Shanghai, Shanghai · Founded 1907 · Project 985 · Project 211 · Double First Class
Tongji University 同济大学
Tongji University is China's pre-eminent university for architecture, urban planning, civil engineering, design and environmental engineering, with a strong German academic tradition dating back to its founding as a German medical school.
Overview
Tongji University is China's pre-eminent university for architecture, urban planning, civil engineering, design and environmental engineering, with a strong German academic tradition dating back to its founding as a German medical school.
It hosts the largest German-language academic programme in China, the Sino-German Institute, and around 3,400 international students, many from Germany, France and Italy.
History
Tongji was founded in 1907 as the German Medical School in Shanghai, funded by German doctors. It became Tongji University in 1923 and was reorganised in 1952 as a specialist institution for civil engineering and architecture.
In 2000 Tongji merged with Shanghai Railway University and the Shanghai Institute of Urban Construction, restoring its breadth. It joined Project 985 in 2002 and Double First Class in 2017.
Tongji is the Chinese anchor of academic cooperation with Germany, running joint programmes with TU Munich, TU Berlin and Stuttgart, and it hosts the Chinese-German Institute for the Promotion of Science.
World rankings, 2017–2026
| Edition | QS | ARWU | THE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 315 | 201–300 | 601–800 |
| 2018 | 303 | 201–300 | 601–800 |
| 2019 | 291 | 151–200 | 501–600 |
| 2020 | 265 | 151–200 | 501–600 |
| 2021 | 256 | 151–200 | 401–500 |
| 2022 | 211 | 151–200 | 351–400 |
| 2023 | 212 | 151–200 | 301–350 |
| 2024 | 216 | 151–200 | 251–300 |
| 2025 | 192 | 151–200 | 201–250 |
| 2026 | 184 | 151–200 | 151–200 |
Compilations such as this one can lag a publisher's revisions; verify the current figure at source.
Campuses
| Campus | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Siping Road Campus (Main) | 1239 Siping Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai | Historic campus; architecture, urban planning, civil engineering and international student services. |
| Jiading Campus | 4800 Cao'an Highway, Jiading District, Shanghai | Automotive engineering, mechanical engineering, software engineering and the Sino-German programme, next to the Shanghai International Automobile City. |
| Hutian Campus | Shanghai | Graduate colleges and design innovation. |
| Zhangjiang Campus | Pudong New Area, Shanghai | Emerging technology and biomedical research. |
Faculty and research
Tongji University employs around 4,800 academic staff, including about 27 members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering. 27 national academy members. The College of Architecture and Urban Planning and the College of Civil Engineering are both ranked first nationally and supervise international students in English.
Discipline strength
| Discipline | National grade | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering | A+ | Ranked first or second in China; bridges, tunnels and earthquake engineering. |
| Architecture / Built Environment | A | Among the global top 15 in QS by subject. |
| Urban & Rural Planning | A+ | Advises national urbanisation policy; hosts the Shanghai Institute of Urban Planning. |
| Design (Art & Design) | A | College of Design and Innovation, a leader in service and social design. |
| Environmental Science & Engineering | A+ | Water pollution control and solid waste management. |
| Automotive Engineering | A | Tongji has a full-scale automotive wind tunnel and vehicle test track. |
| Mechanical Engineering | A | Rail transit and manufacturing engineering. |
| Traffic & Transportation Engineering | A+ | Rail and urban transport planning. |
Grades follow China's national discipline evaluation scheme (A+ is the highest). Consult the university for the most recent evaluation results.
Programmes open to international students
| Programme | Level | Language | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Bachelor | English | 5 years |
| Civil Engineering | Bachelor / Master | English | 4 / 2–3 years |
| Design and Innovation | Master | English | 2 years |
| Automotive Engineering (Sino-German) | Master | English / German | 2 years |
| Environmental Engineering | Master / PhD | English | 2–4 years |
| Chinese Language Programme | Language | Chinese | 0.5–2 years |
Admissions, tuition and deadlines
Requirements
Bachelor: high school diploma, portfolio or entrance examination for architecture and design, IELTS 6.0–6.5 or HSK 5. Graduate: degree, transcripts, two references, portfolio where relevant, study plan.
Deadlines and fees
Deadlines: Bachelor: December – April. Graduate: December – March.. Application fee: CNY 600. Tuition: CNY 26,000–32,000 per year for bachelor's; CNY 35,000–55,000 for master's.
Scholarships
Chinese Government Scholarship, Shanghai Government Scholarship, Confucius Institute Scholarship, Tongji University President Scholarship.
Notable alumni
| Alumnus | Field | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Li Guohao | Bridge engineer | One of China's greatest civil engineers; designed the Nanpu Bridge. |
| Wu Liangyong | Architect and urban planner | Pioneer of human-centred urban planning in China. |
| Feng Jicai | Writer and cultural advocate | Influential novelist and cultural heritage campaigner. |
| Ning Gao | Design leader | Alumnus and internationally recognised industrial designer. |
Why students choose this university
- Best in China for architecture, planning and design
- Strong European academic network and double-degree options
- Shanghai location with world-leading construction and design firms