Peking University is a comprehensive research university with disciplines ranging from philosophy, literature, history, law, economics and education to science, engineering, medicine, management, art and interdisciplinary studies. The university admits international students for Master’s degree programs through its “Application + Examination” process, committed to cultivating innovative scholars with global perspectives and deep understanding of China.

1. ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Yenching Academy of Peking University aims to build bridges between China and the rest of the world through an interdisciplinary Master’s program in China Studies. This initiative brings together young people who have demonstrated a talent for leadership and innovation. At Yenching Academy, they are immersed in an intensive learning environment where they can explore China and its role in the world — past, present, and future. The Academy’s goal is to shape new generations of global citizens with a nuanced understanding of China.

Yenching Academy is a fully-funded residential program offering a wide array of interdisciplinary courses on China within the Humanities and Social Sciences. Studying at the Academy represents a unique opportunity not only for intercultural and academic exchange, but also for personal and professional development.

2. CURRICULUM

Yenching Scholars must complete all required credits within the first academic year. After completion of credits, scholars will work on a thesis during the second academic year, in which they need to pass a thesis defense as well as obtain approval from the Peking University Academic Degree Committee before awarded a diploma and degree.

All Yenching Scholars must complete compulsory core courses, including China in Transition, Field Study, Topics in China Studies Lecture Series, Academic Writing, and Chinese Language.

Working closely with their academic advisors, Yenching Scholars have the flexibility to create their own study paths by choosing from six research areas, elective courses taught by Peking University faculty and a variety of extracurricular activities.

3. RESEARCH AREAS

Research Areas offered in the Yenching Academy include:

·China Studies (Philosophy and Religion)

·China Studies (Economics and Management)

·China Studies (Law and Society)

·China Studies (Politics and International Relations)

·China Studies (Literature and Culture)

·China Studies (History and Archaeology)

4. FELLOWSHIP & STUDY TIMEFRAME

The Yenching Academy Master’s Program in China Studies is two years in duration. All admitted students will receive the Yenching Fellowship and are required to live on campus for the first academic year. The Yenching Fellowship covers tuition fees, on-campus accommodation, a travel stipend for one round-trip journey between the student’s base city and Beijing, a monthly stipend, medical insurance and expenses for designated research trips.

Scholars who maintain good academic standing and continue to live in Beijing can apply for the second-year Yenching Fellowship, which covers tuition fees, on-campus accommodation or an off-campus housing stipend, a monthly stipend, and medical insurance.

5. APPLICATION

Yenching Academy annually enrolls approximately 120 new students from both China and abroad, to study, live, and learn together. Application for the 2026 cohort is open on September 10 until December 1, 2025 (9:00 am Beijing time).

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants should have:

·Applicants must hold or be on track to receive by August 31 of the enrollment year a Bachelor’s degree in any field accredited by the Ministry of Education in the P.R.C.;

·An outstanding academic record;

·Strong interest in interdisciplinary study of China;

·A record of extracurricular achievement, community engagement, social responsibility, and leadership potential;

·English proficiency requirements and minimum scores:

oIELTS (Academic): Overall 7.

oTOEFL (iBT): Overall 100

oCambridge English Scale (Advanced): Overall 185

oNative English speakers and students or alumni of primarily English taught degree programs (undergraduate or above) are not required to provide English proficiency test scores.

·Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens with a valid passport. Residents of the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan who have emigrated to another country and are applying to Peking University as international students must present valid passport or citizenship documents dating from before April 30 in 2020, along with proof of cancellation of Chinese nationality.

oNote: The exit and entry administration authority of the public security system of China reserves the right to judge whether an applicant still has Chinese nationality. If during the application period or even after the admission or registration the applicant is judged to be still holding Chinese nationality, his/her application, admission, registration or even enrollment will be nullified.

·Applicants should be healthy, both physically and psychologically, with no criminal record, and must abide by the laws and decrees of China and the regulations of Peking University.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

Each applicant must submit the following materials in English:

·Yenching Academy online application (note that all students and alumni of Partner Universities are required to apply through their universities);

·Personal statement (750 words or less);

·Statement of Research Interest (maximum 1500 words, excluding citations);

·Curriculum vitae (maximum two pages);

·Official transcript(s):

oYenching Academy only accepts official transcripts. All pre-admitted candidates must either arrange for their university to send official transcripts directly to the Yenching Academy (yca-submissions@pku.edu.cn), or provide university certified transcripts.

·Diploma(s), Certificate(s) of Enrollment, and Overseas Credential Evaluation:

oDiploma(s) and/or Certificate(s) of Enrollment are compulsory for all applicants:

§Candidates whose official university documents are in languages other than English or Chinese must submit copies of both the original documents and certified English translations. This requirement also applies to diplomas issued in Latin. Please ensure that the translation indicates your degree type (e.g. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree).

oAn Overseas Credential Evaluation is required only for offer holders, and is only required for undergraduate degree programs.

§Candidates who have graduated from a degree program outside of the Chinese Mainland need to provide a Credential Evaluation issued by the CSCSE (中国教育部留学服务中心). Candidates who have graduated from a degree program within the Chinese Mainland need to provide a Credential Evaluation issued by the CSSD (中国高等教育学生信息网).

§Candidates who have already graduated from an undergraduate degree should submit the Credential Evaluation during the Peking University Office of International Relations (OIR) registration stage in April.

§Candidates who have not yet graduated from an undergraduate degree need to submit the Credential Evaluation, as well as the original copy of the diploma(s), during enrollment in September.

§Applicants expected to graduate in 2026 must provide an official letter from their current university stating their expected graduation date and submit their certificate of graduation upon being pre-admitted.

·Two academic letters of recommendation (Chinese or English):

oPeking University will only accept recommendation letters written by full professors or associate professors (or equivalent titles).

oLetters of recommendation must be submitted by professors in the applicant’s intended field of study.

·International English proficiency test report(s):

oTOEFL and IELTS English proficiency tests must be taken after September 1, 2024. Currently, we do not accept TOEFL MyBest Scores, TOEFL iBT Home Edition, IELTS Indicator test, IELTS Online, or IELTS One Skill Retake;

oSubmission of English scores: For IELTS, TOEFL, and Cambridge tests, we will only accept scores sent directly to us from these organizations. Make sure you choose “Yenching Academy of Peking University” as the designated recipient of your scores when you book the exam time. For TOEFL, use the institution code: C488.

PROCEDURES

International candidates may begin to submit applications on September 10, 2025. Applicants must submit all materials before December 1, 2025 (9:00 am, Beijing time).

The Yenching Academy works with Partner Universities that conduct application processes and nominate outstanding candidates for consideration. All students and alumni of Partner Universities are required to apply through both their universities’ processes and the Yenching Academy admissions portal.

For detailed application procedures, please visit the Yenching Academy admissions portal.

6. APPLICATION SCREENING AND INTERVIEW

Application screening is completed by the Admissions Committee within the Yenching Academy. Finalists will be invited for interviews during winter and spring, and invitations will normally be sent out approximately one week in advance. Interviews for international candidates will be conducted online via a video conferencing platform.

7. ADMISSIONS

Application materials of shortlisted candidates will be reviewed by the Graduate School of Peking University, as well as the International Students Division at the Office of International Relations in Peking University. Upon obtaining permission from the abovementioned offices, admission offers will be mailed out around the end of June of the enrollment year.

8. ENROLLMENT

Admitted students will complete the registration procedures and enroll at Peking University in early September 2026. The specific enrollment date will be announced in the admission notice. Admitted students must register at Peking University with valid passport, valid visa and admission letter at the designated time. All students should present their original degree diplomas as required upon registration for the enrollment qualification review. Students with degree diplomas awarded by overseas universities should, in addition, submit the Credential Evaluation report issued by the CSCSE. Students who do not pass the enrollment qualification review will be disqualified from enrollment at Peking University.

9. VISA, MEDICAL INSURANCE AND YENCHING FELLOWSHIP

·Visa:

oStudents admitted to PKU should apply for a student visa at the Chinese Embassy/Consulate in their country with the letter of admission and the JW201/202 form. International students who will study in China for over 6 months are required to obtain an “X1” visa, which will only be valid for 30 days upon arrival in China. Upon arriving in China and within 30 days, students must visit the International Student Division at Peking University to apply for a Residence Permit, which is the only legal resident status in China.

·Medical Insurance:

oThe Ministry of Education of the P.R.C. stipulates that all international students must be medically insured throughout their entire duration of study. Yenching Academy will reimburse students for the cost of the ‘Comprehensive Insurance Plan for Foreign Students’, which should be purchased by the students themselves on or before the registration day. Students who do not have valid medical insurance will not be allowed to register.

·Yenching Fellowship:

oAll admitted students receive the Yenching Fellowship for the first academic year, which covers tuition, accommodation in the Yenching Academy House, a travel stipend for one round-trip journey between your base city and Beijing (the base city must be a city within the country of your nationality; cost of this round-trip will be estimated and calculated by YCA), basic medical insurance, a monthly stipend, and expenses related to research.

oStudents who maintained a good academic standing, and plan to stay in Beijing during their second academic year can apply for the second-year Yenching Fellowship. This will cover the tuition, accommodation support (on-campus house or off-campus housing stipend), basic medical insurance and a monthly stipend.

10. GRADUATION AND DEGREE AWARDING

      Students who have completed all the requirements stipulated in the academic plan and passed their thesis defense upon completion of their study are permitted to graduate. After being examined and approved by the Academic Degree Assessment Committee of the university, the corresponding academic degree will be conferred.

11. OTHERS

·Students are not allowed to be enrolled in other programs or universities while being enrolled at Peking University.

·The passport details provided by the applicant during the application process (including name, citizenship, gender, date of birth, and the uploaded photograph) cannot be altered once confirmed, prior to enrollment.

·Applicants should pay close attention to any updates or announcements posted on the website or communicated via email. Applicants must read and follow the instructions and designated deadlines. The student alone will be responsible for any consequences if s/he chooses to take a course contravening the requirements without special approval. 

·Issues that may arise which are not mentioned here will be handled in accordance with the relevant regulations of the university and higher authorities. If new graduate student admission policies are issued in the year of 2026, Peking University will make corresponding adjustments and announce the changes in a timely manner.

·Further information for international students can be found on the Peking University International Students Division website and on the Yenching Academy website.

CONTACT US

Email: yca-admissions@pku.edu.cn

Tel: +86-10-62766358

Address: Room 116, Jingyuan Courtyard 3, Peking University, 5 Yiheyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China 100871