Silk Road School,
Renmin University of China
Master of Contemporary Chinese Studies
2026 Admission Guide
(For International Applicant)
The Silk Road School at Renmin University of China, leveraging the university's disciplinary strengths in the humanities and social sciences and its experience in international education, particularly the global networks and resources of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China (RDCY), integrates world-class educational resources and brings together global political leaders, business elites, and distinguished scholars. Focusing on the study of Chinese politics, this program offers a comprehensive training system that combines core courses, field-based study programs, lectures by renowned experts, high-level forums, and cultural immersion. It is dedicated to cultivating international interdisciplinary high-level professionals and future elite leaders from countries and regions along the Belt and Road who appreciate China, understand China’s development path, and are well versed in Chinese history, culture, and the modernization of national governance, thereby contributing to exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations and to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. In May 2025, the Silk Road School of Renmin University of China was formally integrated into the overall framework of the School of Global Leadership.
I. Application Qualifications
Applicants should:
1. NOT have Chinese nationality; Hold a valid ordinary passport;
2. Be physically and mentally healthy; Be friendly to China; Not have criminal record;
3. Have acquired a bachelor degree or above;
4. Have a good command of English: a valid IELTS Academic overall score of 6.0 or above, or a valid TOEFL iBT overall score of 90 or above. Applicants who are native English speakers, or who have completed or are pursuing a degree where the medium of instruction is English, are not required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.
5. Be subject to the additional nationality regulations of Ministry of Education of People’s Republic of China.
II. Application Time
Online Application: November 25, 2025 - May 31, 2026
Qualification Review: November 26, 2025 - June 10, 2026
School Review: January- June 2026
Admission: March - July 2026
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) by May 31, 2026(GMT+8), fill in the application information authentically, upload the application materials and pay the application fee online in the system. The application fee is CNY800. The application fee will not be refunded.
2. Qualification Review
RUC will review the applicants’ information and materials in the application system. Applicants who do not pass the online preliminary review should re-upload the related information or documents in time within qualification review period.
3. 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.
4. Admission and Enrollment
The university will publish the admission results from March to July, 2026. Students should bring the admission documents including admission notice for onsite registration in late August or early September, 2026 to the university. The university will re-check the applicants’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
All application documents shall be in Chinese or English, documents in languages other than Chinese or English must be accompanied by notarized Chinese or English translations.
1. Final Education Certificate
Applicants who have graduated should submit the final education certificate, which must be officially certified by authorities such as the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) or through the Apostille process. Applicants who are in their final year of study should initially provide an official Certificate of Expected Graduation (the expected date of graduation must be no later than August 31, 2026), and must submit the formal academic documents prior to enrollment.
2. 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.
3. Valid Passport Identification Page
The applicants must hold an ordinary passport. The validity of the passport must be later than March 31, 2027. If the applicants are currently in China, please provide the visa page.
Notes:
a. 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, Residenc e Permit for Hong Kong, Macao/Taiwan Residents of the People's Republic of China, etc.
b. Applicants are 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 their 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 applicants did not match the personal information provided during the application and admission process, the university will turn down the enrollment procedures.
4. 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, department, e-mail, and other information of the recommender of the referee.
5. Personal Statement and Study Plan
The personal statement and the study plan shall be written in English. It provides an opportunity for students to present their including personal study and work experience, academic research achievements, research plans, career planning after graduation, etc.
6. 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 applicants 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.
7. English Proficiency Certificate
The valid IELTS Academic overall score of 6.0 or above, or a valid TOEFL iBT over all score of 90 or above. Applicants who are native English speakers, or who have completed or are pursuing a degree where the medium of instruction is English, aren’t required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.
8. Proof of Economic Capability (choose one of the following)
a. The Employment & Income Certificate of the applicant or the guarantor.
b. The Bank deposit of applicant or the guarantor should be no less than CNY30,000(or its foreign currency equivalent).
9. 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.
10. Certificate of No Criminal Record (original or notarized copy).
a. Applicants who are currently not reside in Chinese mainland should offer the certificate issued by the local public security department.
b. Applicants who are currently reside in Chinese mainland should offer the certificate issued by entry and exit administration departments of China.
11. 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.
12.Other Supportive Documents
Published academic papers, awards or other research results may be attached if necessary
V. Deadline
The application period is open until May31, 2026.
VI. Interview
Interviewed by expert group (in English) online.
VII. Curriculum Structure
The Contemporary China Studies Program curriculum covers the following areas: Chinese Politics, Chinese Economy, Chinese Culture, and Chinese Law.
The following is a selection of the available courses
•Overview of China’s Development
•Introduction to Contemporary China study
•China Politics
•Contemporary Chinese Foreign Policy
•Seminar on Belt and Road Initiative
•Contemporary Chinese Economy
•Methodology in Social Science
•Contemporary Chinese Society
•Chinese Language
VIII.Tuition and Duration
The tuition fee for the Master's Program in Contemporary Chinese Studies at the Silk Road School is RMB 80,000 per person per year.
Tuition fee is required at the time of registration upon arrival.
IX.Location
The School of Global Leadership(Silk Road School) , Renmin University of China
Add: No. 59 Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District Beijing, 100872, P.R. China
X. Contact
Tel.: 86-010-62516532
Email: srsruc@ruc.edu.cn
Website: http://sgl.ruc.edu.cn/
