Jointly founded by Shanghai Municipal People’s Government and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in 2013, ShanghaiTech University aspires to be a small-scale, high-standard, international university oriented towards research and innovation. On February 14, 2022, ShanghaiTech joined the list of China’s World-Class Universities Project as the youngest university in that list. With the backing and support of our two co-founding institutions, ShanghaiTech is committed to tackling the challenges that China and the world are facing in the fields covering artificial intelligence, biology, biomedical engineering, data science, electrical engineering, energy, environment, human health, materials, and others.
The School of Information Science and Technology (SIST) at ShanghaiTech University is committed to advancing China’s higher education reform and innovation. The School strives to build world-class research laboratories and a distinguished faculty, aiming to become a leading academic and research institution.
SIST fosters an open, free, and independent academic environment, encouraging researchers to fully realize their academic potential and achieve internationally influential research outcomes. The School is dedicated to cultivating future scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders in the field of information science and technology, making critical contributions to China’s and the world’s economic transformation and technological development.
I. Program Offered
PhD Program in Computer Science and Technology
II. Application Period
May 6, 2026 – May 22, 2026
III. Tuition Fees (RMB)
PhD Program: RMB 45,000 per academic year.
Note: The above tuition fee is for reference only. The final amount shall be subject to the official fee standard announced at the time of enrollment.
IV. Eligibility Requirements
1. Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens holding a valid foreign passport.
2. Applicants must be in good physical and mental health, with no criminal record.
3. Applicants for the PhD program must hold a master’s degree or above.
4. Language requirements:
Minimum English proficiency requirements:
TOEFL (iBT): ≥ 100; IELTS (Academic): ≥ 8
Applicants may be exempted from submitting English proficiency test scores if they meet one of the following conditions:
A. English is the applicant’s first language; B. The applicant has completed or is completing a degree program that is fully taught and assessed in English in an English-speaking country.
V. Application and Admission Procedures
Step 1: Submission of Application Materials (via Email) and pay the application fee
Applicants shall send their curriculum vitae and all required application materials (see Section VI: List of Application Materials) in a single PDF file to the admissions office of SIST at [email protected]. The email subject and the PDF file name should be formatted as: Full Name + International Student Application.
Applicants are required to pay an application fee of RMB 800. Once paid, the fee is non-refundable. Applications will be considered invalid if the fee is not paid. Payment link: pay.shanghaitech.edu.cn (some parts of the website interface are in Chinese).
Step 2: Preliminary Review
The School will conduct a preliminary review of application materials and notify shortlisted applicants for further evaluation.
Step 3: School Assessment
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to participate in a comprehensive interview assessment. The specific format, content, and schedule will be notified by the School.
Step 4: Admission Notification
Admission results will be sent to successful applicants via email in the form of an electronic admission notice.
VI. List of Application Materials
1. Valid Passport Identification Page.
2. Electronic passport-size photo.
3. Diploma of the highest degree conferred.
Proof of impending graduation for applicants in their final year of study. The document must be original or a notarized copy, and should be attached with notarized Chinese or English translation if the original one is not in Chinese or English.
4. Transcripts of the highest degree program (notarized translations required if not in Chinese or English).
5. Research plan.
6. Two letters of recommendation written and signed by professors or associate professors (in Chinese or English).
7. Language certificate and score report.
8. Proof of Non-Criminal Record.
9. Statement of Financial Capacity or Financial Support.If the applicant is sponsored by others, please fill out Statement of Financial Support for International Students, and submit relevant documents.
10. Other supporting documents (e.g., awards, published papers).
11. Applicants who have previously held a Travel Permit of the People’s Republic of China or an Exit-Entry Permit of the People’s Republic of China must submit a Certificate of Renunciation of Chinese Nationality.
VII. Enrollment Time
Enrollment is scheduled for September 2026. The exact date shall be subject to the official Admission Notice of ShanghaiTech University.
VIII. Other Important Notes
1. Applicants must ensure that all submitted information and materials are true, complete, and valid. No supplementary materials will be accepted after submission.
2. Once admitted, passport information may not be changed before enrollment registration is completed.
3. Students must complete enrollment and registration procedures in accordance with the University’s requirements. Original documents, including passport, visa, and degree certificates, will be verified upon registration.
4. Admitted students may not change their nationality status.
5. Any falsification or misconduct, once verified, will result in disqualification from application, admission, or enrollment. Registered students will be expelled.
6. The determination of whether an applicant holds Chinese nationality shall be based on the conclusion of the Chinese immigration authorities.
7. All dates and times stated in this document are based on Beijing Time.
IX. Contact Information
School of Information Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University
Contact Person: Ms. Gao
Tel: +86-21-20684866
Email: [email protected]
Office of International Affairs, ShanghaiTech University
Contact Person: Ms. Xiao
Tel: +86-21-20685146
Email: [email protected]
Graduate School, ShanghaiTech University
Contact Person: Ms. Liu
Tel: +86-21-20680971
Email: [email protected]