Shanghai University was founded in May 1994, by consolidating four former institutions of higher learning :

  Shanghai University of Technology, Shanghai University of Science & Technology, Shanghai Institute of Science & Technology and the former Shanghai University.

  Shanghai University of Technology was once Shanghai Institute of Technology founded in 1960, and in 1972 the institute merged with Shanghai Institute of Mechanical with its headquarter on Shanghai Institute of Technology Campus. The two broke up in 1979 and was renamed Shanghai Industrial University with the admission of Chinese Education Ministry.

  Shanghai University of Science & Technology was formed by East China Branch of Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1958. The president of the university was the chief of the East China Branch, and all the deans in related subjects were also the heads of the institutes of Chinese Academy of Sciences in Shanghai, so the university had a very close relationship with all the academies and institutes.

  The former Shanghai University was founded in 1983, including School of Liberal Arts, School of International Business, School of Fine Arts, School of Engineering and School of Laws. These schools respectively came from part of Fudan University, part of merged Shanghai Foreign Studies University and Shanghai Mechanics College, Shanghai Fine Arts College, part of merged East China Normal University and Shanghai Science & Technology University, Shanghai Laws College. Shanghai Science & Technology College was once Shanghai No. 2 Science & Technology School established in 1959, and the school became a college in 1981. When the four universities and colleges decided to merge into one in 1994, the name of the school was the calligraphy by Chinese President Jiang Zemin, and Chinese Prime Minister Li Peng wrote an inscription:"Carry forward the traditions and train men for profession." Vice Prime Minister Li Lanqing also inscribed: "Make unremitting efforts to improve oneself and to reform, take advantage of the merger, improve the quality of teaching and train more talented people for our country." All these inscriptions have profound implications.

  In 1920s, there was a Shanghai University in Shanghai. Founded in 1922, it was the outcome of the cooperation between the Communist Party and the Kuomintang. Yuyouren, a member of KMT, worked as the president of the university, Yundaiying was in charge of general affairs, Quqioubai was the dean of Sociology Department, and many other CPC leaders and famous scholars worked there. However, Jiangjieshi and other KMT right-wing members forced to close the university after their counterrevolutionary coup. With a cautious study style and strong revolutionary atmosphere but a rather short history, the university contributed a group of useful people to the cause of Chinese liberation and development, including Lishuoxun, father of Lipeng and a revolutionary martyr as well, and former Chinese President Yangshangkun, etc.

  At that time, people can say it proudly that Shanghai University was the top school in liberal arts, while Huangpu (Military School) in military training.