PPE Core Curriculum

Fudan University’s undergraduate program in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) was officially established in February 2022. Jointly established by the School of Economics, the School of International Relations and Public Affairs, and the School of Philosophy—with the School of Philosophy taking charge of student management and academic coordination—the PPE program has a four-year study duration. Upon graduation, students are awarded a Bachelor of Laws degree.

The PPE program is jointly taught and developed by the three schools, granting students access to high-quality educational resources from all three schools. The program operates under a distinct training curriculum and spans four years. Core courses are taught by senior faculty members from the three disciplines, with some lectures delivered by distinguished international scholars.

PPE Interdisciplinary Seminars

Four problem-oriented PPE Interdisciplinary Seminar Courses are offered in the form of seminars, integrating the methodologies of the three fields to address research questions in interdisciplinary humanities.

PPE Strategic Practice Courses

Two PPE Strategic Practice Courses, focused on practical application, are offered in collaboration with the Fudan Development Institute. These courses combine lectures, group discussions, and field research to guide students in engaging with real-world challenges.

Starting from their third year, PPE students choose between two developmental pathways: theoretical research or practical application. Each pathway offers specialized advanced courses tailored to its focus.

The program strongly emphasizes practical training. Students are encouraged to participate in high-level internships in government agencies, corporations, and international organizations, equipping them with the skills to address complex public affairs in the future. Leveraging their interdisciplinary education and integrative thinking skills, PPE students have interned at various institutions, such as volunteer organizations, the Shanghai People’s Congress, China International Capital Corporation (CICC), Boston Consulting Group (BCG), The Economist, and other international organizations, government bodies, financial consulting firms, corporate think tanks, high-tech enterprises, and e-commerce companies—accumulating rich practical experience in the process.

International exchange programs and internships at international organizations are distinctive practical components of the Fudan’s PPE program, serving as vital elements in cultivating students' global perspectives, foreign language proficiency, and organizational skills. Building upon existing international exchange opportunities available to PPE students through university-level programs and the three schools’ programs, the program will establish specialized partnerships with University of Exeter (UK), Western University (Canada), and National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE, Russia). Additionally, The program hosts an annual PPE International Summer School inviting renowned global scholars to teach on campus. These initiatives ensure that 100% of PPE students gain international exposure during their studies.

PPE Training Directions

Fudan University's PPE (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics) program is grounded in advanced international educational concepts and aligned with China's national innovation and talent development strategies. Rooted in Fudan's academic traditions, the program integrates the theories and methodologies of political science, economics, and philosophy.  

It combines theoretical research with practical innovation and is dedicated to cultivating interdisciplinary talents who possess a solid foundation in economics, rigorous philosophical thinking, a strong grounding in political science, and a deep sense of public and real-world concern.

The program is supported by Fudan’s distinctive “streamed training pathway” tailored to students’ individual development. It adopts a dual-orientation talent cultivation model that simultaneously fosters high-level theoretical researchers and senior professionals in practice.

The PPE curriculum is not a simple aggregation of three disciplines. Instead, it is an integrated structure derived from the inherent logic of PPE itself. The program offers problem-oriented, interdisciplinary seminars to train students in analysing complex issues through integrative thinking. At the same time, PPE faculty and researchers form interdisciplinary research teams focused on real-world problems, producing collaborative research outputs that further support the program’s educational goals.

The PPE program actively responds to national and societal demands for talent. While providing rigorous theoretical instruction, it emphasizes real-world issues and enhances students’ ability to analyse complex social realities. The program stresses the development of students' practical skills, sense of reality, and leadership potential. Students will engage in high-level internships in government agencies, enterprises, and international organizations, laying a strong foundation for managing complex public affairs in the future.

PPE also strives to build a comprehensive international education network. Through establishing an internationally-oriented talent cultivation framework, staying abreast of cutting-edge academic developments both in China and abroad, and promoting wide-reaching international exchanges, the program aims to cultivate students’ global vision and capacity for international dialogue.