The previous presidents of Shanghai University include: Wang Litang, Yu Youren, Shao Lizi (acting president), Wang Shenghong, Qian Weichang, Luo Hongjie, and Jin Donghan.

Shanghai University (referred to as "Shanghai University") was founded on May 27, 1994. It is located in Shanghai. It is a comprehensive university directly under the Shanghai Municipal Government. The Ministry of Education and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government The government is the first to build universities, the National Defense Science and Technology Industry Bureau and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government are the first to build universities, and build universities with world-class disciplines.

A key university under the national “211 Project”, Shanghai University of Technology, Shanghai University of Science and Technology, Shanghai University, and Shanghai Science and Technology College merged to form the new Shanghai University. ?

The school was selected as the "Demonstration Base for Studying in China by the Ministry of Education", "Excellent Engineer Education and Training Program", "Excellent Journalism and Communication Talent Education and Training Program", "National High-level University Publicly-sponsored Graduate Program", "111 Plan" and "Shanghai's first batch of demonstration universities for deepening the reform of innovation and entrepreneurship education".

On October 23, 1922, the Kuomintang cooperated to establish Shanghai University, which was forcibly closed by the Kuomintang authorities in 1927.

In 1983, the Shanghai Municipal People's Government established the foundations of Fudan University Branch, Shanghai International Studies University Branch, East China Normal University Instrument and Electronics Branch, Shanghai University of Science and Technology Branch, Shanghai Mechanical Institute Light Industry Branch, and Shanghai Fine Arts School. Shanghai University was reestablished.

In August 2019, the Center for World University Rankings announced the 2019-2020 CWUR World University Rankings. Shanghai University ranked 41st among universities in mainland China.