FAQ

How about degree and certificates?

Degree candidates who have obtained 46.5 credits for both compulsory courses and elective credits, and finished a dissertation, will be awarded the Shanghai Jiao Tong University MBA degree and graduation diploma.

How many months do students have to write their thesis?

For full-time students, it takes about one year. The orientation for thesis writing will be held at the beginning (September) of the second academic year. Students are expected to submit their thesis by April of the second academic year. For part-time students, it often takes more than 15 months. The orientation for thesis writing will be held at the beginning (September) of the second academic year. Students are expected to submit their thesis after the Chinese Spring Festival of the third academic year.

Is dissertation required?

Yes, all MBA students are required to finish a dissertation after the completion of courses.

Are there any breaks between classes? Is there a Summer or Winter holiday?

Since the SAIF MBA program is very intense, there is no clear break between classes during semesters. However, there is a Spring Festival holiday of a month-long duration (from the middle of January to mid-February), and a Summer break of at least 6 weeks duration (depending on the electives you have chosen).

Can I study abroad during my MBA studies at SAIF?

Yes, you may choose to study abroad in any one of our 15 partner schools in leading universities around the world. This takes place during the third semester for 3-5 months. For more information, please refer to:http://192.144.218.145:28088/international/exchange-programs

What career services do you provide for employment in Shanghai?

The SAIF Career Development Center works hard to connect international students with internships and full-time employment upon graduation. Students are encouraged to meet with the CDC staff to discuss employment preferences and their professional background. Conversational Mandarin skills are also very helpful for finding employment in China, as most companies list this as a prerequisite. The CDC works with both multinational and Chinese corporations in Shanghai, and hosts employer presentations and career fairs every semester.

What kind of extracurricular activities does SAIF provide?

SAIF hosts frequent guest lecturers from domestic financial or international corporations in Shanghai. We also have student-led clubs, regular trips to historical and cultural sites in China, intercollegiate sports competitions, and academic competitions. Students often arrange informal trips in Shanghai and around China in their free time.

Can I study in Chinese?

The Full-Time MBA class is taught completely in English. However, if you are fluent in Mandarin Chinese or have an HSK score of 6 or higher, you can apply for the Part-Time MBA programs, which are mainly taught in Mandarin.

Is scholarship funding available for international students?

Yes, SAIF offers the following scholarships for international students:

Global Citizenship (50,000 RMB): for non-Chinese citizens with valid passports committed to intercultural communication;
High-tech Talents (50,000 RMB): for senior technical professionals in high-tech enterprises with outstanding achievements;
Entrepreneurship (50,000 RMB): for successful entrepreneurs with outstanding leadership;
Contribution (50,000 RMB): to support professionals from distinguished enterprises, with contributions to society;
World-Class University (30,000 RMB): for holders of a bachelor's degree from world-class universities (top 100 in QS rankings)
Master's or Doctorate Degree (30,000 RMB): for applicants with a master's or doctoral degree;

Talent Special Award (250,000 RMB)
First Prize Talent Award (180,000 RMB)
Second Prize Talent Award (100,000 RMB)
Third Prize Talent Award (50,000 RMB)
Admission Scholarships, which are merit-based, are offered based upon background, interview performance, and admission scores

What will the interview be like?

For overseas applicants, interview is held online with SAIF admission team (can be arranged monthly), while for international applicants who are based in China, offline interview at SAIF is suggested.

Personal Statement (8 minutes)
Applicants should prepare a PPT in advance, covering self-introduction, career development path, current working company, functions and performance, so that the interviewer can quickly and clearly understand the applicant's application purpose and plan.

Interactive Q&A (25 minutes)
2 or 3 interviewers will ask questions respectively. Topics covered include: education and working background, current market, career aspirations, reasons for studying at SAIF as well as specific questions raised based upon the applicant’s resume, transcript, test scores, essay, etc.

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