The English-instructed Doctoral Programin International Politics was established by the School of International Relations and Public Affairs (SIRPA) at Fudan University 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 of international politics. The program mainly enrolls foreign students, and all its academic courses are taught in English. It is based on the teaching and research of the faculty members from the Department of International Politics and the Department of Diplomacy at SIRPA as well as from Fudan University’s Institute of International Studies, a research institution affiliated to SIRPA.

The curriculum and doctoral dissertation work in the program center around the following the matic areas: International Relations Theory, History of International Relations, Great-power Diplomacy, Chinese Foreign Policy, International Organization, Comparative Politics, BRICS Study, International Political Economy, Global Governance, International Security and Religion, etc. The Doctoral Program in International Politics normally requires three to four years of work on courses and dissertation.

Requirements for the Doctoral Program

The Doctoral Program in International Politics has two phases: coursework and dissertation writing. Each doctoral student must complete a minimum of 19 credit hours of coursework (minimum 9 credits of core coursework, minimum 4 credits of Chinese language coursework, minimum 4 credits of elective coursework, and minimum 2 credits of independent study coursework) and meet Fudan University\'s minimum GPA requirement for a doctoral degree. Besides completing coursework, each student must write a dissertation and pass the oral defense. Students should publish academic articles in international journals or present papers of good quality at international academic conferences during their doctoral study.

Graduation Requirements

The Doctoral Program in International Politics has two phases: coursework and dissertation writing. Each doctoral student must complete a minimum of 19 credit hours of coursework (minimum 9 credits of core coursework, minimum 4 credits of Chinese language coursework, minimum 4 credits of elective coursework, and minimum 2 credits of independent study coursework) and meet Fudan University's minimum GPA requirement for a doctoral degree. Besides completing coursework, students need to pass a qualifying exam and defend their dissertation research proposal in the third semester of their study. The qualifying exam is comprehensive, typically covering theories and history of international relations as well as current international affairs analysis. Each student are required to write a dissertation and pass the oral defense for it. Students in the Doctoral Program may seek advising from faculty in both the School of International Relations and Public Affairs (SIRPA) and the Institute of International Studies (IIS) at Fudan University. Students should publish academic articles in international journals or present papers of good quality at international academic conferences during their doctoral study. The minimum length of study in the program is three year.

Doctoral Program in International Politics at a Glance

Core Courses

International Politics and Theories
This is a required course for students in the Doctoral Program in International Politics. This course is designed to assist students in acquiring knowledge about international politics and theories. The goal of the course is to provide students with a thorough understanding of international politics from both theoretical and factual perspectives. It will mainly focus on contending theories, i.e., different theoretical perspectives, on international relations (IR). Students are required to not only understand various IR theories, as well as their relations, but also employ those theories to describe and explain international events.

Research Methods for Political Science
This is a required course for students in the program. It offers an in-depth introduction to both quantitative and qualitative research methods in political science. It is designed to equip students with knowledge and techniques for reading scholarly articles and conducting their own academic research. The course introduces the general principles for conducting political science research, some practical techniques for writing research proposals and research papers at Fudan University, and the major research methods for political science. 

Political Development in Modern China
This course strives to capture the continuous drama of the Chinese struggle for national revival through political, social and economic modernization. It deals with fundamental questions as why China went communist in time of national crisis since mid-19th century; how the PRC regime tried to industrialize the economy and society through state mobilization in 50s and 60s; how that mobilization model ran into a dead end at the end of 70s; and finally how the market oriented reforms and opening up to the outside world in the past 30 years have transformed the socio-economic and the state-society relations in today\'s China.

Chinese Diplomacy
This course provides students with a comprehensive introduction to contemporary China\'s diplomacy and its foreign policy, as well as their theoretical and historical background. This course will also investigate the decision-making system of Chinese foreign policy, China\'s bilateral relations with major powers, China\'s multilateral relations with its neighboring countries, developing countries and international organizations. Emphasis will be placed on the period since 1978 when China entered its reform and opening-up era.

Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens with a valid ordinary passport, and be in good health.
Master's degree or above for Doctoral applicants.
Evidence of English language proficiency. Applicants whose native language is not English must submit official scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) unless they 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. The program requires a minimum score of 90 on the internet-based TOEFL test or 7 on the IELTS test
You do not need to provide evidence of English language proficiency if you meet
one of the following criteria:
A. Your first language is English; or
B. You have completed, or are completing, a degree-level course taught and assessed entirely in English.

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

*1. Application Form

*2. Proof of No Criminal Record in Chinese or English

*3. Proof of Financial Capacity or the Statement of Financial Support for International Students of Fudan University.

4. Completely filled Foreigner Physical Examination Form.

The form should be filled out in Chinese or English.the report is valid for six months. Applicants currently residing in China may submit Residence Permit or Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card in substitute for Foreigner Physical Examination Form.

*5. 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.

*6. A photocopy of the passport

Photocopy of valid passport identification page. Passport must be an ordinary one and be valid until Sep. 30, 2022. Applicants currently residing in China also need to provide a copy of the page containing a valid visa or residence permit.

*7. Passport photo

A recent passport-sized photo of the applicant

*8. Certificate of master 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.

*9. English proficiency test certificate

An official copy of TOEFL or IELTS scores for applicants whose first language is not English.

*10. Two recommendation letters

The referee must be professor,associate professor.The letter should be in Chinese or English and include the referee’s signature and contact information. If the letters cannot be uploaded online, applicant may contact the referee to send the scanned letter via email to the school or department applied.Please visit the website below to get the detailed contact information of School or Department.https://iso.fudan.edu.cn/isoenglish/wnlinewwpplication/list.htm

11. Catalogue and abstract of published papers, or other documents that can prove academic ability

Not compulsory

*12. 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 not exceed 2 pages in length, single-spaced.

*13. 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.

14. Supporting Documents: Certificate of Good Conduct

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

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