Chinese language is part of living in Shanghai. Some people find learning Chinese interesting (though not easy) and some just muddle through their time here surrounded by other foreigners and plodding through the frustrations of miscommunication. If you are in China, this an opportunity. Here are some things to consider:
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For Overseas Students
After you have decided to come to Shanghai to learn Chinese, the most important thing is to choose a university to study at. Most universities here offer long-term and short-term programs on Chinese language study and training on HSK (a national test of Chinese as a foreign language which has 8 bands and is very helpful if you want to find a job here.)
Some universities also offer degree study in different majors besides Chinese language. You can check the list below from Shanghai-ed.com for universities' information.
As for tuition fees, one semester usually costs 1,100-1,300 USD. Concerning accommodation, there are two options: one is to live in your university dorm where double rooms or single rooms are available; 
the other is to rent a place, but to do this you need to get permission from the university's foreign affairs office and basic skills in Chinese is a must (usually HSK Band 2 or above.) In terms of visas, after receiving the letter of admission from the university, you can go to the Chinese embassy at in your country to apply for a student visa.
For Part-Time Study
If you work here or are too busy to go regular classes, there are also dozens of ways to learn Mandarin. Some local universities and language centers have night or weekend classes for foreigners in Shanghai, such as Gateway Mandarin (tel: 6294-9670), East China Normal University, and Easy Mandarin. (tel: 54656999)
Of course, you can schedule a course on your own by hiring a private tutor, for about 50-100 RMB per hour. I take a limited number of students on a regular basis. Also, you can post in the online classifieds at several sites including this one.
You might feel confused or frustrated when learning the language, but it's always hard to pick up a new language, not just because Chinese is difficult. The best advice might be "practice makes perfect." One good thing about living in Shanghai is that there will always be plenty of warm-hearted people ready to help you out in English.
Here are details on some of the schools:
Fudan University
280 Zhengtong Road
Tel: 6564-2222
(Foreign Affairs Office: 6511-7628)
Fax: 6564-1875
Obviously the biggest, and probably the best university to study at: Nice living conditions, and several different programs. The biggest drawback is that the campus is located about 40 minutes north of Shanghai. But of course, the students create their own social life in the area. One year's tuition is approximately 2,500 USD.
JiaoTong University
1954 Huashan Road 200030.
Tel: 5474-0000
(Foreign Affairs Office: 6293-2276)
Fax: 6486-5577
Jiang Zemin's alma mater, this university is well-kept, and well-funded. Its location is ideal, just minutes from the booming shopping center of Xujiahui. The tuition fee for a year of Chinese is 18,200 RMB, and if you have passed the HSK level 3 you can take science and engineering courses with the Chinese students, but you will need HSK level 5 for the liberal arts. They also have a Shanghai dialect course.
Mandarin Center, Fudan University
10 Song Yuan Road, 200335
Tel: Foreign Affairs Office: 6270-7668
Fax: 6270-7661
This training center seems to be very well-organized and accommodates those of us working in Shanghai. They offer a full range of courses: night classes, seminars, summer intensive studies, and many more.
Shanghai International Studies University
550 Dalian West Road
Tel: 6531-1900
(Foreign Affairs Office: 6536-0599)
Fax: 6542-0225
Another in the Northern university area. Apart from the usual Chinese language classes, they have an undergraduate course aimed specifically at foreign students which combines Chinese language and trade and economics. One year of study is 2,000 USD.
Shanghai Normal University
100 Guilin Road, 200234
Tel: Foreign Affairs Office: 6432-2824
Fax: 6433-9150.
email: fso@shtu.edu.cn
Like a lot of university courses, in the afternoon they offer tai chi, erhu and calligraphy classes. A year of Chinese will cost 2,200 USD, while degree students (studying for a Chinese language degree, or a regular subject alongside Chinese students) pay 2,400 USD.
Shanghai University
149 Yanchang Road, 200072.
Tel: 6613-1999
(Foreign Affairs Office: 5633-1820)
Fax: 5663-5364
Actually less well-known than the name would lead you to believe, and situated way out West, pretty far from anything. The Chinese classes are 1,800 USD. The school is home to Shanghai's only Fine Arts Institute, but it's way way out in the new campus (huge open spaces and buildings that have a kind of hospital atmosphere.) To find out about the fine arts courses, phone Chen Zeming on 66132818. The arts courses are more expensive, at 3,300 USD.
Tongji University
1239 Siping Road, 200092
Tel: 6598-2200
(Foreign Affairs Office: 6598-3611)
Another "big name" university, not far from Fudan.
2,000 USD for one year's tuition.
Donghua University
1882 West Yan'an Road
Tel: 62373678
(Foreign Affairs Office: 62373798)
Has the usual Chinese classes for 1,800 USD, while if your language level is good enough you can study alongside the Chinese undergraduates. Donghua's particular areas of expertise include international trade, macroeconomics and fashion design, but these courses cost 2,200 USD per year.
East China Normal University
3663 North Zhongshan Road
Tel: 6223 3333
(Foreign Affairs Office: 6223-2013)
For one year of Chinese language, 1,100 USD.
East China University of Politics and Law
1575 Wan Han Du Road
Tel: 6251 2497
For those keen to study politics and law in Chinese, this place has some excellent courses, but you'll need to discuss it with them personally. They also offer a summer course to certain American law schools, in English, attended by Harvard and Yale students.
Shanghai Conservatory of Music
209 Fenyang Road, 200031
Tel: Foreign Affairs Office: 6471-9492
Fax: 6437-0137
Beautifully located in the heart of Old Shanghai, but a little questionable in terms of a school. Private classes only, at 60RMB for three quarters of an hour, with a lot of extra rules and stipulations about how many hours a week you need to study, etc.
East China University of Science and Technology
130 Meilong Road
Tel: 6425 3300
(Foreign Affairs Office: 6425-2760)
Shanghai University of Finance and Economics
777 Guoding Road
Tel: 6536-6000
Shanghai College of Traditional Chinese Medicine
530 Lingling Road
Tel: 6417-4600
Note: Editor: Good listing of schools and programs AND useful if you want a tutor or language partner - post a note in the classifieds section.
