Start date September 2026 | Duration 2 years | Language of instruction Chinese |
Program Overview
The digital economy is reshaping the global business landscape. As one of China’s oldest and most prestigious institutions in economics and finance, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE) is at the forefront of this transformation. Built on SUFE’s long-standing strengths in economics, statistics, and computer science, the School of Digital Economics breaks down traditional boundaries between economics and digital science to cultivate interdisciplinary professionals who combine solid economic theory and advanced capabilities in data analytics and intelligent technologies.
Digital Economics is offered as a second-level discipline under SUFE’s first-level discipline of Applied Economics (a key discipline in the Fifth Round of National Discipline Evaluation). The program is part of the university’s Applied Economics development initiative and constitutes an important component of Shanghai’s Class-IV Peak Discipline Initiative in Applied Economics.
Training Objectives
This program aims to cultivate high-level, interdisciplinary graduates with a global vision, a solid foundation in economic theory, and proficient command of modern digital technologies.
Graduates will be able to:
Theoretical Foundation:
Master the core frameworks of modern economics and have a deep understanding of the mechanisms and developmental dynamics of the digital economy.
Technical Capabilities:
Acquire proficiency in big data analytics, machine learning, causal inference, and other quantitative tools, and be able to process large-scale heterogeneous data.
Applied Practice:
Apply cross-disciplinary methodologies to address real-world challenges in fintech, platform governance, and digital transformation, and perform strategic analysis and management roles in government, international organizations, financial institutions, and leading technology companies.
Research Directions
Upon enrollment, students will engage in advanced research in the following core areas:
Mechanism Design and Policy Evaluation for the Digital Economy:
Market design in digital environments; circulation, pricing and valuation of data elements; measurement of the digital economy and macro-level policy assessment.
Industry Integration of Data and Reality: Forecasting and Decision Support:
Industry optimization and management using knowledge graphs; analysis of factors driving integration of data and reality; mining industrial evolution characteristics using dynamic networks.
Regulation and Governance of Intelligent Digital Platforms:
Digital empowerment of firms; data-driven platform operation strategies; AI-based approaches to online platform regulation and governance.
Core Courses
Students will take a range of foundational and advanced courses such as:
Principles of Economics, Digital Economics, Advanced Statistics, Qualitative Research Methods, Data Science, Business Intelligence and Operations, Digital Finance, Digital Economy Development and Governance, Theory and Practice of Data Elements, and related case-based analyses.
Course offerings are for reference only; the official curriculum and schedule will be determined after enrollment.
Application Requirements
1. Academic Qualification
Applicants must be non-Chinese nationals in good physical and mental health, and must satisfy the academic and competency requirements below.
2. Academic Background & Prerequisite Courses
We welcome applicants from diverse academic backgrounds (economics, science, engineering, management, etc.). Given the quantitative nature of the program, applicants must have completed the following undergraduate coursework with satisfactory grades (these must be clearly indicated on submitted transcripts):
Calculus or Advanced Mathematics
Linear Algebra
Probability and Mathematical Statistics
Equivalent or similar courses may be accepted but must be documented (course descriptions, syllabi). Applicants with coursework in econometrics or with programming experience (e.g., Python, C++, Java) will be given preference under otherwise equal conditions.
3. Language Proficiency
The program is taught in Mandarin Chinese. Applicants must demonstrate fluent Chinese language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) for participation in intensive coursework and academic writing.
Chinese: Valid HSK Level 5 (≥180) or Level 6 certificate
English: Applicants should have good English reading skills, as some course materials and references are in English.
* For detailed curriculum information, please contact Admission Office (ices@sufe.edu.cn).
Related sources
Application Document Checklist
Applicaiton & Admission Process
Chinese Government Scholarship
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