MBBS in Shanghai for Pakistani Students: Fees and Options 2026

MBBS in Shanghai means three MOE-listed options in our directory: Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) and Tongji University. All three sit at the top of the fee scale for China. Per our directory, the yearly cost from year 2 is about USD 7,970 at Tongji, USD 11,750 at Fudan and USD 12,200 at SJTU. For comparison, the median MOE-listed university in our directory is about USD 6,014. If your family can carry that gap without debt, Shanghai is a strong choice. If not, a cheaper MOE-listed city gives you the same six-year degree structure.

This guide compares the three universities on fees, entry rules, recognition flags, hospitals and city cost, and then gives an honest view on whether Shanghai is worth the money. All fees are quoted per our directory. Confirm the current fee with the university before you pay anything.

Which universities offer MBBS in Shanghai?

Our directory lists exactly three Shanghai universities with an English-taught MBBS. Fees below are the recurring annual total from year 2 (tuition, hostel, visa extension and insurance). Year 1 is higher because of one-time charges.

The directory flag for SJTU needs a careful reading. It does not say SJTU is rejected. It says our directory has no PMDC flag for it, and the university page itself tells you to verify with PMDC before applying. Do exactly that, and read the PMDC section below.

How much is MBBS in Shanghai?

Shanghai is the most expensive MBBS city in our China directory. Here is the fee structure for each university, taken from the fee tables on our university pages.

Three points about this table matter for a family budget.

• The application fee is separate. Our directory lists RMB 1,500 for Fudan and SJTU, and Tongji's own page for the 2024 intake listed RMB 600. Fees change by intake, so ask each university.
• Hostel figures at Tongji and SJTU are estimates in our directory. SJTU charges by the day depending on room type. Ask the university which room you will actually get.
• Food and personal spending are not in these totals.

For a bigger picture of what a China degree costs in rupees and where the extra charges hide, read our MBBS in China total cost guide.

How far above the national average are these fees?

In our directory, the cheapest MOE-listed universities that are also flagged as PMDC-approved start at USD 3,700 a year (Beihua University and Dali University). The median MOE-listed university is about USD 6,014. Fudan at USD 11,750 is roughly twice the median. Over six years, using the year-2 figure only, that is about USD 34,000 more than a median-priced MOE-listed university. SJTU is slightly higher again. Tongji sits closer to the middle of the pack, about USD 22,700 less over six years than Fudan on the same basis.

Is Tongji cheaper than Fudan for MBBS?

Yes. Tongji charges RMB 45,000 tuition against RMB 75,000 at Fudan. After hostel, insurance and visa extension, Tongji comes to RMB 57,400 a year from year 2 and Fudan to RMB 84,700. That is a gap of RMB 27,300 every year. Across six years the gap in our directory totals is about RMB 163,800.

The lower fee does not mean an easier course. Our Tongji page states that students who fail 25 or more credits in the first year, or who miss other first-year requirements, can be removed from the programme. Treat the first year as a real filter, not a formality.

Entry requirements compared

Shanghai universities ask more of applicants than most universities in our directory. Expect English test scores, the CSCA and an interview. The details below come from our university pages. Two of them differ from the official pages I checked, which is why you must confirm on the university site.

Check the age rule in particular. Tongji's own medical school page for the 2024 intake stated an age range of 18 to 25, while our directory shows 18 to 35. Do not assume the wider limit applies to you without a written answer from the university. Also note that the SJTU school of medicine posts its own notice, and its 2026 window closed on 30 April 2026, earlier than the June date in our directory.

Read the official pages as well as ours. The Tongji School of Medicine application page and the SJTU School of Medicine international office publish the current rules. For the test itself, see our CSCA guide, and for the general rules our MBBS in China eligibility guide.

MDCAT is not part of this list. Since PM&DC public notice No. Exam-59/2026/350 (5 October 2026), MDCAT is not required for Pakistani students seeking admission to foreign medical institutions. Details are in our explainer on the PM&DC notice. Other conditions that were discussed earlier in 2026, such as an FSc percentage and registration steps, have not been confirmed after that notice. Check pmdc.pk before you apply.

Do you need Chinese?

The programmes are taught in English. Our directory lists HSK level 4 before graduation as the general MOE standard for all three, with the exact rule to be confirmed by each university. Tongji does not require it for admission but gives priority to applicants with an HSK 4 certificate, per our directory. Read our HSK guide and the note on Chinese language for MBBS.

Is Shanghai Jiao Tong accepted by PMDC?

I cannot confirm that from the directory, and nobody should promise it to you. In our directory SJTU is MOE-listed but does not carry a PMDC flag, while Fudan and Tongji are listed as PMDC-approved. Our own SJTU page tells readers to verify with PMDC before applying.

Here is how to check, and you should do it for all three universities.

1. Open pmdc.pk and look for the current list of recognised foreign institutions and any notices about it.
2. Search each school in the World Directory of Medical Schools and open its listing.
3. Get the answer in writing from PM&DC if the website is unclear, and keep the reply.

Our guide to verifying PMDC-recognised universities in China goes through this step by step. Remember that MDCAT no longer applies to foreign admission, but a degree from a PM&DC-recognised institution is still needed, and the registration exam (NRE) is still required to practise in Pakistan. The Shanghai name does not replace either.

What does the higher fee buy you?

Shanghai universities are not expensive by accident. Here is what the extra money connects to, based on our university pages.

• Hospital networks. Our pages list 12 affiliated hospitals for SJTU, including Ruijin Hospital, and 11 each for Fudan and Tongji. Fudan's network includes Zhongshan Hospital and Huashan Hospital. Tongji's main teaching base is Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital.
• Case variety. Shanghai is a very large city and patients travel there for treatment, so students see a wide range of conditions during clinical years.
• University standing. All three are described in our directory as 985 and Double First-Class universities. Fudan and SJTU are also listed as members of the C9 League.
• Exchange and internship options. Fudan lists an overseas internship option in year 6. Tongji lists overseas exchange rotations of one to three months for about 30 percent of students. Both are per our directory, so ask the university what is available in your intake.
• Global ranking and later options. If you might sit exams or apply for training outside Pakistan, a well-known university name can help. Check that the school has an ECFMG Sponsor Note on its WDOMS listing if the US matters to you.

Global ranking figures change with each edition and differ between sources. In the QS 2026 edition, the sources I checked put Fudan in the 30s, SJTU in the mid-40s and Tongji outside the top 200, but I could not confirm exact numbers on one official table. Look at the current QS rankings yourself before quoting a number.

What the fee does not buy is an easier route to a licence in Pakistan. A Pakistani graduate still has to clear the registration exam, and a famous name does not change the paper. Our post on PMDC registration after a foreign MBBS explains what comes after graduation.

What is the cost of living in Shanghai for students?

Shanghai is the most expensive city among our China universities. Our university pages put monthly food at roughly RMB 1,500 to 2,000 for Fudan and RMB 1,500 to 2,500 for Tongji and SJTU. Hostel cost is already in the fee tables above, so rent should not be an extra if you secure a university room.

Rooms can be limited. Fudan says in our directory that hostel rooms are limited and should be reserved online right after the admission invitation. Ask all three universities whether a room is guaranteed for your whole course. If you have to rent privately, your monthly spending will rise sharply, and that is the biggest budget risk in Shanghai.

Add to food: local transport, phone data, books, winter clothing, flights home and any medical costs not covered by insurance. I do not give a single monthly figure because published estimates vary widely between sources, and a made-up number will mislead you. Ask a current student at your university what they spend.

On food and faith, our pages say halal food is widely available in Shanghai, and Fudan states halal options are available on campus. Confirm the canteen arrangements at your campus before you travel. Our guide to hostel and halal food in China covers the day-to-day side.

Can you get scholarships at Fudan or Tongji for MBBS?

Possibly, but do not build your plan around one. These are competitive awards, and conditions change by year.

• Tongji: the school page for the 2024 intake describes a one-time entrance scholarship equal to 10 percent of first-year tuition (about RMB 4,500), with conditions on offer date, deposit date and registration. It also lists merit awards during study, such as the President Scholarship and the Dean's Scholarship. It said its first application round also covered applicants for the Shanghai Municipal Government Scholarship.
• Fudan: our directory lists a university scholarship, the Shanghai Government Scholarship, CSC and Belt and Road awards, and marks every amount as something to verify with the university.
• SJTU: our directory lists first-class and second-class university awards, and the Shanghai Government Scholarship. Verify amounts and who is eligible with the school.

Scholarship information for MBBS is not consistent across sources. In particular, I found conflicting statements about whether the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) funds MBBS places, so check the current rules on campuschina.org. Titans Abroad does not charge a consultation fee, and if any agent asks you to pay for a government scholarship application, treat that as a warning. Our China scholarships guide explains the main routes.

Is Shanghai too expensive for MBBS?

It depends on what you are comparing it with and how you are paying. Use these checks.

1. Add up the full six-year cost for a realistic plan, including year 1, living costs and flights. Fudan or SJTU can pass RMB 500,000 in fees alone, per our directory.
2. Ask how much of that your family can pay without selling property or borrowing at high interest. A degree that leaves a family in debt is a poor trade, even from a famous university.
3. Check if you meet the entry rules. A missed IELTS target or CSCA score can cost you a whole year.
4. Compare with a MOE-listed university outside Shanghai. Several in our directory are flagged as PMDC-approved at USD 3,700 to 5,100 a year, and they teach the same six-year MBBS structure. See our complete list of MOE-listed universities.

My view, as an advisor:

• Tongji is the only one of the three that sits within reach of a family planning a self-funded degree with some savings, and it is the one to look at first. Prepare for its strict first year.
• Fudan and SJTU make sense when the family can pay in full comfortably, the student has strong grades and a good English score, and the student wants a particular name or hospital for the long run.
• For most Pakistani families, the cheaper MOE-listed cities will produce a similar licence route at a much lower cost. If you want help working through this, ask for a free shortlist. Our team does not charge for guidance.

Our post on whether MBBS in China is worth it and the country comparison help you decide whether China, and Shanghai within it, is right for you. The wider list of options is on our MBBS in China page.

Frequently asked questions

Which universities offer MBBS in Shanghai?

Our directory lists three: Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Tongji University. All three are MOE-listed in our directory and teach a six-year MBBS in English. Fudan and Tongji are listed as PMDC-approved in our directory, while SJTU has no PMDC flag there. Confirm recognition on pmdc.pk and search.wdoms.org before applying.

How much is MBBS in Shanghai?

Per our directory, the yearly cost from year 2 is about RMB 57,400 (USD 7,970) at Tongji, RMB 84,700 (USD 11,750) at Fudan and RMB 87,550 (USD 12,200) at SJTU. Year 1 is higher because of one-time charges. Six-year totals run from about RMB 359,800 to RMB 540,700. Confirm the current fee with the university.

Is Shanghai too expensive for MBBS?

Shanghai is the priciest MBBS city in our directory, and Fudan and SJTU are about twice the median MOE-listed fee. It is too expensive if the family would need heavy borrowing. Tongji is more manageable. Cheaper MOE-listed cities outside Shanghai lead to the same type of degree at a much lower cost.

Is Tongji cheaper than Fudan for MBBS?

Yes. Per our directory, Tongji costs about RMB 57,400 a year from year 2 against RMB 84,700 at Fudan, a gap of RMB 27,300 each year. Tongji also applies a strict first-year rule, where failing 25 or more credits can end your place. Cheaper does not mean easier.

Is Shanghai Jiao Tong accepted by PMDC?

I cannot confirm it. SJTU is MOE-listed in our directory but has no PMDC flag there, and its page says to verify with PMDC before applying. Check pmdc.pk, look up the school on search.wdoms.org, and ask PM&DC for a written answer if the websites are unclear. Do not pay a deposit until you have checked.

What is the cost of living in Shanghai for students?

Our university pages put monthly food at about RMB 1,500 to 2,500, and call Shanghai the highest-cost city in our China listings. The hostel is already in the fee tables. Transport, phone, books, clothing and flights are extra. If you cannot get a university room, rent will push costs up sharply. Ask current students for real figures.

Can I get scholarships at Fudan or Tongji for MBBS?

Possibly. Tongji's school page for the 2024 intake described a one-time entrance award of 10 percent of first-year tuition, plus merit awards during study. Fudan and SJTU list university and Shanghai Government awards in our directory, with amounts to be verified. These are competitive and change every year, so do not plan your budget around one.

Is MDCAT required for MBBS in Shanghai?

No. Since PM&DC public notice No. Exam-59/2026/350 (5 October 2026), MDCAT is not required for Pakistani students seeking admission to foreign medical institutions. You still need to graduate from a PM&DC-recognised institution and pass the registration exam to practise in Pakistan. Check pmdc.pk for any other conditions.

Before you choose a Shanghai university

If you are set on MBBS in Shanghai, shortlist Tongji first, then Fudan or SJTU if the budget is comfortable. Check the entry rules on each university site, verify PMDC recognition on pmdc.pk and search.wdoms.org, and keep a written copy of every fee quote. When you are ready to compare options with a person, you can apply on Titans Abroad. We do not charge a consultation fee, and we will tell you if a Shanghai university is the wrong fit.