Field of Study: Click here for list of Doctoral Degree Programs.
Application Guide
Program Duration: 3 years.
Tuition: RMB 29000.00 per year.
Application fee: RMB400.00
All applicants are required to pay a non-refundable and non-transferable application fee of RMB 400 (approximately USD 60.00).
Application deadline:
·Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS): December 1st, 2025-February 1st, 2026
·Shanghai Government Scholarship (SGS): December 1st, 2025-April 30th, 2026
·Self-financed Applicants: December 1st, 2025-May 30th, 2026
Note: The academic term begins each year in September (the exact date will be specified in the Admission Letter).
Eligibility
·Master’s degree or above , in good health.
·Former Chinese citizens who have emigrated and are applying as international students must hold a valid foreign passport or nationality certificate for at least four years. In addition, they must provide proof of having lived abroad for a minimum of two years.
Application Documents
Note: Only electronic application materials need to be uploaded to the application system at the time of application. If admitted, you must bring the original paper versions of all application materials for verification when you register on campus. Failure to provide the originals, or any inconsistency between the originals and the submitted electronic materials, will result in disqualification from enrollment.
1. Application Form
Please apply via http://gjy.shmtu.edu.cn/login.
For CGS application, please also apply via https://studyinchina.csc.edu.cn.
2. Self-introduction Video
This video should not exceed 5 minutes, and contents should cover your personality, hobbies, high school performance and awards. If you apply for a Chinese-taught program, the video should be made in Chinese. If you apply for an English-taught program, the video should be made in English.
3. Degree Certificate or Official Proof of Expected Graduation
The diploma/Proof must be in Chinese or English, with the official school stamp or by the embassy’ notarization. (Applicants must submit both bachelor’s and master’s degree certificates).
4. Transcripts
Transcripts must be in Chinese or English, with the official school stamp or by the embassy’s notarization. (Applicants must submit both bachelor’s and master’s degree transcripts).
5. Two Recommendation Letters from Professors
Written by Associate Professors/ Professors in Chinese or English.(Contact information for referees is required)
6. Language Credentials
·For Chinese-taught program: HSK 5 certificate.
Exemption of Chinese Proficiency Certificate:
(1) Native Chinese speakers;
(2) Applicants whose previous high school program was taught in Chinese.
·For English-taught program: IELTS 6.0/ TOFEL 80/ Cambridge English B2 (or above) certificate dated within the recent two years.
Exemption of English Proficiency Certificate:
(1) Native English speakers;
(2) Applicants whose high school program was taught in English;
(3) Applicants who can provide other equivalent English proficiency certificates. The certificates must be reviewed and approved by SMU.
7. Study Statement 
Personal Statement.docx
The statement should be about 1500 words. The contents should cover study and work experience, academic qualification, research plan, and career goal after graduation.
8. A List of Academic Writings
The applicant should send a copy of published papers (if any) or other materials that can prove academic ability.
9. Supervision Intention Letter (SIL)
Please refer to the 
Information on Doctoral Supervisors.pdf, or visit the website of the college offering your intended program to learn more about the supervisors’ research areas. Applicants who proactively contact supervisors and obtain a Supervision Intention Letter(SIL) will be given priority consideration.
Note: The Supervision Intention Letter (SIL) is one of the materials that applicants may submit during the online application. It is not an official admission document of Shanghai Maritime University. The University reserves the right to adjust the assigned supervisor during the admission review or after the student’s registration, based on actual circumstances.
10. Copy of Passport Bio-data
Applicants must submit a clear scanned copy of their ordinary passport bio-data page containing (name, date of birth, passport number, expiration date, place of issue, passport type information, and photo). If the validity period of your current passport is less than 10 months (calculated from January 2025), please renew your passport.
11.Medical Examination Report Medical Examination Report.pdf
The physical examinations must cover all the items listed in the Foreigner Physical Examination Form. Incomplete records or any medical form without the signature of the attending physician, official stamp of the hospital, or a sealed photograph of the applicants are invalid. Please select the appropriate time to take a physical examination as the result is valid for only 6 months.
12.Certificate of Non Criminal Conviction
The applicant shall submit a valid certificate of Non Criminal Record issued by the local public security authority, usually issued within 6 months prior to the submission date of the application.
13. Statement of Financial Support Statement of Financial Support.docx
14. Receipt of Application fee
Please see HOW TO PAY for the transfer.
Applicants who fail to pay their application fee will not be reviewed.
Application Procedure
·Self-financing programs
1. Self-sponsored applicants need to apply via http://gjy.shmtu.edu.cn/login.
2. All documents will be reviewed by SMU.
3. Applicants who pass the document review will receive a notice of preliminary interview.
4. Applicants who passed the preliminary interview will then be interviewed by the respective college they applied.
5. Students who pass the college interview will receive an admission letter.
·Scholarship programs
1.Please apply via http://gjy.shmtu.edu.cn/login.
For CGS application, please also apply via https://studyinchina.csc.edu.cn.
2. All required documents will be reviewed by SMU.
3. Applicants who passed the document review will receive a notice of preliminary interview.
4. Applicants who passed the preliminary interview will then be interviewed by the respective college they applied.
5. Applicants who pass the college interview will receive a pre-admission letter.
6. Applicants will be notified of the results of their scholarship applications in late May.
Notes
Shanghai Maritime University reserves the right to assess international applicants through one or more written examinations or interviews.
Contact us
E-mail: smuiec_iso@shmtu.edu.cn
Tel: 86 21 38284997 / 4998
