2025 Master of Contemporary Chinese Studies (Suzhou Campus)

The Master’s program of Contemporary China Studies (MCCS) at Silk Road School (SRS), Renmin University of China (RUC) is based on RUC’s international and domestic impact, unique think-tank resources, outstanding faculty, and advanced teaching, and learning facilities. SRS is devoted to cultivating future scholars and leaders from BRI countries and other parts of the world who are passionate about China and interested in China's history, cultures, governance and development.

RUC is a comprehensive research-oriented university focusing on humanities, and social sciences. With our rich experience in teaching and research and extensive international academic exchange ties, MCCS provides international students opportunities to know China and Chinese society through teaching, field study, and various academic activities and expects to prepare competent graduates contributing to world peace, and development.

The Silk Road School offers different types of scholarship, including the full scholarship and partial scholarship.

I. Application Qualifications

Applicants should:

1. NOT have Chinese nationality; Hold a valid ordinary passport;

2. Be physically and mentally healthy; Not have criminal record;

3. Have acquired a bachelor degree or above;

4. Have a good command of English: the overall score of IELTS must be 6.0 or above, or TOEFL score must be 90 or above. Applicants who have obtained an English-taught degree should provide a certificate of language instruction issued by their previous universities. Applicants who are native English speakers are not required to submit English proficiency certificate.

5. Be subject to the additional nationality regulations of Ministry of Education of People’s Republic of China.

II. Application Time

Self-financed applicant:

December 1, 2024- May 31, 2025

Please note: International Students Office (ISO) of RUC will review the application materials during the application period. Applicants who do not pass the preliminary online review shall resubmit the application materials before the deadline. Late application will not be accepted after the deadline.

III. Application Process

1. Online Application

Applicants must log in to the International Students Application System of Renmin University of China (http://international.ruc.edu.cn/application) within the application time, fill in the application information authentically, upload the application materials and pay the application fee online in the system. The application fee is RMB 800. The application fee will not be refunded.

2. Qualification Review

RUC will review the applicants’ information and materials in the application system within the application time. Applicants who do not pass the online preliminary review should re-upload the related information or documents in time within the application period.

3. Mail Documents

Applicants should mail the hard copies of the application materials to the university through EMS or SF-Express within one week after passing the Qualification Review.

4. School Review

After the qualification review, the school will review the application documents. Applicants will get the interview notice if the check of the application documents is approved.

5. Admission and Enrollment

The university will publish the results of enrollments from March to July, 2025. Students should bring the admission documents including admission notice for onsite registration in September, 2025 to the university. The university will re-check the applicant’s information and documents after onsite registration. If there were any violations or fraudulent situation found, the university will turn down the admission.

IV. Application Documents

1. Application Form for International Students of Renmin University of China (Original)

After online application, the system will automatically generate an application form. The form should be printed and signed.

2. Final Education Certificate

1) Applicants who have graduated should submit the copy of their final education certificate, with the notarization or verification of the final education certificate by the institutions entrusted by the Education Ministries.

2) If the applicant is currently a student at school, please submit the original Certificate of Expected Graduation issued by the current university. The copy of their final education certificate, with the notarization or verification of the final education certificate by the institutions entrusted by the Education Ministries must be provided to the university before registration.

3. Transcript (Original)

Transcript must include a list of all completed courses up to graduating year. If the score is not in centesimal system, an explanation of the grading scale is needed.

4. Copies of the Information Page of the Passport

The applicant must hold an ordinary passport. The validity of the passport must be later than March 31, 2026. If the applicant is currently in China, please provide the copy of the visa page (if any).

Notes:

1)The university does not accept applicants who hold the following documents to apply as international students: "Travel Permit of the People's Republic of China", "Exit Entry Permit of the People's Republic of China", "Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents", "Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents", "Residence Permit for Hong Kong, Macao/Taiwan Residents of the People's Republic of China", etc.

2)Applicant is not allowed to change the passport or personal information from the date of application until 3 months after onsite registration. The personal information includes name, gender, date of birth, nationality, passport number, and etc. If it was unavoidable to change your passport or personal information due to extremely special circumstances or force majeure, a written application should be submitted to the University for the Consent from the university. If the identity documents and personal information submitted by the applicant did not match the personal information provided during the application and admission process, the university will turn down the enrollment procedures.

5. Two Recommendation Letters

Two recommendation letters from two professors or associate professors written in Chinese or English are mandatory. The recommendation letters must contain the signature, name, position, work unit, and other information of the recommender of the referee.

6. Personal Statement and Study Plan

The personal statement and the study plan shall be written in English. It provides an opportunity for you to present yourself including personal study and work experience, academic research achievements, research plans, career planning after graduation, etc.

7. Foreigner Physical Examination Form (Original)

The Foreigner Physical Examination Form should be the original document in English or Chinese. The template of Foreigner Physical Examination Form can be downloaded on the website of International Students Office (http://iso.ruc.edu.cn/ENGLISH/Download/ApplicationDocuments/index.htm) . The applicant should go to local authentic hospital for physical examination in strict accordance with the items specified in the Foreigner Physical Examination Form . A physical examination form missing items, photo, cross-page seal, signature of the doctor, and the seal of the hospital is considered invalid. The validity of The Foreigner Physical Examination Form is 6 months.

8. English Proficiency Certificate

The overall score of IELTS must be 6.0 or above, or TOEFL score must be 90 or above. Applicants who have obtained an English-taught degree should provide a certificate of language instruction issued by their previous universities. Applicants who are native English speakers (including those of Chinese descent born in foreign countries) are not required to submit English proficiency certificate.

9. Proof of Economic Capability (choose one of the following)

1) The Employment & Income Certificate of the applicant or the guarantor

2) The Bank deposit of applicant or the guarantor should be no less than RMB 30,000.

10. Statement of Guarantee (Original)

The template of the State of Guarantee can be downloaded from the website of the International Students Office (http://iso.ruc.edu.cn/ENGLISH/Download/ApplicationDocuments/index.htm) . The Statement of Guarantee should be signed by the economic guarantor.

11. Certificate of No Criminal Record (original or notarized copy).

1) Applicants who are currently not reside in Chinese mainland should offer the certificate issued by the local public security department.

2) Applicants who are currently reside in Chinese mainland should offer the certificate issued by entry and exit administration departments of China.

The Renmin University of China Commitment Letter for Non-Criminal Record on International Students Office website is not for the Master Programs in English, and it cannot be used as the Certificate of No Criminal Record .

12. Nationality Proof

According to the Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China and the Letter No.12 [2020] of the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China , some applicants shall provide additional materials as National Proof Documents .

13. Other Supportive Documents

Copies of published academic papers, awards or other research results may be attached if necessary.

Matters needing attention: All application documents shall be in Chinese / English. And all application materials will not be returned once submitted.

V. Deadline

The application period is open until May31, 2025.

VI. Interview

Interviewed by expert group (in English) online.

VII. Application Schedule

Deadline for online applications: May 31, 2025

Interview online: From April to June, 2025

Letters of admission sent out: July, 2025

Semester begins: September, 2025

VIII. Curriculum Structure

The following specializations are available on the program:

lChinese Politics

lChinese Economy

lChinese Culture

lChinese Law

The following is a selection of the available courses

lIntroduction to Contemporary China study

lChina Politics

lChina Culture

lContemporary Chinese Foreign Policy

lIntroduction to Chinese Law

lContemporary Chinese Economy

lSeminar on Belt and Road Initiative

lMethodology in Social Science

lContemporary Chinese Society

lChinese Language

IX. Tuition and Duration

Tuition fee will be charged for the program of Silk Road School. The standards for tuition fee will be announced soon.

Tuition fees are required at the time of annual registration.

The program is two years full-time in Suzhou city, Jiangsu Province of China

X. Location

Silk Road School, Renmin University of China

Address: No.158 Ren’ai Road, Dushulake High Education District, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China

XII. Contact

Tel.: 86-010-62516305*8018

Mobile: 86-18101035192

Email: zhouwa@ruc.edu.cn

Website: http://srs.ruc.edu.cn/