Doctoral Program of Public Administration and Policy (DPAP)
School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Fudan University
Fudan University, situated in Shanghai—China’s most vibrant and international metropolis—is a world-class comprehensive university. In the QS World University Rankings (2025), Fudan University is ranked 39th globally, reflecting its academic excellence and international reputation. The School of International Relations and Public Affairs (SIRPA) stands as a leading institution in the fields of politics and public affairs. Its Politics discipline is ranked 20th, and Social Policy & Administration is 40th worldwide in the QS World University Rankings by Subject (2025), highlighting SIRPA’s global influence and academic distinction.
Doctoral Program of Public Administration and Policy (DPAP) is a four-year full-time English-taught program, focusing on cutting-edge topics in the field of public governance around the world. With a primary focus on enrolling international students, the program fosters a multicultural learning environment and an interdisciplinary academic community—where diverse perspectives converge to enrich scholarly exchange. DPAP aims to cultivate high-level public administration researchers and practitioners with solid academic foundations, proficient cross-cultural communication skills, and a forward-looking global vision. Its curriculum is designed to integrate a comparative lens to exam the theories and practices of public administration and public policy in both Chinese and international contexts, integrated with rigorous training in academic research methodologies and skills. Graduates are well equipped with comprehensive capabilities to generate impactful scholarly work, drive policy innovation in public governance, and address complex global challenges in the field.
Attainment of the doctoral degree requires four years of graduate study, including completion of a minimum of 23 credits of coursework, composed of public courses (7 credits), required courses (9 credits), and elective courses (7 credits). Students also must meet requirements in engagement in academic activities, doctoral comprehensive exam, academic publication, and dissertation writing and defense.
Public courses (7 Credits)
PhD Program - Political Development in Modern China (3 credits)
Chinese Languages I (2 credits)
Chinese Languages II (2 credits)
Required Courses (9 Credits)
Public Management Theory (3 credits, core course)
Public Policy Analysis (3 credits, core course)
Advanced Quantitative Research Methods (3 credits)
Elective Courses (7 Credits)
Chinese Public Administration（3 credits）
Chinese Society: Past and Present（3 credits）
Social Policy（2 credits）
Public Economics（3 credits）
Qualitative Research Methods（3 credits）
Global Public Policy（3 credits）
Global Governance（2 credits）
International Political Economy（3 credits）
Contemporary Chinese Diplomacy（3 credits）
China’s Foreign Economic Policies（2 credits）
Economics and Policies of Technological Innovation（2 credits）
The program is open only to international students. Applicants must hold a master’s degree in public administration, public policy, or a related field, possess foundational knowledge and understanding of public administration and policy, and demonstrate proficiency in English for academic reading, communication, and writing.
1. Application portal
(1) Log into the website (https://istudent.fudan.edu.cn/apply/#/user/login) 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.
2. Application documents
(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 Mar. 1st. 2027.
(3) Certificates of at least one bachelor’s degree and one master’s degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited international institution. Each certificate in the original language, accompanied by an official or certified English translation. If you are still studying in the current program, please submit current enrollment certificate for this program. Applicants from countries where English is the official language of instruction need only submit the English versions of their certificates.
(4) Transcripts of all post-secondary (after high school) education. Each transcript in the original language, accompanied by an official or certified English translation. Applicants from countries where English is the official language of instruction need only submit the English versions of their transcripts. 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) Resume. Applicants must submit a detailed and updated resume that highlights your academic background, work experience (if applicable), research projects, internships, extracurricular activities, awards, honors, and relevant skills (e.g., language proficiency, computer skills).
(6) Statement of purpose. Applicants must submit a statement of purpose written in English. This is to help the Public Administration Department’s PhD Admissions Committee assess the alignment of your research and professional interests with the aims and scope of our doctoral program and the research interests of our faculty. Please address the following in the statement with no more than 1,000 words.
① Motivation and preparation for pursuing doctoral study;
② A description of one research project you would like to undertake for your doctoral research;
③ Your future career plans once you complete the doctoral program;
④ Reasons for choosing the DPAP program at SIRPA;
⑤ Names of two potential supervisors.
The statement must be written clearly in English, contain all the five parts, and remain strictly within the word limit. Please use the statement as an opportunity to make us aware of any special qualifications, talents, or issues that might not be clear from the other materials you submitted with your application. The more specific your statement, the more helpful it is in the review process. A well-written, concise, focused statement will increase your chances of admission.
(7) Writing sample. Applicants must provide a formal academic writing sample in English (approximately 20 pages). Acceptable submissions may include: a research article (published or unpublished), a course assignment, a portion of a master’s thesis, etc. The writing sample should demonstrate the applicant’s research ability and academic writing skills. Applicants are encouraged to submit their strongest academic work.
(8) Two recommendation letters. Two letters of recommendation should be from individuals who can assess your academic ability, professional potential, or personal qualities. Letters must be written on official letterhead (with the recommender’s contact information, signature, and date). All recommendation letters must be submitted via the application portal. Applicants may submit recommendation letters using one of the following methods:
l Upload electronic copies of the recommendation letters directly to the application portal;
l Enter the recommenders’ full names and valid email addresses, after which the system will invite them to submit their letters directly through the system.
(9) Evidence of English language proficiency. For non-native English speakers, official test scores of English proficiency must be submitted. Minimum score requirements for acceptable English proficiency exams are listed below:
TOEFL (IBT) | IELTS (Academic) | Duolingo English Test | PTE Academic |
≥95 | ≥7.0 | ≥110 | ≥61 |
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.
3. Interviews
After the submitted application materials have been reviewed and the preliminary screening completed, shortlisted candidates will be invited for an online interview with the expert committee.
4. Application cycles
The doctoral program offers two application cycles annually to accommodate applicants’ diverse preparation schedules. Applications may submit your application materials within either of the following periods. Applicants who wish to apply for scholarships are strongly encouraged to submit their applications in the first cycle.
Application Cycle | Start Date | End Date |
First Application Cycle | 2025.10.13 | 2025.12.12 |
Second Application Cycle | 2026.03.01 | 2026.03.31 |
1. Tuition
The annual tuition is 150,000 RMB.
2. Scholarship
Students awarded a Chinese Government Scholarship will receive a full tuition waiver for 4 years.
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 (https://istudent.fudan.edu.cn/apply/#/user/login) 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) SIRPA provide financial support for students to participate in international academic conferences and other activities, subject to SIRPA’s relevant funding policies.
3. Accommodation at Fudan Campus
An on-campus International Students Dormitory is available. For fees and policies, please check the website of International Student Office for further information.
DPAP Program Director
Dr. Qianli Yuan
Email: qlyuan@fudan.edu.cn
Address: Room 335, 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: https://iso.fudan.edu.cn/isoenglish/.
