In 1917, Fudan became a private university consisting of various departments in humanities, natural sciences and business, as well as a preparatory school and a middle school. In 1923, Sun Yat-sen wrote an inscription for the university's annual journal,showing great concern for Fudan. With the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War in 1937, Fudan was moved to the inland city of Beipei, Chongqing City. In 1941, Fudan became a national university and five years later it was moved back to its present campus at Jiangwan, Shanghai City, the original site of the university. In 1951, Mao Zedong wrote the university name at the invitation of Chen Wangdao, the then president of Fudan University. In 1952, the nationwide adjustment of departments and schools among institutions of higher learning made Fudan a comprehensive university consisting of programs in liberal arts, social sciences, natural sciences, technical sciences and management sciences. In April 2000, Fudan University and Shanghai Medical University  merged into a more comprehensive university. Now it is one of the leading universities in China and enjoys an international reputation for academic excellence.

Fudan University is comprised of 17 schools offering a complete range of majors and disciplines: humanities, law, journalism, economics, management, information science and engineering, software, life science, nursing, basic medical sciences, public health, pharmaceutical technology, technology and engineering, international relations and public affairs, continuing education, network education and international cultural exchange. Within the ten schools there are 43 departments, 67 undergraduate programs, 148 master's programs, 103 doctoral programs, and 22 locations for post-doctoral study. In addition, Fudan University is recognized as having 45 national key disciplines, 5 national key laboratories, 57 institutes and 80 research centers. Eight of the undergraduate programs have been designated as the national centers for basic scientific research and teacher training.

The primary concern of Fudan University is to produce well-rounded graduates. Therefore, the overlapping and realignment sections of different disciplines are stressed. Students are encouraged to develop their personalities in their systematic study and social practices. Since 1994, the university has implemented the credit system in order to develop students' research capabilities and pioneering spirit that will motivate them to conduct field trips and practical activities. All the courses in the curriculum have been revised and renowned professors now direct fundamental courses and supervise basic experiments. Extracurricular study is also emphasized.

Fudan University's excellent faculty consists of young pioneering researchers and famous senior scholars of significant achievements. The 2,400 faculty members of Fudan University includes l,300 professors and associate professors, of which 21 have gained membership in the Chinese Academy of Sciences or the Chinese Academy of Engineering. 500 professors are currently involved in doctoral advisement.

Fudan University is an internationally recognized influential academic center. Since 1996, faculty members of the science departments have published nearly 10,000 academic articles, over 300 books and more than 300 research achievements that have been evaluated by experts. The faculty has received over 200 awards, of which more than 30 are national awards. The university has obtained over 400 scientific patents. In the liberal arts departments, faculty members have published more than 7,100 academic articles, over l,200 books, and have received more than 240 awards at provincial and ministerial levels. In 1999, five of their academic achievements were recognized with awards of excellence given by the first National Philosophical and Social Science Programs.

The university also attaches importance to the international academic exchange activities. Fudan University has established exchange relationships with more than 200 universities and research institutions in about 30 countries and regions.

Fudan University occupies an area of nearly l40 hectares, and its buildings have a total floor space of over 1 million square meters. The university boasts fixed assets of more than RMBl.5 billion. Currently it has 140 laboratories with advanced instruments and big-sized equipment. The university library has a collection of 4.3 million volumes and subscribes to over 25,000 journals and magazines.

In July 1999, the Ministry of Education reached an agreement with the Shanghai Municipal Government that provides Fudan University with an increase of 1.2 billion investment. Fudan University aims to develop into a high-level research-oriented university, with a comprehensive range of academic disciplines that will continue to characterize Fudan as one of the top universities in China, and one of the most influential universities in the world.