Who this is for: Graduates of any nationality except Chinese, with a bachelor’s degree in any field (or finishing one before August 2027), who want to understand China through history, politics, economics, law, philosophy or culture. You don’t need to speak Chinese.
The Yenching Academy of Peking University, at one of China’s top universities, is admitting its next class for September 2027. Selected scholars take a two-year, English-taught Master’s in China Studies in Beijing, and every admitted student receives the Yenching Fellowship, which covers tuition, housing on campus, a round-trip flight, a monthly stipend and research expenses. The Academy admits about 120 students a year from China and around the world.
Deadline: 30 November 2026, 9:00 am Beijing time (2:00 am West Africa Time on 30 November, so submit by 29 November).
At a Glance
| Host | Yenching Academy, Peking University (Beijing, China) |
| Degree | Master’s in China Studies (two years, taught in English) |
| Research areas | Philosophy and Religion; Economics and Management; Law and Society; Politics and International Relations; Literature and Culture; History and Archaeology |
| Funding | Tuition, on-campus housing, a round-trip flight, a monthly stipend, research expenses and basic medical insurance |
| Places | About 120 new students a year |
| Who can apply | Non-Chinese citizens with a bachelor’s degree (any field) by August 2027 |
| Start | Early September 2027 |
| Deadline | 30 November 2026, 9:00 am Beijing time |
About the Yenching Academy
The Yenching Academy is an interdisciplinary academy within Peking University for students who want to study China across the humanities and social sciences. In the first year, scholars live together in the Yenching Academy House on campus and complete their required courses; in the second year they write and defend a thesis, which is approved by the university’s Academic Degree Committee. The fellowship also pays for designated research trips.
Benefits
- Full tuition for the master’s
- Accommodation in the Yenching Academy House on campus in the first year
- One round-trip flight between your home city and Beijing
- A monthly stipend for living costs
- Research expenses, including designated research trips in China
- Basic medical insurance, reimbursed by the Academy
- In the second year, students in good standing who stay in Beijing can apply for continued funding: tuition, housing (on campus or a housing stipend), insurance and a monthly stipend
Eligibility
- Nationality: non-Chinese citizens with a valid passport. Applicants from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan also apply, with an extra step.
- Degree: a bachelor’s degree in any field, completed before August 2027. Final-year students can apply.
- Academic record: outstanding grades, a genuine interest in studying China across disciplines, and evidence of leadership.
- English: IELTS Academic 7.0, TOEFL iBT 100, Cambridge English Scale 185, or equivalent, taken after 1 September 2025. Native English speakers and graduates of English-taught degrees don’t need a test, but must send proof (for example, a letter from your university’s registrar confirming the language of instruction). If your degree was taught in English, as at most universities in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya, you can request this waiver.
- Chinese language: not required.
- No age limit is stated.
How to Apply
- Create an account on the Yenching Academy application portal and fill in the online form.
- Write your personal statement (up to 750 words) and a Statement of Research Interest (up to 1,500 words, excluding citations).
- Prepare a two-page CV.
- Upload official transcripts and your diploma or a certificate of enrolment. Transcripts can also be sent by your university to [email protected]. Documents not in English or Chinese need a certified translation. Scans must be colour and made with a scanner, not a phone.
- Arrange two recommendation letters from full or associate professors (or equivalent) in your intended field.
- Add your English test report, or upload your waiver evidence.
- Submit before 9:00 am Beijing time on 30 November 2026.
What happens next: finalists are invited to online video interviews during the winter and spring, usually about a week in advance. Offers are sent around the end of June 2027, and the programme starts in early September 2027. Offer holders then have their undergraduate degree verified (through CSCSE for degrees from outside mainland China).
Official 2027 admissions notice · Application portal
Questions: [email protected].
Tips
- Make your research interest specific. A clear question, such as China’s role in African infrastructure or trade, is stronger than a broad interest in “China”.
- Bring an African perspective. China–Africa relations are a major field, and few applicants can write about them from experience.
- Ask your referees now. Letters must come from full or associate professors, so give them time before 30 November.
- Request your English-medium letter early. If you studied in English, the waiver letter from your registrar can take weeks.
- Submit a day early. 9:00 am Beijing time is 2:00 am in Lagos and 4:00 am in Nairobi on 30 November.
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