Yenching Academy of Peking University

Yenching Scholars take a master's degree in China Studies, taught in English, and choose one of six research areas: economics and management, history and archaeology, philosophy and religion, politics and international relations, law and society, and literature and culture. The research area and thesis topic decide the degree awarded, from a Master of Law to a Master of Philosophy in China Studies. The programme is deliberately flexible: scholars can take electives from any research area and from other Peking University schools.

Everyone takes four core courses: a lecture series on topics in China Studies, a team-taught course on China's development since 1978, a week-long field study trip, and academic writing. International scholars also study Chinese, unless their level is high enough to waive it and take Chinese-taught courses instead. International and HMT students need at least 31 credits and a successful thesis, defended orally before a committee within two years of enrolment.

All admitted students hold the Yenching Fellowship for the first academic year. It covers tuition, a room in the Academy's residence, a monthly stipend, basic medical insurance, research expenses and the cost of one return journey between Beijing and a city in the scholar's own country. All scholars must live on campus in the first year, usually in two-bedroom suites.

In the second year, international scholars may stay in Beijing or complete the thesis elsewhere. Those in good academic standing who remain in Beijing can apply for a second-year fellowship covering tuition, housing support, insurance and a stipend, and second-year students who live on campus and take student assistant roles can receive extra support.

Applicants need at least a bachelor's degree in any field, or must receive their diploma by August of the year they enrol, because Peking University does not allow students to be enrolled in two degree programmes at once. The Academy looks for an outstanding academic record, a strong interest in the interdisciplinary study of China, and evidence of leadership, community engagement and social responsibility. No prior study of China or Chinese is required.

There is no strict age limit, but the Academy says that, apart from recipients of its Zhuoyue Scholarship, nobody over 29 has been admitted, and the average entering age is 23. About 16 per cent of past scholars already held a master's degree, and graduate degrees give no advantage. Of the international intake, roughly 30 to 35 per cent come from Europe, 25 to 30 per cent from the United States and Canada, and 30 to 35 per cent from the rest of the world.