1. Introduction

Since 1996, Tongji University has successively set up graduate programs in regional economics, public finance, finance, industrial economics, international trade and other majors. It was approved as a first-level discipline graduate program in 2006 and a first-level discipline doctorate program in 2011. There are 20 full-time doctoral supervisors, 31 master’s degree supervisors, and 3 part-time doctoral supervisors. Among them, there is 1 National Distinguished Young Scholars, 2 Yangtze River Scholars and Distinguished Professors of the Ministry of Education, 1 cultural celebrity of “Four Batches” talents plan, 2 Top Young Talents of the national “Ten Thousand Talents Plan”, and 1 Chief Expert of Shanghai University Think Tank.

The Applied Economics discipline at Tongji University aligns with the needs of social development and cultivates high-quality innovative talents to meet the needs of the new era. Students are required to master digital technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence to improve their data analysis and decision-making skills; emphasize the awareness of environmental protection and sustainable development, and cultivate students to balance ecological protection and economic benefits in economic activities; encourage interdisciplinary and cross-field knowledge integration and innovation, and promote the coordinated development of economics, technology, environment, society and other aspects.

2. Training Objectives

➤ Master solid and comprehensive basic theories and systematic and in-depth professional knowledge in this discipline; have the ability to engage in academic research work independently; make innovative achievements in the field of academic research; have an international perspective, good cooperation, organization and leadership skills.

➤ This discipline is grounded in China’s practical context while integrating global frontiers, establishing an open cultivation system distinguished by research on finance and economic development within urbanization processes. It is committed to cultivating thought leaders with a profound foundation in Marxist economic theory, cutting-edge academic proficiency in modern economics, original research capabilities, and integrated innovation capacity in digital intelligence technologies, serving the nation’s major strategic needs.

➤ Through advanced academic training and a liberal, innovative scholarly ecosystem, doctoral candidates will master the theoretical core of economics and frontier research methodologies, enabling them to deconstruct systemic challenges in national economic policy, financial markets, and regional development; pioneer paradigm innovations in economics through big data analytics, artificial intelligence, and blockchain technologies; achieve domestic leadership and international competitiveness in specialized research domains while independently producing high-impact English scholarly outputs; and uphold scholarly integrity characterized by seeking truth from facts and pioneering innovation, coupled with social responsibility and sustainability vision. The ultimate mission is to cultivate distinguished scholars with policy influence and transformative industry impact, fulfilling the discipline’s commitment to serving national development.

3. Research orientations

➤ Finance

➤ Industrial Economics

➤ Urban and Regional Economics

➤ Economics for Sustainable Development

➤ International Trade

4. Training methods

Adopt the combination of course study, scientific research, innovation training, academic exchange and dissertation, and implement the guidance of tutors or tutor groups. To stimulate joint cultivation with high-level universities and scientific research institutions at home and abroad.

5. Credit requirements

Doctoral students of Applied Economics are required to complete at least 38 credits, including: 4 credits for compulsory public courses；18 credits for specialized compulsory courses；6 credits for specialized elective courses；and 10 credits for the compulsory parts.