Founded in June 1951, Donghua University was originally named East China Institute of Textile Technology. In September 1985, the institute changed its name to China Textile University and changed it once again to Donghua University in August 1999. The word "Donghua" means East China.
The university has been a national key university since 1960 and was one of the educational institutions in China authorized to confer all three levels of degree: bachelor's, master's, and doctorate. It is directly administered by the Ministry of Education of China as part of the Double First-Class University Plan and former Project 211 for National Key Universities.As of 2021, Donghua University is ranked as the top 1 school for Textile Engineering, Fiber Materials Science, and Fashion Design in China in the recognized Best Chinese Universities Ranking.
Being well known as an international university; ranking top 5 in the list of most international-friendly universities in China. Being amongst the first Chinese universities to accept international students, Donghua University is no stranger to the needs of international students like Shanghai Summer School participants. To date, Donghua University has hosted international students from almost 140 countries.