“Russia and China in Global Politics”, a new English Master’s at St Petersburg

Under the influence of globalisation, today’s world witnesses complex processes of the fight for global leadership and the formation of new integration spaces. They are becoming the most important centre of political, economic, military and ideological influence in the world. 

The relations between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China show a growing intensity and multi-vector nature. As a result, the level of mutual understanding and the efficiency of cooperation between Russia and China can be increased through: a comparison and analysis of the positions of the two countries with regard to global challenges of the present-day world; ways and procedures of reforming international institutions; and strengthening competitive advantages of the two countries on the world stage.

There is an expanding interaction within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), BRICS and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA). Additionally, there is a search for its new formats in the context of growing global challenges and threats. Both of these issues require: a deeper comprehensive understanding of the processes taking place in the world from the perspective of Russia; identifying vulnerabilities in their interaction with each other and ways to overcome emerging contradictions; and seeing the prospects for its development. The training of specialists capable of solving these problems is the aim of the St Petersburg University’s new master’s programme ‘Russia and China in Global Politics (in English)’.

The programme is unique for the Russian educational space. It is taught in English and promotes the exchange of experience, knowledge and educational technologies in the field of global politics. The main academic courses cover such topics as: geopolitical strategies of Russia and China; a comparative analysis of the Chines and Russian political systems; global leadership in the age of digital economy; global challenges of our time; migration processes in Russia and China; the role of the two countries in the regional conflicts of our time; and many others. These make it possible to develop: fundamental knowledge within the framework of this issue; and prerequisite skills and abilities of political analysis and forecasting. Among the lecturers are: high-calibre Russian teachers; scholars from Chinese universities and research centres; experts in Chinese studies; and employees of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in St Petersburg.

Ample career prospects open up for future specialists. Graduates possess fundamental knowledge and know state-of-the-art technologies in the declared area. They will be able to engage in educational, academic, consulting and expert activities in: governmental and non-governmental organisations; the media; and educational institutions that are focused on deepening the diversified ties between Russia and China and strengthening their influence in the globalised world.

For reference: on 1 March, the University started the admission process for applicants for master’s programmes. Applying to the University is in distance mode through the official website of St Petersburg University. Click here to see the admissions calendar.

This article originally appeared on https://english.spbu.ru/news/4427-russia-and-china-in-global-politics-a-new-programme-at-st-petersburg-university-taught-in-english