Master in China Studies

Program Overview

The Yenching Academy of Peking University offers a two-year, English-taught Master in China Studies for high-achieving graduates from all disciplines. Scholars explore China through six research areas — Economics and Management, History and Archaeology, Philosophy and Religion, Politics and International Relations, Law and Society, and Literature and Culture — while living and studying together on Peking University’s campus in Beijing. The fully-funded Yenching Fellowship covers tuition, accommodation, a monthly stipend, round-trip travel and field study costs, making it one of the most prestigious interdisciplinary China Studies programs in the world.

Program Highlights

• Fully-funded Yenching Fellowship covering tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend, round-trip travel and field study costs
• Interdisciplinary China Studies across six research areas taught in English
• Residential community at Peking University with roughly 75% international scholars
• Week-long field study trip and team-taught ‘China in Transition’ core course
• Supervised Master’s thesis with a faculty advisor from the chosen research area

Curriculum

All scholars complete four required courses: Topics in China Studies (a lecture series), China in Transition (a team-taught course on China’s post-1978 development), a week-long Field Study Trip, and Academic Writing. Students then choose elective courses from the six research areas and write a Master’s thesis under a faculty advisor. International scholars must complete at least 31 credits (mainland Chinese students 34 credits) and a passed thesis. A Chinese language course is compulsory for international scholars, with a waiver option for those with advanced proficiency.

Admission Requirements

Academic

A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in any field (or expected graduation by August of the enrollment year), with an outstanding academic record and strong interest in the interdisciplinary study of China.

Prerequisites

No specific major required. Candidates are not required to have formally studied China or Chinese, but must articulate a strong study plan and interest.

Interview

International finalists are interviewed online in winter or early spring; mainland Chinese and HMT finalists interview in person at Peking University.

Language Requirements

English proficiency: IELTS 7.0, TOEFL iBT 100, Cambridge 185, CET-6 600, or TEM-4 pass. Chinese language study is compulsory for international scholars (waiver available for advanced proficiency).

Required Documents

• Online application form
• Personal statement (max 750 words)
• Statement of Research Interest (max 1,500 words)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Official transcript(s)
• Diploma or Certificate of Enrollment
• Two academic recommendation letters
• English proficiency test report

Application Process

1. Check your eligibility (Bachelor’s degree or expected graduation by August of enrollment year)
2. Prepare academic documents (transcripts, diploma, CV)
3. Prepare your personal statement and statement of research interest
4. Arrange two academic letters of recommendation
5. Submit the online application and English test scores before the deadline
6. Attend an interview (online for international finalists) and await the admission decision

Career Opportunities

Around 30% of graduates continue to PhD study at leading universities including Cambridge, Oxford, Harvard, Yale and Duke. Alumni work at organisations such as UNESCO, UNDP, the European Commission, Google, Huawei, Xiaomi, Tencent, Panasonic, General Electric and Bank of Korea.

About the University

Peking University, founded in 1898, is one of China’s most prestigious and internationally recognised universities, located in Beijing. The Yenching Academy is its flagship interdisciplinary China Studies graduate college, combining a world-class academic environment with a fully-funded residential fellowship.