Yenching Academy Scholarship 2027 at Peking University

The Yenching Academy of Peking University offers an interdisciplinary two-year Master’s programme in China Studies for students from China and around the world. Approximately 120 new students are admitted each year, and international students make up around three-quarters of the student body.

The programme is designed for graduates from any academic field who have strong academic records and a genuine interest in understanding China through an interdisciplinary perspective. Scholars can study across six research areas: Economics and Management, History and Archaeology, Law and Society, Literature and Culture, Philosophy and Religion, and Politics and International Relations.

During the first academic year, scholars complete required coursework and live on campus at Peking University. The programme includes core components such as China Studies, academic writing, field study and Chinese-language learning for international scholars. The second year is primarily focused on thesis research and completion.

All admitted students receive the Yenching Fellowship for their first academic year. The fellowship covers major academic and living costs, including tuition, accommodation, a monthly stipend, basic medical insurance, a travel stipend for one round trip between the scholar’s base city and Beijing, and research-related expenses.

Pakistani applicants are eligible because international candidates must simply be non-Chinese citizens holding a valid passport, subject to the programme’s academic and language requirements.

• Applicants must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in any field, or be completing one with the expectation of graduating by August 2027.
• Applicants must have an outstanding academic record.
• Applicants should demonstrate a strong interest in interdisciplinary China Studies.
• Applicants should show evidence of extracurricular achievement, community engagement, social responsibility and leadership potential.
• Applicants must demonstrate English-language proficiency.
• International applicants must be non-Chinese citizens with a valid passport.
• Pakistani citizens are eligible as international applicants.
• Peking University does not permit students to be concurrently enrolled in another degree programme while studying at the university.
• Applicants from partner universities must complete their home university’s internal pre-selection process before submitting the Yenching Academy application.

All admitted scholars receive first-year Yenching Fellowship support covering:

• Full tuition fees.
• Accommodation in Yenching Academy housing.
• Monthly living stipend.
• One round-trip travel fare between the scholar’s eligible base city and Beijing.
• Basic medical insurance.
• Field-study and research-related expenses.
• Access to Peking University academic resources and interdisciplinary coursework.
• Participation in research, leadership and student-development opportunities.

Applicants must submit:

• Completed online application form.
• Personal statement of no more than 750 words.
• Statement of Research Interest of no more than 1,500 words, excluding citations.
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Official academic transcript(s).
• Degree diploma(s) or Certificate(s) of Enrolment.
• Two academic recommendation letters in Chinese or English.
• English-language proficiency evidence, where required.
• Certified English or Chinese translations for documents not issued in an accepted language, where applicable.

Recommendation letters must:

• Be written by full professors, associate professors or academics holding equivalent titles.
• Come from professors in the applicant’s intended field of study.

Official Yenching Academy guidance indicates that successful applicants are generally assessed on:

• Outstanding academic performance.
• Strong intellectual curiosity.
• Genuine interest in interdisciplinary study of China.
• Strength of motivation.
• Leadership potential.
• Extracurricular achievement.
• Community engagement and social responsibility.
• Quality of the personal statement.
• Quality and relevance of the Statement of Research Interest.
• Strength of academic recommendations.
• Overall potential to contribute to and benefit from the Yenching Academy community.

• Study at Peking University in Beijing.
• Complete an interdisciplinary Master’s degree focused on China Studies.
• Join a highly international student community.
• Receive substantial financial support during the programme.
• Access six different research areas across humanities and social sciences.
• Conduct field research and thesis work in China.
• Build academic and professional connections with scholars from around the world.
• Develop Chinese-language and cross-cultural skills.
• Gain access to research grants, academic events and student-development opportunities.