Yenching Academy of Peking University Scholarships, 2027

The Yenching Academy of Peking University is now accepting applications for the 2027 cohort. This is a fully funded, interdisciplinary master’s program in China Studies designed for young leaders who want to understand China’s role in the world. The application deadline is 30 November 2026 at 9:00 AM Beijing time. If you are a non-Chinese citizen or from Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan, and you have a strong academic record and leadership potential, this might be for you.

The program enrolls approximately 120 students each year, with international students making up about 75% of the cohort. The scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, a monthly stipend, one round-trip travel fare, and field study costs. It is a fully sponsored program. You do not pay tuition. The Academy offers a wide array of interdisciplinary courses on China within the humanities and social sciences. Scholars create their own study paths by choosing courses from six research areas.

There is a catch for applicants of Chinese heritage: if you were formerly a citizen of the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan and are applying as an international student, you must have held your current passport or citizenship documents since before 30 April 2021, and you need proof of renunciation of Chinese nationality. The National Immigration Administration determines whether you still hold Chinese citizenship. If you do, your application, admission offer, and enrollment will be nullified. Check this carefully before applying.

Selected candidates participate in a variety of extracurricular activities and field studies, organized by the Yenching Academy and designed by scholars themselves. Studying at the Academy is an exceptional opportunity to take part in intercultural exchanges and interdisciplinary learning, developing both personally and professionally. Yenching Academy annually enrolls approximately 120 students, with 80% of the student body being international students.

Program Details

• Host Institution: Peking University, China.
• Field of Study: Interdisciplinary China Studies (humanities and social sciences).
• Number of awards: Approximately 120.
• Duration: Master’s program (typically two years).
• Target group: International applicants and applicants from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan (HMT). Mainland Chinese applicants apply separately through the Graduate School of Peking University.

Yenching Academy of Peking University Scholarship Benefits

The Yenching Academy Scholarship is a fully funded program that provides:

1. Tuition fees.
2. Accommodation on campus.
3. A monthly living stipend.
4. One round-trip travel fare.
5. Field study costs.

Yenching Academy of Peking University Scholarship Eligibility

Applicants for this Asia scholarships program must meet the following requirements:

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in any field, or be currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s program with the expectation of receiving their diploma in August of the intended enrollment year.
• 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 (see language requirements below).

International applicants must be non-Chinese citizens with a valid passport. Former citizens 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 30 April 2021, along with proof of cancellation of Chinese nationality.

Applicants from China’s Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Regions (HMT) must hold the following identity documents:

• Hong Kong/Macao SAR residents: ① Hong Kong or Macao Permanent Identity Card and ② Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents or Mainland Residence Permit.
• Taiwan residents: ① Valid identity document from Taiwan and ② Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents or Mainland Residence Permit.

Peking University does not allow students to be enrolled in other degree programs whilst studying at the university.

How to Apply for the Yenching Academy

All candidates must apply through the Yenching Academy admissions portal. The application deadline is 30 November 2026 at 9:00 AM Beijing time. All materials, including letters of recommendation, must be submitted before the deadline.

Partner and Cooperating Universities

The Yenching Academy works with partner universities that conduct internal application processes and nominate candidates. All students or alumni of Partner Universities must apply first through their university’s internal process. Nominees then apply through the Yenching Academy admissions portal. Partner University nominees have an additional week to complete their online applications (deadline: 7 December 2026 at 9:00 AM Beijing time).

Candidates from cooperating universities (which do not conduct internal processes) should apply directly through the online portal. Applicants are not required to attend a partner or cooperating university to be eligible to apply.

Application Components

Each applicant must submit the following materials in English:

1. Completed online application form – Partner University nominees must apply through their home university before submitting the online application.
2. Personal statement (750 words or less) – should include a self-introduction and explanation of how you would make the most of the Yenching Academy program and how it would benefit your career. HMT applicants must submit their personal statement in both English and Chinese (max 1,500 Chinese characters).
3. Statement of Research Interest (maximum 1500 words, excluding citations) – should include key research question(s), background, summary of literature, and study design. You are not committed to making this your thesis topic.
4. Curriculum Vitae (maximum two pages) – internship certificates must be provided for any internships mentioned, along with a summary document listing company/institution details and supervisor contact information.
5. Official transcript(s) – candidates with subsequent degrees should upload both Bachelor’s and current program transcripts. Yenching Academy only accepts official transcripts.
6. Diploma(s) and Certificate(s) of Enrollment – candidates must present the physical copy of their undergraduate diploma and a Credential Evaluation Report on Peking University registration day. An Overseas Credential Evaluation is required for offer holders from CSCSE for degrees outside the Chinese Mainland or from CSSD for degrees within the Mainland.
7. Two academic letters of recommendation (English or Chinese) – only from full professors or associate professors (or equivalent titles). Letters must be on official letterhead, signed, and uploaded in PDF format. For HMT applicants, use the template provided.
8. English proficiency test score – accepted tests and minimum scores:
   • IELTS (Academic): Overall 7.0
   • TOEFL (iBT): Overall 100
   • Cambridge English Scale (Advanced): Overall 185
   • CET 6: Overall 600
   • TEM 4: Pass level of “良好” or above

English test requirements: TOEFL and IELTS tests must be taken after 1 September 2025. TOEFL MyBest Scores, TOEFL iBT Home Edition, IELTS Indicator, IELTS Online, and IELTS One Skill Retake are not accepted. For IELTS, TOEFL, and Cambridge tests, scores must be sent directly from these organizations. For TOEFL, use institution code: C488.

Native English speakers and graduates of English-taught degree programs (undergraduate or above) are not required to provide an English test report. However, evidence from the university (such as a letter from the Registrar) must be provided. HMT applicants are required to provide an English test report; even if they have attended an English-taught program, otherwise they must take English as a Second Language after enrollment.

HMT Applicants – Additional Requirements

Applicants from China’s Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan Regions must:

1. Submit the online application through the Yenching Academy admissions portal by 30 November 2026 at 9:00 AM Beijing time.
2. Complete a supplementary application through the Peking University Graduate Admissions website (specific timeline available around October).
3. Mail hardcopies of all application materials to the Yenching Academy admissions office before 10 January 2027.

Failure to complete the Peking University Graduate Admissions Application and submit hard copies will result in an incomplete and unsuccessful application.

Application Review and Interviews

Candidates will be contacted directly for live video interviews from December to March. All Chinese candidates, including HMT applicants, must attend interviews in person at Peking University. Finalists will receive an invitation email approximately one week before the interview. Peking University is on winter vacation from 18 January to 16 February 2027. No interviews will be scheduled during this period.

For any questions, contact the Yenching Academy at [email protected]. The deadline is 30 November 2026 at 9:00 AM Beijing time. Late applications will not be accepted. For more info on the Yenching Academy of Peking University Scholarship, please visit the official page.