The Yenching Academy is a residential graduate programme at Peking University in Beijing. Yenching Scholars complete a two-year master’s in China Studies and receive a master’s diploma issued by Peking University; the exact degree title (law, economics, history, literature or philosophy in China Studies) depends on the research area you choose. The fellowship is a full package: tuition, accommodation in the Yenching Academy House, a monthly stipend, one round-trip travel fare, field-study costs, research-related expenses and medical insurance. The stipend amount is not published on the official pages.
Who can apply: you need at least a bachelor’s degree in any field, or you must be enrolled in a bachelor’s programme and able to receive the diploma by August 2027. The academy looks for an outstanding academic record, a strong interest in the interdisciplinary study of China, extracurricular achievement and leadership potential. The international track is for non-Chinese citizens with a valid passport; mainland Chinese candidates go through Peking University’s Graduate School instead. There is no formal age limit, but the academy’s FAQ says no one over 29 has been admitted outside special scholarship categories, and that the average entering age is 23.
English: the programme is taught in English. The minimum is IELTS Academic 7.0 overall or TOEFL iBT 100 overall (or an equivalent accepted test). Native English speakers and graduates of English-taught degree programmes may be exempted. A Chinese language course is compulsory for international scholars; those with high proficiency can request a waiver.
What to submit through the online portal: the application form, a personal statement of up to 750 words, a statement of research interest of up to 1,500 words excluding citations, a CV, official transcripts, your diploma or a certificate of enrollment, two academic letters of recommendation and your English test score.
Dates: applications for the 2027 cohort opened on 1 September 2026 and close on 30 November 2026 at 9:00 am Beijing time. Because Beijing is five hours ahead of Riyadh and four hours ahead of the UAE, that is the early morning of 30 November in the Gulf and Egypt; submit the day before.
Questions about the international track go to [email protected].