Joint Study Program 

Partner institutions:

- East China Normal University, (ECNU), China

- Nord University Business School (NU), Norway

- International Institute of Energy Policy and Diplomacy of Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO),Russia

About the study

Level of qualification: Master

ECTS credits: 120

Program duration: 2 years

Mode of study: Full-time

Study place: Shanghai(one year), Bodø(half year), Moscow(half year)

Language of instruction: English 

Qualification awarded: Upon successful completion of the 2-year program, students receive certificates/diplomas from ECNU, NU and MGIMO.

I. Training Goals

The program aims to broaden the MA students’ understanding of Governance and Business from international perspectives. A large focus of the program concerns energy management and High North issues. New professionals need to understand the complexities of the efficient use of depletable and renewable natural resources such as oil, gas and renewable energy sources. Energy policies, exhaustible and renewable resources, Arctic oil and gas exploration and extraction, cooperation between international oil and gas companies, electricity generation, climate policy, systems and tools of energy management, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility are some of the subjects that are studied as part of the master program. There is also hands-on training in the management of energy-related issues. Our aim is to give them a comprehensive understanding of the economic, political and institutional issues and methods relevant to international governance and business in the course of sustainable development.  

II. Academic Training

Most classes offered by the program take the format of graduate seminars and combine tutorial lectures with active student participation. The program also organizes extracurricular activities that complement classroom teaching. The normal duration of the program is two years and the mode of study is full time. The language of instruction is English, and the MA students of this program will study in Shanghai(one year), Bodø(half year) and Moscow(half year).  

III. Credit requirements and Curriculum provision

1st semester, ECNU, Shanghai.

The project consists of 10 students from China, Norway and Russia, respectively, that’s 30 students in total. The international students who register in East China Normal University will study in Shanghai for the first semester. Students from Norway and Russia study at their home universities. This is a good possibility to take the obligatory courses in order to meet the national/institutional requirements. However, we expect that the focus to be on business administration and management theory. The first semester courses are synchronous taught by teachers from China, Norway and Russia.

2nd semester, NU, Bodø

The semester advances theoretical knowledge in business- and energy-related topics with newer and more complex theories. The Norwegian context, situated in a global perspective, will be a common theme throughout the semester, as well issues related to world energy markets, energy policies, governance, and sustainability. The course in research methods during this semester will help prepare the thesis work later in the program.

3rd semester, MGIMO, Moscow

This aims to deepen, integrate, and assimilate new knowledge of theory and method. There will be activities designed to improve the student’s problem-solving skills. While at MGIMO University, they will build analytical and theoretical competence while analyzing key geopolitical and macroeconomic factors affecting the energy industry around the world. In addition to the courses (15 ECTS), students begin writing their master thesis (MOPP), this counts for 15 ECTS.

4th semester, ECNU

The semester is dedicated to the completion of the master thesis to understanding of Chinese perspective on the governance and business. Students take courses at ECNU (15 ECTS), and finalize their master thesis (15 ECTS). This constitutes 30 ECTS. 

IV. Research Requirements

Graduate students are encouraged to publish articles in academic journals during their time of study at ECNU. However, this is not a mandatory requirement. 

V Mid-term Assessment

The Mid-term Assessment is to be completed in the third semester. It is an overall assessment of the quality of a student’s thesis proposal, his/her lecture and meeting attendance and academic performance.

Graduate students must submit proposals of their prospective Master’s theses. Normally, a proposal should summarize the thesis’s research question(s), research methodology, potential contributions and limitations, literature review, thesis statement, research plan, and references.

VI. Master’s Thesis Requirements

1. Topic Selection

Before starting writing their theses, graduate students are expected to have an extensive grasp of the scholarly literature and develop a clear perspective on the merits of their chosen topics, which must be theoretically informed and practically relevant and represent a contribution to existing knowledge.

2. Thesis Writing

Graduate students are encouraged to maintain close contact with their supervisors during the process of thesis writing. Drawing on periodic feedback from their supervisors, graduate students should keep updating the analytical framework of their theses until completion. The Master’s thesis is to be written in English with an abstract in Chinese, and the standard length of it is 8000 to 10000 words.

3. Thesis Review and Defense

After graduate students obtain the approval of their supervisors, their theses will be sent out for external review. The review will focus on the following questions: whether the thesis topic is well-chosen; whether the analytical framework is rigorous; whether the thesis constitutes an original contribution to knowledge; whether the research methodology is adequate and the logical reasoning sound; whether the thesis is based on reliable source materials; and whether the thesis has any theoretical or practical significance. If the reviewers find the thesis satisfactory, graduate students can then move on to a formal defense of their theses. 

Tuition and Fees

Scholarship

Joint Program will not reveive scholarship from Chinese Government or Shanghai municipal government, but SAIAS ECNU will provide part of traveling subsidy.

Application Requirements

Program applicants must possess a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, Economic, Business or other related majors. An official copy of TOEFL or IELTS scores is also needed for the application. For more information regarding specific application procedures, please see: EN/msg.php?id=44 

Contact Person of ECNU

Contact Person: Natalia SHUAI

E-mail: xyshuai@gec.ecnu.edu.cn

ECNU website: http://english.ecnu.edu.cn/

Office of International Programs website:

EN/ 

Contact Person of SAIAS, ECNU

Jane CHEN, Email: ccsintl@foxmail.com

SAIAS website: http://en.saias.ecnu.edu.cn/