Shanghai International Studies University, abbreviated as SISU, as one of the key universities of the national project "211", is jointly administered by China's Ministry of Education and Shanghai Municipal Government. Founded in 1949, SISU was one of the first key universities engaged in both foreign language teaching and cultural exchanges with foreign countries since the establishment of the PRC. Over the past 59 years, SISU has developed into a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary foreign language university, influential both at home and abroad. Apart from its unique features in foreign language teaching, the University also offers educational programs incorporating studies in literature, education, economics, management and law.

SISU puts an emphasis on the construction of disciplines and majors. The university offers 15 foreign language degree-programs and 12 non-linguistic degree programs. Setting the undergraduate education as its foundation and the construction of disciplines and majors as its pillars, SISU is striving for extension in both directions in an effort to find the best ways to strengthen China's foreign language teaching and disciplinary construction. The University has established affiliated foreign language elementary and high schools, which are closely connected to the teaching of some of the University's major foreign languages. This prepares high-quality students for college. SISU has also established the postgraduate education, doctoral education and postdoctoral education, all of which are intended to upgrade the general college education. These extensions have created new ways to train remarkably talented students. At present, the University is running 23 master's degree programs, 10 doctoral programs and 1 postdoctoral station. In addition, it has 2 national key disciplines and 3 municipal key disciplines of Shanghai, 1 national research center of humanities & social sciences. Currently, SISU has a full-time enrolment of over 1400 postgraduate students, including more than 200 doctoral students.

SISU advocates the modern open educational ideas. As early as its birth in 1949, there were foreign experts working for the school. Thanks to China's reform and policy of opening up to the outside world, international students' education in SISU has grown rapidly in the past two decades. SISU regards opening-up and cultural exchanges with foreign countries as the basis of its further development. Its open-minded attitude allows it to fully draw on the excellent achievements and experiences of other countries in higher education. It encourages the faculty and students to raise their international awareness and strengthen their communicative abilities in order to fully show the appeal of international education of the University. SISU takes an active part in international academic exchanges. As an active advocator of international academic exchange and cooperation, SISU has entered into partnership with 119 renowned universities in 32 countries and regions. Every year, foreign experts and teachers are invited to teach or give lectures, and more than 100 Chinese teachers are sent abroad for advanced studies or academic visits. SISU has also set up one radio station and a TV station, broadcasting in foreign languages. Additionally, satellite reception was installed so that the students have free 24-hour access to more than 20 overseas channels which broadcast in many different languages, including English, Japanese, Russian, French, Arabic. Here, students of different nationalities gather together and live in harmony in this big international family.