Shanghai Conservatory of Music
University Overview & Academic Standing
Shanghai Conservatory of Music (SHCM, 上海音乐学院) is a national "Double First-Class" conservatory co-constructed by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government. Founded on November 27, 1927, by patriotic educator Cai Yuanpei and musicologist Xiao Youmei as the National Conservatory of Music, it was the first independent national higher music academy established in China, revered worldwide as the "Cradle of Musicians" (音乐家的摇篮).
Located in Shanghai's historic French Concession along Huaihai Road and Fenyang Road, SHCM holds national Double First-Class status in Music & Dance Studies, consistently ranked #1 nationwide in China and top 30 globally in QS World University Rankings for Performing Arts. SHCM composed historic masterpieces including the butterfly lovers violin concerto (*Liang Zhu*) and operates the premier Institute of Oriental Musical Heritage and Shanghai Symphony Hall educational base.
SHCM is an international magnet for musical prodigies, offering bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs in Composition, Vocal Performance, Orchestral Conducting, and Traditional Chinese Instruments with full CSC Type B and Shanghai Municipal Government Scholarships.
- National Academic Tier: Double First-Class National University / China's First Music Conservatory (Est. 1927) / QS World Top 30 Performing Arts
- Supervisory Authority: Shanghai Municipal Education Commission / MCT
- Institutional MOE Code: 10278
- Location & Campus Base: Shanghai (Fenyang Road Historic Campus)
- Signature & Flagship Disciplines: Composition & Compositional Technique Theory, Music Performance (Violin, Piano, Vocal), Conducting, Musicology
Campus Environment & Satisfaction Benchmarks
Authentic satisfaction ratings compiled from authenticated student feedback (Ministry of Education CHSI Student Satisfaction Surveys):
University Admissions FAQ
Does Shanghai Conservatory of Music require CSCA exam scores for international applicants?
How do I apply for the CSC Type B scholarship at Shanghai Conservatory of Music?
Are English-taught degree courses fully accredited internationally?
Colleges, Faculties & Degree Programs Under Construction
Our academic verification team is currently standardizing and translating the official substantive colleges, degree-granting faculties, and English-taught academic degree catalogs for Shanghai Conservatory of Music. The verified academic curriculum and discipline taxonomy will be published in the upcoming database release.
Auditing parent schools, research institutes, and key academic departments authenticated via official university directories.
Compiling Double First-Class disciplines, ESI top 1% fields, and national first-class undergraduate programs.
Structuring English-taught Bachelor, Master, and Ph.D. degree tracks along with HSK/IELTS entrance prerequisites.
Student Accommodations & Scholar Dormitories
Comprehensive on-campus accommodation facilities provided for enrolled scholars at Shanghai Conservatory of Music:
Room Configuration & Amenities
- Single / Double Ensuite Rooms
- Dedicated International Scholar Dormitory
- Air conditioning, central heating & high-speed campus fiber WiFi
- Independent study desk, spacious wardrobes & private balconies
- Communal floor kitchens, automatic laundry rooms & student lounges
Accommodation Standards & Pricing
- Official On-Campus Rate: ~1,000 - 1,500 RMB/year (On-campus standard)
- CSC Full Scholarship: 100% complimentary room allocation included
- Utilities: Generous monthly electricity & hot water quotas included
Dining Halls & Certified Halal Canteens
Authentic culinary infrastructure catering to diverse international dietary and cultural needs:
- Dining Variety: Multi-Floor Student Dining Halls & International Cafes
- Halal Dining: Multiple certified halal dining establishments operating adjacent to campus gates.
- Canteen Price Range: Nutritious meals typically range from 10 to 25 RMB per meal.
- Digital Payment: Seamless access via Campus Smartcard, WeChat Pay, and Alipay.
Campus Cultural Festivals & Student Societies
Vibrant multicultural student community with rich extracurricular organizations and events:
International Cultural Expo
Annual flagship cultural festival showcasing traditional cuisine, music, costumes, and folklore from over 100 participating nations.
Language Exchange Clubs
Weekly peer conversation tables pairing international scholars with native Chinese students for bilingual fluency practice.
Outdoor & Excursion Societies
Organized weekend excursions to historical heritage sites, regional mountains, and eco-parks across Shanghai.
Athletic Infrastructure & Sports Facilities
World-class athletic and recreation facilities open daily to enrolled university scholars:
Host City Overview & Wikipedia Climate Guide
Shanghai (Shanghai Province) provides an exceptional environment for international scholars, combining rich cultural heritage with world-class municipal infrastructure:
Shanghai has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen: Cfa), with an average annual temperature of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F) for downtown areas and 16.2–17.2 °C (61.2–63.0 °F) for suburbs. The city experiences four distinct seasons. Winters are temperate to cold and damp—northwesterly winds from Siberia can cause nighttime temperatures to drop below freezing. Each year, there are an average of 4.7 days with sn...
Public Transit & Airport Connections
Rapid and budget-friendly municipal transportation connecting the campus across Shanghai:
Metro Rail Connectivity
Direct subway lines connecting the campus station to downtown business hubs in 20-30 minutes (fares from 2 to 6 RMB).
International Airport
Direct access via Airport Express train or licensed taxi/Didi dispatch (~40-60 minutes).
High-Speed Rail Terminal
Seamless transit connection to high-speed railway terminals offering 350 km/h bullet trains across major Chinese metropolises.
Monthly Cost of Living Breakdown (Student Budget Estimates)
Realistic monthly student budget estimates for living in Shanghai (surveyed living metrics):
| Expense Category | Estimated Range (RMB / Month) | Notes & Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Campus Canteen Meals | 1,200 - 1,800 RMB | 3 meals/day in university dining halls & halal canteens. |
| Dormitory Utilities (Electricity/AC) | 80 - 150 RMB | Basic quota covered; modest excess billed monthly. |
| Mobile Phone & 5G Data | 50 - 90 RMB | Student package with 50GB-100GB high-speed data. |
| Local Public Transit (Metro/Bus) | 100 - 200 RMB | Subway and shared bike monthly passes. |
| Personal Sundries & Leisure | 400 - 800 RMB | Cinema, groceries, gym, weekend coffee outings. |
| Total Monthly Living Budget | ~1,830 - 3,040 RMB | Fully covered by standard CSC monthly stipend (2,500 - 3,500 RMB) |