Doctoral Program in
International Politics (DPIP)

School of International Relations and Public Affairs

Fudan University, Shanghai, China

1. Introduction of SIRPA

Fudan University is a comprehensive university based in Shanghai, China’s most internationalized metropolitan city. It is a top university in the world, ranked at the 34th place in the QS World University Rankings (2023). Its campus hosts the biggest group of international students in China. 

The School of International Relations and Public Affairs (SIRPA) is a leading school in political and public affairs. Its Politics ranked at the 38th place in the QS World University Rankings by subject (2023). Supported by its interdisciplinary structure, strong international publications and exchanges, faculty resources and frontier research, SIRPA has been running several English-taught MA programs, including Chinese Politics and Diplomacy, Europe and Asia in Global Affairs (double degree with Science Po Paris), International Public Policy, as well as one English-taught Ph.D. program in International Politics.

2. Introduction of the Program

The English-instructed Doctoral Program in International Politics, known as DPIP, was established in 2013. The principal goal of the program is preparing scholars and practitioners with a solid theoretical foundation, rigorous research skills, and profound knowledge of both history and contemporary issues in the vitally important fields of public and international affairs. The program mainly enrolls international students, and all its academic courses are taught in English. The curriculum and doctoral dissertation work in the program center around the following thematic areas: International Relations Theory, International Political Economy, International Security, Great-power Diplomacy, Chinese Foreign Policy, International Organization, Comparative Politics, BRICS Study, Global Governance, Religion and International Relations, etc.

Applicants should have master’s degrees in related fields. The DPIP normally requires at least three years of work on courses and dissertation. The faculty members have diverse academic backgrounds, and many of them received PhD degrees from world-renowned universities and have rich international teaching experiences and impressive academic records.

3. Application

The program admits degree students. 

Application Procedure:

1. Log into the website (http://admission.iso.fudan.edu.cn/) to register and complete the application form online, upload the application documents and submit the application.

2. Pay application fee RMB 800 (Degree) online after preliminary review. Afterwards any application information cannot be modified.

Application documents should include:

(1) Printed online barcode Application Form with personal signature and a photo.

(2) Copy of valid passport identification page, and it should be an ordinary passport and be valid until Sept. 30th. 2025.

(3)Certificates of at least one bachelor’s and one master’s degree from an accredited international institute in a relevant discipline. Students must submit the documents in the original language as well as an official or certified English translation for each document. Students from countries in which English is the official language of instruction only need to submit the English copies.

(4) Transcripts of all post-secondary (after high school) education. Students must submit transcripts in the original language as well as an official or certified English translation for each foreign language transcript. Students from countries in which English is the official language of instruction need to submit only the English copies. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) equivalent to at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (B grade) in undergraduate and postgraduate coursework is required.

(5) Statement of purpose. Describe in your statement of purpose: your reasons for applying to the Ph.D. program and your preparation for this field of study; your research and study interests; future career plans and other aspects of your background and interests which may aid the program in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for Ph.D. study. The statement should be written in English without limit to the number of words.

(6) Writing sample. No longer than 20 pages, in English. It can be your previous research (published or unpublished) or your future research plan, which is to show your ability of academic writing.

(7) Two recommendation letters. The letters should be submitted online or hard copies in sealed envelopes. If the evaluators choose to mail hard-copy recommendations to our program, students are still required to enter the names and email addresses of evaluators on the online application. 

(8) Evidence of English language proficiency. Applicants whose native language is not English must meet one of the following English proficiency criteria:

Otherwise they should have received a bachelor's or postgraduate degree from an institution in which the official language of instruction is English and he or she was enrolled in that school for at least two years.

(9) Interviews will be conducted after the above materials have been reviewed and approved.

4. Tuition and Scholarships

Tuition:
For international degree students in the program, the annual tuition is RMB 100,000. 

Scholarships:
Students supported by Chinese government scholarship will be waived the tuition.

Notes: 

1. We strongly encourage applicants to apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship while applying for admissions into our doctoral program. The Chinese Government Scholarship are usually not open for applications from current students in the program. Therefore, you are advised to apply for it before coming to China. 

2. The applicant should apply online (http://admission.iso.fudan.edu.cn/) as a self-support student first. 

3. Application documents for scholarship can be submitted together with admission documents. 

4. First get acceptance from the University, then an applicant may have the opportunity to get the scholarship.

5. Fudan University also offers Fudan Student Fellowship annually to second-year and third-year international students based on a campus-wide competition. SIRPA also presents Excellence in Study Scholarship and awards to student each year in October. In addition, SIRPA provide financial support for students to participate in international academic conferences and other activities, subject to SIRPA’s relevant funding policies.

Accommodation at Fudan Campus

An on-campus International Students Dormitory is available. Please check the website of International Student Office for further information.

5. Degree and Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 29 credits of courses. In order to fulfill the course requirements, students must take all required public courses (10 credits), required courses (14 credits), and elective courses (5 credits).

Besides completing coursework, students must write a dissertation and pass the oral defense.

A student is required to conduct research leading to quality publications to at least one national or international peer-reviewed journals(which have ISSN).  

Students must also successfully complete a comprehensive exam at the beginning of the third semester.

6. Curriculum

Public courses (10 credits)

EMAP620002: Political Development in Modern China (3 credits)

EMAP630096: Chinese Society: Past and Present (3 credits)

Chinese Languages I (2 credits)

Chinese Languages II (2 credits)

Required Courses (12 credits)

EMAP820004: PhD Program - International Politics and Theories (3 credits, core course)

EMAP820006: International Political Economy (3 credits, core courses)

EMAP820007: Research Design in Political Science (3 credits)

POLI630078: International Security and Strategies (3 credits, core courses)

Elective Courses (7 Credits, among which the 3 credits of ‘Research Methods’ is required)

EMAP630014: China-EU Relations (3 credits)

EMAP630052: China’s Foreign Economic Policies (2 credits)

EMAP820001: PhD Program - Research Methods (3 credits, required)

EMAP820003: PhD Program - Chinese Diplomacy (3 credits)

POLI630016: Global Governance (2 credits)

POLI830032: A Comparative Perspective on International Regions(2 credits)

POLI630037: East Asian Politics (2 credits)

7. Contact Information

International Office of SIRPA

Email: sirpa_io@fudan.edu.cn

Tel: +86-21-55665488

Address: Room 609, Wenke Building, 220 Handan Rd., Shanghai, China 200433

Website: https://sirpa-en.fudan.edu.cn/ 

DPIP Program Director

Dr. Bowen Yu

Email: bowenyu@fudan.edu.cn

Address: Room 506, Wenke Building, 220 Handan Rd., Shanghai, China, 200433

Please see more info provided by International Students Office (ISO), Fudan University on: http://iso.fudan.edu.cn/en/.