Program Overview

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Introduction to the Yenching Academy of Peking University

The Yenching Academy of Peking University aims to build bridges between China and the rest of the world through an interdisciplinary Master's program in China Studies. This initiative brings together young people who have demonstrated a talent for leadership and innovation. At Yenching, they are immersed in an intensive learning environment where they can explore China and its role in the world — past, present, and future. The Academy's goal is to shape new generations of global citizens with a nuanced understanding of China.

About the Program

Yenching Academy is a fully-funded residential program offering a wide array of interdisciplinary courses on China within the Humanities and Social Sciences. Studying at the Academy represents a unique opportunity not only for intercultural and academic exchange, but also for personal and professional development.

Curriculum

Yenching Scholars must complete all required credits within the first academic year. After completion of credits, scholars will work on a thesis during the second academic year, in which they need to pass a thesis defense as well as obtain approval from the Peking University Academic Degree Committee before being awarded a diploma and degree.

• All Yenching Scholars must complete compulsory core courses, including:
  • China in Transition
  • Field Study
  • Topics in China Studies Lecture Series
  • Academic Writing
• Working closely with their academic advisors, Yenching Scholars have the flexibility to create their own study paths by choosing from six research areas, elective courses taught by Peking University faculty, and a variety of extracurricular activities.

Research Areas

Research Areas offered in the Yenching Academy include:

• China Studies (Economics and Management)
• China Studies (History and Archaeology)
• China Studies (Law and Society)
• China Studies (Literature and Culture)
• China Studies (Philosophy and Religion)
• China Studies (Politics and International Relations)

Fellowship and Study Timeframe

The Yenching Academy Master’s Program in China Studies is two years in duration. All admitted students will receive the Yenching Fellowship and are required to live on campus for the first academic year. The Yenching Fellowship covers:

• Tuition fees
• On-campus accommodation
• A travel stipend for one round-trip journey between the HMT regions and Beijing
• A monthly stipend
• Expenses for designated research trips

Application

Yenching Academy annually enrolls approximately 120 new students from both China and abroad, to study, live, and learn together.

• Applicants should have:
  • Identity documents issued to residents of the HMT regions
  • A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in any field, or be currently enrolled in a Bachelor degree program and be on track to graduate no later than August 31 of the year in which they wish to enroll
  • An outstanding academic record
  • Strong interest in interdisciplinary study of China
  • A record of extracurricular achievement, community engagement, social responsibility, and leadership potential
  • English proficiency requirements and minimum scores:
    • IELTS (Academic): Overall 7.0
    • TOEFL (iBT): Overall 100
    • Cambridge English Scale (Advanced): Overall 185
    • CET 6: Overall 600
    • TEM 4: Pass level of “良好” or above
• Applicants must have fitness in mental and physical health, no record of criminal conviction, and be willing to abide by the laws and decrees of the P.R.C. and the regulations of Peking University.

Application Procedures

Applicants from the HMT regions are required to submit two online applications and send the application materials in hardcopy to the admissions office.

• Specific deadlines can be found below:
  • Yenching Academy admissions portal is open from August 15, 2024. The application deadline for applicants from the HMT regions is on January 8, 2025.
  • Application timeline for the Peking University Graduate Admissions website is from November 15 to January 8, 2025.
  • Applicants from the HMT regions are also required to mail hardcopies of the application materials to the Yenching Academy admissions office before January 12, 2025.

Application Materials

• Yenching Academy admissions portal:
  • Personal statement (in both Chinese and English; maximum 750 words in English and 1500 Chinese characters)
  • Statement of Research Interests (English; maximum 1500 words, excluding citations)
  • Curriculum vitae (English; maximum two pages)
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Diploma(s) or Certificate(s) of Enrollment
  • Two academic letters of recommendation from associate professors and/or full professors (or equivalent titles)
  • International English proficiency test report(s)
• Peking University Graduate Admissions website:
  • Guidelines for the Peking University graduate application can be found in appendix 1.
• Submission of application materials in hardcopy:
  • Photocopy of your identity documents
  • Photocopy of your Bachelor’s (and Master’s) degree diploma(s)
  • Original copy (or notarized copy) of your official transcript(s)
  • Personal Statement (in both Chinese and English; maximum 750 words in English and 1500 Chinese characters)
  • Two academic letters of recommendation (English or Chinese)
  • English proficiency test report

Application Screening and Interview

Application screening is completed by the Admissions Committee within the Yenching Academy. All Chinese candidates, including those from the HMT regions, must attend interviews in person at Peking University. Shortlisted HMT candidates will need to complete payments on the Peking University Graduate Admissions website before an interview will be scheduled. Interviews for shortlisted HMT candidates will be held around March to April.

Admissions

Admission standard for applicants from the HMT regions are consistent with Mainland Chinese applicants. Candidates who receive an offer from the Yenching Academy need to go through the following procedures before they are officially admitted to Peking University:

• Final round of application revision by the Graduate School of Peking University
• Upon approval from the Graduate School, public announcement of admission need to be conducted for 10 working days for public supervision
• If there is no objection against admission from the public, the official admission letter from Peking University will be sent out by the end of June of the enrollment year

Enrollment

Admitted students will complete the registration procedures and enroll at Peking University in early September 2025. The specific enrollment date will be announced in the admission notice. Admitted students must register at Peking University with valid identification documents and admission letter at the designated time. All students should present their original degree certificates as required upon registration for the enrollment qualification review.

Graduation and Degree Awarding

Students who have completed all the requirements stipulated in the academic plan and passed their thesis defense upon completion of their study are permitted to graduate. After being examined and approved by the Academic Degree Assessment Committee of the university, the corresponding academic degree will be conferred.

Others

• Students are not allowed to be enrolled in other programs or universities while being enrolled at Peking University.
• Applicants should pay close attention to any updates or announcements posted on the website or communicated via email. Applicants must read and follow the instructions and designated deadlines. The student alone will be responsible for any consequences if s/he chooses to take a course contravening the requirements without special approval.
• Issues that may arise which are not mentioned here will be handled in accordance with the relevant regulations of the university and higher authorities. If new graduate student admission policies are issued in the year of 2025, Peking University will make corresponding adjustments and announce the changes in a timely manner.