The Master’s program of Contemporary China Studies (MCCS) at Silk Road School (SRS), Renmin University of China(RUC) is base 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 several levels of scholarship for the successful applicants this year, including the full scholarship and partial scholarship.

I. Application Qualifications

Applicants should:

1. NOT have Chinese nationality.

2. Should hold a valid ordinary passport;

3. Be physically and mentally healthy;

4. Have acquired a bachelor degree or above and have a good command of English;

5. Be subject to the additional nationality regulations of Renmin University of China (RUC).

II. Application Time

December 15,2023- April 30,2024

matters needing attention：International Students Office (ISO) of RUC will review the application materials during the application period. Applicants ho 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.

After the payment of the application fee, the system will automatically generate the Application Form for International Students of Renmin University of China. Applicants should print the application form and sign it.

Note:

1) The requirement of the electronic photos:

a. Taken recently, plain white background, two-inch;

b. Full face exposed, ears exposed;

c. With a neutral facial expression;

d. Taken in dark-colored clothes;

e. Uniforms should not be worn in your photo, except religious clothing that is worn daily;

f. Taken with no hat or other head coverings unless it is required by the applicant’s religious belief; your full face must be visible, and the head covering must not cast any shadows on your face;

g. The image format should be in JPG or JPEG;

h. The head of the applicant shall account for 2/3 of the whole photo.

2) The registration information must be verified before submitting. Once submitted, it cannot be modified.

3) Be sure to keep the username and password used in online registration.

4) The application fee is RMB 800. Please pay the application fee through the online payment in the system. The application fee will not be refunded.

5) Late applications will not be accepted.2. Mail the hard copies of the application materials

2. Mail the Hard Copies of the Application Materials

After the online application, RUC will review the applicants’ information and materials. Applicants who pass the online preliminary review should mail the hard copies of the application materials to the International Students Office of RUC through EMS or SF-Express within one week after passing the online preliminary review.（please send track number to srsruc@ruc.edu.cn within one week after passing the online preliminary review）

IV. Application Documents

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

After online application, the system will automatically generate the application form. The form should be printed clearly on one piece of A4 paper. Smeared, doodled or damaged forms are not acceptable. Applicants must sign the form.

2. Final Education Certificate

1) Applicants who have graduated should submit the copy of final education certificate, with the original copy of the notarization of the final education certificate or the original copy of 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 or notarized copy of the certificate of expected graduation issued by his or her current university. The copy of final education certificate, with the original copy of the notarization of the final education certificate or the original copy of verification of the final education certificate by the institutions entrusted by the Education Ministries must be provided to the university during the onsite registration for re-examination. Those who fail to pass the re-examination will not be admitted for registration. If the applicant cannot provide the related final education certificate according to the item 1) above, the enrollment will be turned down.

3. Transcript (original)

Transcript must include a complete list courses taken up to graduating year. The final GPA must meet the minimum requirement of 3.0/4.0. If the full score of the course is not 100, please reference the guide to transcript. In cases where the 4.0 GPA scale are not used, the applicant must provide either a verification transcript that shows grades under 4.0 GPA system, or provide transcript located in the first 35% of the graduating class.

4. Copies of the First Page and Visa Page of the Passport

The applicant must hold an ordinary passport. The validity of the passport must be later than September 30, 2025. Otherwise, please change the passport in advance. The copy of the visa page refers to the copy of the visa page held in China (if any). Please do not change the passport and personal information before the onsite registration. The change will affect the enrollment accordingly.

5. Two Recommendation Letters

Two recommendation letters are required, from two professors or associate professors written in Chinese or English using the letterhead with the university’s name at the top.

The recommendation letters must contain the signature, name, position, work unit, and contact information of the recommender. Applicants who have left the University for a long time and cannot get in touch with the university may submit two recommendation letters issued by the leaders in charge of the applicant’s work unit using the letterhead paper of the recommenders.

6. Personal Statement

The personal statement provides an opportunity for you to present yourself and shall be written in English.

7. Study Plan

The study plan should include personal study and work experience, academic research achievements, research plans, career planning after graduation, etc.

8. 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. The applicant should go to the local regular 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.

9. English Proficiency Certificate

The total score of IELTS must be 6.0 or above, and TOEFL score must be 90 or above. Other English proficiency certificates are not accepted. Applicants who have obtained an English-taught degree should provide the letter of English Instruction issued by previous university. Applicants who are native English speakers (including those of Chinese descent born in foreign countries) are not required to submit English proficiency certificate.

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

1) Bank deposit certificate of the applicant (time deposit of no less than RMB 30,000 and the maturity date should be after October 2024).

2) the guarantor’s employment certificate (annual income specified) or bank deposit certificate (the employment certificate must be issued on the company’s letterhead paper or time deposit of no less than RMB 30,000 and the maturity date should be after October 2024).

11. Letter of Guarantee

The template of the Letter of Guarantee can be downloaded from the website of the International Students Office. The Letter of Guarantee should be signed by the applicant’s relative or the economic guarantor.

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

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

2) Applicants who are currently 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.

13. 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

http://iso.ruc.edu.cn/ENGLISH/Apply/MastersprogramsinEnglish/db70bd8b6eec4075864af541cbe34583.htm

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

The published academic papers shall be attached with a retrieval certificate, certificate of publication or other relevant publication proof materials.

Matters needing attention:

* All application materials shall be in Chinese / English, and notarized Chinese / English translation shall be provided for texts not in Chinese / English. Documents in other languages are not accepted. If the published academic paper is too long to provide translation, Chinese / English research certificate, employment certificate or other relevant publication proof materials shall be provided, and the original paper shall be attached;

* If the submitted materials are notarized copies, they shall be the original notarized copies. Copies of notarizations are not accepted;

* All application materials will not be returned once submitted;

* Renmin University of China reserves the right to require the applicant to submit relevant supporting materials.

V. Review and Enrollment Procedure

Applicants can apply for 2 programs at the same time. The International Students Office (ISO) will review the application materials. After the preliminary review, ISO will send the application materials to the first program that the applicant applies for. The program will review the application materials again and notify the qualified applicants of participating a test or an interview.

If the applicant’s materials do not pass the review of the first program, or the applicant fails to pass the test or interview of the first program, his or her application materials will go through the same procedure to the second program.

The deadline for preliminary review and program review will be May15th, 2024. If the applicant cannot complete the review within due time, the application will be turned down.

If the applicant fails to pass the review / test / interview of both the programs, the application procedure will automatically end and the applicant cannot be admitted.

After reviewing application materials and organizing the test / interview, the program will form a proposed admission list based on the applicant’s overall performance and research capacity. The proposed admission list will be submitted to the Admission Office of the Graduate School along with the record sheet of the interview and all the application materials. The Admission Committee of Renmin University will deliberate and finalize the admission list, after which the International Students Office will issue the admission results and send the admission notices.

VI. Deadline

The application period is open until April 30, 2024.

VII. Interview

Interviewed by expert group (in English) online.

VIII. Application Schedule

Deadline for online applications: April 30, 2024

Interview online: From May to June, 2024

Letters of admission sent out: July, 2024

Semester begins: September, 2024

IX.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

X.Duration and Location

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

Silk Road School, Renmin University of China

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

XI.Contact

Tel.: 86-010-62516305*8003

Email: srsruc@ruc.edu.cn

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