International Public Policy (IPP)

School of International Relations and Public Affairs

Fudan University, Shanghai, China

1. Introduction to SIRPA

Fudan University is an innovative and vibrant 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 foreign students in China.

The School of International Relations and Public Affairs (SIRPA) is a leading school in political science, public policy and public administration. 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 to the Program

In response to the demand for policy analysts and practitioners with an international vision, SIRPA started to build a two-year MA program in International Public Policy (IPP) in 2014. This program combines multiple strengths. First, China, after decades of rapid development, is now the world’s second largest economy. China’s domestic demands for policy experts are proliferating. Meanwhile, as China is becoming a key player in global governance, more opportunities for international jobs are being created. Second, Shanghai is China’s economic capital and a vibrant global city. It has China’s first Free Trade Zone and is accommodating the head-quarter of the New Development Bank.

The IPP program welcomes students with diverse academic background such as social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering, among others. The program emphasizes strong analytical capacities, quantitative skills, policy orientation, and an international vision. The training in IPP will prepare students for leadership and analytical positions in public, private, and nonprofits organizations in or out of China. It also sets solid foundation for further Ph.D. studies.

Highlights of the program

(a) All courses except the Chinese language courses are taught in English. There are some distance learning courses co-organized with our international partners.

(b) Most faculty members are Chinese with a Ph.D. degree from top universities in the world. There are also foreign faculty members.

(c) The program is composed of half international students and half Chinese students.

(d) Courses are designed with an interdisciplinary focus and a methodology focus.

(e) Internship in local or foreign agencies is important for developing a policy design or a thesis.

(f) Ample opportunities for international exchanges including double degree programs.

Training goals for students

(1) Grasp basic skills of policy analysis and program evaluation and have a solid knowledge of social science research methods.

(2) Have considerable understanding of certain issues in international public policy and can systematically analyze domestic and international public policies.

(3) Independently carry out academic research and write professional articles and consulting reports.

(4) Have strong abilities to research and write on policy issues and to design and propose recommendations.

3. Admission

The program admits both degree and non-degree students.

For application procedures, please refer to the website of International Students Office of Fudan University http://iso.fudan.edu.cn/

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:

For Degree students

• One original application form with the applicant’s signature and photo.

• One official copy of diploma from each previous college-level degree program or proof of impending graduation (for applicants in their final year of study).

• One official copy of transcript for each previous college-level degree program.

• Two letters of recommendation, at least one from a faculty member of your previous academic program (applicants who have submitted the electronic recommendation letters online should also submit originals of both two recommendation letters.).

• 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.

• Resume.

• Statement of purpose.

• Writing sample (approximately 2000 words). It can be your previous research (published or unpublished) or your future research plan, which is to show your ability of academic writing.

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

Non-degree students

• One official copy of diploma from each previous college-level degree program.

• One official copy of transcripts for each previous college-level degree program.

• Official copy of TOEFL or IELTS scores if applicable.

• Resume.

• Statement of purpose.

Admission Schedule

Degree students are admitted for fall semester only.

Non-degree students are usually admitted for both fall and spring semesters.

4. Degree and Requirements

(1) A master degree major in Public Policy will be awarded.

(2) The term is 2 years. Students can apply to extend the studies, with a maximum of 5 years for graduation purpose. Extended semesters students will pay regular tuition each year.

(3) 33 credits minimum are required for graduation purpose. Students must pass all courses taken and have a GPA above 2.0. The credits should include 15 credits from mandatory courses, 8 credits from elective courses (category I) and 7 credits (category II).

(4) Students are required to complete and defend a graduation thesis or policy design. With the consent of the advisor, students can choose either write graduation thesis or policy design. Graduation thesis is for students interested in further academic study after graduation, and the requirements are the same as those for a MA degree. Policy design is mainly for students interested in entering a certain policy area after graduation. Students who do a policy design are required to do internship for a policy issue and use the policy design to analyze the policy issues in depth and raise policy suggestions.

(5) Students must meet all other requirements for graduation.

5. Tuition and Scholarships

Tuition:

Foreign Degree student: 120,000 RMB per year (240,000 RMB for two years)

Scholarships:

For students supported by Chinese government scholarship, the tuition will be waived.

Notes:

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

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

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

Fudan University also offers Fudan Student Fellowship annually to second-year foreign 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: http://iso.fudan.edu.cn

6. Curriculum

Public courses (7 credits):

l Chinese Students

At least two courses and 3 credits in total.

MAST610019: 中国特色社会主义理论与实践研究 (2 credits)

MAST610021: 马克思主义与社会科学方法论(1 credits)

MAST610022: 自然辩证法概论(1 credit)

English Language Course I (2 credits)

English Language Course II (2 credits)

l International Students

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

Chinese Language I (2 credits)

Chinese Language II (2 credits)

Required Courses (15 credits)

EMAP620076: Quantitative Research Methods (3 credits)

EMAP620077: Qualitative Research Methods (3 credits)

EMAP620020: Public Economics (3 credits)

EMAP620073: Global Public Policy (3 credits)

EMAP620074: Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation (3 credits)

Elective Courses (11 Credits)

EMAP620003: International Politics and Theories (3 credits)

EMAP620023: Public Management Theories (3 credits)

EMAP620037: Environmental Policy (3 credits)

EMAP630001: Studies of China’s Foreign and Security Policies (2 credits)

EMAP630053: Public Innovation Technology Integration and New Public Operation (2 credits)

EMAP630130: Global Environmental Governance (2 credits)

EMAP630163: Cross-Cultural Communication (2 credits)

EMAP630167: Social Policy (2 credits)

POLI630016: Global Governance (2 credits)

EMAP620004: Chinese Public Administration (3 credits)

EMAP620024: Chinese Politics (3 credits)

EMAP620038: Seminars on Chinese Public Management (2 credits)

EMAP620058: Comparative Politics (3 credits)

EMAP630193: International Economic Policy (2 credits)

EMAP630235: Economics and Policies of Technological Innovation (2 credits)

EMAP630287: Risk Management in Development Process (2 credits)

EMAP820006: International Political Economy (3 credits)

POLI630034: International Relations in East Asia (2 credits)

POLI630037: Comparative East Asian Politics (2 credits)

POLI630155: Foreign Policy Analysis (2 credits)

P.S.

(1) Public courses: Students from China take political and English courses as required by the university.

(2) Students can also take 4 credits of elective courses in 2 years from the English Master Programs of the following institutions: Department of Chinese Language and Literature, Department of Philosophy, School of Social Development and Public Policy, School of Journalism and School of Economics.

7. Endorsements

“Those from outside China can no longer afford to be ignorant about China. An experience at one of China’s top universities, with a long tradition of openness to international influences, is a fantastic opportunity for students from outside China. They will be interacting with some of China’s smartest young people, learning from professors who understand both Western and Chinese perspectives, and living in one of the most vibrant cities in the world. They will come out of the program with a better understanding both of China’s strengths and problems, and be in a good position to help build a more peaceful world.”

-- Steve Kelman, Weather head Professor of Public Management, Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Editor of International Public Management Journal (IPMJ)

“This course looks set to become an essential prerequisite for serious students wanting to study public policies in and beyond China. It is timely and sets the Chinese trajectory of reform in the context of trends both across Pacific Asia and globally. The course offers a good balance of required and elective courses, access to high quality faculty and is situated within a renowned School at Fudan University. Graduating students will gain important high-level skills both in research and policy analysis.”

-- Stephen P. Osborne, Professor and Chair of International Public Management at University of Edinburgh (UK) and Deputy Dean of the Business School, Editor of Public Management Review (PMR)

“There is a growing demand among international students to experience China and its view of global public policies, but for whom acquiring full skills in Mandarin is out of reach. There is a growing demand among Chinese students to encounter foreign students and learning from their perspectives in solving global problems. Fudan University’s International Public Policy master programme offers both groups the perfect podium to fulfil their wishes. A two-year programme taught in English at a top university located in global city Shanghai, can anyone think of a more suitable alternative?”

-- Martin de Jong, Professor of Public Policy, Delft University of Technology& Fudan University

8. Contact Information

The IPP program

Prof. Haimo Li

Email: li_haimo@fudan.edu.cn

Address: Room 709, Wenke Building, 220 Handan Rd., Shanghai, China 200433

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/ 

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