The School of Marxism at Tsinghua University conducts scientific research primarily in two first-level disciplines: Marxist Theory and History and Party Building of the Communist Party of China.

Marxism is a scientific worldview and methodology. It is a science that reflects the objective world—especially the essence and developmental laws of human society—and a doctrine dedicated to the emancipation of the proletariat and all humanity. Research in the discipline of Marxist Theory focuses on specialized fields such as philosophy, political economy, and scientific socialism, while also undertaking integrated and comprehensive studies. It combines research on Marxism itself with studies on its Sinicization and adaptation to contemporary conditions, thus enabling a thorough and systematic understanding of the scientific ideological system of Marxism through both vertical historical analysis and horizontal comparative research.

Within the first-level discipline of Marxist Theory, the School has established six second-level disciplines: Basic Principles of Marxism, History of Marxist Development, Sinicization of Marxism, Foreign Marxism, Ideological and Political Education, and Fundamental Issues in Modern Chinese History.

The discipline of History and Party Building of the Communist Party of China is guided by Marxism–Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Important Thought of the Three Represents, the Scientific Outlook on Development, and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Taking the Communist Party of China as its central object of study and grounded in the Party’s history and contemporary practice, it examines the historical process, major achievements, fundamental experience, and patterns of self-construction of the Party over more than a century of struggle. Research in this discipline not only addresses Party history and Party building as distinct areas, but also emphasizes their organic integration, so as to achieve a comprehensive, systematic, and holistic understanding of the scientific ideological system that guides the discipline.

Within the first-level discipline of History and Party Building of the Communist Party of China, the School has developed four second-level disciplines: Theory of the CPC History and Party Building, History of the Communist Party of China, Party Leadership and Party Building, and Theory and Practice of Party Affairs.