The University of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (UCASS) is affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the premier academic organization and comprehensive research center of the People’s Republic of China in the fields of philosophy and social sciences. Its predecessor, the Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, is one of the earliest graduate schools in China. Proudly, UCASS operates and develops an almost complete range of disciplines of humanities and social sciences in China, involving areas such as philosophy, economics, law, literature, history, and management. UCASS has 16 first-tier disciplines at the doctoral level and 17 first-tier disciplines at the master’s level, which are further divided into 124 doctoral degree programs, 132 master’s degree programs, and 11 professional master’s degree programs.
Located in Guangzhou, Huangpu Institute for Advanced Study of Social Sciences of UCASS (hereinafter referred to as the Huangpu Institute) is a global and open cooperation platform jointly set up by UCASS and the Management Committee of Guangzhou Development Zone of Guangzhou Municipality. In terms of the international postgraduate students’ cultivation, the Huangpu Institute functions as a platform for teaching and academic research, and also a research base on Chinese national conditions. Equipped with world-class software and hardware facilities and environment, the Huangpu Institute aims to nurture international high-level talents who know China, have a friendly attitude towards China and love China.
1. Type of Enrollment
The master’s and doctoral degree programs in Literature, History, Economics and Law are open to international applicants. All courses will be delivered in English. Students will study at both UCASS and the Huangpu Institute, UCASS. At least one year of schooling should be spent at UCASS. The schedule of enrollment will be in September 2024.
2. Enrollment Procedure
The “Application-Assessment procedure” is adopted in the international student enrollment for master’s and doctoral programs.
3. Programs Available
Please refer to the “2024 English-Taught Doctoral Degree Programs for International Students, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences” and “2024 English-Taught Master’s Degree Programs for International Students, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences”.
4. Application
(1) Application Period
The application period starts from the announcement of this guide until May 20th, 2024.
(2) Eligibilities
Applicants who apply for the master’s and doctoral programs should meet the requirements below.
① Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens with a valid ordinary foreign passport. The applicants who fall under either of the two categories mentioned below are required to provide relevant documents and materials to prove their foreign nationality.
A. An applicant whose parents are both Chinese nationals and have both settled abroad, or one of whose parents is a Chinese national and has settled abroad, and who has acquired foreign nationality at birth, should hold valid foreign passports or official nationality proofs for at least four years, and submit an official record of residing abroad for at least 2 years in past four years before April 30th of the admission year (a residence duration abroad for at least 9 months in one year counts for one year, proved by the entry and exit seals);
B. An applicant who was born in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan but acquired foreign nationality due to immigration, should meet the requirements mentioned above in Item A, and submit a Chinese Nationality Renunciation Certificate and a Household Registration Cancellation Certificate.
② Applicants should have a friendly attitude towards China, be well-conducted, abide by the laws of the Chinese government and the regulations of UCASS, and respect Chinese social customs.
③Applicants should be in good health, meeting the physical examination requirements for a Chinese visa and residential permit, and being able to conduct normal activities of study and living in China;
④ Applicants should have a good command of English. Non-native English speakers should have a good score of TOEFL iBT (100 points or above), IELTS (7 points or above) or GRE (315 points or above), or other proofs of sufficient English proficiency; Applicants are required to participate in English proficiency test for admission if they are not able to provide a proof of sufficient English proficiency of themselves.
⑤Applicants applying for a master’s degree must have obtained a bachelor's degree, a master’s degree or a doctoral degree. Two recommendations from professors, associate professors, or professionals with equivalent academic credentials need to be provided.
Applicants applying for a doctoral degree must have obtained a master's degree or a doctoral degree. Two recommendations from professors, associate professors, or professionals with equivalent academic credentials need to be provided.
(3) Application materials
Applicants can download the application form and materials at:
https://intl.ucass.edu.cn/lxskd1/ywxm.htm
Applicants should truthfully prepare and provide the following materials as required.
① University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences “International Student Application Form”
② The Original or Authenticated Certificate of the Highest Degree Written in Chinese or English
The International Exchange and Cooperation Department will check the original degree certificate upon in-person registration. If the original degree certificate cannot be presented for review, the admission may be canceled. Applicants currently studying in the final year of the Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree Program should provide official documents stating their anticipated graduation date for continent admission. Full admission is granted only after receipt of the official degree certificate or the notarized certificate.
Applicant who has obtained degree(s) from overseas universities and colleges shall get their degree(s) first notarized by local competent authorities, and then authenticated by the local Chinese Embassy and Consulates, or directly apply for online certification from China Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (website: http://zwfw.cscse.edu.cn).
A diploma which originated from member countries of the Apostille Convention, is accepted with an Apostille issued by competent authorities, and its authentication from the Chinese Embassy or Consulates is no longer needed.
l List of member countries to Apostille Convention could be found at
https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/status-table/?cid=41
l Competent authorities for Apostille service of the member countries could be found at
https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/authorities1/?cid=41
③ The Official Transcript issued by the educational institutions since undergraduate study
It must be the original form or the notarized/authenticated document in Chinese or English (It can be certified by applying to the institution for re-stamping or issuing a certificate).
④ Two Original Recommendations in Chinese or English
It is preferable to use the letterhead paper with the name of the employer which the recommender works for. The recommender’s position or professional title and contact information should be included. The recommendations should be signed by the recommender. The recommendation letter should be written within 6 months prior to the application deadline.
⑤ A Resume in English
Applicants should list all study and professional experiences starting from higher education.
⑥ Personal Statement in English
Please describe reasons for application, professional aspirations, academic research achievements, research proposals during the study in UCASS, etc., 1,500 words for master’s students and 3, 000 words for doctoral students.
⑦ Passport Photocopies
The passport must remain valid for 3 months after registration. Passport photocopies should include the passport front cover, photo page, and visa pages (if any).
⑧ Proof of English Proficiency
Native English speakers are exempted from this requirement while non-native English speakers need to present a good TOEFL iBT, IELTS or GRE exam record, or other proofs of sufficient English proficiency. TOEFL should be 100 points or above, IELTS 7points or above, GRE 315 points or above.
Countries in which people speak English as their mother tongue include the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and South Africa. Applicants from countries other than the above list are not regarded as native English speakers.
⑨ Summary of Research Achievements
Please provide menus of contents, abstracts of published or completed academic papers, and other original research achievements (if any).
⑩ A Copy of Completed “Foreigner Physical Examination Form”
The form should be filled in English. Applicants should take the examination item by item in accordance with the “Foreigner Physical Examination Form”. An incomplete form or a form without the applicant’s bust photo, a signature from the physician, a hospital’s official stamp or a seal stamped on the edges of all pages is invalid. The applicant should note that the examination results are valid only for 6 months and schedule the examination appropriately.
⑪ Two Bust Photos and its Digital File
The bust photos should be of the applicant himself or herself. The photo should be in color with a white background and 2 inches in size.
⑫ Scholarship Application Form
Please download the Scholarship Application Form for International Students of the Huangpu Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and fill in the form in English.
Note:
l All application materials need to be written in Chinese or English. Other materials written in any other languages need to be notarized and the notarized copies should be written in Chinese or English.
l If the submitted materials are notarized/authenticated copies or Apostille, they shall be original. Other copies shall not be accepted;
l UCASS reserves the right to require the applicants to submit relevant supporting materials.
(4) Submitting the Application Materials
Applicants can send application materials by post. The date of the postmark should be no later than the application deadline.
The mailing address is:
International Exchange and Cooperation Department
University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
No.11 Changyu Street, Fangshan District, Beijing, 102488, China
Please mark the package with “2024 International Students Application Materials (English Program)”.
While posting the hardcopies of application materials, applicants should also compress all digital copies into a .ZIP or .RAR file and submit it to hpias@ucass.edu.cn. Please label the file as "English program + applicant’s name". Please do not combine all documents into one single PDF or Word file.
The application materials will be reviewed and verified. The applicants should bear all consequences if any inconformity or misrepresentation is discovered in the materials. Application materials will not be returned once received.
(5) Application Fee
The application fee is 580 CNY. Applications will not be processed if the documents are incomplete or the application fee is not paid. Applicants should make payment by wire transfer after submitting the application materials (please do not put cash into the package of application materials). The application fee is suggested to be paid in CNY, and the fee is non-refundable.
Please include the applicant’s passport number and full name (in the order of “passport number—full name”) in English in the wire transfer.
Remittance account information:
Account: UNIVERSITY OF CHINESE ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
Deposit bank: INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL BANK OF CHINA, FANGSHAN BRANCH, LIANGXIANG SUB-BRANCH
Bank account number: 0200 0264 0920 0176 883
SWIFT code: ICBKCNBJBJM
5. Assessment and Admissions
(1) Review of Eligibility
All applications will be reviewed by UCASS International Exchange and Cooperation Department. If the applicants are eligible, UCASS will designate expert panels to evaluate the application materials and finalize the list of candidates entering the procedure of assessment. The applicant's previous university, major, academic level, moral character and development potential in the area of study will all be taken into consideration. Those who are not on the list will be disqualified from admission and subsequent enrollment.
(2) The Permit for Assessment
The Permit for Assessment will be sent to eligible applicants via email. The time and arrangement of the assessment test will be notified through emails as well.
(3) Assessment
The assessment will be carried out in the form of an interview. Those students who are required to participate in the English proficiency test for entrance should have passed the test before they take part in this assessment.
Subjects for assessment:
① English Proficiency and General Knowledge on China with a total score of 50 points;
② Comprehensive Academic Knowledge and Skill with a total score of 100 points.
Applicants should make a presentation to the assessment expert panel in the test of Comprehensive Academic Knowledge and Skill. The presentation should focus on reasons for application, scientific research experiences and achievements, understandings and viewpoints regarding the area of study, and plans for future study and research.
(4) Admissions
① Applicants who successfully past the eligibility review in line with the national admissions regulations and achieved satisfactory scores in each subject of the assessment tests will be ranked according to their total scores. The preliminary admission list will be determined based on the applicants’ rankings and the results will be announced online at our official website with a public notification period of 5 days. The screening is conducted by the principles of “fully assessing ethic quality, academic knowledge, and physical fitness, prioritizing excellence, and guaranteeing high quality”.
②UCASS Admission Letter, Visa Application for Study in China, and relevant materials will be posted to the students. No further notice will be made to those who are not admitted.
(5) Access to Information
Admissions Guide, List of Programs, admissions updates, and other relevant information will be released on the UCASS official website (https://intl.ucass.edu.cn/lxskd1/ywxm.htm).
6. Visa, Registration and Insurance
Admitted international students will apply for a student visa (X1) at the Chinese embassy or consulate with the UCASS Admission Letter, Visa Application for Study in China (original “JW202” form), and the Foreigner Physical Examination Form. Please keep the original admission letter and JW202 form for applying for a residence permit after entry to China.
Admitted students should report to UCASS in September 2024. Admitted students must go through the admission and registration procedures in strict accordance with the time and place specified in the admission letter. The original Foreigner Physical Examination Form and Blood Test Report will be checked by the Registrar. Those who can't register as required should get permission in advance.
The Ministry of Education of China stipulates that all international students must have medical insurance throughout the period of their study in China. International students of UCASS are required to purchase the Comprehensive Medical Insurance for Foreigners staying in China on the day of registration. Students who do not purchase the insurance as required will not be allowed to register. The insurance premium is 800 CNY per year (please refer to www.lxbx.net for details). For international students who are provided with a full scholarship, the university will purchase the comprehensive medical insurance for them once they officially register on campus.
7. Length and Overview of the Programs
The regular study period of the master’s degree program is 3 years, during which students should study full-time at UCASS. If students get to obtain all required credits ahead of schedule, meet the related regulations of UCASS and pass the dissertation defense, they may be allowed to graduate one year earlier. Those who have completed 3 years of study but have not met the graduation requirements can apply for an extension of study for up to 2 years.
The regular study period of the doctoral degree program is 4 years, during which students should study full-time at UCASS. If students get to obtain all required credits ahead of schedule, meet the related regulations of UCASS and pass the dissertation defense, they may be allowed to graduate one year earlier. Those who have completed 4 years of study but have not met the graduation requirements can apply for an extension of study for up to 2 years.
8. Assistantships, Scholarship and Tuition
(1) UCASS adopts Three Assistantships Policy that offers financial assistance to the master’s and doctoral students who work in teaching, studying, and doing scientific research in their spare time.
(2) According to the relevant regulations, UCASS provides scholarships for international students who have good conduct and excellent academic performance.
(3) The admitted international master’s students should pay a tuition fee of 27,000 CNY per academic year and the admitted international doctoral students should pay a tuition fee of 30,000 CNY per academic year.
(4) International students admitted to UCASS can apply for a full scholarship, which will waive the fees of tuition, accommodation as well as the comprehensive medical insurance and provides living allowances. For detailed information, please refer to the Special Scholarship Application Guide for International Students of University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
9. Accommodation
UCASS provides well-furnished accommodation with fully-equipped facilities and a great environment for international students. To reserve a room, students should submit accommodation applications in advance. Room rent and miscellaneous fees are in line with the relevant UCASS standards of student accommodation fees.
10. Graduation and Degree Awarding
Students who have fulfilled all the requirements stipulated in the program overview, including having passed all the courses with good scores and passing the dissertation defense in English, are permitted to graduate, and will be conferred the Certificate of Graduation. After being examined and approved by the UCASS Academic Degree Evaluation Committee of the university, the corresponding academic degree will be conferred.
11. Other Matters
1. Students can find detailed information on UCASS and Huangpu Institute, such as teaching curriculum, faculty, and program overview, by contacting us through phone or email, which is listed in Article 12.
2. International students are not allowed to be enrolled in two or more universities at the same time in China.
12. Contact Information
Email: hpias@ucass.edu.cn
Tel: + 86-20-82385669, +86-10-81360328
Working hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 11:30, 14:00 to 16:30, Beijing time.
University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
Date of Issue: April 19th, 2024
