Marxism Research Network
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2021 Doctoral Program Admissions Interview Scheme and Shortlist of the School of Marxism, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

Notices & Announcements

In accordance with the requirements of the "Notice of the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (UCASS) on the Management of Post-Examination Interviews and Admissions for 2021 Doctoral Candidates," the School of Marxism has formulated the following arrangements for the recruitment, interview, and admission work for the 2021 doctoral program, based on its specific operational realities:

I. Organization and Management of Interviews

  1. A sound organization and management structure shall be established. An Interview and Admissions Work Group, consisting of no fewer than three individuals, shall be formed with the head of the School of Marxism serving as the group leader and involving relevant departments such as discipline inspection and supervision [1].
  2. Under the guidance of the Interview and Admissions Work Group, a (Disciplinary/Specialty) Interview Panel composed of no fewer than five teachers and experts from the School of Marxism shall be established to assess the academic proficiency and other qualities of the candidates participating in the interview.

II. Qualification Review for Interviews Candidates entering the interview stage at the School of Marxism must submit relevant qualification review materials as required. Degrees obtained overseas must be accompanied by an accreditation certificate issued by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange of the Ministry of Education. Should the School have any doubts regarding a candidate's academic history (enrollment status) information, the candidate must provide an accreditation certificate issued by an authoritative institution as requested. Those who do not meet the relevant regulations of the Ministry of Education or the University shall not be permitted to interview.

The School of Marxism will strengthen integrity requirements for candidates entering the interview. Candidates found to have practiced fraud, examination violations, or cheating will be strictly dealt with in accordance with the "Measures for Handling Violations in National Education Examinations" and the "Regulations on the Management of Students in Regular Institutions of Higher Education," regardless of when such determination is made.

III. Rules for Determining the List of Candidates for Interview

  1. The score for the Preliminary Examination foreign language subject must be no lower than 50 points;
  2. The individual scores for Preliminary Examination Professional Subject I and Professional Subject II must be no lower than 55 points, and the combined score of the two subjects must be no lower than 125 points;
  3. For each specialty, the number of candidates for interview shall be drafted at 180% of the enrollment plan, and the list shall be determined based on the ranking of the candidates' total preliminary examination scores within each specialty (candidates applying for the same specialty with identical total scores and rankings may enter the interview together);
  4. For specialties where the number of candidates meeting the above requirements is insufficient, the actual number of candidates who reached the qualifying line shall prevail.

IV. Interview Schedule and Related Arrangements

  1. Interview Time: June 15, 2021. Candidates will participate in the Foreign Language Comprehensive Ability Interview and the Professional Comprehensive Ability Interview organized by the School of Marxism.
  2. Interview Location: Institute of Marxism Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), No. 5 Jianguomen Nei Avenue, Dongcheng District, Beijing.
  3. Interview Method: In principle, the School of Marxism will adopt an offline interview method. Candidates stranded overseas due to the pandemic or unable to participate in offline interviews according to epidemic prevention regulations may adopt an online interview method upon approval by relevant university departments.
  4. Specific requirements and precautions for the interview will be notified to the candidates by the staff of the School of Marxism via telephone, email, and other methods.

V. Assessment Methods for Interviews As there is a sufficient pool of qualified candidates for the School of Marxism, this doctoral recruitment will implement a "differential interview" [2]. The ratio of candidates participating in the interview will be implemented according to the relevant requirements of the University. The interview assessment mainly includes the examination of foreign language proficiency, academic proficiency, and an assessment of ideological and political qualities and moral character.

  1. Foreign Language Proficiency Examination A Foreign Language Comprehensive Ability Test will be conducted during the interview stage in the form of an oral interview, organized independently by the School of Marxism.
  2. Professional Academic Proficiency Examination The professional academic proficiency examination will take the form of an interview. The Interview Panel will primarily assess the candidates' ability to comprehensively apply their knowledge, their mastery of frontier knowledge and the latest research trends in the discipline, and—with reference to the candidates' application materials—evaluate their comprehensive quality and potential for doctoral training.
  3. Ideological and Political Qualities and Moral Character Assessment The assessment mainly covers the candidate's political attitude, ideological performance, study (work) attitude, moral qualities, and law-abiding behavior. During the interview period, candidates should submit appraisal materials regarding their ideological and political qualities and moral character issued by the Party organization (Party Committee, Sub-Party Committee, or Party General Branch) [3], personnel department, or political work department of their current unit or the unit where their files are archived. This assessment is not quantified into the total score, but those whose assessment results are unqualified will not be admitted.
  4. Physical Examination No physical examination will be organized during the interview stage. The health check for candidates slated for admission will be completed during the matriculation physical. Those who fail the physical will have their admission eligibility revoked according to regulations.

VI. Grade Evaluation and Calculation

  1. The total interview score is 300 points. A score of 180 or above is considered passing; those who fail the interview will not be admitted.
  2. The total interview score includes: Foreign Language Comprehensive Ability Test (including speaking and listening) 50 points; Professional Comprehensive Ability Interview 250 points.
  3. The total admission examination score is the sum of the preliminary examination score (300 points total) and the interview score (300 points total).

VII. Public Disclosure of Interview Information

  1. The interview work plan and the list of candidates for interview shall be announced before the interview;
  2. The interview results will be announced after the interview concludes on the website: http://myy.cssn.cn/;
  3. The list of candidates slated for admission will be publicly displayed by the University for no less than 10 working days.

VIII. Pandemic Prevention Precautions

  1. According to the latest pandemic prevention requirements of the Beijing education system, candidates must hold a negative nucleic acid test report from within 7 days. Those who have completed vaccination (last dose) for more than 2 weeks (i.e., the "Beijing Health Kit" [4] mini-program shows "Vaccination Completed" for more than 2 weeks) are exempt from providing a negative nucleic acid report. Candidates must report to the School of Marxism with a nucleic acid report or a screenshot of "Vaccination Completed" before the interview to handle entry and exit procedures as required.
  2. Candidates stranded overseas, coming from medium-to-high risk areas, or otherwise unable to participate in offline interviews due to epidemic prevention regulations may adopt an online interview method upon university approval and shall not participate in offline interviews.
  3. When entering the assessment venue, candidates must cooperate with temperature checks; only those with a temperature below 37.3°C may enter.
  4. While waiting on the day of the assessment, candidates must wear masks at all times, maintain a 1-meter distance, and not move around at will. Hands must be sanitized before entering the assessment room. After the assessment, candidates must leave in an orderly fashion as soon as possible to avoid crowding.

IX. Supervision and Re-evaluation Interviews are conducted under the guidance and supervision of the University Graduate Admissions Leadership Group and the School of Marxism Graduate Admissions Interview and Admissions Work Group. If a candidate objects to the interview results, they may appeal to the School’s Interview and Admissions Work Group. Contact: 010-85195685.

X. Supervision and Inquiry Contact Information (Omitted: Specific phone numbers and address provided in original text)

Appendix: List of Candidates for the 2021 Doctoral Admissions Interview, School of Marxism (Arranged by candidate number)

Candidate Number Name Category Foreign Language Prof. Subj I Prof. Subj II Prelim Total Exception [5]
... ... ... ... ... ... ... No

School of Marxism, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences June 7, 2021