Curious about China's rapid rise as an economic superpower? Want to grasp its global impact? Explore the China's Economic Impact minor at Fontys. Gain practical insights and network with Shanghai experts!

Explore China's rapid economic rise and its global impact in the minor China and the World Economy. Gain practical insights and case studies for working with Chinese companies. No midterms; earn credits in January. Participate in a unique study trip to Shanghai, visiting companies and working with local students. Learn objectively about China's growth from multiple perspectives and apply theory through a research project. 

There are three distinct elements in the educational approach of the China minor. Firstly, every attempt has been made to deliver an objective view of the growth of China. This entails that the staff will bring in both Western as well as Chinese perspectives on the topic. Secondly, the theoretical part of the minor (3 modules of each 5 ECTS) will explain China from historical, political, and sustainability perspectives. Finally, the Research Project (10 ECTS) and Student Reflection (5 ECTS) will reflect the ‘practical’ part of the course – i.e. applying theory to actual Chinese case studies.

The subjects taught in the China and World Economy minor are:

• China since 1979 – An Historical Context;
• The Political Economy of Contemporary China;
• Smart Cities and Sustainability;
• The Research Project in collaboration with Shanghai Institute of Technology.

You will also learn how to collaborate on a project with each other and the students from Shanghai Institute of Technology. First in a hybrid setting and then in person during the study trip to China. This project will also offer the opportunity to work with a client company/organization in a real-world professional setting.

Minor regulation
The purpose of the minor regulation is to inform you about the subjects within the minor, how the testing is set up and when you have concluded the minor. Students can derive rights out of the text of the minor regulation.

We facilitate a study trip to China during the Autumn exam weeks. The trip lasts approximately 2 weeks, and the goal is to explore the city of Shanghai first-hand, visit our partner university campus – The Shanghai University of Technology, and continue working on the research project together with the SIT students. The research project begins online in September and is supported by a visit to Shanghai for further collaboration over 2 weeks. 

During the trip, the students also visit other towns of Shanghai outside of the city, visit companies in the region, as well as indulge in the tourist offerings of the city. The trip is partly financed by the student, and partly by Fontys. All travel, visa, accommodation, and activities in Shanghai are organized by Fontys & the partner university.

This type of working relationship with a Chinese university for the research project is unique in the Netherlands.

• This minor runs from September 2024 – the end of January 2025, approximately 20 weeks with roughly 15 – 20 hours of contact time per week.
• The study trip to Shanghai is partly paid for by Fontys. 
• For any questions about the minor program, you can email the Minor Coordinators; Mr. Anthony Murphy (anthony.murphy@fontys.nl) or Ms. You Wang (y.wang@fontys.nl)