PROGRAM INTRODUCTION

Program Description

The Contemporary China Studies Program resides within the School of International Studies. It is the first English-taught program established at Renmin University and it offers overseas students who are not yet proficient in Chinese the opportunity to study governance and foreign relations while living in China’s capital city.

The CCSP recruits students from all over the world, fostering a unique multidisciplinary and multinational environment in which diverse backgrounds and experiences enhance rigorous academic study.

The two-year master’s program provides a comprehensive introduction to the economy, politics, law, society, and foreign policy of contemporary China. In the second year, the program supports students as they conduct independent research on a topic of their choosing. Upon completion of the program, graduates will earn a Master's degree as recognized by the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China.

1. Course Offerings

§ Contemporary Chinese Society

§ Contemporary Chinese Foreign Policy

§ Contemporary Chinese Foreign Economic Relations

§ Contemporary Chinese History and Culture

§ Contemporary Chinese Politics

§ Sino-US relations

§ The Political Economy of China-Developing Countries Relations

§ Asia-Pacific Security and Strategy

§ Asia-Pacific Energy Cooperation

§ Theories of International Relations and Asian-Pacific Cooperation

§ The political economy of Southeast Asia

§ Territory and Maritime Rights

§ Nations and Nationalism in Asia

§ Overseas Chinese and International Migration

§ Investing in China

§ Methodologies in China Studies

§ Methodologies in Social Sciences

§ Key Issues and Institutions in Modern Day China (lectures and visits)

§ Topics in China studies (lectures and visits)

§ Chinese Language

§ Academic writing

This list shows recent years’ course offerings. Please note that this list is not final as CCSP’s courses vary slightly based on current trends and developments. In addition, a selection of additional elective courses from other departments is also open to CCSP students.

2. Double Degree Options

We currently offer three joint programs in partnership with universities outside China:

- King’s College of London (UK)

- LUISS Guido Carli University (Italy)

- Niigata University (Japan)

The RUC-KCL Double Master Degree in Asian and International Affairs has been co-established by the School of International Studies’ Contemporary China Studies Program at Renmin University of China (RUC), and the Department of European and International Studies at King’s College London (KCL), this Double degree program is a two-year program, in which students spend the first year studying Asian affairs at Renmin University in Beijing, and the second year studying International affairs at King’s College London.

After completing the requirements in both universities, the students are awarded two master's degrees by two of the world’s most prestigious universities in their respective fields. For more details, please see

https://chinastudies.education/program/double-degree-kcl/

The School of International Studies has also recently established double degree programs with LUISS Guido Carli University (Rome, Italy) and Niigata University (Japan) respectively. The two new double degree programs are currently being launched. If you have an interest, please feel free to contact the CCSP team for more details.

3. Admission

ELIGIBILITY

We welcome students with diverse educational backgrounds and experiences to apply for the CCSP. We are looking for applicants who are passionate about China, are open to learning a new culture and language, and are ready to immerse themselves in a multicultural and multinational academic environment.

To be eligible for application you must:

- Hold a BA or BS degree in a related field, or an equivalent level of education from a recognized university. We expect a strong academic track record and you will be asked to submit your diploma(s), transcript(s), and letters of recommendation as evidence.

- You must be fluent in English at a level that allows you to follow and contribute to your coursework and to write papers and a thesis. Our minimum English proficiency scores are TOEFL iBT: 90 or IELTS 6.0. Holding an undergraduate degree taught in English may also qualify.

APPLICATION PERIOD

Self-financed applicant:

December 3, 2024- May 31, 2025

Chinese Government Scholarship (High-level scholarship and Silk Road scholarship) Type B applicant:

December 3, 2024- February 15, 2025

Please note that the application deadlines for the Chinese Government Scholarship Type A are different across countries, so check ahead of time with the relevant authority in your country.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The application process comprises six steps and can be easily completed online

Step 1 Prepare & Submit your Application

A full list of the required documents can be found at

http://iso.ruc.edu.cn/docs/2024-12/d58730bf94b84c959d5d6255958ea2ed.pdf

Prepare your application materials, go to http://international.ruc.edu.cn/application. Register a profile and upload your documents. Once complete, you can pay the application fee and directly submit your documents for initial review.

Step 2 Screening of your Materials

The program office will screen your application for completeness and competitiveness. If your application qualifies, it will be passed on to the admissions committee for evaluation. Please note that only complete application packages are considered and processed. Should you pass our initial screening and evaluation, you will be invited to an admission interview.

Step 3 Admission Interview

Admissions interviews are conducted by members of the admissions committee and aim at evaluating your motivation, your attitude, and your background. Interviews can be conducted in person for candidates already in Beijing, or via online video chat.

Step 4 Pre-Admission Letter

Should you successfully pass the admission interview, a pre-admission letter will be digitally made available to you within two weeks. This pre-admission letter may serve as proof of scholarship applications.

Step 5 Official Admission Letter

Official admission letters will be mailed to your postal address in late June. For applicants already in Beijing, the admissions documents can also be picked up in person.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

To apply you need to upload electronic versions of documents,please see

http://iso.ruc.edu.cn/ENGLISH/Apply/MastersprogramsinEnglish/index.htm

4. Tuition and Campuses

The tuition for the Master of Contemporary China Studies Program is RMB 60,000 per academic year for the regular study period of two years.

Yearly tuition is due during the registration at the beginning of each academic year.

According to the university charter, our institution operates across the Zhongguancun Campus and the Tongzhou Campus.

5. Scholarships

There are two main kinds of scholarships:

- Chinese Government Scholarship

The Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS) scheme provides full and partial scholarships to international students studying in China. Full scholarships cover tuition, accommodation, living allowance and comprehensive insurance.

For more details and to apply, please see https://www.campuschina.org/

- Tuition Scholarships

In addition to the Chinese Government Scholarship there is a number of tuition scholarships available to support selected excellent students from a variety of backgrounds in their studies. These tuition scholarships may cover full tuition or half tuition, or they may come in the form of a tuition refund upon successful completion of each semester.

6. Contact

Email: chinastudies@ruc.edu.cn

Contact Number: 010-62510626, 010-62511232

Address: Room 816B, Mingde International Building, Renmin University of China.

No.59, Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing China.

Office Hours: Monday to Friday 08:00 – 11:30 and 14:00 – 17:00