If you want to understand China from the inside, not from a textbook written somewhere else, this programme puts you right in the middle of it. The Yenching Academy at Peking University runs a two-year, fully funded master’s in China Studies, and it brings together around 120 scholars a year from China and dozens of other countries. Here is everything you need to know before you apply.
What the Programme Actually Is
The Yenching Academy is a graduate college inside Peking University, built specifically to teach China Studies to an international cohort. You will not study just one narrow subject. Instead, you pick a path across six research areas: Economics and Management, History and Archaeology, Philosophy and Religion, Politics and International Relations, Law and Society, and Literature and Culture. You work closely with an academic mentor, build your own course of study, and take part in field studies and extracurricular projects designed by the scholars themselves.
International students make up roughly 75 to 80 percent of each cohort, so you are not walking into a classroom of just one nationality. You are walking into a genuinely mixed room of young people from across the world who all share one thing: a serious interest in China’s role in global affairs.
Quick Facts Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Host institution | Peking University (Yenching Academy) |
| Location | Beijing, China |
| Degree level | Master’s in China Studies |
| Programme length | Two years |
| Cohort size | About 120 scholars annually |
| International share | Roughly 75 to 80 percent of each cohort |
| Field restriction | None. All academic backgrounds welcome |
| Application deadline (2027 cohort) | 30 November 2026, 9:00 a.m. Beijing time |
| Funding type | Fully funded |
Who Can Apply
The eligibility bar is wide, so do not count yourself out just because your first degree is in engineering or law rather than history or politics. Here is what the Academy actually asks for:
- A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in any field, or you are currently finishing one, with your diploma expected by August of your intended enrolment year
- An outstanding academic record
- A genuine interest in interdisciplinary study of China
- A track record of extracurricular achievement, community engagement, social responsibility, and leadership potential
- English proficiency, shown either through your education history or through a test score
If English is not your first language and you did not study your previous degree in English, you will need one of the following, each taken after 1 September 2025:
- IELTS Academic: overall score of 7.0
- TOEFL iBT: overall score of 100
- Cambridge English Scale (Advanced): overall score of 185
- CET 6: overall score of 600
- TEM 4: a pass level of “良好” or higher
One detail that trips people up: the Academy only accepts scores sent directly from the testing organisation itself, and you must list “Yenching Academy of Peking University” as your recipient when you book your exam. For TOEFL, the institution code is C488.
What the Fellowship Actually Pays For
This is a genuinely fully funded programme, meaning you are not expected to cover tuition or basic living costs out of pocket. The official fellowship package includes:
- Full tuition fees
- Accommodation, typically in the Yenching Academy House on campus for your first year
- A monthly stipend for living expenses
- One round-trip travel fare between your base city and Beijing
- Field study and research-related expenses
- Basic medical insurance
One thing worth being upfront about: Peking University’s official page confirms a monthly stipend is included, but it does not publish the exact figure anywhere online. Do not trust any blog post that quotes you a specific number in RMB with total confidence. Ask the admissions office directly once you start your application, or wait for your offer letter to confirm the amount.
If you keep good academic standing and want to stay in Beijing through your second year, you can apply for the second-year Yenching Fellowship, which continues to cover tuition, accommodation support, medical insurance, and your monthly stipend.
How the Application Actually Works
Your path into the programme depends on where you are applying from.
If You Are an International Candidate (a non-Chinese citizen with a valid passport)
- Applications opened on 1 September 2026 for the 2027 cohort
- You apply directly through the Yenching Academy’s online portal
- If you are a student or alumnus of one of the Academy’s Partner Universities, you must go through your home university’s internal pre-selection process first, before submitting your application to Yenching Academy
If You Are From Mainland China
- You apply through the Peking University Graduate School’s own system, separate from the international portal
If You Are From Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan
- You apply through both the Yenching Academy portal and a supplementary application through the Peking University Graduate Admissions website
- You must still submit an English proficiency test score, even if your previous degree was taught entirely in English
Here is the full list of materials you will need to submit in English:
- Completed online application form
- Personal statement, no longer than 750 words
- Statement of Research Interest, no longer than 1,500 words, excluding citations
- Curriculum vitae
- Official transcripts
- Diploma or certificate of enrolment
- Two academic letters of recommendation, in either Chinese or English, written by full professors or associate professors in your intended field of study
Need two strong academic recommendations? You may also want to check this guide on how to ask for a scholarship recommendation letter.
Not sure how to approach your Statement of Research Interest? You may also want to check this guide on what a statement of purpose is and how to write one.
Wondering how your personal statement should differ from a statement of purpose? You may also want to check this breakdown of statement of purpose vs. personal statement.
Want to be ready in case shortlisting involves an interview? You may also want to check this guide on how to prepare for a scholarship interview.
🔗 Official Application Portal: Apply for the Yenching Academy Scholarship on the official portal
Why This Matters Beyond the Classroom
China’s economic and political weight in global affairs keeps growing, and governments, companies, and international organisations everywhere need people who genuinely understand the country rather than people who only read about it secondhand. A programme like this gives you two years inside Peking University, one of China’s most respected universities, working alongside mentors who study China professionally and classmates who came from dozens of different countries to do the same. That combination of academic depth and international networking is hard to replicate anywhere else.
If you’re casting a wider net, it’s worth comparing Yenching against other fully funded opportunities for international students, such as this roundup of 12 fully funded scholarships and internships for international students in 2026/2027, Germany’s DAAD Hilde Domin Programme, the UK’s Chevening Scholarship and Martingale Foundation Scholarships, the prestigious Gates Cambridge Scholarship, the University of Manchester’s Global Futures Scholarships for African applicants, and our own guide on how to find affordable universities abroad if cost remains a concern while you weigh your options.
Key Deadline to Remember
Mark this clearly: the application deadline for the September 2027 intake is 30 November 2026 at 9:00 a.m. Beijing time. That time zone detail matters. Beijing time is ahead of most of the world, so if you are in West Africa, Europe, or the Americas, your actual local cutoff will fall earlier than you might expect. Do not leave your submission for the final day.
Already thinking ahead to a successful outcome? You may also want to check this guide on what to do after receiving a university admission offer.
Official Links You Will Need
- Yenching Academy official site: https://yenchingacademy.pku.edu.cn/
- Admissions and eligibility page: https://yenchingacademy.pku.edu.cn/ADMISSIONS.htm
- Online application portal: https://apply.yca.pku.edu.cn/
- Frequently Asked Questions page: https://yenchingacademy.pku.edu.cn/ADMISSIONS/Frequently_Asked_Questions.htm
- Partner and Cooperating Universities list: https://yenchingacademy.pku.edu.cn/ADMISSIONS/Partner_and_Cooperating_Universities.htm
- Peking University Graduate Admissions (for HMT and Mainland applicants): https://admission.pku.edu.cn/
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Yenching Academy Scholarship cover all my living costs?
Yes, the fellowship is fully funded. It covers tuition, accommodation, a monthly stipend, one round-trip travel fare, and research-related expenses. The exact stipend amount is not published, so confirm it directly with admissions.
Do I need to already speak Chinese to apply?
No. The programme is taught in English, and there is no Chinese language requirement to apply. However, strong English proficiency, shown through your education history or a test score, is required.
What if my undergraduate degree is unrelated to China or political science?
That does not disqualify you. The Academy accepts applicants from any academic background, including engineering, law, science, and the arts, as long as you show real interest in interdisciplinary China Studies.
Can I apply if I will not finish my bachelor’s degree until mid-2027?
Yes, as long as your diploma is expected by August of your intended enrolment year. You simply cannot be enrolled in another degree programme while studying at Peking University.