History and Development
Shanghai International Studies University, one of the seventh batch of universities to start a graduate program in applied economics in 1998 with the approval of the Ministry of Education of China, has been a pioneer among China’s colleges and universities of language teaching to launch programs other than languages. International Trade under the discipline of Applied Economics is one of the earliest master’s degree programs in economics in China’s colleges and universities of language teaching, and International Finance has always been its most important research direction. In recent years, graduate students in the field of International Finance has accounted for more than half of the total enrollment of graduate students of SEF. After more than 10 years, the discipline of Finance has begun to take shape and established relatively stable research directions. The master’s degree program in finance was officially approved by the Ministry of Education of China in 2010. An all–English program for foreign students has been set up in 2019.
This discipline is dedicated to cultivating business talents with solid knowledge of applied economics and practical ability, an international business vision, good Chinese and foreign language skills and cross–cultural communication skills. More than 200 students have graduated with a master’s degree since 2011.
Research Areas
There are three research directions in the discipline of Finance, namely: International Financial Theory and Policy, Financial Risk Management and Behavioral Finance Research.
The research direction of International Financial Theory and Policy aims at cultivating “think tank” talents, focusing on the financial policy and legal issues that China faces in its foreign economic exchanges against the background of economic globalization, especially the impact of major financial organizations and their rules on China’s economic and financial development, as well as China’s participation in international financial organizations. The direction of Financial Risk Management aims at cultivating practical talents, focusing on the operation of banks and other financial institutions and problems faced by China’s financial reforms, especially financial risk. The direction of Behavioral Finance aims at studying the micro subjects of financial behavior, that is, the choices and psychology of enterprises and individuals in financial decision-making.
Faculty
We have a highly-qualified teaching staff consisting of 9 professors and 9 associate professors.
The academic leader of this discipline is Professor Yang Li, a leading talent in Shanghai. The names of the academic leaders and backbone teachers of each research direction are listed as follows.
International Financial Theory and Policy
Professor Song Shifang, Professor Jiang Yanqing, Associate Professor Xu Jing, Associate Professor Zhu Yunhuan, Associate Professor Li Rui.
Financial Risk Management
Professor Yang Li, Professor Zhang Yugui, Professor Zhang Jin, Professor Luo Xuemei, Professor Luo Hua, Professor Zhang Mingqian, Associate Professor Zhang Meixia, Associate Professor Huang Hui, Associate Professor Sun Haixia, Associate Professor Li Lu.
Behavioral Finance
Professor Zhang Geng, Associate Professor Cang Yongtao, Associate Professor Yu Yuxin.
Curriculum
The courses consist of professional basic courses and professional degree courses that address the latest academic issues of various research directions. In addition to the compulsory courses, students of various research fields can also choose to take professional degree courses in other fields and courses in International Trade.
Professional basic courses include:
Micro–economics & Macro–economics International Trade, International Finance, Business English.
Professional degree courses include:
International Financial Management, Financial Risk Supervision and Control, Financial Risk and Economic Psychology, International Organizations, International Financial Supervision and Relief, International Economic Law.
The optional international trade courses include:
International Business, Econometrics, Industrial Economics, Industrial organizations, Regional Economic Integration, Business Communication Theory and Research.
Employment Prospects
Students who have accomplished 34 credits and passed the thesis defense will be awarded a master's degree in economics. Graduates of all research fields have good employment prospects.Except for those who further their study abroad, most of our graduates work in universities, government agencies, Chinese or foreign banks, accounting firms and multinational companies.
