Introduction

The School of Philosophy at Beijing Normal University offers a two-year Master degree in Chinese Philosophy. While students who are familiar with Chinese are especially encouraged to participate, the program is entirely run in English, and there are no Chinese language pre-requirements. The program is particularly designed to enhance philosophical and international cultural exchange between China and other nations. It aims to train talented students and other committed individuals from all parts of the world to develop a deep understanding of the rich traditions of Chinese philosophy nurtured over the last three thousand years. Students who complete the program will acquire a wide knowledge of the traditions of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism, as well the Chinese philosophies of history, of ethics, and of politics. Students will also acquire substantial knowledge of modern Chinese philosophy and learn how to consider the far-ranging traditions of Chinese philosophy from comparative and international perspectives while engaging with the Western and other great traditions of world philosophy.

Faculty who offer courses in the MA program include internationally recognized Chinese scholars who have spent their lives immersed in the traditions of ancient, traditional, and modern Chinese philosophy as well as Chinese scholars who have received the highest levels of philosophical training in Western universities; acclaimed Western scholars of philosophy who enjoy long-term tenure in BNU’s School of Philosophy; and an outstanding array of celebrated Western scholars of Chinese philosophy who teach by special invitation. Our full-time and invited faculty work together to open up the profound depths of philosophical inquiry from a necessarily comparative perspective that finds its anchor in the profundity of the many traditions of Chinese philosophical discourse, thus contributing to the internationalization of Chinese philosophy as it takes its place in the globalized modern world of inter-cultural exchange.

BNU’s International MA Program in Chinese Philosophy is offered to talented students and other committed individuals who intend to go on to pursue PhD or other graduate-level international and professional studies in philosophy, comparative philosophy, or Chinese philosophy, as well as in other academic fields such as international law, international political studies, and international cultural studies; to students who intend to teach philosophy at the junior-college level; and to students who intend to enter the professional work force at any international level with relevance to China.

Graduation Requirements 

1. Within the period of the first three semesters, students must complete 32 credits of course-work. This includes the required eight core courses in addition to elective courses, as listed below. With permission of the program director, students may also take courses that are offered by other departments at BNU that will count toward elective course credit. To receive credit for each course, students must adequately fulfill the academic requirements for each separate course to the satisfaction of the teacher as reflected in the student’s final course grade.

2. By the end of the period of the fourth semester, students are required to submit a master's thesis. During this semester and to fulfill this requirement, students will compose their thesis in consultation with their appropriate academic advisor(s) under the supervision of the faculty of the School of Philosophy. This thesis requirement offers students the opportunity to conduct and pursue their own independent research in a field of Chinese philosophy of their own interest and choosing, and it intends to cap the academic experience of studying Chinese philosophy in China before graduates of the program move on either to their future PhD programs or their upcoming professional placements.

Course Listing

​Deadlines for Applications Materials

February 1st, if you want to apply for scholarships; May 1st, if you choose to pay for your tuition and expenses.

1. Applicants should be in good health and of good character, respect Chinese habits and customs, and abide by both Chinese Law & Regulations as well as the university’s Rules & Regulations.

2. Applicants should be non-Chinese citizens holding a foreign passport and under 50 years old (Date of Birth is after August 31, 1973).

3. Applicants for Master’s Degree should have a degree equivalent (or above) to a Bachelor’s degree from a Chinese university;

4. Language proficiency requirements for English-taught programs:

(1) Applicants from non-English speaking countries should submit proof of English language proficiency. Please refer to the specific English proficiency requirements for each major taught in English;

(2) Applicants who were fully taught in English to get their previous academic degree are not required to provide proof of English proficiency such as IELTS or TOEFL score, but must submit relevant supporting documents (e.g. a certificate issued by the graduating institution to prove that you were taught fully in English).

Note: After passing the initial review, applicants must mail the paper application documents by Feb 25, 2024, to ensure the materials are delivered on time, it is recommended to contact counselor@cucas.cn.

"*" means necessary documents that you must provide in your application.

*1. Application Form

Please upload your finished application form here.

*2. A valid Certificate of Non-Criminal Record (or Police Clearance Certificate)

Issued by the local public security (such as the police station), usually issued within 6 months prior to the submission date of the application.

*3. Two recommendation letters from two associate professors or scholars with higher academic titles, or a senior expert in a related field.

There is no specified format for the recommendation letters, please specify the name of the referee and contact information, all letters must be signed by the referee.

*4. Personal Statement Form

Your signature should be consistent with that of your passport.

*5. Certificate of Bachelor Degree

Certificate in languages other than Chinese or English should be translated into Chinese or English and be certified by notarization. Both original and official English translated version are required.

*6. Undergraduate transcripts

Academic Transcripts in languages other than Chinese or English should be translated into Chinese or English and be certified by notarization. Both original and official English translated version are required.
Applicants who will graduate in 2023 and is temporarily unable to submit graduation certificate and degree diploma must submit Certificate of Expected Graduation. After being admitted by the University, the original copy of the graduation certificate and degree diploma must be submitted during registration, otherwise the admission will be withdrawn. The documents must be original or authenticated/notarized copies, either in Chinese or English (Chinese or English notarized translations are required for other languages).

7. English proficiency test certificate

Applicants who are non-native English speaker should provide a certificate of their English proficiency.

*8. 1 passport-sized photo

Not include the one on the form, with the name of the applicant and the faculty/department applied for written on the back.

*9. A photocopy of the first page of the applicant’s passport

If you have a visa to China, please provide a copy of the recent visa page, passport valid date must be later than March 31st, 2023. Applicants who have naturalized as foreign nationality after being former Chinese citizens should provide the documents certifying the cancellation of their original Chinese household registration and renunciation of Chinese nationality. Applicants who acquired foreign nationality at birth, if both parents or one of them is a Chinese citizen, must submit the applicant's proof of cancellation of his/her Chinese household registration and renunciation of Chinese nationality.

10. Other materials

Applicants who have naturalized as foreign nationality after being former Chinese citizens should provide the documents certifying the cancellation of their original Chinese household registration and renunciation of Chinese nationality. Applicants who acquired foreign nationality at birth, if both parents or one of them is a Chinese citizen, must submit the applicant's proof of cancellation of his/her Chinese household registration and renunciation of Chinese nationality.

11. (Optional) Academic papers, patents, or other academic achievements, CV/Resume (originals or photocopies).

12. Supporting Documents: Certificate of Good Conduct

Provided by your current/previous school/company in Chinese/English to improve your success rate.

CUCAS Service

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