Master 'China Business and Economics'

Module Descriptions

The program comprises obligatory modules and required electives. Obligatory modules include language classes, introductory lectures in Economics and Business Administration as well as several modules in China Business and Economics. Required electives include courses in Chinese Studies, Economics and Business Administration as well as China Business and Economics.

China Business and Economics

Module Introduction to China’s Economy

The obligatory module ‘Introduction to China’s Economy’ comprises a lecture that gives an overview of China’s economic development and reforms as well as a seminar ‘Business and Finance’ which is dedicated to China’s corporate landscape, banking system and financial markets. While the lecture addresses topics such as the Chinese statistical system, China’s economic transition, drivers of China’s economic development and selected topical issues of China’s economic situation, the latter discusses theoretical and practical issues of ownership, governance and regulation with regard to firms and financial sector.

Module Methodological Questions of Chinese Economic Research

The module ‘Methodological Questions of Economic Research on China” consists of one obligatory seminar dedicated to strengthening students’ analytical and methodological skills. Within the seminar, students discuss questions of methodology, research designs and academic argumentation on the basis of intensive reading of academic texts on China’s economy. In addition, this seminar addresses the question how economic research on China has been challenging and furthering economic theory. As such this seminar is an important preparation for the students’ master thesis writing process and deepens their competencies in formulating their research question, choosing appropriate methodologies and developing convincing arguments.

Module China in the Global Economy

The module “China in the Global Economy” includes a lecture and a seminar. The lecture, which has the same name as the module, introduces issues of China’s trade and investment, currency regime, the Belt Road Initiative and China’s role in global economic governance. The overview provided by the lecture is complemented by the seminar “Chinese Firms in Global Markets” which intensifies one specific aspect of China’s integration in the global economy, namely Chinese investments abroad, with analyses at the macro and micro (firm) level.

Modules Challenges of Economic Development in China

The module ‘Challenges of Economic Development’ in China consists of two seminars that each cover an issue central for Chinese recent and future economic development. The first seminar, ‘Challenges of Sustainable Development’, looks into the environmental, social and economic sustainability of China’s development. Students get familiar with the environmental, social and economic challenges that arise from China’s fast economic development and with Chinese strategies to address these challenges. The second seminar ‘China’s national innovation’ mirrors the importance attributed to innovation and innovativeness with regard to China’s future development. Starting from an introduction of related theoretical approaches, students gain an in-depth understanding of the actors, processes and linkages that characterize China's national innovation system and related international cooperation and integration.

Module Markets in China

The module ‘Markets in China’ comprises the seminar “Consumerism and Marketing” as well as seminar called “Case Study Analysis”. “Consumerism and Marketing” delves into a selection of topics related to marketing in China such as social stratification, consumer behavior, marketing research, digital marketing, media and advertising. In the seminar “Case Study Analysis” students are faced with a group task that can be a market research project, business plan development or something alike. They get familiar with techniques of market analysis and project management. Case study topics are selected as realistic as possible and occasionally developed in cooperation with interested firms. Past examples have been market research for business models for electric mobility in China, business plan development for a new German beverage to be introduced to the Chinese market, a strategy to improve the tourism experience of Chinese tourists in Würzburg or a study on the economic entanglement of China with Lower Franconia.

Economics and Business Administration

For details on the obligatory lectures and required electives in economics and business administration kindly refer to the website of the department of economics.

Chinese Studies

• Module Transformation in Contemporary China 1
• Module Transformation in Contemporary China 2

For more information on these two modules please kindly refer to this page.

Language courses

Modul Chinesische Wirtschaftssprache

Application Procedure & Entry Requirements

Required application documents (please do also read the FAQ):

• Bachelor’s certificate of a Chinese studies degree program (or equivalent) with a grade of 1.9 (B) or better (accreditation of comparable degree programs is possible). A copy of the certificate should be handed in together with a copy of the diploma supplement. In case that the Bachelor’s degree has not yet been completed, documentation of the performance in the study program is to be provided. Your BA degree should document at least 40 ECTS earned in Modern Chinese and 30 ECTS in Chinese Studies. If you did your undergraduate studies in another field, but have China-related qualifications, you should contact us directly to clarify whether you are eligible to apply.
• Proof that you studied at least one term at a university in (greater) China (greater China: mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore) and earned the required credits (20 ECTS from language and Chinese studies courses). If you were unable to go abroad (i.e. due to the Corona pandemic) then please read the FAQ.
• Proof of English proficiency (at least B2 level). Accepted certificates are: TOEFL certificate (at least 72 points), IELTS certificate (grade 6.0 or better), Cambridge First Certificate in English, German university entrance qualification (Abiturzeugnis, English classes finished with grade "Befriedigend" or better), a foreign university entrance qualification that is equivalent to the German Abitur, or other proof that you already have finished training (e.g. an undergraduate degree) which required English skills equal to or better than the requirements listed above.
• Proof of German proficiency for foreign students (at least B2 level).
• Applicants who have graduated from a university in mainland China need to provide an individual APS certificate.
• CV (German or English)
• Letter of Motivation (English)

Please send the required application documents via e-mail to Dr. Florian Thünken (florian.thuenken@uni-wuerzburg.de). You may also send your documents via mail to

Institut für Kulturwissenschaften Ost- und Südasiens - Sinologie
Kommission China Business and Economics
Am Hubland
97074 Würzburg
Germany

Please note: you do not need to have your documents verified by uni assist.

Applicants fulfilling all formal requirements and with a grade of 1.9 or above will be directly admitted, applicants fulfilling all formal requirements but with a grade below 1.9 will be invited for an interview to assess their qualification for the program.

Application deadline for admission in September is 15 March each year.

For further inquiries please contact Dr. Florian Thünken (florian.thuenken@uni-wuerzburg.de), but make sure to first read the FAQ.