Yenching Academy Scholarship
Offered by Yenching Academy of Peking University
About This Scholarship
The Yenching Academy Scholarship funds a fully paid, English-taught master's degree in China Studies at Peking University in Beijing — one of Asia's two or three most prestigious universities. The fellowship covers tuition, accommodation on the historic PKU campus, a monthly living stipend, one round-trip airfare, and the costs of field study travel within China.
Yenching Scholars build an interdisciplinary program around politics, economics, law, history, or literature, all through the lens of modern China. The cohort is deliberately international — roughly 100 scholars from dozens of countries each year, including a strong US contingent — and the residential college model is explicitly patterned on Oxbridge and the Rhodes community.
For American graduates eyeing careers in diplomacy, global business, or East Asian studies, this is among the few full-ride pathways into elite Chinese higher education, and no institutional nomination is required to apply.
Eligibility
- Bachelor's degree in any field completed before enrollment (graduating seniors may apply)
- Typically under 25 years of age at enrollment — check the current cycle's rules for the exact cutoff
- Strong academic record and demonstrated leadership or extracurricular achievement
- English proficiency (the program is taught in English; Chinese language is not required)
- Open to applicants worldwide, including US citizens
How To Apply
- Prepare transcripts, a personal statement, a research or study interest essay, letters of recommendation, and English proficiency documentation if applicable
- Complete the online application through the Yenching Academy application portal at apply.yca.pku.edu.cn
- Submit before the deadline: November 30, 2026 at 9:00 am Beijing time for the 2027 cohort
- Shortlisted candidates complete interviews in early 2027 before final selection
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Yenching Academy Scholarship cover?
The award covers tuition, on-campus accommodation, a monthly living stipend, one round-trip travel fare, and field study costs for the master's program. Since there is no posted dollar total, the estimated $40,000-$50,000 value reflects PKU tuition plus Beijing housing, stipend, and travel for the funded period.
Do I need to speak Chinese?
No. The China Studies master's program is taught in English, and Chinese language study is available but not a prerequisite for admission.
How long is the program?
Yenching Scholars typically spend one to two years in Beijing depending on track, with the funded residential year at Peking University's Yenching Academy at the core of the program.