This study explores the current status and practices of master's programmes at Sino-foreign cooperative universities (SFCUs) in China. A document analysis of university publications is conducted on 133 master's programmes at nine SFCUs. The findings show the diversified development of disciplines and heterogeneity across nine universities. By examining how these programmes entangle with neoliberal ideas, marketisation and western orientation are found to be mobilised and reinforced in the internationalisation process. From the postcolonial perspective, this study identifies the practices of mimicry and resistance in operating master's programmes under transnational partnerships. The findings have implications in terms of educational equalities, the implementation of master's programmes in transnational higher education and the balance between home and host institutions in practice.