Maritime and Shipping Studies in China

China's maritime-education landscape

China has a large maritime-education sector. It includes dedicated maritime universities such as Dalian Maritime University and Shanghai Maritime University, and marine and ocean-engineering programmes at technical universities such as Shanghai Jiao Tong University, whose School of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Civil Engineering covers the design side. Together they span both the seafaring and the shore-based/engineering sides of the field.

This guide covers study facts only — the fields, language, entry routes and funding to verify.

The fields you can study

Programme availability, level and specialism differ by university, so check each institution's official page for what it offers and in which language. The dedicated maritime universities publish their international-admissions information in English on their official English-language sites.

• Nautical science / navigation and marine engineering (seafaring routes)
• Naval architecture and ocean/marine engineering (design and analysis)
• Maritime business, shipping, and port/logistics management

Language and English-taught availability

Some programmes, particularly at postgraduate level, are taught in English, but many undergraduate programmes are taught in Chinese and may require a Chinese-proficiency test (HSK) at a specified level. Requirements differ by university and programme, and the HSK itself is administered through the official Chinese testing service.

Do not assume the language of instruction — confirm it, and any required HSK level, on the official university site. Where a programme is English-taught, expect an English-proficiency requirement such as IELTS or TOEFL instead. This guide deliberately does not state a specific HSK level, because it varies and changes; take it from the official page.

Entry routes for international students

International students generally apply directly to each university under its international-admissions process, submitting academic records, language evidence and other required documents. Specific eligibility, application windows and required documents vary by institution.

Confirm the exact requirements, fees, intakes and deadlines on the official university international-office page before applying — these change each year.

Funding and scholarships

Funding options include the Chinese Government Scholarship, administered by the China Scholarship Council (CSC), alongside university and provincial awards. The CSC runs the official programme-search portal and a separate online application system; eligibility and amounts differ by programme and change over time, and eligibility is based on secular academic criteria.

Check current scholarship terms, eligibility and deadlines directly on the official CSC and university websites rather than relying on second-hand figures. No scholarship is guaranteed — be cautious of any agent charging for a 'guaranteed' CSC award, which is a red flag.

If you want a seafaring career

If your aim is to work at sea, remember that recognition for your intended career matters more than the course title. Indian students should verify India-side recognition through the Directorate General of Shipping — which its official site says is evolving into the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) under the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 — before enrolling, and should treat any 'guaranteed placement' claim as a red flag.

See our guide on seafarer training and DG Shipping recognition for how to check this on the regulator's official approved-institute lists. No one can guarantee a sea berth, placement, job or recognition.

How to choose and verify a programme

Compare what each university actually teaches, in which language, and whether the route is seafaring, engineering or business. Match that to your goals, and — for seafaring — to verified India-side recognition.

Confirm fees, HSK or English requirements, intakes and deadlines on the official university and CSC pages before applying. Details change each year, so always check the current information rather than an older summary.