA
For Chinese-taught bachelor's programs the university asks you to attach an HSK 5 certificate with at least 210 points or HSK 6 with at least 180; in the document list it is marked "if available." Requirements are higher for master's and doctoral programs taught in Chinese. Humanities and social sciences need HSK 5 with at least 240 or HSK 6 with at least 180; science, engineering and medicine need HSK 5 with at least 210 or HSK 6 with at least 180. If your previous degree was taught in Chinese, you may skip the certificate. For English-taught programs, check the requirement on the program page, for example IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90 for the master's in Global Public Policy.
Bachelor's applicants need the CSCA exam: the university requires the original score report and refers applicants to the official exam website. In 2026 it accepted December 2025 results for the first application round and December 2025 and January 2026 results for the second. We explain how the exam works in our CSCA guide.
Who can apply
You can apply with a foreign passport and a high school diploma or higher. The university sets separate conditions for applicants of Chinese origin. If one of your parents is a Chinese citizen and you were born abroad with foreign nationality, you must show that the parent obtained permanent residence abroad before your birth and that you lived abroad for at least two years during the specified period. The same rules apply to those who were formerly Chinese citizens. See the bachelor's brochure for the full list of requirements and documents.
Documents you need
Applications are submitted only online through the application system, with color scans uploaded. For Chinese-taught bachelor's programs the university lists this package:
1. A passport information page; the passport must be valid until March 1, 2027 or later.
2. A high school diploma or a certificate of impending graduation; documents not in Chinese or English need a notarized translation.
3. A complete high school transcript.
4. The original CSCA score report.
5. An HSK certificate (if available).
6. A guardian's guarantee, if you will not be 18 by September 1, 2026.
7. A non-criminal record certificate.
8. Proof of financial capacity: your own, or a guarantee from another person.
9. Other documents: awards, publications.
If another person acts as guarantor, they fill in the university's form and provide a bank statement of at least 100,000 RMB or the equivalent. The personal statement is written in Chinese (up to 1,500 characters) or in English (up to 5,000 characters), depending on the program. After you submit, the university does not accept additional materials, so check your package in advance.
Master's and doctoral applicants add two references from a professor or associate professor and the diploma of the previous level. English-taught master's programs list a similar package, including a CV, a personal statement and proof of English proficiency.
When to apply
Fudan runs two application rounds, and the dates depend on the level. Below are the 2026 intake dates; the university publishes the 2027 calendar later, so use these as a guide for now.
Level | First round | Second round |
Chinese-taught bachelor's | January 1–15, 2026 | February 23 – March 6, 2026 |
Chinese-taught master's and doctorate | October 13 – December 12, 2025 | March 1–31, 2026 |
Source: Fudan bachelor's brochure, Fudan master's and doctoral brochure
For master's and doctoral students the first round matters for those counting on a scholarship: applications for the Chinese Government Scholarship and the Shanghai Government Scholarship are accepted then. For the English-taught Master in Global Public Policy the university lists similar rounds: the first round for scholarship applicants and the second only for self-funded applicants, with a decision usually 1–2 months after submission.
How admission works
For Chinese-taught bachelor's programs the process is as follows. First you take CSCA, then you submit the application in the system and pay the 800 RMB fee, which is non-refundable. After reviewing the applications the university invites eligible applicants to an interview that assesses overall ability and Chinese proficiency. In 2026 the preliminary results for the first and second rounds were available in the system from February 15 and April 10. After pre-admission you have two weeks to pay the first year of tuition. The official admission notice became available for download from June 1, 2026, and studies began in late August or early September.
Scholarships
In the bachelor's brochure the university names four sources of support: the Chinese Government Scholarship under bilateral programs, the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship, the Shanghai Government Scholarship and Fudan's own scholarship. The last two are awarded by the university based on academic results, while for the first two you should consult the China Scholarship Council website (csc.edu.cn), the Chinese embassy and the Center for Language Education and Cooperation. For master's and doctoral students the university adds the Chinese Government Scholarship program for high-level graduate students and the Silk Road program; applications for them are submitted in the first round. For a broader overview, see our guide to scholarships in China.
Plan your living budget separately: see the details in our article on the cost of studying and living in China.
Frequently asked questions
Does Fudan accept international students without Chinese?
Yes. The university has English-taught programs, including bachelor's and master's. They cost more than Chinese-taught programs: from 75,000 RMB per year at the bachelor's level.
How much is the Fudan application fee?
The fee is 800 RMB, paid online and non-refundable. An application without the fee payment is invalid.
Do I need CSCA for a master's?
CSCA is not listed among the requirements in the master's and doctoral brochure. It is required for bachelor's applicants, and the subjects depend on the program.
Which HSK level do I need for a Chinese-taught master's?
Humanities and social sciences need HSK 5 with at least 240 or HSK 6 with at least 180; science, engineering and medicine need HSK 5 with at least 210 or HSK 6 with at least 180.
Can I get a scholarship?
Yes. The university names the Chinese Government Scholarship, the Shanghai Government Scholarship and its own Fudan scholarship. Conditions and deadlines are published on the admission pages, and awards are competitive.
Is there an interview?
For Chinese-taught bachelor's programs the university holds an interview after reviewing applications. For master's and doctoral programs, departments run their own assessment, and the format is clarified with the department.
When does the academic year start?
For the 2026 intake, studies began in late August or early September. The university gives the exact date in the admission notice.
Action plan
1. Choose the level and language of study: Chinese or English.
2. Check the tuition, language requirements and document list on the university page.
3. For a bachelor's, register for CSCA and take the required subjects.
4. Collect documents and notarized translations, and find a guarantor or prepare proof of finances.
5. Submit the application in the online system in the right round and pay the 800 RMB fee.
6. If you count on a scholarship, apply for it on time.
We can help you apply to China GE Agency will help you choose a university and program that fits your scores and budget, check your documents and submit your application without mistakes. Book a consultation. |
Information verified on October 19, 2026. Requirements, costs and deadlines depend on the university and may change — always check the official university website before applying.
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