Why Tongji matters
Tongji University (同济大学, Tóngjì Dàxué) is a Project 985 and Project 211 university and one of China's oldest institutions of higher learning. Founded in 1907 by German physicians as the German Medical School for Chinese (Deutsche Medizinschule für Chinesen), Tongji has maintained its international character throughout its history. The name Tongji (同济) reflects this origin — it is a contraction of the phrase '同舟共济' (sailing together on the same boat), chosen to represent the Sino-German cooperation that birthed the institution.
Tongji's most distinguished strength is architecture and urban planning. Its College of Architecture and Urban Planning (CAUP) is universally regarded as China's best and among the top globally. The college has shaped the design of cities across China — its faculty and alumni have been responsible for some of the country's most significant architectural projects, including the design of the Shanghai World Expo site. For students of architecture, urban planning, or landscape design, Tongji is the gold standard in China.
Beyond architecture, Tongji has strong programs in civil engineering (ranked #1 in China), automotive engineering (it operates a major joint research center with Volkswagen and SAIC Motor), environmental science, and computer science. The university's medical school, though less internationally known than its engineering programs, is one of the oldest in China and has been gaining strength through partnerships with German medical institutions.
Programs for international students
Tongji offers English-taught master's programs in Architecture and Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Environmental Science, Business Administration (through the Tongji-UTD MBA, a joint program with the University of Texas at Dallas), and several engineering disciplines. The architecture and urban planning programs are the flagship — they attract students from around the world who want to study China's unprecedented urbanization firsthand.
The Tongji-UTD MBA is a distinctive offering. Students complete coursework at both Tongji's Shanghai campus and UT Dallas, earning a dual degree. This program is well-suited for professionals who want to build careers bridging Chinese and American business environments. Tuition is higher than standard Chinese MBA programs but significantly lower than equivalent dual-degree programs offered by Western institutions.
At the undergraduate level, English-taught programs include Architecture (a four-year program) and Clinical Medicine (MBBS). The architecture program is competitive and requires a portfolio submission in addition to academic credentials. Chinese-taught programs require HSK 5 for undergraduate admission and HSK 5 (score 210+) for graduate programs. English-taught programs require IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90+.
Campus and Shanghai life
Tongji's Siping Road campus is in Shanghai's Yangpu district, a location that is both central and academic — the university is surrounded by a dense network of creative firms, architecture studios, and technology startups. The campus itself is notable for its blend of historic German-influenced buildings and modern architecture, including several buildings designed by the university's own faculty. The campus library has an outstanding architecture and design collection.
The Jiading campus, about 40 kilometers from the main campus, houses the automotive engineering school and several science departments. It is a modern, purpose-built campus with state-of-the-art laboratory facilities including wind tunnels, driving simulators, and automotive testing grounds developed in partnership with Volkswagen.
International student dormitories on the Siping campus cost 800-1,500 RMB per month. The central Shanghai location means easy access to the French Concession, the Bund, and the city's extensive dining and entertainment options. Budget 3,000-5,000 RMB per month for food, transportation, and personal expenses. The CSC scholarship is available, and Tongji's allocation reflects its 985 status.
Admissions and costs
Tuition for Chinese-taught undergraduate programs is approximately 22,000-26,000 RMB per year. English-taught undergraduate programs (architecture, MBBS) cost 38,000-55,000 RMB per year. Chinese-taught master's programs cost 28,000-35,000 RMB per year. English-taught master's programs cost 45,000-65,000 RMB per year. The Tongji-UTD MBA costs approximately 200,000 RMB for the dual degree.
Admission to the architecture programs requires a portfolio review in addition to academic credentials. The university values applicants with backgrounds in design, engineering, or environmental science depending on the program. For engineering programs, strong quantitative skills are essential.
Tongji's combination of architecture excellence, automotive industry connections, and Shanghai location creates opportunities that few other Chinese universities can match. For students whose interests align with its strengths — particularly architecture, urban planning, or automotive engineering — Tongji should be a top consideration.