An introduction to School of International Organizations, Beijing Foreign Studies University
The development of the School of International Organization (SIO) at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) began in 2010 as part of a national education reform pilot project. After seven years of exploration, it was officially established in April 2017, becoming the first dedicated school of its kind in China.
Relying on BFSU’s strengths in 101 foreign languages and numerous regional and country-specific research centers, the school integrates resources from disciplines such as politics, economics, and law. It is committed to cultivating high-caliber, interdisciplinary professionals with multilingual capabilities. Students are expected to possess a broad international perspective and a strong sense of national identity, be proficient in at least two UN working languages, master professional knowledge and skills in international relations, international economics, and international law, and demonstrate strong cross-cultural communication and practical abilities.
The school boasts a strong and international faculty team, most of whom graduated from world-renowned universities and have achieved remarkable results in academic research and practice in the fields of international organizations and global governance. In 2022, the BFSU "Faculty Team for Global Governance and International Organization Talent Training" was recognized as a national "Huang Danian-style Teaching Team" in the second batch. In 2023, former UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova was appointed as Honorary Dean to support the school’s development.
To date, the school has enrolled 14 cohorts of master’s students, totaling 400 students, with 300 having graduated across 11 cohorts and around 110 currently enrolled. Students have undertaken over 360 internships at international organizations, with an internship participation rate close to 100%. In the future, the College will continue to serve national strategies and work together with all sectors of society to strive for cultivating innovative talents with global competence for international organizations.
Beijing Foreign Studies University
Since 2010, BFSU has undertaken the national education reform pilot project
“Exploring an Interdisciplinary Talent Development Model for International Organizations,”
and established China’s first physical School of International Organizations in April 2017.
Leveraging BFSU’s strengths in 101 foreign languages and extensive country and area study centers
By integrating disciplines such as political science, economics, and law, the School of International Organizations cultivates, reserves, and supplies a large number of highly competent interdisciplinary talents who:Possess a broad international perspective and a strong sense of Chinese identity
Well-versed in international rules
Demonstrate outstanding cross-cultural communication and practice abilities
Qualified to work in international organizations
Have a strong command of professional knowledge and skills in international relations, international economics, and international law
Proficient in two or more UN working languages
Innovative and collaborative
Multilingual and multi-disciplinary
An academic unit integrating talent cultivation, scientific research, and social service
The School is built on three core missions:Base for Cultivating International Organization Talent
Collaborating with relevant university departments to innovate postgraduate education models
Base for Research on International Organizations
Utilizing BFSU’s multilingual strengths to cooperate with domestic and international universities and organizations, building a think tank for international organization studies
Base for Training and Placement in International Organizations
Working with national ministries, international organizations, domestic and foreign universities, research institutions and enterprises to coordinate employment information, and provide long-term training and short-term programs for internship and career placement in international organizations, serving national strategies.
High-level, Multidisciplinary, International Faculty
Faculty members hold degrees from world-class universities and possess broad international perspectives, outstanding academic achievements, and extensive practical experience in global governance.In 2020
BFSU International Organization Competence Development Center was established, initiating a social service model for training international organization reserve talents
In 2022
BFSU “Global Governance and International Organization Talent Cultivation Teacher Team” awarded the second batch of “National University Huang Danian-style Teacher Teams”
In 2023
Ms. Irina Bokova, former Director-General of UNESCO, was appointed as Honorary Dean, guiding and participating in talent cultivation and scientific research
of experience in cultivating talent for international organizations
of master’s students enrolled
The total number of students cultivated
The internship rate of students in International Organizations
Most of graduates are employed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Department of the Central Committee of CPC, Ministry of Commerce, Xinhua News Agency, and other foreign-related national ministries and institutions, as well as renowned multinational corporations and institutions, generally achieved the goal of cultivating, selecting, and reserving talent for international organizations.
Distinctive Features of Talent Cultivation
Selecting outstanding students through summer camps or admissions by postgraduate recommendation program for outstanding graduates
enrolling them in academic master’s programs in International Relations, Diplomacy (International Economics), or International Law
Implementing an “English + French + Major”
multilingual and interdisciplinary training model
Adopting a “three-advisor joint training system”
involving language and culture advisors, major advisors, and international organization practice advisors
Following a “1+1+1” three-year structure
First year: Course study at BFSU
Second year: Fully or partially funded opportunities for study at world-class
overseas universities or joint programs
Third year: 3–6 month internship in an international organization and thesis writing
Focusing on internship and career placement at international organizations
building a pool of future talent for international organizations to serve the country and supplying highly competent international talents to society
Vision and Mission
National Commitment Global Vision
Multilingual, Interdisciplinary, and Comprehensive
Serving Humanity Global Competence