Students planning to study abroad in 2026 have a massive opportunity on the table. 31 top universities in Shanghai have officially opened admissions under the Shanghai Municipal Government Scholarship 2026, offering fully funded and partial scholarships to international students across undergraduate, master’s, and PhD programs.
This scholarship program, funded by the Shanghai Municipal Government, is one of China’s most prestigious city-level funding schemes designed to attract global talent into Shanghai’s fast-growing innovation and research ecosystem. For students aiming to study in a modern global city with strong job prospects and world-ranked universities, the 2026 Shanghai scholarship intake is worth serious attention.
Applications are now open across multiple universities and disciplines — and the competition is expected to be high.
Types of Shanghai Government Scholarships Available
The Shanghai Municipal Government Scholarship 2026 is offered in two main categories. Students are automatically considered based on their academic performance and program selection.
| Scholarship Category | Funding Type | What It Covers | Eligible Study Levels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category A | Fully Funded | Full tuition fee coverage, free university accommodation, monthly living allowance, comprehensive medical insurance | Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD, and preparatory programs |
| Category B | Partial Scholarship | Full tuition fee coverage and comprehensive medical insurance | Undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD programs |
Who Can Apply for Shanghai Scholarships 2026?
International students from all countries can apply if they meet academic and eligibility requirements set by Shanghai universities and the scholarship program.
Basic eligibility criteria
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- Must be a non-Chinese citizen
- Must be in good health
- Strong academic performance required
- Must meet admission requirements of chosen university
- Cannot hold another Chinese government scholarship at the same time
Age and degree requirements
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- Undergraduate applicants: High school graduate, under 25 years
- Master’s applicants: Bachelor’s degree holder, under 35 years
- PhD applicants: Master’s degree holder with research ability, under 40 years
- Preparatory program: Under 23 with pre-admission letter
Language requirements
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- Usually HSK Level 4 for Chinese-taught programs
- Must meet language requirements of chosen university or English-taught program.
Each university may have additional admission criteria depending on the course.
List of 31 Shanghai Universities Accepting Scholarship Applications
Students can apply to any of the participating Shanghai universities offering programs under this scholarship. These include top-ranked and specialized institutions across multiple disciplines.
Some of the major universities include:
- Fudan University
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University
- Tongji University
- East China Normal University
- Shanghai University of Finance and Economics
- Donghua University
- Shanghai International Studies University
- Shanghai University
- Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Shanghai Maritime University
- University of Shanghai for Science and Technology
- Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences
- Shanghai Theatre Academy
- Shanghai Conservatory of Music
In total, 31 universities are participating in the 2026 scholarship intake, offering programs in engineering, AI, medicine, business, law, arts, language, and more.
Apply: https://www.study-shanghai.cn/
This wide choice allows students to select programs aligned with global career opportunities.
Application Timeline for 2026 Intake
Applications for the Shanghai Government Scholarship 2026 are generally open between February 2026 and April 2026. Exact deadlines vary by university and program, so applicants should check their chosen university’s admission page and apply as early as possible.