2023 Global Journalism and Communication Master’s Program on Belt Road Initiative

I. Program Description

1.About BRJC Program

The School of Journalism and Communication, Renmin University of China launched the Global Journalism and Communication Master’s Program on Belt Road Initiative (BRJC) in 2017. The program was officially launched in March 2018. BRJC, a two-year professional Master’s program taught in English, aims at training communication talents with international perspectives, multimedia reporting and storytelling proficiency, and dedication to promoting mutual understanding between different cultures and countries.

The program’s curriculum consists of a variety of intermediate and advanced-level communication and journalism courses, including media history and theories development, media industry, practical skills and research methods. Additionally, the program offers Chinese language training and courses on Chinese politics, economy, society and culture.

In the first year, students focus on coursework, reporting practice. In the second year, students focus on social practice or media internship, and work on master’s theses on practical topics. Students in the program work closely with advisors and other faculty members. All the multimedia production facilities and studios at the school are available to students on appointment basis.

2.Core Courses with Credits and Semesters

Students are required to complete at least 34 coursework credits to fulfill the graduation requirements and theses to obtain the degree. Students are required to take 7-credits public courses, at least 17-credits professional courses, 6-credits elective courses.

Components	Courses	Credits	Semester
Public Courses	Contemporary Chinese Politics	3	1
	Basic Chinese Language	4	1
Professional courses	Contemporary Chinese Society	3	1
	Contemporary Chinese Foreign Policy	3	1
	Research Design in Journalism and Communication	2	1
	History of Chinese and Foreign Media	3	1
	Media Psychology	2	1
	Emerging New Media Technology: Design, Creative and Innovation	2	2
	Global Journalism and Communication	2	1
	News Theory	2	2
	Academic Norms and Thesis Writing	1	2
	Human computer interaction and design thinking	2	2
	Media and cognitive studies	2	1
	Theories of Communication	2	1
	Digital Communication Technology and Application	2	1
	Research Methods of Journalism and Communication	2	2
Social practice	Social practice	4	3

[*subject to revision at the start of the program]

3.About the School of Journalism and Communication, RUC

Over the past 60 years, the School of Journalism and Communication at Renmin University of China, known as the ‘cradle’ of the country’s journalists and communication professionals, has graduated more than 10,000 students. The school currently has about 1200 students in its BA, MA and PhD programs. The number of international students continues to grow.

The school has established a tight bond with prominent universities in the US, Canada, Russia, Britain, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The school offers courses in English at the BA, MA and PhD levels and promotes overseas studying for both undergraduate and graduate students.

II. Application Qualifications

Applicants should:

1. NOT have Chinese nationality.

2. Should hold a valid ordinary passport;

3. Have acquired a degree equivalent to a Chinese bachelor's degree and have a good command of English;

4. Not be older than 35 years old in principle;

5. Be physically and mentally healthy;

6. Be subject to the additional regulations of Renmin University of China (RUC) based on Letter No.12 [2020] of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China.

7.Interested in Chinese politics, economy, culture and society and promoting mutual understanding between cultures.

III. Fall 2023 Application Deadlines

Final Application Deadline: April 30, 2023

CGS Type B Scholarship Deadline：December 15, 2022

NOTE

International Students Office (ISO) of RUC will preliminary review the application materials online, during the application period. Applicants who do not pass the ISO preliminary review shall resubmit the application materials before the deadline.

If the application for BRJC program passed the preliminary review by ISO, application materials will be transferred from ISO to the School of Journalism and Communication. Then the school will review applicants’ materials and notify applicants to participate a formal interview or a test, which is usually hold from March to May.

IV. Tuition (per academic year)

BRJC Program is a two-year program, and the annual tuition fee is CNY 20,000.

V. Application procedure

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 electronic photos submitted for online application must be:

a. The photo should be taken recently to reflect your current appearance

b. The photo should be two inches of size

c. The photo should be taken in front of a plain white background

d. The photo should be taken in full-face view

e. With a neutral facial expression

f. Taken in clothes that you normally wear on a daily dark basis

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

h. Do not wear a hat or head covering that obscures the hair or hairline, except for a religious purpose. Your full face must be visible, and the head covering must not cast any shadows on your face.

i. The image format should be in JPG or JPEG

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(non-refundable). Please pay the application fee through the online payment in the system.

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 ISO 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 ISO online preliminary review.

VI. Application Materials (hard copies)

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 Ministry of Education of China, the Ministry of Education of the applicant’s country, the applicant’s embassy in China, Chinese embassy in the applicant’s country or other institutions entrusted by the Ministries and Embassies mentioned above.

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 original diploma and graduation certificate must be provided to the university 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 within the first two weeks after registration in September, the enrollment will be turned down.

3. Transcript (original or notarized)

The transcript must include all the courses of the final education period. The final GPA should be no less than 3.0/4.0. If the full score of the course is not 100, please provide the guide to transcript.

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

The applicant must hold an ordinary passport. Other types of passport or ID documents are not allowed for application. The validity of the passport must be later than September 30, 2024. Otherwise, please change the passport in advance. Applicants must apply for registration and study in China with ordinary passports. 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 after the online application. 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 informtion 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. 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.

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 or 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 2023).

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 2023).

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.

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.

VII. 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.

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. The admission notice is scheduled to be issued in July, 2023.

VIII. Scholarships Application

Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS)

The Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) scheme provides full and partial scholarships to international students studying in China. Full scholarships covers tuition fee, accommodation, living stipend and medical insurance. Partial scholarships covers a part of above fees. We strongly recommend you to apply for this scholarship.

There are two basic types of CGS Scholarship. CGS Type A (Bilateral Program) should be applied to Chinese embassy or consulates or other related dispatching department in applicant’s home country. CGS Type B (High-level Program) should be applied to China Scholarship Council (CSC) and university.

If you want to apply CGS Type B, please refer to [2023 Chinese Government Scholarship Application Guide]:

http://iso.ruc.edu.cn/jxj/zgrmdx2022ngjxsjxjsqzn/index.htm

For more information about CGS Type A, please refer to the website: http://www.campuschina.org/

Tips for CGS University Program (Type B) Application Procedure

1. Submit your application for admission in RUC International Student Office admission system (https://international.ruc.edu.cn/application/) and choose to apply for BRJC program.

2. Then submit your scholarship application in the CSC Information system (http://www.campuschina.org/) and RUC scholarship system (http://iso.ruc.edu.cn/ENGLISH/index.htm ) at the same time to apply for University Program (Type B).

The CSC only accepts recommendation from universities in charge of the scholarship program, and does not accept individual applications. When applying on the CGS Information System, choose ‘Type B Application’ for [Input Application Information], and input ‘10002’ for [Application Receiving Agency].

The deadline for CSC Type B application is December 15.

3. After you passed our school’s formal interview and received the admission notice from ISO, CGS will finally assess your scholarship application for CGS Type B, together with RUC ISO. If approved, you can obtain CSC scholarship. If not approved, you shall study at your own expense or seek for other possible scholarships.

NOTE

Your application to our program does NOT constitute an automatic application for the CGS or any other scholarships, and our program administration and admissions team is NOT involved in any award decisions for scholarships. Your success depends on the competitiveness of your application, which you directly submit to the according authorities.

If you want to apply for the CGS Type A, please submit your application directly to the China Scholarship Council branch responsible for your home country (this is usually the Chinese embassy). Please also note, that Chinese embassies in different countries may set slightly different application deadlines for this scholarship, so please contact the according authorities well ahead of time.

The School of Journalism and Communication will set up scholarships for BRJC students to assist partial tuition, depending on the comprehensive evaluation of applicants. The scholarship cannot be obtained with CGS or any other scholarship at the same time, and cannot be used to waive tuition fee. Details will be informed before registration.

IX. Contact

1. Contact information of international Student Office

For any question or inquiry about application materials, scholarship information, registration fee, etc., please consult the International Students Office.

Tel: 86 10 62512698

Fax: 86 10 62515343

Address: Room 108, International Cultural Exchange Center,

Renmin University of China, No. 59, Zhongguancun St.,

Haidian District, Beijing, China

Post Code:100872

E-mail: iso@ruc.edu.cn; fangruting@ruc.edu.cn

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

2. Contact information of School of Journalism and Communication

For any question about the BRJC program, please consult our program admissions team.

Email: zhangxinqi@ruc.deu.cn; 1679098591@qq.com