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2024 "Application-Assessment" Doctoral Program Admissions Scheme of the School of Marxism, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

Talent Development

The School of Marxism at the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (UCASS) [1] 2024 Work Plan for Doctoral Admissions via the "Application-Configured Assessment" System

In accordance with the "Notice on Preparing the 2024 Doctoral Admissions Professional Catalog" and the "Administrative Measures for Doctoral Admissions via the 'Application-Configured Assessment' System of the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (Trial)," the School of Marxism will continue to utilize the "Application-Configured Assessment" system to recruit doctoral students in 2024. This plan is formulated based on the actual conditions of the School to ensure the precise selection of talent and to attract high-quality applicants from across the country.

I. Enrollment Plan The 2024 "Application-Configured Assessment" system at the School of Marxism applies to general admissions, consecutive Master’s-Doctoral programs (open only to current UCASS Master’s students), and direct-entry doctoral programs for undergraduates (completed during the recommendation and exemption process). The School plan to recruit 31 doctoral students (including general admissions and Master’s-Doctoral programs). In principle, the number of "directed employment" [2] doctoral students shall not exceed 4, and the number of students in consecutive Master’s-Doctoral programs shall not exceed 6. Specific details regarding majors, enrollment numbers, research directions, supervisors, accepted foreign languages, and related instructions can be found in the UCASS 2024 Doctoral Admissions Professional Catalog.

II. Selection Model The "Application-Configured Assessment" system is one of the methods used by UCASS for the public recruitment of doctoral students. Applicants who meet the basic requirements may submit their applications through the online registration system and mail the required application materials as instructed. The School will organize an Expert Group for Material Review to collectively review and evaluate the materials, determining the shortlist of applicants for the comprehensive assessment. The School will then organize an Expert Group for Comprehensive Assessment to evaluate the applicants through written exams and interviews. Based on the results of the comprehensive assessment, the School will determine the recommended list for admission and report it to the University’s Graduate Admissions Leadership Group for final approval.

III. Eligibility Criteria (1) Basic Application Requirements

  1. Applicants must be citizens of the People's Republic of China, uphold the leadership of the Communist Party of China, maintain a correct political orientation, love the motherland, be willing to serve socialist modernization, abide by the law, and possess upright character.
  2. The applicant's educational background and degree must meet one of the following conditions: (a) Individuals who have already obtained a Master's degree. (b) Graduating Master's students from institutions recognized by the state (who must obtain their Master's degree certificate and academic credentials before September 1, 2024, and submit them upon registration). (c) Individuals who have held a Bachelor's degree for at least 6 years (from the date the degree was awarded until September 1, 2024) may apply with an "equivalent scholastic attainment" [3] status. Such applicants must have published two academic papers related to the applied major as the first author in national core journals, or have received scientific research awards at the provincial or ministerial level or above (ranked in the top 3). Applicants in special industries or positions with equivalent academic achievements may apply to the University Admissions Office. (d) Candidates with professional Master’s degrees from non-degree education (single-certificate, i.e., those with only a degree certificate but no graduation certificate) or individuals applying for a Master’s degree with equivalent scholastic attainment must have obtained their Master’s degree before registration. (e) Candidates who obtained their degrees abroad must have their certificates certified by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange of the Ministry of Education.
  3. Physical and mental health status must comply with UCASS regulations.
  4. Two written recommendations from professors (or experts with senior professional technical titles) in the field of the applied major are required.
  5. The following two categories of candidates: ① Graduating Master's students currently under "directed cultivation" [4]; ② In-service candidates who are currently fulfilling service obligations under agreements such as service terms or confidentiality periods with their original work units, must obtain consent from their cultivation or service units before applying. Any disputes arising from the application process that affect registration or admission are the responsibility of the candidate.

(2) Foreign Language Requirements

  1. English: Must meet one of the following: CET-6 score of 425+; CET-4 score of 550+; GRE score of 310+; TOEFL (IBT) score of 90+; IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0+; GMAT score of 640+; TEM-4 or TEM-8 pass; PETS-5 pass.
  2. Russian: Must meet one of the following: Russian Major Test (T-4 or T-8) pass; TRKI level B2 or above.
  3. Japanese: Must meet one of the following: Japanese Major Test (T-4 or T-8) pass; JLPT N1 or above.
  4. German: Must meet one of the following: German Major Test (PGH-4 or PGH-8) pass; TestDaF Level 4 or above; DSH Level 2 or above.
  5. French: Must meet one of the following: French Major Test (TFS-4 or TFS-8) pass; TCF or TEF Level B2 or above; DELF-DALF Level C1 or above.
  6. Vietnamese: Candidates must provide a national-level language test certificate equivalent to CET-6 proficiency.
  7. Applicants who hold a degree in the respective foreign language or an overseas degree where the respective language was the medium of instruction are also eligible.
  8. Special Note: For the Literary Hermeneutics [5] major, there are no prior restrictions on foreign language proficiency during the registration stage. However, if an applicant does not meet the above-guided requirements, they will receive 0 points for the foreign language indicator during the material review process.

(3) Scientific Research Requirements

  1. Applicants should have a strong interest in scientific research and a rigorous academic style.
  2. Applicants should possess a broad academic vision and a solid foundation for research in the relevant discipline.
  3. Applicants should demonstrate high research proficiency and an innovative spirit, with the ability to independently conduct theoretical research under the guidance of a supervisor.
  4. Under identical conditions, priority will be given to those who have published professional academic articles related to the applied discipline in academic journals. Note: Master’s-Doctoral program candidates must also meet additional requirements set by the university and the School.

IV. Online Registration Online registration and fee payment for the 2024 Doctoral admissions will be conducted through the UCASS system. Candidates should select "Application-Configured Assessment" as the exam category. System open period: January 10, 2024, 9:00 AM to January 31, 2024, 12:00 PM. URL: http://yz.ucass.edu.cn/Default.aspx

V. Application Materials Electronic versions of materials must be uploaded during online registration, and hard copies must be sent via EMS or SF Express by February 5, 2024, to the Scientific Research Office of the Institute of Marxism Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS). Materials should include:

  1. Registration Form for Doctoral Admissions.
  2. Two Expert Recommendation Letters (Attachment 1).
  3. Original undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
  4. Proof of highest degree and graduation certificates.
  5. Proof of foreign language proficiency.
  6. Master’s thesis (draft or 3,000-word abstract for graduating students).
  7. Representative Works: 1–3 academic achievements representing the applicant's highest level (excluding the Master’s thesis; publication is not mandatory).
  8. Research Experience Overview (Attachment 3).
  9. Research Proposal for doctoral studies (6,000–8,000 words; see Attachment 4).
  10. Integrity Commitment Letter (Attachment 5).
  11. ID card copy.
  12. Other certificates of comprehensive ability or awards.
  13. For equivalent scholastic attainment applicants: relevant coursework records and two first-author papers in national core journals.
  14. Ideological and Political Qualification and Moral Character Assessment Form (Attachment 6).
  15. Additional materials for Master’s-Doctoral program candidates.

Note: Applicants must ensure the authenticity of all materials. Any falsification will result in disqualification or expulsion.

VI. Material Review

(I) Following the conclusion of the application period, the School of Marxism will arrange for dedicated personnel to combine the applicants’ registration information and application materials to conduct a formal review of the candidates' application qualifications against the application criteria and relevant requirements. This primarily examines whether the materials submitted by the applicant are complete and whether they meet the application conditions.

(II) Following the qualification review, the School of Marxism shall establish "Material Review Expert Groups" based on academic disciplines and majors to conduct a collective audit and scoring of the application materials submitted by the applicants. A comprehensive evaluation will be made based on the applicant’s academic performance, master’s thesis, foreign language proficiency, research proposal and study plan, expert recommendation opinions, as well as participation in scientific research, publications, and press history. A score based on a 100-point scale will be issued, with group members scoring independently. Applicants will be ranked from high to low according to their average scores, and a list of candidates to enter the comprehensive assessment will be determined on a merit basis.

(III) In principle, the list of candidates entering the comprehensive assessment shall be determined at a ratio of 150% to 300% of the planned enrollment number of the School. The shortlist for the comprehensive assessment shall be reported to the Admissions Office for the record and publicly disclosed for no less than 10 working days.

(IV) For candidates not included in the comprehensive assessment list, the "application-evaluation" procedure is terminated.

VII. Comprehensive Assessment

(I) Announcement of the Comprehensive Assessment List The list of candidates entering the comprehensive assessment will be published on the website of the School of Marxism of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS). The specific time and location of the comprehensive assessment will be notified separately.

(II) Content and Methods of Comprehensive Assessment The comprehensive assessment generally includes three aspects: foreign language proficiency, professional knowledge, and comprehensive quality. It is conducted through a combination of interviews and written examinations.

  1. Professional Written Examination: The School will arrange a written exam for one professional subject. For the majors of Scientific Socialism and the International Communist Movement, Basic Tenets of Marxism, History of Marxist Development, Sinicization of Marxism [6], Party Building, and China Studies, the written examination subject is Marxist Theory, with a total score of 100 points and a passing grade of 60. For the Literary Hermeneutics major, the content of the written exam focuses on literary and artistic theory, with a total score of 100 points and a passing grade of 60.

  2. Professional Foreign Language Written Examination: This mainly focuses on the applicant's basic foreign language ability or their proficiency in mastering professional foreign language terminology and reading professional foreign language literature. This applies to candidates in Scientific Socialism and the International Communist Movement, Basic Tenets of Marxism, History of Marxist Development, Sinicization of Marxism, Party Building, and China Studies. The total score is 50 points, with a passing grade of 30. There is no foreign language written examination for the Literary Hermeneutics major.

  3. Foreign Language Interview: This assesses the applicant's foreign language listening and speaking skills, with a total score of 50 points and a passing grade of 30. Candidates from all majors must participate.

  4. Comprehensive Quality Interview: This comprehensively examines the applicant's ideological and political attributes, their ability to comprehensively apply acquired knowledge, and their mastery of frontier knowledge and the latest research dynamics in the discipline. Referencing the application materials submitted by the applicant, it evaluates whether they possess the potential and comprehensive quality for doctoral training. For Scientific Socialism and the International Communist Movement, Basic Tenets of Marxism, History of Marxist Development, Sinicization of Marxism, Party Building, and China Studies, the total score for the comprehensive quality interview is 100 points, with a passing grade of 60. For the Literary Hermeneutics major, the total score is 150 points, with a passing grade of 90.

  5. Additional Examinations for Equivalent Academic Ability: Applicants with equivalent academic ability [7] must take additional examinations in political theory (organized uniformly by the university) and two core courses from the master's stage of the relevant major. The additional examination subjects are scored on a 100-point scale, with 60 as the passing grade; those who fail will not be admitted. The scores of the additional examinations are not included in the total score of the comprehensive assessment. For Scientific Socialism and the International Communist Movement, Basic Tenets of Marxism, History of Marxist Development, Sinicization of Marxism, Party Building, and China Studies, the additional examinations for equivalent academic ability will focus on the basic tenets of Marxism and classical Marxist works. For Literary Hermeneutics, the focus will be on hermeneutic theory and knowledge of Chinese and foreign literary history.

(III) Grading of the Comprehensive Assessment The total score of the comprehensive assessment is the sum of the scores of each item in the comprehensive assessment, with a total of 300 points. Those who pass all individual items and reach a total score of 180 points or above qualify in the comprehensive assessment. The comprehensive assessment results (including sub-scores and the total score) will be publicized for no less than 5 working days and reported to the Admissions Office for the record.

(IV) Examination of Ideological and Political Quality and Moral Character This mainly includes the applicant's political attitude, ideological expression, study (work) attitude, moral character, and observance of law and discipline. Candidates entering the comprehensive assessment must provide the "Ideological and Political Quality and Moral Character Evaluation Form for Doctoral Degree Applicants" (stamped with the seal of the personnel or political work department of the unit where the personnel file is located; see Attachment 6).

VIII. Admission The Admissions Leadership Group of the School of Marxism will rank applicants strictly according to their comprehensive assessment scores. Considering the results of the material review, political review, and physical examination, it will make a comprehensive judgment to determine the recommended list for admission, which will be reported to the University Admissions Office for review and publicized for no less than 5 working days.

After passing the inspection by the Admissions Office, the list will be summarized and reported to the University Graduate Admissions Leadership Group. Within the enrollment plan issued by the Ministry of Education, the list of candidates for admission will be determined according to the principles of "comprehensive measurement of morality, intelligence, and physical fitness; merit-based admission; ensuring quality; and preferring to leave a vacancy than to admit the unqualified," and will be publicized uniformly by the University.

Non-directed employment doctoral students [8] confirmed for admission must transfer their personnel files to the University of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Those who fail to transfer their files on time will have their admission eligibility revoked. The personnel files and household registration (hukou) of directed employment applicants will not be transferred to the university; they should sign and submit a tripartite agreement between the applicant, the directed employment unit, and the training unit. Those who fail to submit the agreement on time will have their admission eligibility revoked.

IX. Others All doctoral students recruited by our School are full-time doctoral students. The doctoral recruitment plan is divided into two types based on the employment form: "non-directed employment" and "directed employment." Candidates should choose their candidate category carefully when applying; once selected, it cannot be changed in principle. Candidates must handle all problems arising from the examination and admission with their work or study units themselves. If this fails to allow for the second-round interview or admission, the responsibility lies with the candidate.

During the 2024 doctoral recruitment process, if superior departments issue new graduate admission policies or guiding work requirements, our School will make corresponding adjustments to the work plan.

X. Contact Information (I) Doctoral Admissions, School of Marxism, University of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Mailing Address: Scientific Research Department, Institute of Marxism Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, No. 5 Jianguomennei Avenue, Dongcheng District, Beijing (Postcode: 100732) Contact Phone: 010-85195690 (Mr./Ms. Liu, mayanxi@cass.org.cn) School of Marxism Website: https://marxism.ucass.edu.cn/ Consultation for Literary Hermeneutics major: 010-81360382 (Mr./Ms. Yan) China Hermeneutics Network: https://www.chanshixue.cn/index.htm (II) Admissions Office of the University of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Phone: 010-81360224; Fax: 010-81360219 Admissions Website of UCASS: https://skdzs.ucass.edu.cn

School of Marxism, University of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences January 5, 2024

Attachment 1: University of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Expert Recommendation Form for Doctoral Applicants.doc Attachment 2: Proof of Current Enrollment for Master's Students (Reference Template).doc Attachment 3: List of Scientific Research Situation for University of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences 2024 Doctoral Application-Evaluation Submission Materials.doc Attachment 4: Research Proposal and Study Plan.doc Attachment 5: University of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences 2024 Doctoral Admissions Examination Application Integrity Commitment Letter.docx Attachment 6: Ideological and Political Quality and Moral Character Evaluation Form for Doctoral Applicants.docx