Founded in 1993, Shanghai Zhongqiao Polytechnic University is a non-profit private undergraduate university located on the northern shore of Hangzhou Bay. It is dedicated to serving the Yangtze River Delta and cultivating high-caliber technical and skilled professionals for industries. In 2019, it was successfully upgraded to an undergraduate-level vocational university, officially renamed in June 2020, and granted bachelor's degree conferring authority in 2022. At present, it is the only national pilot university for undergraduate vocational education in Shanghai.

In 2024, Shanghai Zhongqiao Polytechnic University entered a new stage of development, being selected as a cultivation institution under Shanghai's Double High-level Plan, with its comprehensive strength growing steadily. The university was rated Class A in the 2025 Shanghai Higher Education Classification Evaluation. According to the latest 2026 Golden Apple Ranking (Jinpinguo), Shanghai Zhongqiao Polytechnic University was ranked 2nd among private universities nationwide and 10th among vocational undergraduate universities.

With the philosophy of "Cultivating outstanding industrial talents who have 'Integrity in character, Dedication in work, and Perseverance in learning'", Shanghai Zhongqiao Polytechnic University is committed to serving regional economic and social development. With the strong support of Zeta Group-one of China's Top 500 manufacturing enterprises, the university has won numerous honors, including National Healthy Campus, Shanghai May 1st Labor Award Certificate, Shanghai Civilized Unit, and Shanghai Safe & Civilized Campus.

Currently, Shanghai Zhongqiao Polytechnic University enrolls over 18,000 full-time students, with 12 schools, 30 undergraduate programs, and 16 vocational education programs. It boasts a strong faculty team composed of national teaching masters, recipients of the State Council Special Allowance, Ministry of Education New Era Masters (Craftsmen), Shanghai Pujiang Scholars, and other top-level experts, building a powerful dual-qualified teaching team. 

Embedded into the development strategies of local governments, Shanghai Zhongqiao Polytechnic University promotes the integration of the education chain, talent chain, industry chain, and innovation chain through initiatives such as municipal-level education-industry consortia and collaborative education bases. The university has established in-depth cooperation with 245 high-quality enterprises, co-built 153 high-standard training bases, and signed strategic agreements with leading companies such as Baowu Group, Tencent, and Huawei. To seize emerging opportunities in industrial development, Shanghai Zhongqiao Polytechnic University has partnered with the East China UAV Base to establish the Low-Altitude Economy Industry Institute, and founded the Zhongqiao-JAKA Robotics Industry Institute in cooperation with the globally recognized robotics company JAKA Robotics, focusing on the cultivation of highly skilled professionals in emerging sectors. It has also jointly initiated the National Industry-Education Integration Consortium for Industrial Internet Innovation, together with the CAICT-Shanghai Innovation Center and Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications. The employment rate of Shanghai Zhongqiao Polytechnic University graduates has remained above 98% for over a decade, with the undergraduate employment rate reaching 100% for two consecutive years.

Shanghai Zhongqiao Polytechnic University has continuously advanced the internationalization of its education, actively expanded overseas exchanges and cooperation, and remained committed to cultivating high-caliber technical and skilled professionals with a global perspective. In May 2023, the university successfully obtained international accreditation from ACQUIN, the Accreditation, Certification and Quality Assurance Institute, a Germany-based higher education quality assurance agency, signifying international recognition of its educational quality.

To date, Shanghai Zhongqiao Polytechnic University has established formal partnerships with more than 30 renowned higher education institutions in countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Japan, and Indonesia. It has also developed joint training mechanisms with leading universities such as Curtin University in Australia, the University of South Wales in the United Kingdom, and Mediadesign University of Applied Sciences in Germany. Through the implementation of its Double Hundred Project, the university selects nearly 100 students each year to pursue further studies overseas or participate in short-term exchange programs, thereby establishing a systematic platform for international talent development.

The Zhongqiao Helsinki School of Future Engineering, jointly established by Shanghai Zhongqiao Polytechnic University and Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in Finland, officially began enrolling students in 2025. In addition, the university has actively implemented the Belt and Road Initiative by establishing the Shanghai Zhongqiao Polytechnic University Tunisia Chinese Language and Culture Learning Center, continuing to promote international Chinese language education and cultural exchanges.

Shanghai Zhongqiao Polytechnic University has also been approved as one of the first Shanghai Municipal Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education Practice Bases, and rated an A-level Entrepreneurship Guidance Station. Students have excelled in national and global competitions, winning top awards such as the Gold Medal at the China International “Internet+” Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, the World Vocational College Skills Competition Grand Final Gold Award, and the National Career Planning Competition (Vocational Undergraduate Group, Shanghai Division) Gold Award. The university has been honored as a Top 100 Institution in Industry-Education Integration and Innovation & Entrepreneurship nationwide.