Recognizing the importance of international exchange and cooperation, SHOU maintains close partnerships with universities and international organizations from the US, Japan, Russia, Australia, South Korea, as well as regions like Taiwan and Hong Kong. It has signed cooperation agreements with 87 universities and research institutes from 24 countries. The university also exchanges students with many foreign universities. A long-term partner in key international cooperative programs such as the China-US Cooperation Program for Marine Biological Resources, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, the Asian Fisheries Society, and the International Center of Living Aquatic Resources Management, SHOU sees global relations as essential to its continued progress as a leading research institution. As early as 1955, SHOU began enrolling overseas students. Today, it regularly accepts international students, including those awarded the Chinese Government Scholarship and Shanghai Municipal Government Scholarship.

Its education target in the new era is to establish an international, open and high-level university, featuring preponderant disciplines of marine sciences, fisheries, and food science and technology, balanced development in the fields of science, engineering, agriculture, economics, liberal arts, management and law science, cultivation of innovative and inter-disciplinary talents with global vision and equal attention to teaching and scientific researches by 2020.

In August 2017, SHOU was identified as the first one of the deepen innovation and entrepreneurship education reform universities in Shanghai. In September, SHOU has be selected in the list of the first China’s "double-first class" world - class courses constructed universities.

Shanghai Ocean University has a comfortable, convenient highly cost-effective living environment. SHOU is located in the Lingang New Town District New District, Shanghai, with beautiful scenery and elegant environment. There is a very convenient life sharing area for students around the city. No need to go far, we can experience many kinds of traditional Chinese dishes. Online ordering and online shopping services are also very convenient. Adjacent to Asia's largest artificial lake Dishui Lake, the ecological environment is superior. When overseas students have spare time, they can also go there to experience dragon boat, speedboat and other water projects.

At present, the university has three campuses, namely, Hucheng Ring Road campus in Pudong New Area, Jungong Road campus and Minxing Road campus in Yangpu District. According to the adjustment and planning of the layout and structure of all universities at Shanghai, SHOU relocated to Shanghai Lingang New District in 2008. The main campus Hucheng Ring Road campus covers an area of about 1,600 muand its planned construction area is 586,000 square meters.

The university enjoys a well-developed education system, well-known preponderant disciplines and remarkable research findings, offering postgraduate, undergraduate and college education, continuing education, and education for foreign students. In addition to two post-doctoral research stations, three doctoral degree programs of LevelⅠacademic disciplines, 10 master degree programs of Level Ⅰ academic disciplines, 4 professional master degree programs, 39 undergraduate programs and research areas, 10 higher vocational programs, the university has one national key academic discipline, three Shanghai “Gaofeng” and “Gaoyuan” academic disciplines, 3 Shanghai LevelⅠacademic disciplines, 9 key academic disciplines at the provincial and ministerial level, 5 national specialties, 3 national premium courses, 27 Shanghai premium courses, 4 Shanghai premium courses of physical and health education, 12 Shanghai model English courses, one national and four municipal teaching teams, and two national demonstration centers for experimental teaching. Moreover, the university has won seven First Prizes and fourteen Second Prizes of Shanghai Teaching Achievement. Since 2011, the university has achieved many significant research results in natural sciences, humanity, philosophy, and social sciences, and made significant contributions in the fields of aquaculture, marine fisheries, marine resources, aquatic products processing, food safety, low-temperature logistics of agricultural products, fishery economic management, accompanied with one National Science and Technology Progress Award, 21 awards at the provincial and ministerial level, and three awards of Shanghai Decision-making and Consultation.

With its 14 faculties, the university accommodates more than 12,300 full-time undergraduates and junior college students and more than 3,050 full-time graduate students, as well as more than 1,200 faculty members and staff, including nearly 900 teaching staff and researchers, among whom more than 500 have senior professional titles and more than 600 are doctoral and master supervisors.