The International Master of Public Administration in the Belt and Road Initiative (IMPA-BRI) program is a one-year English Master program delivered by the School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University (Tsinghua SPPM) in Beijing, hosted by International Cooperation Center (ICC) of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and Tanoto Foundation.

Particularly designed to expand the scope of cooperation and exchange between countries participating in the BRI, the IMPA-BRI program focuses on training promising talents for the BRI countries. Featuring a curriculum that combines course studies, field research and thesis writing, the program aims to help participants gain a better understanding of China’s development experiences and of the BRI, develop their analytical capability for public policy, and build leadership skills necessary for public-sector professionals.

In July 2013, Tsinghua’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) program received the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) Accreditation, which was the first MPA program outside the United States to receive NASPAA Accreditation. In August 2022, Tsinghua MPA program passed the NASPAA accreditation again, and has become the only program in China that has received a second NASPAA Accreditation.

Applications are open until 30 April 2024.

Get the opportunity to expand your professional network, enhance your skills and knowledge, and experience the unique culture of China!

For more information, please check below the IMPA-BRI Program Application Guide.

IMPA-BRI Program Application Guide

Academic Year 2024/25

I. Eligibility

a. Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens with a valid personal passport and should be citizens from countries participating in the BRI (please refer to https://eng.yidaiyilu.gov.cn).

b. Master’s Degree program applicants should have a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent degree to a Bachelor’s Degree (or above). The students who will enroll in 2024 must obtain the degree authentication report issued by Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange, Ministry of Education, P. R. China (CSCSE) (for overseas universities) before Tsinghua University graduate student registration date of 2024.

c. Applicants should preferably be senior government officials, senior enterprise managers, or administrative heads and senior managerial staff of universities/colleges/academic institutions.

d. Applicants should be under the age of 45 before entering the school in 2024, and with at least 5 years of full-time working experience after obtaining the bachelor’s degree.

e. Applicants should have high English proficiency.

f. Applicants should be in good health and of good character (meet the physical examination requirements stipulated by the country and Tsinghua University/THU).

II. How to Apply

a. Complete the Online Application (https://yzbm.tsinghua.edu.cn/intlLogin).

b. Required Application Materials:

1) Passport (personal ordinary-type passport): Applicants should present bio page of personal ordinary-type passport.

2) Degree certificate and degree authentication: The degree diploma awarded by overseas universities should be authenticated by Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange, Ministry of Education, P. R. China.

3) Academic transcript

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

5) Academic recommendation letters: Two academic recommendation letters from scholars who have the title of associate professor or higher, or senior professionals in a related academic field.

6) Official results of English language proficiency tests (if available): Applicants whose first language or language of instruction in their tertiary education is not English are recommended to provide evidence of English proficiency. If needed, video interviews will be conducted for prospective candidates to test their language proficiency.

      Important Application Notes:

a. Applicants are required to submit scanned images of all required documents at the time of application (in English or Chinese, otherwise notarial translations in Chinese or English are required)

b. Scan the original or notarized application documents in color using a scanner

c. The application fee (800 RMB) must be paid at the time the application is submitted. Regardless of whether the application is successful or not, the application fee is not refundable.

d. Applications with incomplete documents or without application fee payment will not be processed

e. THU has the right to require applicants to provide original/notarized copies of application materials or certification documents for further inspection

f. Applicants from different education systems should refer to THU’s online application website for reference

g. Applicants must ensure that the application information and application materials provided are true and accurate. None of the application documents will be returned

h. The website of Admission to Graduate Programs of Tsinghua University 2024: https://yz.tsinghua.edu.cn/en/info/1035/1351.htm

III. Evaluation and Admission

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: https://yzbm.tsinghua.edu.cn/intlLogin

IV. Accommodation

a. Due to limited accommodation on campus, dormitory rooms must be applied for online; this is conducted on a first come, first served basis. Those who fail to apply for a dorm must find off-campus accommodation independently.

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

V. Visa Application and Registration

a. 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.

b. To apply, students should provide their personal ordinary-type passport, Admission Notice, Visa Application Form (JW202/JW201), and original Foreigner Physical Examination Form, as well as other physical examination original documents/reports (to check with the Chinese Embassy/Consulate for specific requirements)

c. Students must apply for a Residence Permit within 30 days after arrival in China

d. Students are required to arrive at THU (along with the original versions of required documents) and complete their university registration during the dates indicated in the Admission package, or otherwise disqualified.

VI. Application Schedule
       November 27, 2023 – April 30, 2024

VII. Scholarship

All successful applicants of the IMPA-BRI program will receive full scholarship provided by Tanoto Foundation. The scholarship covers the full tuition fee and miscellaneous cost (field trip, research fee, and medical insurance fee for the duration of the program are included), accommodation subsidy and living allowance.

VIII. Duration and Mode of Attendance

The program is one year full-time at Tsinghua University.

IX. Curriculum Structure

a. Students enrolled in the IMPA-BRI program are required to obtain at least 28 credits.

b. Of the 28 credits, at least 5 credits must be from required courses in Chinese language and culture; 9 credits from core courses; 6 credits from specialization courses; at least 3 credits from elective courses; and 5 credits from required components.

c. A 10,000-word Master’s Degree thesis is required.

d. The following are some of the courses offered in the IMPA-BRI program:

– Public Organization and Management

– Public Policy Analysis

– Research Design and Thesis Writing

– Belt and Road Initiative and the Reshaping of World Economy

– Introduction to Sustainable Development

– Comparative Politics and Government

– Comparative Governance and Development Practices

– International Political Economy

– Governance and Development

– Science and Art of Leadership

– Frontier of Public Management

– Economic Development and Policy in China

– Public Law with International Perspective

– Field Study

X. Contact Information

Ms. FANG Man (Ellen)
Email: impa-bri@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn
Ph: +86-10-62773832
Website: https://www.sppm.tsinghua.edu.cn/english/Admissions/IMPA_BRI.htm
WeChat ID: tsinghuasppm