国际交流

MA Program in Intercultural Communication Studies  

Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA)


Overview

The MA in Intercultural Communication Studies is a bilingual (English and Chinese) graduate program designed for students seeking to engage critically and creatively with cultural exchange in the contemporary world. Rooted in performance, media, and cultural research, the program provides an interdisciplinary platform for considering how artistic practices, technologies, and cultural traditions perform dialogues across global contexts.

This English-taught, two-year program admits excellent students with a bachelor's degree or equivalent from top international and Chinese universities. The first year requires full-time residency, during which students complete core coursework and begin developing research interests. The second year offers a flexible residency model, allowing students to pursue internships, artistic projects, or field research while completing their MA thesis. Students may apply for scholarships covering tuition, accommodation, and stipend for the first-year residency.Previous knowledge of Chinese is preferred, but not a prerequisite for this program.Theses may be written in either English or Chinese.

Established in 1945, Shanghai Theatre Academy is one of China’s leading institutions for theatre, film, dance, and traditional performance. Based in the heart of Shanghai—a vibrant, cosmopolitan crossroads of cultures—our program offers a unique vantage point for studying the intersections of culture, performance, and communication. Our graduates apply intercultural expertise to a wide range of industries. Alumni have developed careers in film and media production, theatre arts and education, cultural institutions, and creative industries. Some have continued to pursue doctoral study worldwide.


Curriculum

Our interdisciplinary curriculum bridges theory and practice, as it integrates the study of language and culture:

  • Intercultural Theatre: from Greece to the Present

  • Chinese History and Culture

  • Chinese Performing Arts & Intercultural Performance Practice

  • Documentary Theatre: Research and Performance

  • Film and Contemporary Chinese Society and Politics

  • Technology, Media, and Performance

  • Studio Training: options include Chinese Opera (acting/movement), Taiji, and Traditional Dance

  • Chinese Language (various levels available based on student’s proficiency)


While the core curriculum is English-taught, students with suitable Chinese proficiency are also encouraged to enroll in Chinese-taught graduate-level electives offered by STA.



Intercultural Performance, an anthology of select MA Theses of Intercultural Communication Studies at Shanghai Theatre Academy (Shanghai People’s Publishing House, 2023)




Memories of Tomorrow, performance event featuring ICS and Chinese graduate students of STA at the Shanghai Mingsheng Art Museum



ICS Alumni Online Reunion in December 2025, in conjunction with the 80th Anniversary of the founding of STA



Admission

The program maintains a small, international cohort, fostering close faculty mentorship and peer exchange. Applicants are expected to have a strong interest in Chinese culture and intercultural communication in any academic and/or artistic field, including but not limited to performing arts, performance studies, literature and all forms of media.

For admission in the Fall, submit application online by mid-May. Please refer to the ICS program Brochure for more information, including materials, selection process, and dates.

Program Brochure:

https://iso.sta.edu.cn/e8/98/c27a125080/page.htm

 

Online Application: 

https://isoadmission.sta.edu.cn/ 

 

Download User's Guide:

https://iso.sta.edu.cn/c5/cb/c30a116171/page.htm



Contact person:

Name:      Shirley Zou

Email:      sta_international@163.com ; iso_apply@sta.edu.cn

Tel:        0086 21 62498896

Address:    208 Zhongyi Bld (2), 630 Huashan Road, Shanghai, China