Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) is one of the higher education institutions which enjoy a long history in China. Founded in 1896, SJTU has been referred to as “The MIT of the East”. Through over 120 years’ unremitting efforts, it has become a comprehensive, research-oriented and internationalized top university in China as well as one with world-renowned reputation.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University has always focused on the liberal arts education. Early in 1908, SJTU had set up the Department of Humanities. Mr. Tang Wenzhi, the then president of the university, taught Chinese language and literature himself, and the unique tone of Tang Dynasty adopted by him in chanting poems has been considered as the cultural heritage. Many masters of humanities, including Gu Hongming, Cai Yuanpei, Zhang Yuanji, Fu Lei, Li Shutong, Huang Yanpei and Shao Lizi, either studied or taught at the Department successively. After restructuring and reforming, Shanghai Jiao Tong University set up the Department of Social Sciences and Engineering as well as the Department of Literature and Art in 1985, which came to be the basis of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in 1997. In 2003, the School of Humanities which mainly covered literature, history, philosophy and art was officially founded, and the liberal arts education at Shanghai Jiao Tong University has entered a new phase since then.  

On May 12, 2015, the School of Humanities merged with the School of International Education to establish the new School of Humanities, opening a brand new chapter in the development of the school.

The School of Humanities consists of Department of Chinese Language and Literature, Department of History, Department of Philosophy, Center for International Chinese Education, and Center for Art Education. The National Cultural Quality Education Base for Students is affiliated to the School of Humanities. The university-level research centers and institutes such as Institute for War Trials and World Peace, Institute for Mythological Studies, Institute for Advanced Studies in European Culture, Shanghai Jiao Tong University – KU Leuven "European Culture Research Center" and the Center for the Tokyo Trial Studies, and the provincial research centers, such as the Research Center for World Anti-Fascist War, the Research Center for Chinese Creation Mythology are also affiliated to the School of Humanities. Besides, the School of Humanities comprises four first-level disciplines, including literature, Chinese history, philosophy, and art.

The Chinese language teaching in International Chinese Education Center of School of Humanities at Shanghai Jiao Tong University has a history of nearly 30 years. Currently, Chinese classes include the general track, (which is divided into 10 levels), the New Chinese Course, Program for Chinese Heritage Learners (Huayiban), Advanced Culture and Business Course and other special classes, as well as elective courses such as Chinese Calligraphy, Taichi. The International Chinese Education Center, School of Humanities employs over 70 experienced teachers, most of whom have the PHD degree, or possess abundant experience teaching Chinese overseas. The school features small classes and all classrooms are equipped with multi-media teaching facilities. Since 2003, the university has set up HSK test centers, providing comfortable and considerate services for the examinees.

Students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities, for instance, a foreign student talent competition, dragon boat racing, table tennis competitions and a New Year’s Party to further develop their abilities, cultivate their interests and make new friends. Shanghai Jiao Tong University is located in Xujiahui, which boasts convenient transportation options and an elegant learning environment.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU)