The Yenching Academy is Peking University’s elite graduate programme, and it’s built to bring bright, curious people together from around the world. It enrolls about 120 new students a year from the Chinese Mainland and abroad, and international students make up roughly 75% of the cohort.
You study a Master’s in China Studies, but this isn’t a narrow area-studies degree. The fellowship is for students admitted to its interdisciplinary graduate programme. All disciplines are welcome, so your bachelor’s can be in economics, engineering, literature, law or anything else. The programme lasts two years and is based in Beijing.
The funding is a full fellowship. Every admitted Yenching Scholar receives a comprehensive package designed to remove the major financial barriers to postgraduate study.
Competition is intense, and selection looks at more than grades. The programme wants people who will contribute to a community of scholars.
Eligibility
- Degree: A bachelor’s degree in any field, or current enrolment in a bachelor’s programme with the expectation of graduating in August of the enrolment year. Graduation must happen by 31 August 2027.
- Academics: An outstanding academic record.
- Fit: A strong interest in the interdisciplinary study of China, plus a record of extracurricular achievement, community engagement, social responsibility and leadership potential.
- English: You need to show English proficiency. Accepted minimums include IELTS Academic 7.0 and TOEFL iBT 100, and scores must come directly from the testing organisation. Applicants whose native language is English are exempt.
- Citizenship: International applicants must be non-Chinese citizens with a valid passport. People who were formerly citizens of the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan have extra document requirements, including proof of cancelling Chinese nationality.
How to Apply
1. Prepare your English evidence.
2. Write your two essays carefully. They carry real weight.
- Ask your referees early. Peking University accepts recommendation letters only from full or associate professors, or equivalent titles. Choose people who know your work and tell them your deadline.
- Submit through the Yenching Academy online portal.
How I’d make my application stand out:
- Pair your academic strengths with real examples of leadership and community work.
- Make your research interest concrete. Name the question, the approach and why it needs an interdisciplinary lens.
- Explain how you’ll contribute to the cohort, not just what you’ll gain.
Key Dates
- 30 November 2026, 9:00 AM Beijing time: International application deadline.
- Before 10 January 2027: Mailed hard copies, if required.
- August to September 2027: The programme starts.
Partner university internal deadlines are typically earlier than 30 November.
Documents Needed
The core materials are a completed online application form, a personal statement of up to 750 words, a Statement of Research Interest of up to 1,500 words, and two academic letters of recommendation in Chinese or English.
You’ll also need:
- Official transcripts and proof of your bachelor’s degree
- Official English test scores, if required
- Passport copy
- Any extra documents for former Chinese nationals
Sample Personal Statement Opening (Short Illustration)
Use this for structure, not wording.
When I first read about China’s rural digital payment boom, I assumed it was a story about technology. After spending a summer interviewing small shop owners in my own country about mobile money, I realised it was really a story about trust, and that no single discipline could explain it.
That curiosity led me to study economics and anthropology together, and to learn basic Mandarin so I could read primary sources. I also founded a student reading group on East Asian development that now has 40 members and hosts monthly talks with visiting researchers.
I want to join the Yenching Academy because it treats China as a question to be explored from many angles. I would bring an interest in how technology changes everyday economic life, and I hope to contribute to my cohort through discussion, collaboration and curiosity.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Weak China connection. “China is rising” isn’t a reason. Show your own path to this topic.
- Choosing the wrong referees. Letters must come from full or associate professors.
- Treating the essays as one document. The personal statement and research interest do different jobs.
- Late English test scores. Official scores must be sent directly by the testing body.
- Assuming “fully funded” means every cost. Confirm what’s covered before you budget.
