Yenching Scholars

The Yenching Academy offers an intensive program of interdisciplinary classroom and field study of Chinese history and culture, as well as real-time issues in China’s development. As a college integrated within China’s leading university, the Yenching Academy prepares a diverse group of exceptional international and Chinese students with the knowledge of China that they need to fulfill their potential as global citizens and leaders. Yenching Scholars receive a fellowship that covers tuition and fees, accommodation and living costs. Students will complete their coursework during the fall and spring semesters, supplemented with additional study during the summer. The fellowship for international students ends after twelve months; they may complete and defend their thesis any time up to two years after they have completed their Yenching Academy residence. 

Eligibility:

  • No citizenship requirement
    • Students from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan need to apply through both the Peking University Graduate Admissions website and the Yenching Academy online admissions portal.
  • Open to all academic fields
  • Graduating senior or graduate student

Award highlights: 

  • Funding for a Master’s program in China Studies at Peking University
    • Includes tuition, accommodation in the Yenching Academy House, travel stipend for one round-trip journey to and from Beijing, basic health insurance, and a living stipend adequate to cover campus living costs and expenses related to field studies) for a master’s program in China Studies at Peking University

Application components: 

  • Application form
  • Resume/CV (two pages maximum)
  • Research proposal (1 page maximum)
    • The research proposal should be a brief summary of your research plan at the Yenching Academy. Please include the following contents: 1) key research question(s); 2) background to study and/or summary of literature, and 3) study design
    • Research areas include: Politics and International Relations, Philosophy and Religion, Literature and Culture, Law and Society, History and Archaeology, Economics and Management
  • English requirements and minimum scores (Native English speakers and students or alumni of primarily English taught degree programs are not required to provide English proficiency test scores)
    • IELTS 7.0
    • TOEFL 100
    • Cambridge English Scale 185
    • CEFR C1 level
    • CET 6 600
  • Personal statement (750 words maximum)
    • Must include a "well-reasoned and persuasive explanation of how the applicant will benefit from being a Yenching Scholar"
  • Letter of recommendation (2)
    • Peking University will only accept recommendation letters written by full professors or associate professors (or equivalent titles).  Please provide your recommenders with the Yenching Academy Recommendation Cover Form
Award Website

https://yenchingacademy.pku.edu.cn/index.htm

application Deadline

December 1, 2024 (12:00 Noon Beijing time)

Contact the Advising Team

Advisor: Office of Distinguished Scholarship