国际关系学系

Application for 2027 Master Program in English (CPFP)

Master's Program in Chinese Politics, Foreign Policy, and International Relations (CPFP)

1. Introduction

In 1997, Tsinghua University established the Institute for International Studies, the predecessor of the International Relations Department (abbreviated IR department). The Institute's outstanding achievements in teaching and research during the more than ten years of its existence provided a strong basis for the creation of the IR Department. Graduates of the Department have pursued careers at institutions of higher education, major national research institutions, government departments, foreign affairs organizations, media industry and various corporations. A number of outstanding undergraduate and graduate students have continued their studies at well-known universities worldwide. The IR department has 25 faculty members with significant academic and research experience. They all hold PhD degrees from leading international and Chinese universities.

In 2010, the Department launched a Master's degree program in English in addition to its Chinese program. The department is committed to a better understanding of Chinese politics, China's role in international relations as well as China's foreign policy through inter-disciplinary and inter-cultural dialogue. Since the establishment of the CPFP program, a total of over 300 students from more than 60 countries have studied in the program. Graduates of the program will be qualified to be administrative and policy analysts at various levels of governments, think tanks, international organizations, multinational corporations and international media. The program is designed to be completed in two years of full-time study, including completion of the course curriculum and the Master's thesis/practice-based degree outcome. The name of the program has been changed to Master's Program in Chinese Politics, Foreign Policy, and International Relations (CPFP) since July 2013.

In 2025, Tsinghua University's Master's Program in Chinese Politics, Foreign Policy, and International Relations (CPFP) has been converted from an academic master's degree to the Master of International Affairs (MIA) degree—marking the transition towards a more professional-oriented education.

2. Course Credit Requirements

Students are required to complete no fewer than 31 credits during the master's program, including 5 credits of mandatory public courses, 8 credits of core courses, no fewer than 10 credits of specialized courses, no fewer than 4 credits of practical training, and 4 credits of required components.

The working language of the program is English.

(1) Mandatory Public Courses (no fewer than 5 credits)

International students should refer to the Tsinghua University International Graduate Students' Course Waiver and Exemption Guidelines for mandatory public courses.

* In case of insufficient credits for China Studies courses, up to 1 credit of specialized courses may be transferred as a mandatory-course credit.

(2)Core Courses (no fewer than 8 credits)

(3)Specialized Courses (no fewer than 10 credits)

All English-taught specialized courses offered by the Department of International Relations may be counted as degree courses. With approval from the Department, relevant English-taught specialized courses offered by other departments or schools of Tsinghua University may also be counted as degree courses, up to a maximum of 4 credits.

(4) Practical Training (no fewer than 4 credits)

International Relations orientation is provided as part of the orientation program for incoming students. Faculty members will introduce the program and the field of International Relations.

(5) Required Components (no fewer than 4 credits)

Research Design is compulsory and includes academic writing training. Students must prepare a research proposal of no fewer than 3,000 English words, including a literature review, research objectives, methodology, and schedule, to be reviewed and signed by the supervisor.

Students must complete one of Global Leadership or Ethics in the Era of Globalization.

Students applying for the degree on the basis of a thesis must complete a Literature Review and Thesis Proposal; students applying on the basis of a practice-based outcome must complete Feasibility Assessment for Degree Application Based on Practice-Based Outcomes.

3. Required Qualifications of Applicants

(1) Applicants must be foreign nationals who do not hold Chinese nationality under the Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China. At the time of application, they must hold a valid foreign passport or other valid proof of foreign nationality.

Applicants who were formerly Chinese citizens and subsequently acquired foreign nationality must no longer hold Chinese nationality. As of April 30 of the year of enrollment, at least six (6) years must have elapsed since they became foreign nationals or acquired foreign nationality.

For applicants whose parent or parents are Chinese citizens and have settled abroad, who were born abroad, acquired foreign nationality at birth, and have never held Chinese nationality, the Chinese-citizen parent or parents must have obtained permanent residence in a foreign country by the time of the applicant's birth.

Applicants are required to submit application materials proving the above-mentioned circumstances in accordance with the requirements set out in Submission Instructions for International Graduate Applicants Regarding Nationality Status Documentation 2027.

If an applicant is found ineligible to apply, or if, before graduation or completion of studies, the applicant is determined not to qualify as an international student as defined in the Administrative Measures for the Enrollment and Cultivation of International Students by Schools (Order No. 42 jointly issued by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Public Security), the University will take action according to the stage at which the issue is discovered. If discovered at the application stage, the applicant's application eligibility will be revoked; if discovered before enrollment, the applicant's eligibility to enroll will be revoked; if discovered after enrollment, the applicant's admission qualification or student status will be revoked; and if discovered after graduation or completion of studies, any academic credential or degree certificate already issued will be revoked in accordance with the law.

(2) Master's degree program applicants should have a Bachelor's degree or an equivalent degree to a Bachelor's degree (or above) in China.

The students who will enroll in 2027 must obtain the nationally recognized bachelor's or master's degree(for the universities of Chinese mainland)or the degree authentication report issued by Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange, Ministry of Education, P.R.China (CSCSE)(for overseas universities) before THU graduate student registration date of 2027, otherwise the admission qualification is invalid.

(3) Applicants should be in good health and of good character (meet the physical examination requirements stipulated by the country and THU), be well-behaved and be willing to abide by China's laws and regulations, as well as Tsinghua's rules.

(4) Language competence requirements:

Non-native English speakers must meet the minimum English proficiency

requirement: IELTS:7.0/TOEFL iBT:100 (for tests taken before January 21, 2026)

/5.0 (for tests taken on or after January 21, 2026).

Note: The applicant shall carefully check whether he / she meets the application qualification and application requirements before applying. The relevant consequences arising from his / her failure to meet the application qualification and application requirements shall be borne by the applicant himself / herself.

Native English speakers and students who completed a degree in an English-speaking country can be exempted from the English tests.

4.How to Apply

Applicants should complete an Online Application during the designated THU application period.

To start application, click: https://yzbm.tsinghua.edu.cn/intlLogin (The program is listed under “School of Social Science)

(Exceptions: applicants for Schwarzman Scholars programs, please apply on the specified websites). Applicants should fill in the application information online, upload the application documents listed below to the Online Application System, and pay the application fee online at the time of submission.

Application Schedule

The application period is generally from September to February of the following year, but the deadline and application batches vary among different departments and schools. Please refer to the "Remarks of Application" in the Catalog for the specified deadline and application arrangements of each department or school or program.

☆The winter break of THU will be from Jan 21,2027 to Feb 17,2027. The application system will still be available during the winter break, but online verification might be delayed due to the vacation. Applicants are therefore recommended to complete their application at least two or three weeks in advance.

☆Documents pertaining to nationality and identity status must be submitted by the specified deadline, and no supplementary materials will be accepted after the application period concludes.

Application Documents

Please submit all the documents listed below to the application system:

(1) Personal statement

The personal statement should be completed directly in the application system.

(2) Degree certificate and degree authentication

Master's degree program applicants should submit their Bachelor's degree certificate. The degree diploma awarded by overseas universities should be authenticated by Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange, Ministry of Education, P. R. China(CSCSE). The degree diploma awarded by universities of Chinese mainland should be authenticated by Center for Student Services and Development, Ministry of Education, P. R. China(CSSD).

Applicants who will not graduate before the application deadline shall provide the expected graduation certificate first, and the degree diploma and degree authentication must be submitted before registration. (Applicants who have graduated are required to provide the degree authentication at the same time.)

(3) Academic transcript

Master's degree program applicants should submit the academic transcript of their undergraduate study. Doctoral degree program applicants should submit academic transcripts of both graduate and undergraduate studies. Applicants who will not graduate before the application deadline shall provide their current academic transcript. In this case, the completed academic transcript must be submitted before registration. If the uploaded transcript cannot directly show the total GPA score, the GPA certification document issued by the university is also required.

(4) Language Proficiency Test score report

English proficiency certificate is required for students whose native language is not English. TOEFL iBT score should not be lower than 100 for tests taken before January 21, 2026, or 5.0 for tests taken on or after January 21, 2026. IELTS score should not be lower than 7.0.

Native English speakers and students who completed a degree in an English-speaking country can be exempted from the English tests.

(5) Two academic recommendation letters

Academic Recommendation Letters from scholars who hold the title of associate professor or higher, or senior professionals in a related academic field. Please follow the instructions on the online system for submission of online recommendation letters or upload the recommendation letters signed by references.

(6) Passport (personal ordinary-type passport): Passport bio page

Applicants should present bio page of personal ordinary-type passport. Applicant who holds personal ordinary-type passport and diplomatic visa in China should also provide the scanned copy of diplomatic visa page.

(7) Nationality Status Documentation

Applicants must submit the required nationality status documentation by the specified deadline in accordance with the requirements set out in Submission Instructions for International Graduate Applicants Regarding Nationality Status Documentation 2027.

Note: Use the online application to apply. The online application system offers tools for collecting and submitting some, but not all of, the documents and information required for application.

5.Application Remarks

(1) Applicants are required to submit scanned images of all required documents at the time of application. All uploaded documents should be in Chinese or in English; otherwise notarial translations in Chinese or English are required. Once translated, the original documents and certified translations should be submitted together to the application system.

(2) Please scan the original or notarized application documents in color using a scanner. Images captured by mobile phone or camera are not acceptable. Scans of copies are also not acceptable.

(3) For inquiries regarding program details, application for supervisors and the 'Remarks of Application' in the catalog, please contact the applying department or program office directly. For personal information of supervisors, please check on the departments'/schools' websites.

(4) The application fee must be paid at the time the application is submitted. (It cannot be covered by the Chinese Government Scholarship). Please apply online and pay the application fee in a safe place. THU is not responsible for any losses caused by your own operation errors or the leakage of your online payment account and password. Please consider carefully before paying the application fee online. If you cannot finish the application due to various reasons, the paid application fee will not be refunded. Regardless of whether the application is successful or not, the application fee is not refundable.

(5) Applications with incomplete documents or without application fee payment will not be processed. Applicants should take the initiative to understand the application procedures and application requirements before applying. The applicant will be responsible for any consequences arising from failure to complete the application process as required.

(6) THU has the right to require applicants to provide original application materials or authentication documents issued by a designated institution for further inspection.

(7) As some countries' higher education systems are very different from the Chinese system, applicants from different education systems should refer to THU's online application website for reference.

(8) None of the above application documents will be returned.

(9) If the higher-level department issues a new policy, THU will make corresponding adjustments.

(10) Applicants must ensure that the application information, application materials, degree certificate and degree authentication provided are true and accurate. If the admissions unit or certification department verifies that anything in the application is not true, the application, admission or study qualification will be cancelled.

(11) Applicants who are found to be in breach of academic ethics, professional ethics, honesty and trustworthiness, discipline and law-abiding, etc., will not be admitted or admission/study qualification will be cancelled after this breach has been verified.

(12) The relevant information, documents and messages that the THU Graduate Admissions Office and relevant departments / schools publish or send to applicants through websites, phone calls, emails, text messages, etc. are deemed to have been delivered. All consequences caused by the applicant's personal negligence and other reasons shall be borne by the applicant himself/herself.

6. Evaluation and Admission

THU admits students based on evaluation of their application documents together with a comprehensive assessment. The application materials are reviewed by an expert group of the relevant departments / schools, and the candidates for the comprehensive assessment will be selected based on the review results. The comprehensive assessment is generally based on interviews. The specific content, format, requirements and time arrangements are determined by each department/school and will be notified to applicants who enter the comprehensive assessment.

Tsinghua University comprehensively considers the results of material review, comprehensive assessment and other factors, selects the best candidates, and determines the admission list. A Certificate of Admission and the appendix will be issued by THU after the final admission result is released. Prior to this, applicants may check their admission status via the Application System.

7.Scholarships

At present, Tsinghua University mainly provides the following scholarships for outstanding prospective full-time international graduate students.

Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS): The Full CGS usually covers tuition fees, free university dormitory or accommodation subsidy, stipend, and comprehensive medical insurance. The Partial CGS includes one or a few items covered by the Full CGS.

Beijing Government Scholarship: The BGS usually covers tuition fees and comprehensive medical insurance with a duration of one academic year.

For further information about scholarships, please click on 'Financial Aid' on the Graduate Admission Website.

8.Accommodation

Due to limited accommodation on campus, dormitory application must be made online on a first come first served basis. On-campus dormitories can only be reserved for full-time international students who successfully apply for rooms online. Those who fail to make it need to find off-campus accommodation by themselves.

Detailed information regarding THU life, accommodation, student activities, visas and other useful information, is available on the International Students & Scholars Center website: http://is.tsinghua.edu.cn

9. Visa Application and Registration

Admitted students should apply for a student visa (X1 visa) at the Embassy or Consulate of the People's Republic of China in their home country. To apply, students should provide their personal ordinary-type passport, Admission Notice and its Appendix, Confirmation Form for Study in China (JW201/JW202), and Physical Examination Record for Foreigners (applicants should confirm with the Chinese embassy/consulate for specific requirements).

Students must enter China with an ordinary-type passport (nationality and personal information must be consistent with the passport information as applying) and X1 visa, and must apply for a Residence Permit within 30 days after arrival in China. Students are required to arrive at Tsinghua University and complete their university registration during the dates indicated in the admission package.

Normally, registration is held in late August or early September. All students should present the required original degree certificates, and submit the degree authentication issued by THU designated institutions upon registration at Tsinghua University for enrollment qualification review. Students who fail the enrollment qualification review will be disqualified from enrollment and study at Tsinghua University.

10.Complaint

Applicant who has any objection to the admissions process of the school/department, may file a complaint to the school/department in written form. The school/department should accept the complaint and respond. If the complainant disagrees with the reply, the complainant may appeal to the Graduate Admissions Office.

11.Costs (Unit: RMB Yuan)

(1) Application Fee: RMB 800

(2) Tuition Fees of CPFP Program: 120,000 RMB (Full Program)

(3) Accidental Injury and Hospitalization Insurance: RMB 800/year

(4) Accommodation fee of student dormitories on Tsinghua campus, Beijing: RMB 40/day per person for double rooms, RMB 30/day per person for triple rooms.

Contact Information

Ms. Li

Department of International Relations

Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China

Tel: +86-10-62788801

Email: iisws@tsinghua.edu.cn

Any other matters not covered in this prospectus shall be carried out in accordance with Tsinghua University's Admission to Graduate Programs of Tsinghua University 2027 (For International Students)