Applications are now open for the Yenching Academy Scholarship 2027 at Peking University, offering international students an opportunity to pursue a fully funded master’s degree in China.
The scholarship supports students admitted to the Yenching Academy Master’s Program in China Studies at Peking University in Beijing. It provides substantial financial support, including full tuition, accommodation, a monthly stipend, one round-trip travel fare and field-study costs.
For the 2027 cohort, international applications opened on 1 September 2026, while the deadline is 30 November 2026 at 9:00 AM Beijing time.
Applicants from different academic backgrounds can apply, as the programme accepts candidates with a bachelor’s degree in any field. International applicants from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and other African countries are eligible.
Yenching Academy Scholarship 2027 Overview
Host University: Peking University
Programme: Yenching Academy Master’s Program in China Studies
Country: China
Location: Beijing
Degree Level: Master’s
Funding: Fully funded fellowship
Eligible Applicants: International students and other eligible applicant categories
Applications Open: 1 September 2026
Application Deadline: 30 November 2026
Deadline Time: 9:00 AM Beijing time
Programme Language: English
Expected Entry: September 2027
About the Yenching Academy Scholarship 2027
The Yenching Academy Scholarship 2027 supports students admitted to Peking University’s interdisciplinary Master’s Program in China Studies.
The programme brings together students from different academic, cultural and professional backgrounds to examine China from multiple perspectives.
Students do not need to have previously studied Chinese studies or Asian studies. The programme considers candidates from economics, business, political science, international relations, law, history, sociology, philosophy, languages and many other disciplines.
The programme is particularly relevant to students interested in China’s economy, politics, international relations, history, law, culture, management and its relationship with the wider world.
What Does the Yenching Academy Scholarship Cover?
One of the strongest features of the Yenching Academy Scholarship 2027 is its comprehensive funding package.
All Yenching Scholars receive a fellowship that includes:
- Full tuition fees
- Accommodation
- Monthly stipend
- One round-trip travel fare
- Field-study costs
Detailed fellowship information also includes basic medical insurance and research-related expenses as part of first-year support.
During the first academic year, Yenching Academy provides housing for scholars.
Students who maintain satisfactory academic standing and intend to remain in Beijing during their second academic year may apply for continued fellowship support. Second-year support is subject to the Academy’s applicable requirements.
Therefore, applicants should carefully distinguish between the standard first-year fellowship and the conditions governing continued support during the second academic year.
What Can You Study at Yenching Academy?
Yenching Academy offers an interdisciplinary master’s degree in China Studies.
Rather than limiting students to a single conventional discipline, the programme enables them to study China from different academic perspectives.
The six principal research areas are:
- Economics and Management
- Politics and International Relations
- Law and Society
- Philosophy and Religion
- Literature and Culture
- History and Archaeology
Students work with academic advisers to develop an appropriate study pathway.
The programme also includes independent research that leads to a master’s thesis.
Applicants should therefore select a research area that connects logically with their academic background, interests and long-term goals.
Who Can Apply for the Yenching Academy Scholarship 2027?
The programme accepts candidates from a wide range of academic backgrounds.
For international applicants, candidates must be non-Chinese citizens with a valid passport.
Competitive applicants are generally expected to demonstrate:
- A bachelor’s degree or eligibility to complete one before enrolment
- An excellent academic record
- Strong interest in the interdisciplinary study of China
- Extracurricular achievements
- Community engagement and social responsibility
- Leadership potential
- Required English-language proficiency
Importantly, applicants do not need a bachelor’s degree in China studies. Candidates can hold a bachelor’s degree in any field.
This makes Yenching Academy accessible to applicants from a much broader range of disciplines.
Can Cameroonians and Other African Students Apply?
Yes.
International applicants from African countries are eligible for the Yenching Academy Scholarship 2027, provided they meet the programme’s admission requirements.
Applicants from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and other African countries can apply.
Nationality alone does not determine selection. Applicants are evaluated based on their academic background and the programme’s broader selection criteria.
Is There an Age Limit?
Yenching Academy does not publish a strict general age cut-off for applicants.
However, applicants should distinguish between a formal eligibility requirement and the historical profile of admitted students.
The Academy’s published FAQ notes that, excluding recipients of the Zhuoyue Scholarship, no applicant over age 29 had been admitted at the time of that guidance, while the average entering age was 23.
This information should not be interpreted as a formal maximum-age requirement.
Can Applicants Who Already Have a Master’s Degree Apply?
Yes.
International candidates who already hold a master’s degree can still apply to Yenching Academy.
Holding a previous graduate degree, however, does not provide preferential treatment during the selection process.
Applicants should still demonstrate why another master’s degree in China Studies fits logically into their academic and professional trajectory.
English Language Requirements
The Yenching Academy programme is taught in English.
Applicants who do not qualify for an exemption must demonstrate sufficient English-language proficiency.
Recent international admissions guidance has listed the following minimum scores:
IELTS Academic: 7.0 overall
TOEFL iBT: 100 overall
Cambridge English Scale – Advanced: 185 overall
However, qualifying native English speakers and students or graduates of degree programmes taught primarily in English at the undergraduate level or above may be exempt from submitting an English-language test score.
Applicants relying on an English-medium degree should follow the documentation requirements provided for the 2027 application cycle.
Is IELTS Compulsory?
No.
IELTS is not the only accepted method of demonstrating English proficiency.
Applicants may satisfy the requirement through other accepted English qualifications, including TOEFL and Cambridge English. Some applicants may also qualify for an exemption based on their educational background.
Therefore, students should not automatically assume that IELTS is compulsory.
Documents Required for the Yenching Academy Scholarship 2027
Applicants should prepare their documents well before the November deadline.
The application generally requires:
- Online application
- Personal statement
- Statement of Research Interest
- Curriculum Vitae
- Official academic transcript or transcripts
- Bachelor’s diploma or certificate of enrolment
- Two academic recommendation letters
- English-language proficiency evidence, where required
- Other academic or identity documents requested through the application system
Recent application instructions have limited the personal statement to 750 words, the Statement of Research Interest to 1,500 words excluding citations, and the CV to two pages.
Applicants should nevertheless follow the instructions displayed in the current application portal if requirements are updated.
Recommendation Letters
The Yenching application requires two academic recommendation letters.
Recent guidance states that recommendations should come from full professors, associate professors or academics holding equivalent titles.
Recommenders should ideally be familiar with the applicant’s intended field of study and capable of discussing their academic ability, intellectual potential and readiness for graduate study.
Applicants should therefore contact their referees well before the application deadline.
Personal Statement
The personal statement is an important component of the application.
Applicants should explain how Yenching Academy’s interdisciplinary China Studies programme aligns with their academic and professional goals.
A strong statement should connect previous experiences with the applicant’s interest in China and explain how studying at Yenching Academy contributes to their future plans.
Academic merit, leadership potential, international experience and long-term aspirations are among the factors considered during evaluation.
Therefore, the personal statement should not simply repeat information already contained in the CV.
Statement of Research Interest
Applicants must also prepare a Statement of Research Interest.
Recent international application instructions set a maximum length of 1,500 words, excluding citations.
The statement should identify an appropriate research question and explain its academic importance.
Most importantly, the proposed topic should fit one of Yenching Academy’s six research areas.
For example, candidates interested in economics or finance could consider research related to China’s financial markets, development finance, trade, Chinese investment or China-Africa economic relations.
Applicants interested in diplomacy, international relations or geopolitics could develop a research topic under Politics and International Relations.
How Competitive Is the Yenching Academy Scholarship?
Admission to Yenching Academy is selective.
The programme typically admits around 120 scholars each year. The 2026 cohort, for example, consisted of 124 scholars from 37 countries and regions.
Selection considers more than academic grades.
A competitive application should demonstrate academic ability alongside qualities such as intellectual curiosity, leadership, international exposure, extracurricular engagement and clear long-term goals.
Applicants should therefore aim to present a coherent overall profile rather than relying on one strong component of the application.
How to Apply for the Yenching Academy Scholarship 2027
International applicants complete their applications through the Yenching Academy admissions system.
The main steps are:
- Review the eligibility and admission requirements.
- Select the research area that best matches your interests.
- Prepare your personal statement.
- Prepare your Statement of Research Interest.
- Prepare your CV and academic documents.
- Arrange two academic recommendation letters.
- Prepare English-language evidence if required.
- Complete the online application.
- Review all information and documents carefully.
- Submit the application before the deadline.
Students and alumni of Yenching Academy Partner Universities may need to participate in their home university’s internal pre-selection process before submitting their application to Yenching Academy.
These applicants should check their institution’s internal deadline because it may be earlier than the general deadline.
What Happens After You Apply?
Applications undergo an evaluation process before selected candidates proceed to the interview stage.
International finalists are generally interviewed online during the winter or early spring.
Final admission decisions for international candidates are expected around April 2027, and successful students are expected to enrol in September 2027.
Important Dates for the 2027 Application
Applications Open: 1 September 2026
Application Deadline: 30 November 2026
Deadline Time: 9:00 AM Beijing time
International Interviews: Winter or early spring for shortlisted applicants
Expected Final Decisions: Around April 2027
Expected Enrolment: September 2027
Applicants should avoid waiting until the final days because essays, recommendation letters and academic documentation require adequate preparation.
Tips for a Strong Yenching Academy Application
Start by identifying which of the six research areas best matches your academic background and future plans.
Your personal statement and research-interest statement should support the same overall direction.
A strong application should clearly connect three elements: what you have already done, what you want to study at Yenching Academy, and what you intend to do afterward.
Choose academic referees who genuinely know your abilities rather than selecting someone based only on their seniority.
Finally, proofread every document carefully. Your application should present one coherent academic and professional story rather than a collection of unrelated achievements.
Yenching Academy Scholarship 2027 Deadline
The deadline for international applicants is:
30 November 2026 at 9:00 AM Beijing time.
Applicants should begin preparing well before this date, particularly because the application requires essays, academic records and two recommendation letters.
Final Thoughts
The Yenching Academy Scholarship 2027 at Peking University offers international students an opportunity to pursue an interdisciplinary master’s degree in China Studies with comprehensive financial support.
The fellowship covers tuition, accommodation, a monthly stipend, one round-trip travel fare and field-study costs, making it a significant fully funded opportunity for students interested in understanding China and its relationship with the wider world.
Students from different undergraduate disciplines can apply, while applicants from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and other African countries are eligible.
Applications are now open, and international candidates have until 30 November 2026 at 9:00 AM Beijing time to submit their applications.
Official Links
Yenching Academy Admissions:
https://yenchingacademy.pku.edu.cn/ADMISSIONS.htm
Yenching Academy Frequently Asked Questions:
https://yenchingacademy.pku.edu.cn/ADMISSIONS/Frequently_Asked_Questions.htm
