Curriculum
Students must complete a minimum of 31 credits courses for the MCS programme (part-time study) and write a thesis to meet the degree requirement. Students in the CCS programme may take any 3 courses from the list below to receive the certificate and a thesis is not required.

List of Courses 
Core courses
China in Transition: Reform and Development I
This course is a master-level course that introduces the basics to Chinese economy. We will discuss a range of themes and topics that are related to the reforms and developments underpinning this intriguing and dynamic economy. We will specifically look into how and why the transitioning of Chinese economy from a closed and underperformed economy to the second largest economy in the world is uneasy but successful. We will in particular examine its industrialization, urbanization, central-local interaction, capitalization and internationalization over the past 40 years of experience.
China in Transition: Reform and Development II
The course provides basic knowledge of economics for students to deepen their understanding of basic concepts and essential principles. Fundamental economic theories covered in this course will enable students to analyze the issues in China's economic reform and its role in developing the world economy.
China Panorama
This course introduces various aspects of Chinese civilization in a historical context. Topics include political institutions, commerce and economy, religion and philosophy, gender and kinship, art and literature, and material culture. Although our focus is the pre-modern period, we will also be concerned with how the study of the past is relevant to our contemporary world. A major aim of the course is to provide a solid background and a long perspective for thinking about Chinese civilization, yesterday and today.
Field Study in China
By visiting historical and cultural sites, students observe and experience the transformation and development of major Chinese cities from the perspectives of history, architecture, customs, and modern economic growth. Students deepen their understanding of ancient Chinese culture and history during the field study trip and experience innovation and development in contemporary China.
Business Chinese
Business Chinese introduces international students to fundamental vocabulary and practical norms used in an actual business environment. In addition to classroom teaching, Chinese cultural experience activities enable students to familiarize themselves with essential Chinese culture and lay a concrete foundation for using Chinese to engage in a professional workplace in China in the future.
Research Methodology
This course helps students understand the essential skill set needed to write an academic thesis. The course covers writing methods including topic selection, literature review, data analysis, structuring outlines, drafting, revision, and editing. The course guides students' graduation thesis writing and helps them carry out basic research training to cultivate innovative consciousness, independent thinking, and scientific exploration abilities.
Elective courses
Entrepreneurship in China
It is a course of self-inquiry learning with Field Study and independent study. It aims to lead students to carry out research on related topics through company visits, founder interviews and data research to gain a deeper understanding of entrepreneurship and venture capital operation in China, to explore the key elements of Chinese entrepreneurs' success, and to bring insight into the new trends of Chinese entrepreneurship.
Marketing Trends and Consumers in China
We are all consumers. We buy groceries, cell phones, and houses. We also purchase services ranging from bank accounts to education. Although consumers have similar needs, they may choose different products or brands. This is because consumers are intrinsically different from one another, and they are also influenced by various situational factors. More importantly, the environments where one grows up can significantly affect his/her beliefs and values, consequently shaping consumption behaviors. Without understanding cultural differences and unique aspects of Chinese consumers, many international and domestic firms in China fail to attract Chinese consumers and exit the hugely promising market. Then, what marketers or companies should do to effectively communicate with Chinese consumers and influence their behavior?
 
In this course, you will learn how and why Chinese consumers behave the way that they do. In the first part of the course, we will discuss fundamental concepts in marketing and consumer behavior. To develop marketing and communication strategies, it is important to understand some fundamental concepts in marketing strategies, namely STP process and 4Ps. We then discuss how consumers process information and make decisions. In the second part of the course, we will discuss various factors that shape consumer behavior, including individual, social, and environmental factors. Most importantly, we will learn how cultures shape the unique behaviors of Chinese consumers. In each session, we will have a lecture, in-class activities, and case discussions.
Venture Capital in China
The capital market for entrepreneurs is fundamentally different from the capital market for public firms. The objective of this course is to provide an understanding of entrepreneurs’ financing decisions from the perspectives of both the entrepreneurs and the investors - venture capital and private equity. This course will address how to evaluate entrepreneurial business opportunities, structure financial decisions, and realize returns through IPO and M&A. The class will include case studies and class discussions augmented by industry experts.
Business Model Design and Innovation in China
This course deals with major streams of management research in business model design and business model innovation. We will focus on both classical topics such as management of technological change and industry evolution, and new emergent topics such as ecosystems and platforms. The emphasis will be on understanding the link between technologies, products, firms, and partners in terms of both strategy choices and performance outcomes.
Chinese Constitutional & Administrative Law
This course introduces the history, institutions, and theories of constitutional law and administrative law in China. It prepares students for further and deeper understanding of Chinese politics, law, society, and culture. The administrative law section focuses primarily on institutional analysis. It outlines the significant channels through which Chinese citizens solve their conflicts with the administrative system and the impacts made by such channels on the rule of law in China. The constitutional law section emphasizes history. It reviews the progress made by China in establishing constitutionalism, securing independence and sovereignty, and bringing about economic prosperity.
China's Financial System
This course introduces China's investment environment by examining how financial markets, institutions, and regulations work in China. It covers the fundamental theories and practices of financial markets for bonds, stocks, foreign exchanges, etc. The course includes financial institutions, financial regulations, including central banking and financial services regulators, fundamental challenges to the development and opening of China's financial system, the opportunities and risks to domestic and global investors, and implications to China and the global economy.
The Legal Dynamics of Chinese Commerce and Society
This course provides students with an understanding of Chinese business and commercial laws, including how the laws are created, implemented, interpreted in China and how international influences and institutions shape them. The course starts with an overview of the concept of the law and the principle of civil and commercial law in China, following the evolution of this system since 1978, including the latest legal developments, such as the 3rd and 4th sessions of the 18th Party Congress in 2013 and 2014.The course also covers various commercial topics, domestic law, and relevant international rules. These topics include the foundations of Chinese business law, commercial transaction law, business organization law, fundraising, dispute resolution, intellectual property, WTO and regional trade law, and regulations on inward and outward investment in China. Finally, the course ends with enforcement and rulings in Chinese law. A vital feature of the course is using real-life legal examples and case studies involving foreign companies with investments and business in China. Students are expected to participate in the discussion of these cases and to learn the context of legal practices in other jurisdictions.


Doing Business in China
In this course, students learn about the origins of the emerging Chinese market economy, the distinctive characteristics of business management in Chinese and Asian markets, the challenges of starting and managing a business in China, and the evolving relationship between the Chinese business environment and other Asian markets. The course combines close observations of the business environment in China, interviews with business people, and classroom discussions that evaluate the emerging business climate in China. Students will complete the course with a better understanding of identifying and assessing the risks and opportunities associated with Chinese and Asian markets.
Independent Study I
Through this course, students deepen their understanding of modern economics and management theories, become proficient in the analysis methods commonly used in economic and managerial research, and independently use theories to analyze real-life business problems.



Independent Study II
The course guides students in conducting practical research based on specific topics about China. Students apply advanced economics and management research methods to analyze Chinese enterprise issues.