Do you want to spend your semester abroad in one of the world’s most dynamic cities—while studying at one of China’s most prestigious business schools? Then Tongji University in Shanghai is the place for you. The School of Economics and Management (SEM) is one of the few business schools worldwide to hold the coveted Triple Crown—accredited by AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA. What does that mean for you? An academic environment at the top international level, close ties to the business world, and a campus right in the heart of a city that sets the pace of the times. Shanghai is a financial center, innovation hub, and cultural melting pot all in one—a place that challenges and inspires you just as much on campus as it does off campus. Ready for your adventure in China?
The history of Tongji University dates back to 1907, when German physician Erich Paulun founded a German medical school in Shanghai. What began as a small educational project has, over more than a century, evolved into one of China’s leading research universities. Today, Tongji University is one of the most renowned public universities in the country, reporting directly to the Chinese Ministry of Education and part of the Chinese government’s prestigious Double First Class Initiative.
The heart of the university for MBS students is the School of Economics and Management (SEM), which has existed since 1984 and took its current form in 1998. Today, the SEM ranks among the best business schools in China and also enjoys a high international reputation: In the Financial Times ranking of the best business schools, it regularly ranks among the top 3 in China. The SEM is particularly proud of its Triple Crown accreditation by AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA—a seal of quality that only a small fraction of business schools worldwide can claim. What sets SEM apart academically is its consistent combination of academic excellence and practical orientation. Six departments—including Management Science and Engineering, Business Administration, Accounting, and Economics and Finance—form the academic backbone of the school. These are complemented by specialized research institutes and laboratories that collaborate closely with companies in industry, finance, and public administration.
Internationality is more than just lip service: SEM maintains partnerships with over 85 universities and business schools in more than 26 countries. In addition to the exchange program for bachelor’s and master’s students, SEM also offers a dual degree program at the master’s level—a rare opportunity to earn two full-fledged degrees in cooperation with one of Asia’s leading business schools. SEM’s faculty members come from all over the world, the language of instruction in international programs is English, and campus life reflects Shanghai’s cosmopolitan spirit. For students who want not only to learn but also to understand how the economy of the future is taking shape—and to do so from the bird’s-eye view of one of the world’s most important economic hubs—Tongji SEM is an exceptional place to study.
The main campus of Tongji University is located in Shanghai’s Yangpu District, specifically at 1239 Siping Road—one of the city’s historically established science and university districts. The campus combines Chinese university tradition with modern infrastructure: expansive green spaces, impressive academic buildings, libraries, laboratories, and communal areas come together to create a place that invites students to learn, conduct research, and live.
The School of Economics and Management is housed in Tongji Building A, a modern complex featuring well-equipped seminar rooms, computer labs, research facilities, and its own library. The learning environment is focused and international: English-language courses, diverse student groups from around the world, and faculty with global experience create an atmosphere rarely found elsewhere.
Campus life is complemented by dining halls, cafés, sports facilities, and an active student club scene. A second, newer campus is located in the Jiading District in northwestern Shanghai and houses additional faculties and research facilities. The campus is located in Shanghai—and that alone says it all. From here, the entire city is within easy reach. The subway, buses, and the ubiquitous ride-sharing services make it easy to move quickly between the campus, the business district, cultural attractions, and the river promenade.
Shanghai is a city you simply must experience. With over 24 million residents, it is one of the world’s largest metropolises—yet it is also surprisingly accessible, safe, and livable. For international students, Shanghai is often a transformative experience: the pace is fast, and so are the opportunities. The city uniquely blends history and modernity. The Bund, Shanghai’s historic waterfront promenade, with its early 20th-century colonial architecture, meets the glittering skyline of Pudong directly across the river. Those seeking nature will find plenty of balance in the surrounding parks, along the Suzhou River, or on day trips to the Yangtze Delta.
Living in Shanghai comes at a cost—rent, restaurants, and recreational activities are above the Chinese average but moderate by international standards. For daily life, affordable local restaurants, markets, and the well-developed public transit system offer clear cost advantages. The metro is one of the densest and most modern subway networks in the world and reliably takes you to any part of the city.
International students at Tongji University have several housing options. The main campus features international student dormitories specifically designed for exchange and full-time international students. The rooms are functionally furnished and offer good access to the campus. Depending on the amenities, simple single rooms in the dormitory range in price from approximately 600 to 1,200 RMB per month (approx. 80–165 €)—an exceptionally affordable option for a global metropolis. Those who prefer private housing can find shared rooms and studio apartments in surrounding districts such as Yangpu, Hongkou, or Jing'an starting at approximately 3,000–5,000 RMB per month (approx. 400–700 €). Platforms like SmartShanghai, Anjuke, or WeChat groups can help with the apartment search. One thing to keep in mind: Chinese landlords often prefer in-person viewings—so planning ahead is advisable. In terms of language, Shanghai is well-suited for international students: English is widely spoken in international settings, restaurants, and service establishments.
Munich Business School (MBS) offers you the chance to combine your studies in Munich with a semester at Tongji University’s School of Economics and Management in Shanghai—all within a single program! Depending on your program of study at MBS, you have a variety of options:
Note: Although we take great care to maintain our content, specific details regarding study abroad semesters may occasionally change. For accurate and up-to-date information, we recommend checking our partner university database.
Have you found a degree program that interests you? If so, you can easily apply through the MBS application portal. Provided you meet the necessary academic and language requirements, you will then be invited to a selection interview. We recommend applying early to give yourself the best chance of being accepted to both Munich Business School and Tongji University!
Once your application to Munich Business School has been accepted and you have successfully enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s program, your time as a student in Munich begins. During your first semesters at Munich Business School, you will acquire essential business fundamentals, choose your majors and electives based on your program and interests, and collaborate with your fellow students on exciting projects.
The first few semesters at Munich Business School are also the ideal time to plan your semester abroad at Tongji University. When you’ll study abroad depends on your degree program and when you started your studies. If you’re in a bachelor’s program and began your studies in the fall, your semester abroad will take place during your fourth semester. If you started your bachelor’s program in February, you’ll go abroad during your sixth semester. For Master’s students, the semester abroad is scheduled for the third semester.
The MBS International Center is here to assist you with planning your semester abroad at Tongji University and will answer all your questions regarding course selection, housing, and student life.
Now that you’ve successfully completed your first semesters at Munich Business School and finalized your plans for your semester abroad, it’s finally time to get started. Your semester abroad in Shanghai is about to begin! Immerse yourself in the new university culture, make new friends, soak up everything around you, try new things, and create memories that will last a lifetime. One thing is certain: the experience of studying in China will stay with you forever—and you’ll return a changed person.
After your semester abroad, you’ll either return to Munich Business School for one to three additional semesters (Bachelor’s program) or complete your studies with your thesis (Master’s program). Master’s students in the Dual Degree Program also earn a degree from Tongji University.
Want to earn a Chinese university degree without completing an entire degree program in China? The Dual Degree program makes it possible! To do so, you’ll first study for two semesters in a master’s program at Munich Business School and then spend two additional semesters at the renowned Tongji University. After successfully completing your studies with a master’s thesis, you’ll hold two degrees: a Chinese Master of Science in Corporate Management from Tongji University and a German Master of Arts from Munich Business School!
To qualify for a business degree program at Munich Business School—and thus also at Tongji University’s School of Economics and Management—you must meet certain academic and language requirements. MBS offers several application rounds. We recommend applying early, as the number of available spots is limited.
A semester abroad or a dual-degree program at Tongji University’s School of Economics and Management in Shanghai is a special highlight for many students—and for good reason. At the same time, studying in China raises many practical questions. Here you’ll find answers to the most common ones.
The School of Economics and Management at Tongji University is one of China’s most prestigious business schools and is also highly regarded internationally. It is one of the few Chinese business schools to hold the Triple Crown—simultaneous accreditation by AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA. In the Financial Times rankings, the SEM consistently ranks among the top Chinese business schools. In the national quality ranking by the Chinese Ministry of Education, the SEM received the highest grade, A+, in the field of Management Science. For students who value academic excellence, an international focus, and practical relevance, Tongji SEM is an outstanding choice.
For international exchange students and participants in the dual degree program, Tongji SEM offers a wide range of courses taught in English. Many courses in fields such as Finance, Strategy, International Management, and Marketing are taught entirely in English. Knowledge of Chinese is not strictly required for your studies—but it is a real advantage for everyday life in Shanghai. The MBS and the International Center at Tongji SEM will assist you in selecting courses so that you can put together the right course package for your program.
The Dual Degree Program is an exclusive partnership between Munich Business School and the Tongji University School of Economics and Management, open only to Master’s students in International Business at MBS. As part of this program, you will not only complete a regular semester abroad but, upon successful completion, earn two full Master’s degrees: the Master’s from Munich Business School and the Master’s from Tongji University. This is a rare opportunity to combine the strengths of two internationally accredited business schools—and to enhance your resume with a dual degree from China and Germany.
Elsenheimerstraße 61
80687 München Germany