The School of International Relations and Public Affairs (referred to as "SIRPA" or "the School") at Fudan University was established on November 21, 2000. Its history can be traced back to the Department of Political Science first established in 1923. In 1964, with the approval of the CPC Central Committee, the Department of International Politics was set up as one of the three earliest departments in this field in China. Since the 1980s, the discipline of International Politics, Political Science, and Public Administration have developed rapidly. By 2000, the Department of International Politics was restructured into SIRPA. The School takes pride in running two national A-level disciplines included in “double world-class project”: Political Science (A+) and Public Administration (A), with the major of political science and international relations consistently ranking top 50 worldwide from 2012 to 2021 according to the QS World University Rankings.

Embracing the principle of "Excellence for Public", the School follows an educational approach that emphasizes broad knowledge, strong fundamentals, critical skills, and innovative spirits, aiming to cultivate leaders with a global perspective, national consciousness, and professional expertise in various fields.

As a key member in the national "Double First-Class" initiative and designated Shanghai Peak Discipline, the School of International Relations and Public Affairs (SIRPA) emphasizes the unity of research and teaching. Following the philosophy of "Cultivating Morality and Educating Talents for the Nation", SIRPA focuses on nurturing students with a strong sense of national identity, humanistic care, scientific spirit, professional competence, and global vision.

Over recent years, the School has developed a diversified and multi-level international collaboration framework and actively participated in international educational practices.

Department of Political Science

Main research areas include Marxist Political Theory, Political Theory, Comparative Politics, Chinese Politics, Chinese and Foreign Political Systems, Party Politics, Political Philosophy, and Computational Politics.

Department of International Politics

Main research areas include International Relations Theory, International Political Economy, International Law and International Relations, International Security, Major Power Strategy and Relations, China's Foreign Strategy and Relations, American Studies, European Studies, Religion and International Relations, International Aid and Development, Developing Countries Studies, International Organizations, and Global Governance.

Department of Public Administration

Main research areas include Public Administration Theory, Administrative Management, Public Policy, Comparative Public Administration, Metropolitan Governance, Digital Governance, and International Public Policy.

Department of Diplomacy  

Main research areas include Chinese Characteristics of Major Power Diplomacy Theory, Diplomacy Theory, China's Peripheral Diplomacy, Major Power Diplomatic Strategy, Comparative Diplomatic System and Policy, and History of Diplomacy of the People's Republic of China.