The Yenching Academy seeks top students from around the world to pursue a two-year, interdisciplinary MA degree in China Studies at Peking University in Beijing. Academy courses are available in both English and Chinese, and it is possible for students to complete their degrees with courses taught in English. Each year, the Yenching Academy aims to select a cohort with broad geographic and academic representation, who are eager to deepen their knowledge within their field of interest, while learning more about China.
In addition to taking courses in a broad array of concentrations, Yenching Scholars have access to prominent guest lectures, world-renowned visiting faculty and special seminars. Scholars are required to enrich their academic knowledge by completing a thesis under the guidance of a faculty mentor.
All Yenching scholars are required to live on campus during the first academic year. During the second academic year, it is compulsory for the Chinese students (including those from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) to continue staying in Beijing, while international students can choose whether or not to stay in Beijing to complete thesis writing and the defense. Second-year students who choose to live on campus and serve in student assistantship roles can receive additional funding support.
Watch a Recorded Info Session for the Yenching Below
Morning session: https://youtu.be/uGJw0Xa9568
Evening session: https://youtu.be/MfFLGgGd31U
Eligibility
Candidates should have a strong interest in China, but it is not required that they have Chinese language study experience in order to apply.
All applicants must hold a bachelor's degree by August in order to accept the scholarship.
Candidates from Chinese Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan must also complete a supplementary application through the Peking University Graduate Admissions website before the global Yenching deadline. More information is available here.
Peking University has a regulation pertaining to applicants from the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan who have previously changed their citizenship and intend to apply as an international student. Former citizens of the P.R.C., Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan must have switched their citizenship for at least six years before being eligible to apply as an international student. Such applicants will need to provide a non-PRC, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan passport that became valid six years earlier. They will also need to provide proof of their renunciation of Chinese citizenship.
University nomination
Currently enrolled students must apply through Columbia University by the internal deadline in order to be considered for the national competition. The internal campus competition places students into consideration for nomination. Students may not apply directly for this fellowship without first having been nominated.
Alumni/ae do not seek university nomination and apply directly to the program by the deadline stated on the Yenching Academy website.
Columbia students apply for nomination by clicking "Start Your Application" and completing all application materials before the internal deadline. Letters of recommendation should be submitted directly to ugrad-urf@columbia.edu by the internal deadline.