Introduction of Country and Area Studies Academy

Established in October 2016, the Country and Area Studies Academy (CASA) at Beijing Foreign Studies University is a comprehensive research institution integrating scientific research, education, policy consultation and talent cultivation. CASA is responsible for developing the university’s first-tier-discipline doctoral program in Country and Region Studies and has independently established a second-tier-interdisciplinary master’s program in Country and Region Studies.

CASA currently has 33 faculty, research and administrative staff members, including six full professors and nine associate professors. Its research areas cover theoretical and methodological studies of country and region studies, European and American studies, research on the Global South and neighboring regions, comparative studies of political parties across regions and countries, as well as global and regional governance. The CASA faculty has led numerous national and ministerial/provincial-level social science funds supported projects, published significant papers in authoritative journals, submitted multiple policy consultation reports adopted by ministries, commissions, or provincial-level authorities, and has been repeatedly granted the university’s Outstanding Research Unit Award.

CASA is responsible for the development and operation of five national and ministerial/provincial-level research platforms, including the Secretariat of the International Think Tank Cooperation Alliance of Political Parties under the International Department of Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, and the Research Base for the Chinese National Community at the National Ethnic Affairs Commission. CASA also serves as the secretariat for both the Global and Chinese Community for Country and Area Studies. It coordinates four Ministry of Education supported bases for Country and Area Studies, 37 Ministry of Education registered centers for Country and Area Studies, and four Ministry of Education Humanities Exchange Centers within the university.

Additionally, CASA plays a leading role in several major “Double World-Class” university construction projects, including the Global Index Series, Country and Area Studies Blue Book Series, the International Organizations Database, the Global Political Parties Database, and the BFSU Global Think Tank. It also manages two professional journals: International Forum (a CSSCI journal) and the Country and Area Studies. In 2024, it launched the Journal of Country and Area Studies, an English-language academic journal in the field within China. CASA is also leading the construction of the Global Communication Laboratory.

In 2025, the “Innovative Talent Introduction Base for Interdisciplinary Studies in Country and Area Studies” was officially designated as a 111 Base (Higher Education Discipline Innovation and Talent Introduction Program).

Program Overview

Country and Region Studies (CRS) is a first-level discipline under the category of Interdisciplinary Studies established by the Academic Degrees Committee of the State Council and the Ministry of Education in 2022. It aims to conduct strategic, comprehensive, integrative, solution-oriented, practical, and timely research on the politics, economy, culture, society, military affairs, humanities, geography, resources, and other aspects of different regions and countries around the world. The mission of CRS is to break down the knowledge boundaries that previously separate disciplines, systematically explore the history and current situation of regions and countries, reveal their inherent natures and development trends, form an interdisciplinary and integrated knowledge system, and provide academic guidance for a deeper understanding of the world and the promotion of exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.

The CAS run by Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) is among the first batch of doctoral degree-granting CRS programs in China. Leveraging BFSU’s long-standing strength in the in-depth integration of foreign language education and CRS, it boasts multilingual and interdisciplinary advantages in conducting systematic and comprehensive research on major regions and countries in the world.

Chinese-taught Programs

1. Master’s Program

（1） Theory and Methodology in Country and Region Studies

Main research areas: Theory of a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity, Chinese Theories of Country and Region Studies, Chinese and Foreign Traditions of Country and Region Studies, Methodologies of Country and Region Studies, Country and Region Studies and Artificial Intelligence.

（2） European & American Studies

Main research areas: European Countries and Regional Governance of EU, ComparativeRegionalism, American Studies, North American Studies, UK and Commonwealth Countries Studies, Western Modernization.

（3）Global South and China’s Neighbouring Regions

Main research areas: Global South Studies, Studies of Neighboring Countries and Regions, Cross-Border Language and Cultural Studies, Regional Economic Cooperation, South Asian Studies, Central Asian Studies, Southeast Asian Studies.

（4）Comparative Study of Political Parties

Main research areas: Theory of Party Diplomacy, Foreign Exchange Practices of the Communist Party of China, Party Politics and Political Trends in Western Countries, Political Parties and Modernization of the Global South, Comparative Study of Chinese and Foreign Theories of Party Governance.

（5） Global and Regional Governance

Main research areas: Theories of Global Governance, The United Nations and Major Global International Organizations, Regional International Organizations, Research and Development of Global Indices, The “Belt and Road Initiative” and Cooperative Development, Practice in International Organizations.

2. Doctoral Program

（1） Theory and Methodology in Country and Region Studies

Main research areas: Chinese Theories of Country and Region Studies, Theory of a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity, Comparative Study of Chinese and Foreign Theories of Country and Region Studies, Methodologies of Country and Region Studies, Research on Knowledge Graphs of Country and Area Studies, Global Indices, Technology-driven Country and Region Studies.

（2） European Studies

Main research areas: Regional Development and Governance in European Countries the EU, Theory and Practice of EU Integration, China-EU Relations, Comparative Study of Regional and Sub-Regional Integration, UK and Commonwealth Countries Studies, Western Modernization.

（3） American Studies

Main research areas: American History and Culture, American Political System, American Economic and Trade Policies, American Diplomacy and China-US Relations, American Media and Social Culture.

（4）Global South and China’s Neighbouring Regions

Main research areas: Theoretical Issues of Border and Neighbouring Regions , Global South Studies, Asian Studies, African Studies, Latin American Studies, Russian Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, Trans-Himalayan Regional Studies, Research on Cross-Border Issues.

（5） International Law and Regional Governance,

Main research areas: Regional and National Law, National Criminal Justice Cooperation, International Criminal Procedure, Comparative Study of Education Law, International Governance of Cyber Information Security, International Labor Legal Systems.

（6）Comparative Study of Political Parties

Main research areas: Political Parties and National Governance, Comparative Study of the Organizational Development of Political Partie, Influence of World Political Parties, Political Parties and World Politics, Cooperation of World Political Parties.

（7） Languages and Mutual Learning Between Chinese and Foreign Civilizations,

Main research areas: Comparative Studies on Languages and Cultures, Languages and Mutual Learning Among Civilizations, Languages and Cross-Cultural Communication, Languages and International Communication, Comparative Language Education Policies, National Language Services and Protection.

（8） Global and Regional Governance

Main research areas: Knowledge Graphs of International Organizations, UN Studies, Regional Cooperation Mechanisms, International Development, International Organizations Talents Educationand Global Competence.

Checklist of Required Items

1. A scanned copy of the passport photo page

2. Guardian’s Declaration Letter (please download online, complete, and upload)

3. Student Affirmations (please download online, complete, and upload)

4. Scanned copy of the guardian’s ID card or passport photo page

5. Graduation Certificate / Proof of Expected Graduation or Degree Certificate (a copy; if the document is in a language other than Chinese or English, a Chinese or English translation must also be submitted)

6. Transcripts (a copy; if the document is in a language other than Chinese or English, a Chinese or English translation must also be submitted)

7. Valid Foreign Language Proficiency Certificate: IELTS, TOEFL, DELE, or DELF score report (Students whose native language is English, Spanish, or French, or whose previous degree was taught entirely in English, Spanish, or French with proof, or whose previous degree is in a field related to English, Spanish, or French, are exempt from providing a foreign language proficiency certificate.)

8. Valid Chinese proficiency certificate: HSK score reports

9. Personal Statement (including reasons for choosing to study in China and at BFSU)

10. Curriculum Vitae (written in either Chinese or English)

11. Research Plan (Master’s: at least 1,500 words, Doctoral: at least 3,000 words, written in either Chinese or English)

12. Two Letters of Recommendation (including evaluation of academic ability, written by individuals holding associate professor rank or above, or equivalent positions)

13. Visa page (for applicants currently studying at Chinese universities)

14. Study certificate（for applicants currently studying at Chinese universities, please upload to the “Other Attachment” folder）

15. School Transfer or Withdrawal Certificate (for applicants currently studying at Chinese universities, please upload in the “Other Attachments” folder)

16. Recommendation letter and academic transcript from your current university (for applicants currently studying at Chinese universities, please upload to the “Other Attachments” folder)

Online application link: http://study.bfsu.edu.cn

Contact Details

Country and Area Studies Academy, Beijing Foreign Studies University

Room 913, Comprehensive Teaching Building, West Campus, Beijing Foreign Studies University,

No.19 North Xisanhuan Avenue, Haidian District, Beijing, 100089, China

Phone: +86 10 88816006

Email: casa@bfsu.edu.cn