In recent years, Sino-foreign cooperative education programs have been a popular choice for many graduate applicants, and NYU Shanghai has become a top preference for numerous students applying to graduate programs.
Approved by the Ministry of Education, NYU Shanghai is the first Sino-US joint research university in China, co-founded by East China Normal University and New York University. It is also one of the three degree-granting campuses within NYU's global network.
Today, CheersYou (清柚教育) will provide a systematic update on the currently available programs at NYU Shanghai, the latest application procedures, and the differences compared to programs at the New York main campus. We hope this guide will help you gain a more comprehensive understanding of NYU Shanghai and offer more options for your academic planning.
Master's Programs at NYU Shanghai
NYU Shanghai currently offers six master's programs, covering fields such as business, interactive media arts, and social work, including:
-
MS in Data Analytics & Business Computing
MS in Data Analytics and Business Computing
-
MS in Quantitative Finance
MS in Quantitative Finance
-
MS in Marketing & Retail Science
MS in Marketing and Retail Science
-
MS in Organization Management & Strategy
MS in Organization Management and Strategy
-
MA in Interactive Media Arts
MA in Interactive Media Arts
-
Master of Social Work
Master of Social Work
Currently, applications for the Fall 2027 intake for the four Stern joint master's programs are open. The specific application deadlines are as follows:
Source: NYU Shanghai
Master of Science in Data Analytics & Business Computing
MS in Data Analytics & Business Computing
The DABC program is a joint master's program offered by NYU Shanghai and the NYU Stern School of Business. It focuses on fields such as business, data science, and management science, cultivating students' ability to use data analysis tools to solve business problems.
Students study at the NYU Stern School of Business during the summer term, followed by the fall, winter, and spring terms at NYU Shanghai.
Format: Full-time
Credits: 36
Admission: Summer intake only
Application Deadlines: October 31, January 15, April 5
Core Courses:
Statistics and Data Analysis, Introduction to Data Processing and Python Programming, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence in Finance, Optimization Modeling, Artificial Intelligence in Marketing Analytics, Business AI, Capstone Project, etc.
Application Requirements:
- Personal Information
- Prerequisite Courses (Calculus)
- Transcripts
- TOEFL or IELTS (Required for applicants whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English. TOEFL ≥ 90, TOEFL iBT Writing ≥ 4.5, IELTS ≥ 6.5)
- Resume
- 1 Letter of Recommendation
- Personal Statement
- Recommended proficiency: Beginner to intermediate level in R programming before enrollment
Class Profile:
Average GPA: 3.6
Percentage with Work Experience: 40%
Average Years of Work Experience: 1.7 years
Source: NYU Shanghai
Master of Science in Marketing and Retail Science
MS in Marketing and Retail Science
The Master of Science in Marketing and Retail Science program, offered jointly by NYU Shanghai and NYU Stern School of Business, is designed to help students integrate into the future marketing and retail markets. The curriculum incorporates specific elements of the Chinese and Asian markets, preparing graduates for career development both in China and globally.
Admitted students will study at NYU Stern School of Business during the summer semester, and then continue their studies at NYU Shanghai during the fall, winter, and the following spring semesters.
Format: Full-time
Credits: 36
Admission: Summer intake only
Application Deadlines: October 31, January 15, April 5
Core Courses:
Statistics and Data Analysis, Marketing Management, Data-Driven Decision Making, Marketing Science and Channel Management, Consumer Behavior, Market Pricing, Digital Marketing, Artificial Intelligence in Marketing Analytics, Capstone Project, etc.
Application Requirements:
- Personal Information
- Transcripts
- TOEFL or IELTS (Required for applicants whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not conducted in English. Minimum scores: TOEFL ≥ 90, TOEFL Writing ≥ 4.5, IELTS ≥ 6.5)
- Resume
- One Letter of Recommendation
- Personal Statement
Class Profile:
Average GPA: 3.5
Percentage with Work Experience: 32%
Average Years of Work Experience: 2.5 years
Source: NYU Shanghai
MS in Organization Management and Strategy
MS in Organization Management and Strategy
The Organization Management and Strategy program at NYU Shanghai and NYU Stern School of Business is designed to equip students to better navigate today's increasingly interconnected, dynamic, and globalized business environment through in-depth, multidimensional study of complex management and strategic concepts and practices.
Admitted students will study at NYU Stern School of Business during the summer semester, and then continue their studies at NYU Shanghai during the fall, winter, and following spring semesters.
Format: Full-time
Credits: 36
Admission: Summer intake only
Application Deadlines: October 31, January 15, April 5
Core Courses:
Organizational Leadership, Strategic Landscape, Cash Flow Management, Conflict, Collaboration and Negotiation, Advanced Strategic Analysis, New Ventures in China, Change Leadership in Organizations and Family Businesses, Capstone Project, etc.
Application Requirements:
- Personal Information
- Transcripts
- TOEFL or IELTS (Required for applicants whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not conducted in English. Minimum scores: TOEFL ≥ 90, TOEFL iBT Writing ≥ 4.5, IELTS ≥ 6.5)
- Resume
- One Letter of Recommendation
- Personal Statement
Class Profile:
Average GPA: 3.6
Percentage with Work Experience: 25%
Average Years of Work Experience: 1.8 years
Source: NYU Shanghai
MS in Quantitative Finance
MS in Quantitative Finance
The MS in Quantitative Finance program, offered jointly by NYU Shanghai and NYU Stern School of Business, is designed to equip students with professional expertise in mathematics, engineering, science, technology, finance, and business, enabling them to thrive in the rapidly evolving financial markets.
Students will study at NYU Stern School of Business during the summer term, and at NYU Shanghai during the fall, winter, and following spring semesters.
Format: Full-time
Credits: 36
Admission: Summer intake only
Application Deadlines: October 31, January 15, April 5
Core Courses:
Statistics and Data Analysis, Foundations of Finance, Corporate Finance, Stochastic Modeling and Simulation, Chinese Financial Markets, Advanced Portfolio Management, Debt Instruments, Artificial Intelligence in Finance, Volatility Modeling, Futures and Options, Capstone Project, etc.
Application Requirements:
- Personal Information
- Transcripts
- Prerequisite Courses (Calculus, Statistics or Econometrics, Accounting)
- TOEFL or IELTS (Required for applicants whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not conducted in English. Minimum scores: TOEFL ≥ 90, TOEFL Writing ≥ 4.5, IELTS ≥ 6.5)
- Resume
- One Letter of Recommendation
- Personal Statement
Class Profile:
Average GPA: 3.6
Percentage with Work Experience: 27%
Average Years of Work Experience: 1 year
Source: NYU Shanghai
Master of Social Work
Master of Social Work (MSW)
The Master of Social Work program, offered in collaboration between NYU Shanghai and the NYU Silver School of Social Work, provides an innovative global social work education experience for students of diverse nationalities.
Full-time students spend their first year at NYU Shanghai and complete their coursework and internships in New York during the second year. Students who choose the 3-year Extended track can study part-time in Shanghai for the first two years before heading to New York in the third year to complete the remaining coursework.
Format: Full-time or Part-time track
Duration: 2 years for full-time; 3 years for the Extended track
Admission: Fall intake only
Application Deadline: TBA
Curriculum:
The MSW curriculum is divided into two phases: Generalist Practice and Specialized Practice. The Generalist Practice phase lays the foundation for social work practice. The Specialized Practice phase focuses on clinical social work from a social justice perspective, further developing skills in assessment, intervention, and outcome evaluation. Both phases include Practicum Placement.
Admission Requirements:
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- A broad liberal arts educational background, including social sciences, behavioral sciences, biological sciences, etc.
- Priority will be given to applicants who have completed courses related to multiculturalism, social conditions, and social issues
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Commitment to social justice, diversity, and inclusion
Master of Arts in Interactive Media Arts
Master of Arts in Interactive Media Arts
The one-year Master of Arts in Interactive Media Arts program is jointly established by the Interactive Media Arts program at NYU Shanghai and the Interactive Telecommunications Program at the NYU Tisch School of the Arts.
During the program, students will study the design and production of interactive works across three locations (Shanghai, New York, and Berlin), combined with two online semesters. The curriculum focuses on the creation, application, and understanding of interactive media, encouraging creative expression as well as critical learning and thinking.
Format: Hybrid online and offline instruction
Admission: Summer intake only
Application Deadline: December 15
Core Courses:
Creative Coding, Communication Design, Interface Lab, Live Bodies (Body and Audio-Visual Performance), etc.
Application Requirements:
- Personal Statement
- Video Essay
- Resume/CV
- Bachelor's degree or higher and official transcripts
- TOEFL or IELTS scores (required for non-native English speakers)
- Two letters of recommendation
- Portfolio (optional, but highly recommended)
NYU Shanghai Online Application Process
Taking the joint master's program offered by NYU Shanghai and Stern as an example:
- Access the application portal through the program's official website at stern.shanghai.nyu.edu
- Submit application materials and pay the application fee as prompted by the system
- The Admissions Office will release decisions within eight weeks after each round's deadline
Online Application Start Page
Online Application Guidance Page
Select the corresponding application program. After creating an account on the official website, you can submit your application materials according to the system prompts.
Online Application Program Selection Page
Online Application Essay Interface
In addition to the standard application materials, it is worth noting that some programs have specific prerequisite requirements for admission.
For example, applicants to the Master's programs in Data Analytics and Business Computing must complete designated calculus prerequisite courses before enrollment and achieve a grade of at least "B" or its equivalent.
Online Application Prerequisites Interface
Prerequisite courses must be completed at accredited colleges or universities with degree-granting authority, or institutions recognized by the government. If these courses were not completed during undergraduate studies, applicants may take pre-approved online courses listed on the official website and achieve a score of at least 86%.
Please note that courses taken at community colleges, as well as credits transferred from AP, IB, or A-Level examinations, cannot be used to fulfill prerequisite course requirements.
For this program, programming proficiency is not a strict admission requirement; however, having a foundational knowledge of programming will facilitate learning within the program. The online application system will also inquire about applicants' experience with programming languages and data analysis tools.
Online Application Prerequisites Interface
Additionally, the content of the online application interface varies across different master's programs. Applicants are strongly advised to carefully review the specific application requirements for each program and submit their materials with thorough attention to detail.
Comparison Between NYU Shanghai and NYU New York Programs
Relatively Flexible Admission Requirements
NYU Shanghai maintains the same standards as NYU New York in terms of curriculum design, faculty strength, alumni resources, and scholarships.
Regarding admission requirements, taking the joint program with the Stern School of Business as an example, the joint master's programs currently do not have a minimum full-time work experience requirement, whereas some programs at the Stern main campus explicitly require applicants to have work experience.
Source: NYU Shanghai
For standardized tests, most NYU Shanghai programs no longer require GRE/GMAT scores, while some programs at the main campus still require them.
Limited Study Abroad Experience, Yet Tuition Remains High
As these are joint programs, the time spent studying and living at the NYU New York campus is relatively limited. The campus environment and surrounding atmosphere may not feel sufficiently "international," which can diminish the overall study abroad experience.
Nevertheless, the high tuition fees are nearly identical to those at New York University and continue to rise annually, making this drawback quite evident.
Tuition for 2026-2027
Tuition Fees for 2023-2024
No Eligibility for OPT or STEM OPT After Graduation
For the four master's programs jointly offered by NYU Shanghai and Stern, graduates are not eligible to apply for OPT, and these programs are not classified as STEM programs. This information will be clearly reiterated during the online application signature process.
This is a crucial factor for students who plan to intern or work in the United States after graduation.
Source: NYU Shanghai
In summary, programs at NYU Shanghai are more suitable for students who aspire to study in multiple locations and plan to return to China for their career development.
Due to various factors, competition for admission to NYU Shanghai is becoming increasingly fierce. CheersYou (清柚教育) advises applicants to prepare their materials and submit their applications as early as possible if they have made their decision.
Regardless of the university or program, there is no absolute right or wrong choice. Students should carefully analyze their own circumstances, thoughtfully consider their school selection, and ultimately find the option that best suits them.
The new application season has quietly begun. We hope all students can plan ahead and successfully secure offers from their dream universities!
Apply to NYU Shanghai with CheersYou Education
The various master's programs at New York University Shanghai each have distinct focuses in terms of admission requirements, curriculum design, and training objectives. In addition to academic background, factors such as language proficiency scores, prerequisite courses, internship and research experience, the quality of application essays, and overall application strategy will all influence the final admission outcome.
If you are planning to apply to New York University Shanghai or are currently preparing for its master's programs, feel free to contact CheersYou (清柚教育) for a one-on-one consultation.
We will provide personalized university selection guidance, background enhancement recommendations, and application planning based on your undergraduate institution, major, GPA, language proficiency scores, internship and research experience, and career goals, helping you develop a more competitive application strategy.
