Master’s in
Schwarzman Scholars Program (SSP) at
Tsinghua University (THU)
Global Leadership for the 21st Century
Schwarzman Scholars program is an international scholarship program founded by American financier Stephen A. Schwarzman, the Chairman, CEO and Co-Founder of Blackstone, in order to give the most talented future leaders the power to change the course of history. Schwarzman Scholars program was launched in June 2016, after Schwarzman College was built in one of China's most prestigious universities, Tsinghua University, located in Beijing, China.
An International Community of Thinkers and Innovators
Set on a state-of-the-art campus in Beijing, Scholars will refine and expand their leadership abilities while completing a fully-funded, one-year Master’s Degree in Global Affairs with a concentration in Economics and Business, Public Policy or International Studies.
Cross-Cultural Connections that Last a Lifetime
Scholars will join an international network of current and future leaders, engaging one-on-one with business leaders, public officials, scientists, artists, and thought leaders.
Introducing Promising Young Leaders to China
Schwarzman Scholars brings together young leaders from around the world who have the demonstrated ability, through their leadership on campus or in the workplace, to bridge different perspectives and produce results on issues of importance. Schwarzman Scholars brings together a network of young leaders who throughout their careers will serve as intermediaries between China and the rest of the world.
Schwarzman Scholars Program Benefits
The students selected to become Schwarzman Scholars will receive a comprehensive scholarship. It will include:
Tuition Fees
Room and board
Travel to and from Beijing at the beginning and end of the academic year
An in-country study tour
Required course books and supplies
Health insurance
A stipend of $4,000 for personal expenses
Schwarzman Scholars Academic Curriculum
Schwarzman Scholars program is a one-year Master's degree for the next generation of global leaders, and it strengthens the student's leadership abilities and deepens their knowledge of China in a global context. Scholars share a core curriculum in the fall of their year in Beijing. This serves as an anchor for the rest of their studies and builds connections among the class. Core courses include:
Chinese Culture, History, and Values
Leading Issues in the Global Economy
Leadership
Comparative Governance
Leading Issues in International Relations
Mandatory Mandarin instruction for all non-native speakers
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In addition to the core curriculum, students will work with faculty advisors and tutors to select concentration courses that reflect each Scholar’s professional and academic interests within one of three broad fields:
Public Policy
Economics and Business
International Studies
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Outside the classroom, students undertake a Practical Training Program in a Bejing workplace and also participate in a deep dive travel seminar to learn about other parts of the country.
Scholars will enroll at Tsinghua University, one of China’s premier institutions, known for its academic excellence and international partnerships. It is the alma mater of some of China’s most important leaders, including the current and former Presidents, Xi Jinping and Hu Jintao.
The Schwarzman Scholars curriculum was developed in collaboration with academic leaders from Tsinghua, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Oxford, Duke and other prestigious universities around the world.
Admission Process
Every year Schwarzman Scholars are selected through a rigorous and thorough selection process designed to evaluate leadership experience and potential, intellectual and academic ability, including the capacity to understand emerging trends, design solutions, and inspire others to a vision, as well as strength of character. All qualified candidates will have successfully completed their undergraduate degrees prior to enrollment and must be highly proficient in English.
Applications are reviewed by a distinguished team of readers from around the world. Semi-finalists invited for in-person interviews in Beijing, Singapore, London or New York before international panels composed of CEOs, former heads of state, university presidents, non-profit executives, journalists, and other leaders. These interviewers draw on their own experience of leadership to identify a cohort of highly accomplished candidates whose paths to leadership will be enhanced by an introduction to China and its global role.
Student Experience
Orientation
All students participate in a two-week for-credit Orientation program when they arrive at the College. Orientation includes information sessions on academics, activities focused on team building and intention-setting, practical elements required for living in the College and in China, and formal convocation ceremonies for both Tsinghua University and the program.
Leadership Development
Leadership development is woven throughout the Schwarzman Scholars program from Orientation through the academic year and embedded in alumni programming after Scholars leave the College. It is a vital part of both academics and student experience. To provide a foundation for the interactions students will have with mentors and through internships, the program offers courses and skills-building workshops focused specifically on leadership development.
Language Classes
All international students take required Mandarin classes during the fall term as part of their coursework. Courses are then optional for the remainder of the year.  Beginner to advanced level courses are available – Scholars will take a placement test prior to the start of classes to determine their class.
Chinese students will take advanced English language classes, focusing on writing and presentation skills, and professional and academic English.
Mentors Network
Each student will have the opportunity to work closely with a senior mentor. Leading members of the Beijing business, academic, government, and NGO communities will help advance students’ understanding of Chinese society, culture, and career paths, and support personal growth.
Deep Dive
The Deep Dive is a one-week, mandatory, for-credit field-based course that gives students the opportunity to learn about a different region of China as well as explore a research topic related to broader themes of economic, social, and political development. Deep Dive destinations have included Xi’an, Baoji, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Shenzhen, and Shijiazhuang/ Xiong’an New Development Zone. Deep Dives that focus on business development visit prominent state-owned and private companies as well as start-ups to learn how these companies and their leaders are adjusting to the rapidly changing business landscape of China. Deep Dives that focus on social development visit schools, nursing homes, community centers, and small business incubators to see how cities and communities are addressing issues such as rural development, left-behind children, and China’s rapidly aging population. Students also have the opportunity to meet with local government officials in each city to discuss business and social development-related issues. Faculty join each of the Deep Dives in order to contextualize what the students are seeing and experiencing, to lead discussion sessions, and to help connect the visits to courses taught in the program.
Career Development
Career Development encompasses a broad array of post-program goals – from pursuing an internship or full-time job search across myriad industries and geographies, to applying to graduate school, to developing professional skills to further strengthen your long-term career aspirations. Support is available via individual coaching, programs and events, site visits, and resource materials and databases.
Optional Internships
Internships provide an opportunity for students to pursue their particular interests and learning goals, and develop their first-hand experience and understanding of leadership and China, in a setting outside the College. Ideally, an internship will allow students to do one or more of the following: gain new skills; further explore concepts they have learned in class; participate in activities related to their Capstone project; develop their concept of leadership; practice their language skills in a real-world setting; and/or gain work experience in their field or explore a potential new path of interest. Â Students may arrange an internship on their own, or reference the job portal for intern and volunteer opportunities available during their time in the program. Organizations may include businesses, state-owned enterprises, international organizations, non-governmental agencies, schools, etc.
Capstone Project
​​​​​​​The Capstone Project is a requirement for Scholars to complete their program. The project is the culmination of students’ Schwarzman College experience and a final presentation of students’ experience, learning, and growth in their one-year residence and study. There are three Capstone project options: a research paper, a case study, or a policy analysis. Students are highly encouraged to utilize their Deep Dive and classroom learning experiences in their Capstone project. Scholars work with a faculty advisor on the written Capstone Project report and required presentation, both due at the end of the academic year.
Events on Campus and Beyond
​​​​​​​Academic life will also be enriched by a range of extracurricular opportunities, from interactions with high-level visiting speakers at Schwarzman College to casual social activities at the student pub and extraordinary evenings with performing artists.
Opportunities After the Program
​​​​​​​The inaugural class of Schwarzman Scholars, diverse in their backgrounds, experiences, and countries of origin pursued post-program endeavors that reflect these diverse interests and experiences. For example, 75% have entered the public, private, and non-profit sectors, across myriad industries and geographies.
In addition, almost 19% of the class continued their education, from Ph.D.’s, to law degrees, to medical schools; destinations include the University of Cambridge, Tsinghua University, Harvard Medical School, and the Columbia Law School. Finally, 3% of the class are fulfilling military commitments and 3% are pursuing personal endeavors such as writing professionally and running for office.
Accommodation/Housing
All Scholars have a private single room with a private bathroom. Rooms are grouped in clusters of eight, sharing a common lounge/study space. The program will assign rooms to maximize international interactions among students. Floors/areas are not divided by gender.
Scholar's Meals
Three meals per day on weekdays are provided at Schwarzman College, and Scholars eat most of their meals within the College. Scholars may use their stipends to dine in other cafeterias on campus and are encouraged to do so to build contacts with other students. Scholars may also invite other Tsinghua University students to dine with them at the college.
Student Association
Schwarzman College supports the formation of student organizations within the Schwarzman Scholars program or scholars can join student-run publications and clubs on the Tsinghua University campus.
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