UNSW-PKU Double Degree in International Relations and Public Policy

Objective of the Programme

1. The double degree programme comprising the Master in Public Policy (MPP) degree from Peking University and the Master of Arts in International Studies (MAIR) from the University of New South Wales will be an attractive value proposition for students of both universities. It will adopt all the aims and objectives of the two separate Master programmes.

The MPP at PKU is open to fresh university graduates as well as the experienced professionals and government officials from different countries, and is designed to train students in the field of public affairs, public administration, and public policy. The programme aims to provide them with an opportunity to develop functional expertise, strategic perspectives, and public policy management tools to operate effectively in a changing public policy environment or to understand such an environment. It will also help them to learn both the successes and failures in China��s public policy making and management, and therefore to understand more about how to manage political, economic and social development in developing countries.

The MAIR at UNSW is designed to provide an understanding of contemporary world politics. The programme emphasises the relationship between theory and practice and examines how particular theories organise and shape our view of the world. It aims to explain various influences on the behaviour of states and other international actors, and it analyses issues such as war and peace, the global economy, international organizations, and international law and diplomacy. Practically it looks at current issues of international concern such as global environmental problems, human rights, and global poverty. A number of electives examine international relations broadly, while others concentrate on specific issues, regions or countries.

Both PKU and UNSW have an excellent capacity to deliver the programmes through a strong group of specialist academics, and using a wide range of instructional techniques including real-world case studies. Skills related to policy analysis and programme evaluation are common to both programmes.

Proposed Degree

2. The proposed double degree programme will offer the following degrees:

• Peking University Master Degree (depending on which programme students are enrolled in)
• Master of Arts in International Studies (MAIR) from the University of New South Wales

Management of the Programme

3. A Joint Academic Committee (JAC) comprising representatives appointed by the Dean of each institution will be established to oversee the programme. The JAC will be responsible for all academic and administrative matters relating to the programme.

Admission Requirements

4. Candidates have to fulfil the admission requirements for both universities in order to gain admission to the Double Master Degree programme. There will be one application process only for the Double Master, which can be done through either the PKU or the UNSW. Both universities will assign a unique programme code that will distinguish students admitted to the Double Master from students admitted to the single degree only.

5. Applicants seeking admission to the double degree starting at either the UNSW or the PKU must have:

• Admission to the postgraduate study either in SG-PKU or in SSIS-UNSW;
• A SG-PKU student must have a good command of the English Language
o minimum TOEFL 577 (Paper Based Test) (with at least 5.0 in TWE)
o minimum TOEFL 233 in CBT (with at least 5.0 in TWE)
o minimum TOEFL- iBT 90 (with at least 24 in Writing)
o minimum IELTS Band 6.5 ( with at least 6.0 in each of the sub-tests)

Period of Candidature

6. The candidature period for the double degree programme is normally 3 years.

Programme Structure

PKU MPP Degree

7. A candidate for the MPP degree is expected to complete 7 Compulsory courses, 3 Elective courses, and a Master thesis. Each course is worth 3 credits (unless indicated otherwise). The total requirement of the coursework component of the degree is 30 credits.

8. The compulsory courses or the similar offered in the MPP degree are (total 21 credits):
• Public Policy Analysis
• Economics for Public Policy
• Chinese Politics and Public Policy
• China's Economic Reform and Development
• Research Design and Practice I & II
• Introduction to China (2 credits)
• Chinese Language (4 credits)

Some of the sample elective courses in the MPP degree are (a total of 9 credits are needed; at least three of the following courses or similar ones will be offered every year):
• International and Comparative Political Economy
• Special Topics in Ethnic Politics
• Government and Market
• Innovation, and Strategy for the Industrial Development in Developing Countries
• Chinese Legal System
• Social Policy Transformation in China
• Public Finance and Tax Policy in China
• Regional Development Strategy in China
• Chinese Foreign Policy
• Social Science Methodology
• Strategy and Management of Public and Non-profit Organization
• Political Philosophy and Public Affairs
• Health Policy and Reform

The courses offered in the MPP degree are subjected to the academic adjustments of the year. Under the approval by the SG-PKU, a PKU student who joins the double degree programme through the Chinese language-based master programmes in SG will select Chinese courses similar to the courses listed above, and a UNSW student is also allowed to choose such courses.

UNSW MAIR Degree

9. A candidate for the MAIR is expected to complete 4 Compulsory courses and 4 Elective courses. Each course is worth 6 units of credit. The total requirement of the degree is 48 units of credit.

10. The compulsory courses in the MAIR degree are:

• POLS 5120 Global Politics
• POLS 5121 International Organizations and Global Politics
• POLS 5122 International Political Economy
• POLS 5125 Politics of International Law

The elective courses are:
• POLS 5100 International Relations Internship
• POLS 5102 Australia in the World
• POLS 5103 Law, War and Justice
• POLS 5113 Research Project (12 UOC)
• POLS 5127 China and Asia Pacific Security
• POLS 5130 International Security
• POLS 5154 International Business and International Politics
• POLS 5156 The International Political Economy of East Asia Development
• POLS 5157 Exceptional Empire: US Foreign Relations in the 'American Century'
• POLS 5158 The Global Free Market and its Critics
• POLS 5160 The Middle East and World Politics
• POLS 5161 Developing Countries and the International System
• SLSP 5015 International Development Policy
• SLSP 5017 Policy and Advocacy
• SOCW 7852 Politics of International Aid

Proposed Double Degree Programme Structure

11. A PKU student will start the double degree at SG-PKU. The proposed programme structure is given in Table 1.

Table 1. Example of Double Degree Programme for PKU students

12. A UNSW student will start the double degree at SSIS-UNSW. The proposed programme structure is as follows:

Table 2. Example of Double Degree Programme for UNSW students

Rules for Transfer of Credits/Exemption

13. Credit transfer and exemption will be allowed, subject to the following conditions:

a. Up to 6 PKU Credits or 12 UNSW Units of Credit in elective courses may be exempted towards the second degree, subject to students fulfilling the requirements for such transfer, and subject also to visa requirements in the respective countries of the second degree.

b. The double degree students must apply for the credits exemption to the JAC at the beginning of study for the second degree.

c. The credits exemption will be granted by and take effect in the second degree after the applicant has successfully completed the coursework in the first degree. For example, if the students start at PKU, UNSW will recognise their previous study at PKU and thus will give the exemption to two courses on the UNSW curriculum and vice versa.

Continuation and Termination

14. SG-PKU MPP degree:

a. A student registered on the SG-PKU MPP degree must attain a minimum score of 70 marks for every compulsory course and at least 60 marks for every elective course.

b. A student shall normally be entitled to replace a failed course with another course in a subsequent semester.

c. A student who fails 3 courses or more in a semester will be required to terminate his/her candidature.

15. SSIS-UNSW MAIR degree:

a. A student enrolled on the MAIR degree must attain a minimum score of 50 marks for every course.

b. A student shall normally be entitled to replace a failed course with another course in a subsequent semester, or allowed to repeat the course if it is a compulsory course.

16. Subject to the approval of the JAC, students may extend the duration of their study at either UNSW or PKU in order to fulfil the coursework requirements of the double degree programme, and extension fees may be applied.

Graduation Requirements

17. Table 3 provides the graduation requirements of both the single and double degree programmes:

Table 3

18. A student who does not meet the graduation requirements of the double degree programme may graduate with an MPP degree at SG-PKU or an MAIR degree at SSIS-UNSW if the graduation requirements of the respective degree are met.

Fees

19. All students accepted in the SSIS-UNSW - SG-PKU double degree programme will pay fees at the institution where they are enrolled. For the MPP programme, the total tuition is 80,000 RMB; for the MAIR programme, the projected total tuition will be updated annually according to the notice of UNSW.