2025 International Foundation Year Program Admissions Guide

Introduction to International Foundation Program
The International Foundation Program is a non-academic preparatory education program for international students set up by the School of Lifelong Education of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The foundation program is tailored to the characteristics of international students. International students can improve their language, professional and cross-cultural communication skills according to their needs, laying a solid foundation for future university studies. International foundation students who pass the official assessment can be recommended to Shanghai Jiao Tong University for undergraduate studies.The International Foundation Program includes:
Project A
The admission targets are international students who have a good foundation in Chinese (HSK 4"g180 or equivalent) and need to further improve their Chinese, English, mathematics and other subjects.
Project B

The enrollment targets are international students who have a weak Chinese foundation (HSK3"g180 or equivalent Chinese level) and need to further improve their Chinese, English, mathematics and other subjects. The duration of study is 1.5 years.
Project C

The enrollment targets are international students who have a certain level of English proficiency (TOEFL score ≥ 80 points, IELTS score ≥ 5.5 points or equivalent English level) and need to further improve their English, mathematics and other subjects. This program is taught in English and the duration of study is 1 year.
The above three types of projects are all set up in three directions: science, engineering, agriculture, medicine , and humanities and social sciences according to the needs of further studies.

This project is an extension program and does not involve academic qualifications, degrees, etc. It is only an academic course for students to participate in voluntarily.
 


Eligibility

1. Graduated from high school or have equivalent academic qualifications.
2. Non-Chinese citizens holding a valid foreign passport and complying with the relevant provisions of the Ministry of Education’s “Notice on Standardizing the Work of Our Higher Education Institutions in Accepting International Students ” and other relevant regulations.
3. Physical and mental health.
4. Must be 16 years old or older and no older than 23 years old before admission.
 


Courses

Project A:


Project A ( 1- year program ) will start in September 2025 ( subject to the admission letter for details), and the course will be 1 academic year, with a total of 2 semesters; Project A ( 0.5- year program ) will start in February 2026 (subject to the admission letter for details), and will be transferred to Project A ( 1- year program), and the course will be 0.5 academic year, with a total of 1 semester.
The course schedule is:
   Note:
1. The training program may be adjusted according to the requirements of further studies and the academic ability of students.
2. The main language of instruction is Chinese.
3. Choose one or two out of six public elective courses each semester.

Project B:

Project B (1.5 years) will start admission in February 2025 (subject to the admission letter for details). The course lasts 1.5 academic years, with a total of 3 semesters.
   The first semester is mainly Chinese language courses, and from the second semester onwards it will be incorporated into Project A ( 1 -year study period) .
The course schedule is:
      
 Note:
1. The training program may be adjusted according to the requirements of further studies and the academic ability of students.
2.The main language of instruction is Chinese.


Project C:
Project C ( 1- year program ) will start in September 2025 (subject to the admission letter for details), with a course duration of 1 academic year, totaling 2 semesters; Project C ( 0.5 -year program) will start in February 2026 ( subject to the admission letter for details), and will be transferred to Project C ( 1 -year program), with a course duration of 0.5 academic year, totaling 1 semester .
The course schedule is:


Note:
1. The training program may be adjusted according to the requirements of further studies and the academic ability of students.
2. The main language of instruction is English.
3. Choose one of three elective courses each semester.

Project Highlights
While helping students improve their academic level and adaptability to university, the International Preparatory Program carefully arranges cultural experiences, field visits, subject competitions, cultural and sports entertainment and other exciting activities to help students improve their literacy and comprehensive competitiveness. The preparatory program also provides professional guidance for further studies, escorting international students to enter Chinese universities throughout the process.
 

Faculty

Relying on the teaching and research advantages of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the teachers of the International Foundation Program are carefully selected. They have broad international vision, solid professional level, rich teaching experience, high quality and strong ability.
 

Course Location
Shanghai Jiao Tong University Qibao Campus
Address: No. 2678 Qixin Road, Minhang District, Shanghai
 

Application Materials and Fees

Application Materials:
Applicants should ensure that the application materials and information they provide are true, accurate and complete. If they are found to be untrue, their application, admission or study qualifications will be cancelled.

1. High school graduation certificate or equivalent. Fresh graduates can first provide a pre-graduation certificate issued by their high school.

2. Brief introduction of the high school in Chinese or English (such as the overall situation of the school, admission requirements, admission status, curriculum system, high school grading system, further study status, etc.).
3. Passport information page (valid for more than 6 months) and personal ID photo (color, bareheaded).
4. Self-introduction letter in Chinese or English (signed by the applicant, including but not limited to personal background, hobbies and specialties, reason for application and study plan, 600-1000 words).
5. One letter of recommendation in Chinese or English (the recommender must sign and provide contact information such as email and phone number).
6. Proof of academic level:
6.1  Transcripts issued by the high school (including all high school courses). Fresh graduates must provide transcripts of all high school courses they have obtained .
6.2  SAT/ACT/A-Level/UEC/IB scores. If you do not have the above test scores, you must provide the unified high school graduation test or university entrance test scores of your country or region. If you are unable to provide the above materials when applying, you must provide an explanation of the situation.
7. Proof of language proficiency

7.1 Applicants for Program A (1-year program) must provide HSK scores (HSK Level 4 ≥ 180 points) or equivalent. Applicants for Program A (0.5-year program) must provide HSK scores (HSK Level 5 ≥ 200 points, with writing ≥ 60 points) or equivalent.
7.2 Applicants for Program B (1.5 years) must submit HSK scores (HSK3 ≥ 180 points) or equivalent, TOEFL scores (total score ≥ 70 points), IELTS scores (total score ≥ 5 points) or equivalent.
7.3 Applicants for Program C (1-year program) must provide TOEFL scores (total score ≥ 80 points), IELTS scores (total score ≥ 5.5 points), or a statement that they are a native English speaker, and a statement that they have studied in English for more than two years. Applicants for Program C (0.5-year program) must provide TOEFL scores (total score ≥ 90 points), IELTS scores (total score ≥ 6 points), or a statement that they are a native English speaker, and a statement that they have studied in English for more than two years.
8.Birth certificate of the applicant.
  9. Nationality or household registration certificate of both parents (passport or ID card).
10. Applicants whose parents are both or one of them is a Chinese citizen shall provide the following supporting documents:
10.1 Proof of the applicant’s acquisition of foreign nationality at birth, or proof of the applicant’s subsequent acquisition of foreign nationality.
10.2 If the applicant has acquired foreign nationality at birth, ① if both parents or one of them is a Chinese citizen and has permanent residence abroad, the applicant shall provide the corresponding permanent residence certificate of the parents; ② if both parents or one of them is a Chinese citizen but has not obtained permanent residence abroad, the applicant shall provide the certificate of renunciation of Chinese nationality.
10.3 If the applicant was originally a Chinese citizen and later acquired foreign nationality, he/she shall provide proof of cancellation of original Chinese household registration and proof of renunciation of Chinese nationality.
10.4 The applicant’s passport stamp pages showing entry and exit into China from April 30, 2021 (inclusive) to the time of application.
11. Applicants who are under 18 years of age as of September 1, 2025 (inclusive) should provide a letter of guarantee from their guardian in China (a notarized document recognized by our school is required).
12. Award certificate (if any) and other supporting materials
13. Other materials that need to be explained.
Note:
① If all the above application materials are not in Chinese or English, notarized Chinese or English translations must be provided.
② There is no need to mail paper application materials during the application stage.
Application Fee:

RMB 800 (application fee is non-refundable once paid) 
 
Application Process
1. Contact E-Square to get official account, follow the prompts to register an account, and enter the online application system.
2. Fill in the application form and upload the electronic version of the application materials according to the system requirements.
3. Pay the application fee: RMB 800 .

interview
Admissions are based on a document review system, and whether to arrange an interview will be determined based on the student's situation. Interview arrangements will be notified via email .
Admission
1. The International Foundation Program will select the best candidates for admission based on comprehensive evaluation. The admission results can be viewed on the Foundation Program application system at elearning.sjtu.edu.cn/register.
2. Applicants must log in to the application system and pay the full tuition fee to confirm their enrollment within 2 weeks after the admission results are announced.
3. Admission Notices for spring admission programs will be issued in late January, and Admission Notices for fall admission programs will be issued in late July.
4. No paper version of the Admission Notice will be provided. Students can log in to the application system to download the electronic version and print it out for visa application.
  

Application Deadline
Fall admission program:  August 31 ( apply for freshman scholarships before July 15 )
Spring admission program:  January 15 ( apply for freshman scholarships before January 1 )

 
Fees

Note: The above fees include tuition and undergraduate application guidance fees, but do not include textbooks, insurance, accommodation and other fees.
 

scholarship

Excellent students can apply for freshman scholarships, with a maximum of 10,000 yuan (only for 1-year or 1.5-year programs). Excellent students can receive outstanding student scholarships every semester, which are implemented in accordance with the preparatory scholarship policy.
Applicants who are interested in applying for the "Freshman Scholarship" should check the "Apply for Scholarship" option when filling out the online application form. Applicants who apply for the scholarship and pass the initial scholarship review will be required to attend an interview.



School starts
Spring semester: mid-February
Fall semester: early September
The specific time is subject to the Admission Notice.
 

Accommodation and Management
The International Foundation Program reserves dormitories for students and arranges them to live in the Qibao Campus of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The specific dormitories are allocated by the school.
Dormitory fee: 700 yuan/month (four-person room, including water and electricity)

Additional Notes
The minimum number of students for each project A, B, and C is 10. If the number of students is less than 10, the class will not be held and the relevant fees paid will be refunded .

 Training fee payment method
1. Online payment
( 1 ) Please log in to the application system to make payment : elearning.sjtu.edu.cn/register 
( 2 ) Select a payment method in the system and complete the registration fee / tuition payment.
( 3 ) After the payment is successful, the system will automatically generate a payment receipt that can be downloaded.
2. Remittance
Please remit according to the following contents ( please write clearly the student's name, student number, and remittance content ):
Using Chinese bank cards
Name:      Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Account number:      439059226890
Bank:      Bank of China  Shanghai Jiaotong University Branch
Bank Address: No. 800 , Dongchuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai , China
Bank code: BKCHCNBJ300
Bank phone number: 86-21-54747180
Postal Code: 200240
Using non-Chinese bank cards
NAME:  SHANGHAI JIAOTONG UNIVERSITY
A/C:  439059226890
BANK:  BANK OF CHINA, SHANGHAI JIAOTONG UNIVERSITY SUB-BRANCH
BANK ADD:  NO. 800 DONG CHUAN ROAD, SHANGHAI, CHINA
SWIFTCODE:  BKCHCNBJ300
TEL:  86-21-54747180
POST CODE:  200240