Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) was founded in December 1949 as the former Shanghai Russian College.

Shanghai International Studies University is a research, teaching, and multidisciplinary comprehensive university, committed to cultivating foreign language elites with “high-quality, multiple skills, international vision, spirit of innovation, and capacity of practice”. Having a long tradition of conscientious teaching and learning, SISU enjoys a very good reputation both at home and abroad.

Now, SISU has two campuses in Hongkou and Songjiang. The Hongkou campus is located in the center of Shanghai, covering 16.9 hectares with elegant surroundings. The Songjiang campus is in Shanghai's Songjiang New District, covering an area of 53.3 hectares, with a picturesque environment.

At present, SISU has a full-time enrollment of over 1,400 postgraduate students, 6,000 undergraduates, 800 college students, and 1,200 international students. There are also 25,000 other types of registered students in various programs.

SISU has a faculty with significant academic prestige and educational experience. The full-time teachers number more than 500, including more than 300 professors and associate professors as well as a group of young and middle-aged outstanding lecturers.

Colleges and Departments

SISU comprises colleges and departments that offer associate, bachelor, bachelor and postgraduate programs, programs for adults, network programs and programs for international students, as well as several research institutes.

There are 20 teaching colleges and departments: College of English Language and Literature, College of Japanese Culture and Economy, College of Oriental Language and Literature, the Russian Department, French Department, German Department, College of Western Languages, College of International Finance and Trade, College of International Business, College of Journalism and Communication, the Law School, College of International Education, College of International Cultural Exchange, Graduate Institute of Interpretation and Translation, the Graduate School, the Network Institute of Education, Vocational and Technical College, College of Advancing Education, Overseas Cooperation Institute (Chinese-foreign joint collaboration), and Xianda Economics and Humanities College (private independent college).

There are four related teaching departments: Department of Physical Education, Department of Social Sciences, the Overseas Training Department (formerly called the Preparatory Department), and Department of Personnel Overseas Group Training.