Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) has a rich history dating back to its origins as the Russian Language Unit of the Third Branch of the Anti-Japanese Military-Political University established in 1941, and later the Yan'an School of Foreign Languages. As the first foreign language institution established by the Communist Party of China, BFSU embodies revolutionary heritage and patriotism. The university has a strong tradition of ideological, political and Marxist theoretical education, offering courses in politics and foreign languages as early as the Yan'an period (1935-1948). It established the Marxism-Leninism Teaching and Research Office in 1951 and officially founded the School of Marxism in June 2014.

The School of Marxism places a strong emphasis on discipline development and theoretical research, particularly focusing on the study of Marxist theory. In 2018, BFSU received approval to offer a first-level master's program in Marxist theory, with specializations including the fundamental principles of Marxism, the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context, and ideological and political education. In 2016, the school was designated as the Collaborative Innovation Center on the Global Influence of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for Beijing Universities. In 2018, the school was recognized as one of Beijing's research bases for  Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Additionally, in 2020, it was designated as a key institution for Marxist studies in Beijing. Building on the history and realities of BFSU, the School of Marxism prioritizes the inheritance of revolutionary ideals and focuses on Marxist research and socialism with Chinese characteristics. By integrating historical and contemporary perspectives, theory and practice, and conducting comparative studies between China and the world, the school is gradually cultivating its unique strengths and fulfilling its role.

The school places great emphasis on faculty development, focusing on overall improvement, collaborative teamwork, and attracting outstanding talents. The school boasts a dynamic team of young teachers, with an average age below 45. These educators are all graduates of leading institutions in China, specializing in Marxist theory and related fields. The school's faculty members have received prestigious accolades such as National Outstanding Teacher, Distinguished Professor or Teacher of Ideological and Political Theory from Beijing Universities, nomination for the Beijing People's Teacher Award, Model Worker in Moral Education in Beijing, and Educators with Exceptional Professional Ethics in Beijing.

The school remains dedicated to its mission of instilling knowledge and nurturing virtues, with an emphasis on encouraging critical thinking, producing research papers, and integrating research outcomes into the classroom to enhance the synergy between teaching and research. This approach has significantly improved the quality of ideological and political education, resulting in numerous research achievements. Over the past five years, the school has published over 220 articles and papers in reputable publications such as People’s Daily, Guangming Daily, Economic Daily and Qiushi Journal. Additionally, the school has undertaken 23 national, provincial, and ministerial-level projects, laying a solid foundation for establishing itself as a leading center for Marxist theory teaching, research, dissemination and talent cultivation in Beijing.