Every year, around 120 outstanding young people from across the globe arrive in Beijing to spend two years studying China — its history, its politics, its culture, its future — at one of the world's top universities, with every bill paid. That's the Yenching Academy Scholarship 2027: a fully funded, interdisciplinary Master's in China Studies at Peking University, and one of the most prestigious graduate fellowships anywhere in Asia.
In short: The Yenching Academy Scholarship 2027 funds a two-year Master's in China Studies at Peking University for about 120 scholars worldwide (roughly 75% international). It covers full tuition, on-campus accommodation, a monthly stipend, one round-trip airfare, field study costs, and medical insurance. Applications opened 1 September 2026 and close on 30 November 2026 at 9:00 AM Beijing time.
Quick Overview
- Host Country: China
- Host Institution: Yenching Academy, Peking University (Beijing)
- Degree Level: Master's in China Studies (interdisciplinary)
- Program Duration: 2 years
- Funding Type: Fully Funded (Yenching Fellowship for every admitted scholar)
- Deadline: 30 November 2026, 9:00 AM Beijing Time (UTC+8)
Benefits of the Yenching Academy Scholarship 2027
Every admitted scholar receives the full Yenching Fellowship — there is no partial version and no separate funding application to fight for.
- Full tuition coverage — all tuition fees for the two-year Master's programme are paid.
- Free on-campus accommodation — scholars live together in the Yenching Academy's residential college on Peking University's historic campus.
- Monthly living stipend — a regular stipend covers your day-to-day living costs in Beijing.
- One round-trip travel fare — the academy covers your travel between your home country and Beijing.
- Field study funding — academic field trips and field-study activities across China are funded as part of the programme.
- Medical insurance — comprehensive medical coverage during your stay in China.
- A residential scholarly community — you live and learn alongside faculty, policymakers, and researchers, with seminars, cultural activities, and leadership programming built in.
Eligibility Criteria for the Yenching Academy Scholarship 2027
- Bachelor's degree in any field — your undergraduate major doesn't matter. If you're still studying, you must expect to receive your diploma by August 2027 (the year of enrolment).
- Outstanding academic record — Yenching is highly competitive; strong grades and intellectual depth are expected.
- Genuine interest in the interdisciplinary study of China — the whole programme is built around understanding China from multiple angles, so your application should show that curiosity clearly.
- Leadership and community engagement — a record of extracurricular achievement, social responsibility, and leadership potential is part of the selection profile.
- English proficiency — the programme is taught in English. Required minimums: IELTS (Academic) 7.0 overall, TOEFL iBT 100 overall, Cambridge English Scale 185, CET 6: 600, or TEM 4 at pass level (良好) or above.
- English test timing and validity — tests must have been taken after 1 September 2025. Not accepted: TOEFL MyBest Scores, TOEFL iBT Home Edition, IELTS Indicator, IELTS Online, or IELTS One Skill Retake.
- English test exemptions — international applicants whose native language is English, or who graduated from an English-taught degree programme (undergraduate or above), are exempt from submitting a test report. Applicants from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan must still submit scores, as must all applicants from the Chinese mainland.
- Not enrolled elsewhere — Peking University does not allow students to be enrolled in another degree programme while studying there.
How to Apply for the Yenching Academy Scholarship 2027
1. Choose your research area — pick one of the six tracks (listed below) that fits your interests; your research interest statement will be judged against it. 2. Create an account on the Yenching Academy admissions portal — all applications are submitted online through the academy's official portal, in English. 3. Complete the online application form — fill in every section carefully; incomplete forms don't move forward. 4. Write your personal statement — 750 words or less. This is your story: who you are, what drives you, and why China. 5. Write your research interest statement — up to 1,500 words (excluding citations). This is the intellectual core of your application: the China question you want to explore. 6. Request your two recommendation letters early — they must come from full professors or associate professors (or equivalent), in your intended field of study, and are submitted through the portal. 7. Upload transcripts, diploma (or certificate of enrolment), CV, and English test report — official documents only. 8. Submit before 30 November 2026, 9:00 AM Beijing time — the portal closes at 09:00 sharp; aim to submit days early, not hours. 9. Prepare for interviews — shortlisted candidates are interviewed in spring 2027 as part of the selection process.
The Six Research Areas
- Literature and Culture
- History and Archaeology
- Philosophy and Religion
- Politics and International Relations
- Law and Society
- Economics and Management
All scholars earn a Master's in China Studies; your chosen track shapes your coursework and research focus.
Required Documents
- Completed online application form
- Personal statement (750 words or less)
- Statement of Research Interest (maximum 1,500 words, excluding citations)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Official academic transcript(s)
- Bachelor's diploma(s), or certificate of enrolment if still studying
- Two academic letters of recommendation (from full or associate professors, or equivalent)
- English proficiency test report (where required)
Yenching Academy Scholarship 2027 Deadline
Applications opened on 1 September 2026 and close on 30 November 2026 at 9:00 AM Beijing time (UTC+8). This deadline applies to all applicant categories. Shortlisted candidates go through interviews in spring 2027, and the 2027 cohort begins in autumn 2027. Miss the November deadline and the next chance is the 2028 cohort — Yenching runs once a year, so there are no second chances within the cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Yenching Academy Scholarship really fully funded?
Yes — genuinely. Every admitted scholar gets full tuition, on-campus accommodation, a monthly stipend, one round-trip airfare, field study costs, and medical insurance. There's no partial tier and no separate funding application.
What degree will I earn?
A two-year interdisciplinary Master's in China Studies from Peking University. The first year focuses on coursework; the second on your thesis and research.
Do I need to know Chinese to apply?
No. The programme is taught in English, and previous knowledge of Chinese is not required. Many scholars arrive with no Chinese at all.
What are my chances of getting in?
Be honest with yourself: this is one of the most competitive Master's fellowships in the world, with about 120 spots and roughly 75% reserved for international scholars. An outstanding academic record plus a sharp, China-focused research interest statement is the combination that gets shortlisted.
Can final-year Bachelor's students apply?
Yes. If you're currently enrolled in a Bachelor's programme, you can apply as long as you'll have your diploma by August 2027. You'll submit a certificate of enrolment instead of the degree.
Is there an age limit?
There is no strict official cut-off, though the academy notes that admitted applicants are normally around 29 or younger. If you're older with a strong profile, apply anyway.
Do I need IELTS if my degree was taught in English?
No — international applicants who graduated from an English-taught degree programme are exempt from the English test requirement. Applicants from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan must still submit scores even with an English-taught background.
Can I apply if I'm already enrolled in another Master's programme?
Only if you won't be enrolled when Yenching begins — Peking University doesn't allow simultaneous enrolment in two degree programmes.
What should my research interest statement focus on?
A specific, answerable question about China that connects to your chosen research area. Reviewers reward focus and originality over sweeping generalities. Keep it under 1,500 words, citations excluded.
When will I know the result?
Shortlisted candidates are interviewed in spring 2027, with final decisions announced after that. Plan your other applications on the assumption you won't hear until spring.
Final Words
Yenching is the kind of scholarship that changes a career's direction: two fully funded years in Beijing, a Peking University Master's, and a network of 120 extraordinary peers. The application is demanding — two major essays and professor-level recommendations — but the deadline of 30 November gives you real runway. Start the essays now; they're what separate the shortlist from the pile.
