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Shanghai International Studies University CSC Scholarship 2026 — Full Guide

211Double First Class

Complete guide to applying for the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) at Shanghai International Studies University in Shanghai, Shanghai.

Quick Overview

Scholarship Type A (Chinese Government Scholarship)
Degree Levels Bachelor's, Master's, PhD, General Scholar, Senior Scholar
Deadline January – April 2026 (varies by channel)
Monthly Stipend ¥2,500 (Bachelor's) · ¥3,000 (Master's) · ¥3,500 (PhD)
Language English or Chinese (program-dependent)
Agency Number 10271

CSC Scholarship Benefits at Shanghai International Studies University

The Chinese Government Scholarship at Shanghai International Studies University is fully funded and covers:

  • Full tuition waiver — all academic fees covered
  • On-campus accommodation — university dormitory provided free of charge
  • Monthly stipend — ¥2,500 (Bachelor's), ¥3,000 (Master's), ¥3,500 (PhD)
  • Comprehensive medical insurance — provided by the Chinese government
  • Settlement allowance — one-time payment upon arrival

International travel costs are not included and must be arranged and paid by the student.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the CSC scholarship at Shanghai International Studies University, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a citizen of a country other than the People's Republic of China
  • Be in good health and meet the physical examination requirements
  • Bachelor's applicants: high school diploma, under 25 years old
  • Master's applicants: bachelor's degree, under 35 years old
  • PhD applicants: master's degree, under 40 years old
  • Meet the language requirements of the chosen program (English proficiency or HSK for Chinese-taught programs)
  • Not be receiving any other Chinese government scholarship at the time of application

Available Programs & Subjects

Shanghai International Studies University offers a wide range of programs for international students across multiple faculties. For the most up-to-date list of programs accepting CSC scholarship students, visit the university's international admissions page or search for Shanghai International Studies University on the CSC Study in China portal.

How to Apply — Step by Step

There are two main channels to apply for the CSC scholarship at Shanghai International Studies University:

Channel 1: Apply Directly to Shanghai International Studies University (University Route)

  1. Contact a professor — email potential supervisors at Shanghai International Studies University with your CV and research interests. Securing an acceptance letter greatly improves your chances.
  2. Create your CSC account — register at campuschina.org and begin the online application. Use agency number 10271.
  3. Complete the CSC application form — fill in your personal details, education history, study plan, and preferred program.
  4. Upload and prepare documents — gather all required documents (see checklist below) and upload them to the CSC portal.
  5. Submit to Shanghai International Studies University — also apply through Shanghai International Studies University's own international admission portal if required.
  6. Wait for results — results are typically announced between June and August.

Channel 2: Apply Through Your Country's Embassy (Bilateral Route)

  1. Check your embassy's deadline — contact the Chinese embassy or your country's education ministry for the bilateral program deadline and requirements.
  2. Complete the CSC online application — same process as above at campuschina.org.
  3. Submit to your embassy — deliver printed application materials to the designated authority in your country.
  4. Embassy nominates candidates — your embassy shortlists and forwards applications to CSC.

Required Documents

Prepare the following documents for your CSC application to Shanghai International Studies University:

  • CSC Application Form (printed from campuschina.org)
  • Highest degree diploma (notarized copy)
  • Academic transcripts (notarized copy)
  • Study plan or research proposal (minimum 800 words)
  • Two recommendation letters from professors or associate professors
  • Valid passport copy
  • Foreigner Physical Examination Form (completed within 6 months)
  • Language proficiency certificate — English: IELTS/TOEFL (or university attestation); Chinese: HSK certificate
  • Acceptance letter or pre-admission letter from Shanghai International Studies University (if available)
  • Published papers or academic achievements (if applicable, especially for PhD)
  • No Criminal Record certificate

All documents not in Chinese or English must be notarized translations.

Application Deadline

Application Channel Typical Deadline
University Direct (Shanghai International Studies University) February – April 2026
Embassy / Bilateral Program December 2025 – March 2026 (varies by country)
CSC Online System Closes Usually end of April 2026

Always verify exact deadlines on the Shanghai International Studies University website and your country's embassy.

Tips for a Strong Application

  1. Shanghai International Studies University is a 211 Project university with strong programs. Tailor your study plan to their specific departmental strengths.
  2. Getting a professor's acceptance letter is highly recommended and significantly boosts your chances.
  3. Highlight any publications, research experience, or academic awards — 211 universities value strong academic profiles.
  4. Submit your application as early as possible. Late applications often face stricter review.
  5. Have all documents professionally translated and notarized well before the deadline.

About Shanghai International Studies University

Introduction

Public university in Shanghai, China

Shanghai International Studies University (SHISU) is a public university in Shanghai, China. It is affiliated with the Ministry of Education, and co-funded by the Ministry of Education and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government. The university is part of Project 211 and the Double First-Class Construction.

The university was established in December 1949.

History

After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee East China Bureau (中共中央华东局) and the government of the Shanghai Municipality decided to establish an institute for higher education in Russian studies to cultivate qualified diplomats and translators for international affairs. With the support of Mayor Chen Yi, the Shanghai Russian School (上海俄文学校) was officially established in December 1949. Jiang Chunfang, one of the most famous Russian translators in China and the first chief editor of the Encyclopedia of China, was appointed the school's first president.

In 1950, the department of English was established and the college was incorporated as the foreign language school affiliated to the East China People's Revolution University (华东人民革命大学). The department of oriental language and literature was founded in April, 1951 and languages as Burmese, Vietnamese, Indonesian had respectively been introduced to teaching.

Later in 1952, a nationwide restructuring of institutes of higher education began in China, and the department of oriental language and literature was incorporated into Peking University. The college was renamed as Shanghai Russian College that specialise in teaching Russian language. The university was used to be widely known as Shanghai Foreign Language Institute (上海外国语学院) since its expansion in 1956 and became a national key university approved by the State Council in 1963 with the department of Russian, English (re-established), French, German, Japanese, Arabic and Spanish.

In 1964, Vicki Garvin became the first African American college instructor to teach in China when she began work at SFLI.

Approved by the Ministry of Education in 1994, it was officially renamed as Shanghai International Studies University (上海外国语大学). In the same year, it was listed as one of the first colleges and universities jointly supervised by the national Ministry of Education and the Municipality of Shanghai. In 1996, SISU passed the evaluation process of former Project 211 directed by the Ministry of Education, and then, SISU was included in the Double First Class University Plan designed by the Chinese central government.

Academics

Schools and Departments

School Program
School of English Studies English
Translation and Interpreting
School of Asian and African Studies Arabic
Korean
Persian
Vietnamese
Indonesian
Thai
Hebrew
Turkish
Hindi
Kiswahili
School of European and Latin American Studies Spanish
Portuguese
Italian
Greek
Dutch
School of Japanese Studies Japanese
School of Russian and Eurasian Studies Russian
Central and Eastern European languages (Ukrainian, Hungarian, Polish, Czech)
Central Asian languages (Uzbek, Kazakh)
School of French and Francophone Studies French
School of Germanic Studies German
Swedish
School of Law Law
School of Economics and Finance International Economics and Trade
Finance
Accounting
School of Business and Management Business Administration
Public Relations
Information Management and Information System
MBA Center
School of Journalism and Communication Journalism
Broadcast Journalism
Advertising
Educational Technology
Online Journalism and New Media
School of Education Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages
English Education
Business English
School of Chinese Studies and Exchange Chinese
Graduate Institute of Interpretation and Translation (GIIT) Translation and Interpretation
Translation Studies

Rankings

Shanghai International studies university was ranked #651-700 globally in 2016 by the QS world university rankings, the 76th in the QS BRICS 2016 and the 142nd in the QS Asian University Rankings. As of 2025, its linguistics was ranked 95th in the QS ranking by subject. Shanghai International Studies University was ranked the best in East China and second nationwide among universities specialized in language teaching and research in the widely recognized Best Chinese Universities Ranking.

Graduate Education

There are 33 Master's Programs:(30 research programs) Adult Education, Ancient Chinese Literature, Arabic Language and Literature, Asian-African Languages and Literatures, Chinese and Foreign Political Institution, Chinese Linguistics and Philology, Communication, Comparative Literature and World Literature, Corporate Management, Curriculum and Teaching Methodology, Diplomacy, Education in Ideology and Politics, Educational Technology, English Language and Literature, European Languages and Literatures, Finance, French Language and Literature, Foreign Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, German Language and Literature, International Politics, International Relations, International Trade, Japanese Language and Literature, Journalism, Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, Modern and Contemporary Chinese Literature, Russian Language and Literature, Spanish Language and Literature, Technology Economy and Management, Translation Studies; (3 taught programs) Translation and Interpreting (MTI), Business Administration (MBA), Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (MTCSOL).

There are 12 Doctoral Programs: English Language and Literature, Russian Language and Literature, French Language and Literature, German Language and Literature, Japanese Language and Literature, Arabic Language and Literature, Asian and African Languages and Literatures, Translation Studies, International Relations, Foreign Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, International Politics, Diplomacy.

The Graduate Institute of Interpretation and Translation (GIIT) of SISU is awarded the highest ranking by AIIC, the International Association of Conference Interpreters, as the only Asian university among the 15 top professional conference interpreting schools in the world.

Global Presence

The University has entered into partnerships with 286 universities and institutions in 55 countries and regions.

Campus

SISU has two campuses, one in Hongkou District and one in Songjiang District.

Hongkou Campus

The Hongkou campus is located in the center of Shanghai, covering 16.9 hectares.

Songjiang Campus

The Songjiang campus is in Shanghai's Songjiang New District, covering an area of 53.3 hectares.

Notable people

Notable alumni

  • Wei Zhe - Former CEO of Alibaba
  • Wang Yeping - Former First Lady of China (wife of Jiang Zemin)
  • Zhang Jianmin - Consul General of the People's Republic of China in San Francisco
  • Zhou Shuchun - Editor-in-chief of China Daily
  • Li Jinjun - Chinese Ambassador to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, former Vice Minister of International Liaison Department of the Chinese Communist Party
  • Li Linsi - Former diplomatic consultant to Chiang Kai-shek
  • Zhang Hanhui - Ambassador of China to Russia and formerly Kazakhstan
  • Joan Chen - Chinese American actress, film director, screenwriter, and film producer

Disclaimer: The university information above is sourced from Wikipedia and may not reflect the most current data. We recommend verifying details on the official Shanghai International Studies University website.

External Links

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CSC scholarship deadline for Shanghai International Studies University?
For the university channel (direct application to Shanghai International Studies University), the deadline is typically between January and April 2026 — check the university's international admissions page for the exact date. For the embassy/bilateral channel, contact your country's Chinese embassy or education ministry, as deadlines vary by country (usually December–April).
Does Shanghai International Studies University require an acceptance letter for CSC?
An acceptance letter is strongly recommended for Shanghai International Studies University. Contact potential supervisors early — having faculty support significantly strengthens your application.
What is the monthly stipend at Shanghai International Studies University?
CSC stipends are standard across all universities: Bachelor's students receive ¥2,500/month, Master's students ¥3,000/month, and PhD students ¥3,500/month. The stipend covers living expenses in Shanghai.
Can I study in English at Shanghai International Studies University?
Yes, Shanghai International Studies University offers English-taught programs at the Master's and PhD levels. Some Bachelor's programs may also be available in English. Check the university's international student portal for the full list of English-medium programs.
What is the agency number for Shanghai International Studies University?
The CSC agency number for Shanghai International Studies University is 10271. You will need this number when filling out the CSC online application form.

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Rankings sourced from Shanghai Ranking — BCUR 2025. University descriptions sourced from Wikipedia where available.