China, Scholarships

🎓 SJTU Scholarships 2026 — Fully Funded Master’s, PhD & Postdoctoral Programs at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China

Gradualin

April 27, 2026
No Comments

Are you dreaming of studying or researching at one of Asia’s most prestigious universities — completely free of cost? Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) is now open for applications for its 2026 intake, offering a powerful range of fully funded scholarships for international Master’s students, PhD candidates, and Postdoctoral researchers from across the world.

Whether you are a fresh graduate looking to pursue a Master’s degree, a researcher aiming for a PhD, or an established scholar seeking a Postdoctoral fellowship — SJTU has a scholarship pathway designed just for you. With a global ranking of #47 in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and over 130 years of academic legacy, this is one opportunity you simply cannot afford to miss.

Let’s break down everything you need to know.

🎓 Scholarship Overview

Shanghai Jiao Tong University, founded in 1896 in the heart of Shanghai, is one of China’s most celebrated research universities. It is home to 34 schools and departments, offers more than 100 graduate programs in both English and Chinese, and currently hosts students from over 156 countries on its vibrant campuses.

For the 2026 academic intake, SJTU is welcoming international students through multiple scholarship schemes, each designed to attract global talent at different academic levels:

Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS) — Funded by China’s Ministry of Education via the China Scholarship Council (CSC)
Shanghai Government Scholarship (SGS) — Funded by the Shanghai municipal government
SJTU Scholarship — Directly funded by the university
SJTU Fellowship — A prestigious university-level fellowship with enhanced benefits
SJTU Tuition Waiver Scholarship — Covers tuition fees only
Siyuan Postdoctoral Fellowship — For outstanding overseas doctoral graduates
School/Department Scholarships — Additional awards from individual faculties

This multi-layered funding system ensures that talented students have the best possible chance of receiving financial support — even if they miss out on one scheme, they are automatically considered for alternatives.

🎓 Benefits / Funding

The financial support at SJTU is genuinely comprehensive. Here is what each level can expect:

For Master’s Students:

Full tuition fee coverage (approximately 28,900 CNY/year)
Monthly living stipend of 3,000 RMB (under CGS)
Accommodation subsidy of 1,200–1,500 CNY/month
Annual health insurance of approximately 800 CNY
Under the SJTU Fellowship: monthly stipend of 5,000 CNY + housing subsidy of 1,500 CNY

For PhD Students:

Full tuition fee coverage
Monthly living stipend of 3,500 RMB (under CGS)
Accommodation subsidy
Health insurance coverage
Additional 1,000 CNY/month bonus after passing the doctoral qualification examination

For Postdoctoral Researchers (Siyuan Program):

Highly competitive salary and research allowance package
Access to SJTU postdoctoral talent apartments
Children’s education support
Comprehensive medical coverage
Eligibility to apply for National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) grants during the fellowship period

One of the smartest features of SJTU’s system: if you apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship (Type B) through SJTU and are not selected, your application is automatically considered for the Shanghai Government Scholarship and SJTU-level scholarships. No extra forms, no extra effort.

🎓 Eligibility Criteria

For Master’s Programs:

Must be a non-Chinese citizen holding a valid private ordinary passport
Must hold a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) recognized in China
Age limit: under 35 years old
Must be in good physical and mental health
Must have a clean criminal record
English-taught programs: IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo, or a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate from a previous university
Chinese-taught programs: HSK Level 4 or above (varies by program)

For PhD Programs:

Must hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) recognized in China
Exceptional Bachelor’s degree holders may apply directly to some doctoral programs
Age limit: under 40 years old
Same passport, health, and language requirements as above

For Postdoctoral Programs (Siyuan Fellowship):

Must hold a doctoral degree from a globally recognized top-tier institution
Generally under 35 years of age (born on or after January 1, 1990)
Must demonstrate strong research innovation potential
Must commit to full-time postdoctoral research in China
Must not have already returned to China before the application period

🎓 Who Should Apply

✅ This opportunity is ideal for you if:

You are an ambitious international student looking to study in China for free
You want to pursue graduate education at a globally ranked, research-intensive university
You are a PhD graduate interested in cutting-edge postdoctoral research in fields like engineering, AI, biomedical science, energy, or low-carbon technology
You want a living stipend, accommodation, and tuition all covered under one scholarship
You are open to studying in either English or Chinese

❌ You may not be the right fit if:

You already hold Chinese citizenship or hold a dual nationality without meeting nationality verification requirements
You are above the age limit (35 for Master’s, 40 for PhD, 35 for Postdoc)
You are unable to provide the required language proficiency certificates
You are already receiving another full scholarship from a separate source

🎓 Available Programs & Fields

SJTU offers a remarkably wide range of programs across 11 major academic disciplines, giving international students the flexibility to choose the field that best matches their goals. Available fields include:

Engineering (Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Computer Science, Biomedical)
Natural Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Life Sciences)
Medicine and Health Sciences
Business, Economics, and Management
Law and Social Sciences
Humanities and Arts
Agriculture and Environment
Interdisciplinary and emerging research areas (AI, Low-Carbon Technology, Energy)

Master’s programs typically run for 2–3 years, while PhD programs span 3–4 years. Postdoctoral fellowships are generally awarded for 2-year terms with possible extension.

For a complete list of all available degree programs, visit the official SJTU Study portal directly.

🎓 Required Documents

When preparing your application, make sure you have the following ready:

Valid passport copy (personal information page)
Completed online application form from the SJTU portal
Degree certificate(s) — scanned copies (or an expected graduation letter if not yet graduated)
Official academic transcripts (undergraduate for Master’s applicants; both undergraduate and postgraduate for PhD applicants)
Language proficiency certificate — IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo, or HSK depending on your program
Personal statement or study/research plan
Two letters of recommendation (from academic supervisors or professors)
For some departments: a supervisor acceptance letter (check your chosen department’s requirements)
Recent passport-size photograph
Physical examination report (using SJTU’s official health form)
For Postdoctoral applicants: a detailed academic CV with research achievements, publications, and awards

🎓 Application Process

Applying to SJTU Scholarships 2026 is a fully online process. Here is how to do it, step by step:

Visit the official application portal: http://apply.sjtu.edu.cn
Create an account and log in to the Study@SJTU platform
Select your desired program — choose between Master’s or PhD
When asked about scholarship preference, select “Apply for Scholarship through SJTU” (Type B) for the Chinese Government Scholarship route
Fill in all personal and academic details accurately
Upload all required documents in the specified formats
Pay the non-refundable application fee of 800 CNY (approximately USD 120)
Submit your application before the relevant deadline
Track your application through the same portal — SJTU does not issue separate scholarship decision letters; results are announced through the system

👉 Note: SJTU’s agency code is 10248 — you will need this when applying via the CSC (Chinese Government Scholarship) route.

Alternatively, you may also apply through the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in your home country. However, you must choose only one application channel — applying through both channels simultaneously is not permitted.

🎓 Important Dates

Application Stage	Deadline
1st Round CGS (via SJTU)	December 15, 2025
Final Round CGS (via SJTU)	February 15, 2026
Shanghai Government Scholarship (SGS)	March 31, 2026
SJTU Scholarship	March 31, 2026
Self-funded applications	May 31, 2026
Postdoctoral (Siyuan Program)	April 30, 2026
Postdoctoral (Low Carbon College)	May 17, 2026
Expected enrollment	September 2026

⚠️ Some early deadlines have already passed (December 2025 and February 2026). However, the SGS and SJTU Scholarship deadlines of March 31, 2026 and self-funded deadline of May 31, 2026 are still active. Act now!

🎓 Why Apply to SJTU?

There are many universities in China, so what makes SJTU stand out?

World-class ranking: #47 globally (QS 2026) and #40 in the Global Employability University Ranking 2026
21 disciplines ranked in the global top 1% — making it one of China’s most research-intensive universities
200+ international partnerships across 6 continents
Multiple scholarship layers — if one scheme doesn’t select you, you are automatically considered for others
Vibrant international community — over 4,000 international students from 156 countries
Located in Shanghai — China’s global financial and innovation hub, offering unmatched career and networking opportunities
English-taught programs available — language is not a barrier if you hold a strong IELTS or TOEFL score
Postdoctoral researchers gain access to NSFC grant funding, family support, and world-class research labs

Studying at SJTU is not just about a degree — it is about joining a legacy institution that has been shaping global leaders since 1896.

🎓 Official Source

For full and up-to-date scholarship details, program listings, and the online application portal, visit the official SJTU international admissions page:

🌐 Official Website: https://en.sjtu.edu.cn/study-sjtu/prospective/scholarships

🖥️ Online Application Portal: http://apply.sjtu.edu.cn

📧 Contact: isc-support@sjtu.edu.cn

📍 Address: 800 Dongchuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, China 200240

🎓 Scholarship Summary

Detail	Information
University	Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU)
Country	China 🇨🇳
City	Shanghai
Degree Levels	Master’s, PhD, Postdoctoral
Scholarship Types	CGS, SGS, SJTU Fellowship, Siyuan Postdoc
Funding	Fully Funded (Tuition + Stipend + Housing + Insurance)
Open To	All international students (non-Chinese citizens)
Language	English and Chinese programs available
Key Deadlines	March 31, 2026 (SGS & SJTU) / May 31, 2026 (Self-funded)
QS Ranking	#47 Globally (2026)
Application	Online via apply.sjtu.edu.cn