SJTU SAIF Master of Finance 2027: Deadlines, Fees and Scholarships
Shanghai Jiao Tong University's SAIF is taking international applications for its two-year, English-taught Master of Finance. Round 1 closes 15 December 2026; the final round 31 May 2027.
The Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance (SAIF) at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (上海交通大学) is accepting international applications for its two-year, English-taught Master of Finance, starting September 2027. Graduates from any major can apply in four rounds. Apply by 15 December 2026 or 15 February 2027 if you want a Chinese Government Scholarship through SJTU; the last round closes on 31 May 2027.
What the program offers
You study full time on SJTU's central Xuhui Campus and graduate with an SJTU master's degree and graduation certificate. SAIF's own materials cite a sixth-place global finish in the 2026 Financial Times Masters in Finance ranking. You choose one of three tracks when you apply, and you cannot switch later, although each track's core courses are open to the others as electives.
- General Track: a broad curriculum in accounting, financial markets and derivatives, aimed at investment banking, consulting, asset management, trading and equity research.
- FinTech Track: heavier on statistics, machine learning and computing, for quantitative funds, trading desks and fintech firms.
- Global Innovation Track (new for 2027): links finance, frontier technology and industry practice, for careers in cross-border finance, investment in China and the overseas growth of Chinese companies.
Who can apply
- Non-Chinese citizens with an ordinary passport, in good health and with no criminal record.
- A bachelor's degree or equivalent in any subject. Final-year students can apply with an expected-graduation certificate.
- The FinTech Track expects solid maths, statistics and programming.
- English evidence under SJTU's 2027 rules: IELTS Academic 6.0 with no band below 5.5, or TOEFL iBT 85 (taken before January 2026). For the new TOEFL format from January 2026, SJTU sets an overall 4. GRE or GMAT scores at SJTU's higher thresholds also count.
- SJTU waives the test only for degrees from a listed set of English-speaking countries. Bangladesh is not on that list, so plan on taking a test.
- For SJTU-managed scholarships, Master's applicants must be 35 or younger.
Scholarships and which round to target
- Chinese Government Scholarship (Type B) through SJTU: apply in Round 1 or Round 2 and enter agency number 10248. SAIF describes it as a tuition reduction, housing support and a monthly allowance of up to CNY 3,000.
- Type A through the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka: an alternative channel. You may use only one channel, and you still need the SJTU application.
- Shanghai Government and SJTU scholarships: Round 3 is the last chance. Applicants not nominated for the government award are considered automatically.
- SAIF Global Impact Scholarship: every admitted international student is assessed automatically, with awards from a quarter to the full international tuition. It cannot be combined with the Chinese Government Scholarship.
Documents you need
- Bachelor's degree certificate and a verification report. For degrees earned outside mainland China, SJTU normally expects a report from the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE).
- Official transcripts, plus an official GPA statement if your transcript does not show one.
- IELTS, TOEFL, GRE or GMAT result.
- Passport information page, valid for at least 12 months after enrolment.
- Passport-style photo in JPG format, under 200 KB.
- Written essays and a one-minute video essay.
- Two recommendation letters from associate professors or senior professionals; SAIF prefers at least one academic referee.
- An up-to-date CV.
- Optional: GRE or GMAT (recommended), HSK, CPA or CFA results.
How to apply, step by step
- Submit the university application on the SJTU international portal and pay the CNY 800 fee. If you want a scholarship, select the option to apply through the university.
- Complete the separate SAIF MF application on the SAIF portal before the same round deadline. Both applications are compulsory.
- Attend an interview if invited; most international candidates are interviewed online.
- SAIF emails round results, usually within eight weeks of each deadline. SJTU then completes its final review and issues the admission notice.
- The admission package, including the JW201 or JW202 visa form, normally arrives in July or August.
Important dates
| Step | Date |
|---|---|
| SJTU applications open | 5 November 2026 |
| Round 1 (first CSC round) | 15 December 2026 |
| Round 2 (final CSC round) | 15 February 2027 |
| Round 3 (Shanghai Government and SJTU scholarships) | 31 March 2027 |
| Round 4 (self-funded) | 31 May 2027 |
| Enrolment | September 2027 |
Tips for Bangladeshi applicants
- Book IELTS now. Your English-medium degree from Bangladesh does not exempt you under SJTU's rules.
- Start the CSCSE degree verification early; it is done online but can take several weeks.
- Aim for Round 1. Earlier files get more scholarship options, and you leave room for a Round 2 fix if something is missing.
- Budget honestly. Even with a partial award, living costs in Shanghai are high; our study in China cost guide helps you plan, and our China scholarships overview compares other funding.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need GRE or GMAT?
No. Both are recommended but not required.
Do I need a professor's acceptance letter?
No. SAIF reviews MF applications at program level, so you do not need to contact professors.
Can I apply for the CSC scholarship through both the embassy and SJTU?
No. Choose one channel; duplicate applications are not allowed.
Is the scholarship renewed automatically?
No. First-year awards are reviewed each year and may change for the second year.
Where can I learn more about SJTU?
See our Shanghai Jiao Tong University page.
Information checked on 7 November 2026 against the official notice. Fees, scholarships and deadlines can change; always confirm with the university before applying.
Apply with a counsellor beside you.
Tell us your study level and results. We reply within one working day with whether this opportunity fits you, the documents to prepare and the realistic timeline.
- Eligibility check against the official requirements
- Study plan and document checklist
- Admission and scholarship decisions stay with the university