What the funding covers
- Tuition for the master's programme.
- A room in the Yenching Academy residence on Peking University's campus, usually in a two-bedroom suite shared with one other scholar.
- A monthly stipend and basic medical insurance.
- One round trip between a city in your country of nationality and Beijing, and research and field-study costs.
- The first-year fellowship goes to every admitted scholar. Scholars in good standing who stay in Beijing for the second year can apply for a second-year fellowship covering tuition, housing support, insurance and the stipend.
What you will still pay
| Cost | Who pays |
|---|---|
| Tuition | The Yenching Fellowship, for every admitted scholar |
| Housing in the Yenching Academy residence | The fellowship in year one; in year two, campus housing or a housing stipend for fellowship holders who stay in Beijing |
| Monthly stipend and basic medical insurance | The fellowship |
| One round trip between your home city and Beijing | The fellowship, with the fare estimated by the Academy; the city must be in your country of nationality |
| English test and sending your scores | You |
Who can apply
- A bachelor's degree in any field, or a final-year bachelor's student who will graduate by August 2027. Master's holders may also apply.
- International applicants must be non-Chinese citizens with a valid passport. Applicants from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan use the same portal plus a Peking University supplementary application; mainland Chinese students apply through Peking University's graduate school.
- An outstanding academic record, a strong interest in the interdisciplinary study of China, and a record of leadership and community engagement. You do not need to have studied China or Chinese before.
- English: IELTS Academic 7.0, TOEFL iBT 100 or Cambridge English 185, taken after 1 September 2025. Native speakers and graduates of an English-taught degree are exempt.
Which nationalities can apply
Every nationality can apply.
Documents you will need
- The completed online application form.
- A personal statement of up to 750 words.
- A statement of research interest of up to 1,500 words, excluding citations.
- Your CV, official transcripts, and diplomas or certificates of enrolment.
- Two academic recommendation letters, in Chinese or English, from full or associate professors in your intended field.
- An IELTS, TOEFL or Cambridge score sent directly to the Academy, unless you are a native English speaker or hold an English-taught degree.
How to apply
- Create an account on the Yenching Academy admissions portal; applications for the 2027 cohort opened on 1 September 2026.
- If you study at or graduated from one of the Academy's partner universities, go through your university's internal pre-selection first.
- Submit the form, personal statement, research statement, CV, transcripts, diplomas and two academic recommendation letters by 9:00 am Beijing time on 30 November 2026.
- International finalists are interviewed online in the winter or early spring, and final decisions come around April 2027. Peking University's acceptance letter follows in the summer.
Before you apply: things to know
- Recommendation letters must come from full or associate professors, or the equivalent, in your intended field of study.
- There is no strict age limit, but apart from Zhuoyue Scholarship holders no one over 29 has been admitted; the average entrant is 23.
- Peking University does not allow enrolment in another degree at the same time, so any degree you are studying for must be awarded by August 2027.
- Only the first-year fellowship is guaranteed. The second-year fellowship is for scholars who stay in Beijing.
- Test scores must be sent to the Academy directly by IELTS, TOEFL (code C488) or Cambridge; TOEFL Home Edition, MyBest scores and IELTS Online are not accepted.
Common questions
Is the Yenching Academy fully funded?
Yes for the first year: every admitted scholar receives the Yenching Fellowship, covering tuition, campus housing, a monthly stipend, basic medical insurance, one round trip to Beijing and research costs. Scholars in good standing who stay in Beijing for the second year can apply for a second-year fellowship.
Do I need to speak Chinese?
No. The programme is taught in English and you do not need to have studied China or Chinese before. A Chinese language course is compulsory for international scholars once they arrive; those who are already fluent can apply to take Chinese-taught courses instead.
When is the Yenching Academy deadline for 2027?
9:00 am Beijing time on 30 November 2026, for international applicants and those from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. Students at partner universities must first pass their own university's pre-selection.
Which degree do Yenching Scholars receive?
A two-year Peking University master's in China Studies, named after your research area: for example a Master of Law in China Studies for Politics and International Relations, or a Master of Economics in China Studies for Economics and Management.
A working timeline
Counting back from the next deadline (Nov 30, 2026). Steps marked NOW are already due if you start today.