How to Apply

Step 1: Find a supervisor

1. Search the Supervisor Directory to identify potential advisors.
2. Contact prospective supervisors by email. Provide: 1) English CV; 2) Personal statement and research/study plan
3. If a faculty member agrees to supervise you, request a Supervisor’s Conditional Acceptance Letter (to upload with your application). Download the template here.

Step 2: Complete the Online Application

Complete and submit an online application at Study@SJTU (http://isc.sjtu.edu.cn/) by the application deadline.

1. English CV
2. Personal Statement and Study Plan
3. Degree certificates, in scanned files. Applicants who have not graduated by the time of application are required to provide an official letter from their current university stating the expected graduation date.
4. Transcripts, in scanned files. Master’s program applicants are required to submit undergraduate transcripts. Doctoral program applicants are required to submit both undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
5. Recommendation letters from at least two university instructors with titles of or above associate-professor in a related academic field. Please follow the instructions on the online system for submission of online recommendation letters or upload the recommendation letters with original signatures.
6. A copy of passport and a passport-sized photo
7. Proof of Language proficiency. (Please see Language Requirement for SJTU International Graduate Programs) *Please pay attention to the validity requirements.
8. Any materials that will facilitate your application are encouraged, awards you won, papers or journal articles you published (PDF format), etc.
9. Supervisor's Conditional Acceptance Letter. (Template: Supervisor's Conditional Acceptance Letter-template李所导师意向函模板.docx. No need for Chinese translation)

Note: If your documents are not in English or Chinese, please have them translated into either English or Chinese by an authorized translation agency. Afterward, upload both the translated documents and the originals to the application system.

Step 3: Pay the Application Fee

The application fee is CNY 800 or USD 120, non-refundable and non-transferable. Payment must be made using CNY or USD. You can choose online payment or bank transfer in the online application system.

Step 4: Go through TDLI Screening Review

After SJTU’s initial review, eligible applications proceed to TDLI screening, which includes a panel interview (usually online).

Interviews are recorded and documented. The panel evaluates academic fit, research potential and English communication; scholarship eligibility is also assessed at this stage.

Step 5: TDLI Decision / Pre-offer

TDLI will notify candidates of the screening outcome within one month of the interview. Successful candidates in the pilot or regular route receive a TDLI Pre-offer detailing any scholarship award and conditions.

Important: A TDLI Pre-offer is conditional. Final admission requires completion of SJTU’s formal application and University approval.

Step 6: Final Admission by SJTU

SJTU performs the final review and issues the Official Admission Letter and visa/registration package once approved.

Step 7: Arrival & Registration

Expected registration/start: September 2026 (Fall intake). Follow the instructions in the official admission package for visa, and orientation.

Important Dates (Beijing Time)