International Economics and Trade

The major in International Economics and Trade is increasingly becoming an attractive option for those looking to build a career in a competitive global environment. If you are passionate about understanding the global economy, aiming to work in multinational companies, or getting involved in economic policies and development strategies, this is the perfect field for you. Let’s explore why this major could be the ideal fit for your aspirations!

Major Introduction

Many students who want to apply for the International Economics and Trade major are actually not very familiar with the subject. In fact, when you buy a pair of Nike sneakers, drink a bottle of Coca-Cola, or eat a meal from McDonald's, you are subtly connected to this major. So, what exactly does the International Economics and Trade major entail? What can graduates of this major do? Let's discuss in detail below.

International Economics and Trade (referred to as "International Trade") is a discipline that studies the reasons for international trade, international trade policies, international trade practices, multinational investment, and the relationship between international trade and economic development. It is a major under the category of Economics and Trade within the broader field of economics. Professor Yang Xinfang from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics explains that International Economics and Trade is the exchange of goods, services, and other aspects between countries.

Although different universities have different training objectives for the International Economics and Trade major, in general, the training objective can be summarized as cultivating professionals who are able to systematically master the basic principles of economics and the basic theories of international economics and trade, understand the basic knowledge and skills of international trade, understand the current situation of China's foreign trade and the development of contemporary international economic and trade relations, be familiar with international trade practices and rules, and China's foreign trade policies and regulations, and understand the foreign trade status of major countries and regions. 

Graduates should be able to work in foreign economic and trade departments, foreign-invested enterprises, government institutions, research institutes, and other fields, engaging in international economics and trade business, management, research, and teaching.

Training Objectives

This program aims to cultivate talents who:

• Adhere to socialist core values, have good moral character and ethical standards, possess solid basic knowledge, fundamental theories, and methods in economics and trade, and are familiar with internationally accepted economic and trade rules.

• Understand the operation mechanisms and development laws of domestic and international economics and trade, are proficient in a foreign language, are skilled in using modern information technologies, and possess good communication, adaptability, coordination abilities, and an entrepreneurial spirit.

• Are qualified to meet the needs of China's reform and opening up, as well as regional economic and social development, with a global perspective and an international knowledge system.

Graduation Requirements

1. Master mathematics, natural sciences, humanities, economics, and basic knowledge of international economics and trade, and have the ability to apply this knowledge in related international trade activities.

2. Master the operational skills and analytical methods of international economic and trade activities, and be able to use computational techniques to carry out practical operations in international trade.

3. Have insight into the practical issues of international economics and trade, and be able to integrate basic knowledge, identify, express, and propose solutions based on literature analysis, reflecting innovative awareness, considering social, political, economic, cultural, legal, and customs factors.

4. Be able to use scientific methods to collect and organize data, select and use appropriate data processing and analysis tools, simulate and predict international economic and trade issues to reach reasonable and effective conclusions while understanding their limitations.

5. Understand the current situation and trends in international economics and trade, be familiar with the common trade rules and practices, and China's foreign trade policies and regulations, and be able to assess the impact of proposed solutions on social, political, economic, cultural, and sustainable development.

6. Have a solid grounding in humanities and social sciences, a sense of social responsibility, and be able to understand and abide by professional ethics and norms in international economics and trade, fulfilling responsibilities in practical work.

7. Be able to take on roles as an individual, a team member, or a team leader in a multidisciplinary background.

8. Be able to communicate and interact effectively with government agencies, businesses, and the public on international economics and trade issues, including writing reports, proposals, delivering presentations, and clearly expressing or responding to instructions.

9. Have an international perspective and be able to read international economics and trade-related English books, journals, and materials, write competent business documents, and communicate effectively in business English both orally and in writing.

10. Be aware of the importance of lifelong learning and have the ability to adapt and continuously develop professionally.

Core Courses

1. Military Training

2. Physical Education I

3. Physical Education II

4. Military Theory

5. Physical Education III

6. Physical Education IV

7. Physical Education V

8. Physical Education VI

9. Physical Education VII - Physical Testing and Exercise

10. English Proficiency Test

11. College English III

12. College English IV

13. Basic Computer Science (B)

14. Python Programming

15. C Programming Fundamentals

16. Calculus (A) I

17. Calculus (A) II

18. Linear Algebra (A)

19. Microeconomics (A)

20. Macroeconomics (A)

21. Finance

22. Intermediate Microeconomics

23. Probability Theory and Mathematical Statistics

24. Political Economics

25. Econometrics

26. International Trade

27. China’s Foreign Economic and Trade

28. International Finance

29. International Service Trade

30. Intermediate Macroeconomics

31. Futures Theory and Practice

32. International Marketing

33. Industrial Organization Theory

34. Intermediate Econometrics

35. International E-commerce

36. International Settlement

37. International Trade Practice

38. International Business English

39. Intermediate International Trade

40. International Trade Practice Experiment

41. Frontiers in International Economics

42. International Business Law

43. International Business

44. Spanish I

45. Japanese I

46. German I

47. French I

48. Russian I

49. Spanish II

50. Japanese II

51. German II

52. French II

53. Russian II

54. Social Survey

55. Economic Statistics Software and Applications

56. Professional Internship

Research Directions in International Economics and Trade

1. International Trade Policies and Rules: Study the formulation of global trade policies and their impact on the economy.

2. Multinational Investment and Operations: Explore the investment and operational strategies of multinational companies in different countries.

3. International Market Analysis: Analyze the dynamic changes in international markets and their impact on corporate strategies.

4. Global Supply Chain Management: Study the optimization and management strategies of global supply chains in a globalized context.

Degree Awarded

Bachelor of Economics

Career Development

International Economics and Trade is a practical and hands-on industry, and graduates can consider entering the workforce directly, while pursuing graduate studies depends on the individual. According to the industry's recent developments, international business negotiation will become an important demand in the job market. 

International business negotiation specialist is the preferred employment direction, involving fields such as information and communication, environmental protection, and events related to the Olympics and World Expos, as well as activities related to market development, investment attraction, overseas financing, market expansion, and overseas market entry.
Graduates of International Economics and Trade major typically engage in the following jobs:

• Civil Servants

• Public Institution Employees

• Graduate Study

• Foreign Trade/Trade Specialist/Assistant

• Company Business

• Sales Representative

• Accountant/Certified Accountant

• Bank Accountant/Cashier

Related Majors

• Economics

• National Economic Management

• Fiscal Studies

• Finance

• Investment

• Credit Management

• Financial Engineering

• International Economics and Trade

• Trade Economics

• Statistics

Ranking of International Economics and Trade Programs

• University of International Business and Economics

• Peking University

• Nankai University

• Renmin University of China

• Shanghai University of Finance and Economics

• Fudan University

• Beijing Normal University

• Xiamen University

• Hunan University

• Southwestern University of Finance and Economics

• Nanjing University

• Wuhan University

• Zhejiang University

• Central University of Finance and Economics

• Shandong University

• Xi'an Jiaotong University

• Jinan University

• Zhongnan University of Economics and Law

• Guangdong University of Foreign Studies

• Northeast University of Finance and Economics

• Liaoning University

• Jilin University

• Shanghai University of International Business and Economics

• Sichuan University

• Southeast University

• Capital University of Economics and Business

• Nanjing University of Finance and Economics

• Beijing Institute of Technology

• Huazhong University of Science and Technology

• Shanghai Jiao Tong University