Master of Arts in China Studies with a curriculum that covers six broad categories: Literature and Culture; History and Archaeology; Philosophy and Religion; Politics and International Relations; Economics and Management; and Law and Society. Academy courses will be available in both English and Chinese.
The Yenching Academy is a fully-funded residential program offering various interdisciplinary courses on China within the Humanities and Social Sciences.
Working closely with their academic mentors, Yenching Scholars have the flexibility to create their study paths by choosing from six research areas and a variety of extracurricular activities. Studying at the Academy represents a unique opportunity not only for intercultural and academic exchange, but also for personal and professional development.
Field of Study: Scholars participate in infield studies to culturally, economically, or socio-politically significant regions within Mainland China. Each Scholar chooses one of six research areas corresponding to thesis topic. (The research area does not affect course selection options or requirements.)
Research Areas:
• Economics & Management
• History & Archaeology
• Law & Society
• Literature & Culture
• Philosophy & Religion
• Politics & International Relations
Peking University Information
Established in 1898, Peking University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Beijing (population range of over 5,000,000 inhabitants). Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Ministry of Education of The People's Republic of China, Peking University (PKU) is a very large (uniRank enrollment range: 35,000-39,999 students) coeducational higher education institution. Peking University (PKU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 121 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants should have:
- Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in any field, awarded 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 and social responsibility;
- Leadership potential;
- English proficiency.
Successful applicants will show how the Yenching Academy program is relevant and valuable for their career plans.
Offered Benefits
Yenching Academy provides a generous postgraduate fellowship covering tuition fees, a travel stipend for one round-trip journey between each Scholar’s base city and Beijing, accommodations, and a monthly living stipend.
Duration of Program:
- Fellowships for international scholars are for 12 months, with the option to extend for a second year in Beijing.
- During the second year in Beijing, students may apply for a limited number or Teaching, Research, or Administrative Assistantships.
- In addition, scholars may apply for grants to help fund research projects related to China Studies.
- All students complete coursework during their first year. The second year is for completing thesis writing and defense (international students who choose to leave Beijing after the first year may complete thesis defense remotely). Degrees are granted upon completing all coursework and satisfactory defense of the thesis, and are awarded in January and July of each year.
- The Academy also offers a limited number of doctoral scholarships to selected Yenching Scholars who want to pursue doctoral degrees in other Peking University departments.
Application Process
Go to Yenching Academy of The Peking University on yenchingacademy.pku.edu.cn to apply
Each applicant must submit the following materials in English:
- Completed online application form
Required Documents:
Each applicant will create an account on the Yenching Academy admissions portal and submit the following materials in English:
- Completed online application form;
- Personal statement (750 words or less);
- Statement of Research Interest (maximum 1500 words, excluding citations);
- Curriculum Vitae;
- Official transcript(s);
- Diploma(s) or Certificate(s) of Enrollment;
- Two academic letters of recommendation;
English 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 “??” or above
Established in 1898, Peking University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Beijing (population range of over 5,000,000 inhabitants). Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Ministry of Education of The People's Republic of China, Peking University (PKU) is a very large (uniRank enrollment range: 35,000-39,999 students) coeducational higher education institution. Peking University (PKU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 121 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.