Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts of Shanghai University has three first-class doctoral programs (fine arts, design and art theory), 1 first-class master program (architecture) and two professional master programs (fine arts and art design).

Shanghai University, referred to as "Shangda" for short, is a comprehensive university under the "2 1 1 project" of Shanghai and the state. The University jointly established by the Ministry of Education and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government is a world-class discipline construction university.