The Yenching Academy Scholarship 2027 at Peking University offers an exceptional opportunity for international students to pursue a fully funded Master’s degree in China Studies in Beijing. The program brings together outstanding young scholars from China and around the world for an interdisciplinary and residential academic experience focused on China and its role in the world.
For the 2027 cohort, applications from international candidates opened on September 1, 2026, and the application deadline is November 30, 2026, at 9:00 AM Beijing time. Yenching Scholars receive the Yenching Fellowship, which covers tuition fees, accommodation, a monthly stipend, medical insurance, one round-trip travel allowance, and designated research expenses.
Degree Level
The Yenching Academy Scholarship is available for a Master’s degree in China Studies.
The Yenching Academy Master’s Program is a two-year program. Scholars complete required coursework during the first academic year and then work on their thesis during the second year.
Available Subjects
Yenching Academy offers six interdisciplinary research areas:
- China Studies – Philosophy and Religion
- China Studies – Economics and Management
- China Studies – Law and Society
- China Studies – Politics and International Relations
- China Studies – Literature and Culture
- China Studies – History and Archaeology
Students can develop their own study paths by combining courses and research interests across these areas.
Benefits
All admitted Yenching Scholars receive the Yenching Fellowship.
The fellowship provides:
- Full tuition fee coverage
- Accommodation at Yenching Academy House
- Monthly stipend
- Basic medical insurance
- One round-trip travel allowance between the scholar’s base city and Beijing
- Expenses related to designated research trips
- Access to an international interdisciplinary academic community
- Residential study experience at Peking University
Students who maintain good academic standing can apply for the second-year Yenching Fellowship. For the second year, the fellowship covers tuition, accommodation support, basic medical insurance, and a monthly stipend.
Is the Yenching Academy Scholarship Fully Funded?
- The Yenching Academy is a fully funded Master’s program.
- The fellowship covers tuition, accommodation, a monthly stipend, medical insurance, travel support, and designated research expenses.
Eligible Nationalities
- The Yenching Academy welcomes students from China and around the world. For the international applicant category, applicants must be non-Chinese citizens with a valid passport.
- International students make up approximately 75% of the Yenching Academy student body, and the Academy brings together scholars from a wide range of countries and regions.
Eligibility Criteria
International applicants for the Yenching Academy Scholarship 2027 should meet the following requirements:
- Be a non-Chinese citizen with a valid passport.
- Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in any field, or be currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s program and expected to receive the degree by August of the intended enrollment year.
- Have an outstanding academic record.
- Demonstrate a strong interest in interdisciplinary study of China.
- Have a record of extracurricular achievement, community engagement, and social responsibility.
- Demonstrate leadership potential.
- Meet the required English-language proficiency requirements.
- Be able to complete the program without being concurrently enrolled in another degree program.
Applicants with a previous Master’s degree are also welcome to apply. The Academy states that applicants do not need to have previously studied China or the Chinese language.
English Language Requirements:
International applicants generally need to demonstrate English proficiency unless they qualify for an exemption.
Accepted minimum scores include:
- IELTS Academic: 7.0 overall
- TOEFL iBT: 100 overall
- Cambridge English Scale: 185 overall
Applicants whose native language is English or who graduated from an English-taught degree program at the undergraduate level or above may not be required to provide an English test report, subject to the Academy’s rules.
The Academy currently states that accepted English proficiency tests must have been taken after September 1, 2025. Certain test formats, including TOEFL MyBest Scores, TOEFL iBT Home Edition, IELTS Indicator, IELTS Online, and IELTS One Skill Retake, are not accepted.
Application Procedure
International applicants should follow these steps:
- Check the Yenching Academy eligibility requirements.
- Prepare a Bachelor’s degree or proof that the degree will be completed by the required date.
- Prepare the required academic and supporting documents.
- Create an account on the Yenching Academy online admissions portal.
- Complete the online application form in English.
- Prepare a personal statement of 750 words or less.
- Prepare a Statement of Research Interest of up to 1,500 words, excluding citations.
- Upload your CV and official academic transcripts.
- Upload your diploma or certificate of enrollment.
- Arrange two academic recommendation letters from full professors, associate professors, or equivalent academics in the applicant’s intended field.
- Submit the required English proficiency score if applicable.
- Submit the completed application before the official deadline.
Students and alumni of Yenching Academy Partner Universities must also complete their home university’s internal pre-selection process before submitting their application to the Academy.
Required Documents:
International applicants should prepare:
- Completed online application form
- Personal statement
- Statement of Research Interest
- Curriculum vitae
- Official transcript(s)
- Diploma or certificate of enrollment
- Two academic recommendation letters
- English proficiency test results, where required
The personal statement should be no longer than 750 words, while the Statement of Research Interest can be up to 1,500 words excluding citations.
Application Deadline:
Applications for the 2027 cohort of Yenching Scholars opened on September 1, 2026.
The deadline for international applicants is:
- November 30, 2026, at 9:00 AM Beijing time.
Applicants should submit their applications well before the deadline and allow sufficient time for recommendation letters and official English test scores.
Selection Process:
The Yenching Academy evaluates candidates based on academic merit and broader potential.
Important factors include:
- Academic excellence
- Leadership potential
- International experience
- Extracurricular achievements
- Community engagement
- Social responsibility
- Interest in interdisciplinary China Studies
- Long-term academic and career aspirations
International finalists are interviewed online, generally during the winter or early spring. Final admission decisions for international candidates are expected around April.
Program Duration:
The Yenching Academy Master’s Program in China Studies lasts two years.
Students complete required credits during the first academic year and then undertake thesis research during the second academic year. Scholars are required to live on campus during the first academic year.
