Foreign Trade University - Faculty of International Education

“CHINA IS ELIMINATING MARKETING MAJORS?” – DON’T JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS BASED ON A HEADLINE

Recently, the Faculty of International Education and Training – Foreign Trade University (FTU) has received many questions from parents and prospective students regarding reports claiming that “China is eliminating Marketing majors” in 2025. Unsurprisingly, this has led many people to wonder: Is Marketing still a worthwhile field of study?

In reality, this information has often been misunderstood or taken out of context.

The proposal to discontinue Marketing programs applies only to 13 universities, most of which are smaller institutions facing challenges related to enrollment or program effectiveness. This does not mean that China is abolishing Marketing education nationwide. On the contrary, leading universities such as Renmin University of China, Fudan University, and Tsinghua University continue to offer Marketing programs and regularly update their curricula to meet evolving industry demands.

Educational experts view these changes as part of a broader process of restructuring and repositioning academic programs rather than eliminating specific disciplines. Traditional curricula are being transformed into more practical and industry-oriented models. For example, conventional Marketing programs are evolving to incorporate digital marketing, customer data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI). Similarly, language-related programs are increasingly integrated with international logistics, e-commerce, and global business studies.

In other words, what is gradually becoming outdated is not the field of Marketing itself, but rather the way Marketing was taught 20 years ago.

Today's employers still have a strong demand for marketing professionals. However, they are looking for graduates who can analyze data, utilize AI-powered tools, understand customer behavior in digital environments, and develop multi-channel marketing strategies. The demand for talent has not declined—it has simply evolved to reflect the needs of a changing world.

For this reason, when choosing a university major, students should look beyond the name of the program and focus on the curriculum itself.

Two programs may both be called “Marketing Management,” yet there can be a significant difference between a curriculum that still relies on outdated teaching approaches and one that continuously integrates emerging technologies, data analytics, AI applications, and close collaboration with industry partners.

This philosophy is at the heart of the Bachelor of Marketing Management programme jointly delivered by the Faculty of International Education and Training – Foreign Trade University and University of Northampton. Designed according to international standards, the programme is regularly updated to reflect the latest developments in the field. It places a strong emphasis on digital marketing, data analytics, and AI applications in business while providing students with valuable hands-on experience through real-world projects and industry engagement activities.

Beyond building a solid academic foundation, the programme helps students develop strategic thinking, creativity, adaptability, and the ability to work effectively in international environments.