Hey future leaders! Ever dreamed of studying for your Master’s degree in China, fully funded, at one of the world’s most prestigious universities? Well, get ready, because the Yenching Academy of Peking University Master’s Bursary 2026 is calling your name!
This incredible bursary is your chance to dive deep into China Studies through an interdisciplinary Master’s program. It’s designed to give exceptional students from around the globe (yes, that includes you!) a comprehensive understanding of China’s past, present, and future role in the world. You’ll gain the knowledge and skills to become a truly global leader, all while living and learning on Peking University’s historic campus, surrounded by a vibrant, multicultural community.
What Does It Cover?
This isn’t just any bursary – it’s a full-on, all-inclusive package designed to let you focus entirely on your studies and experience! Every selected Yenching Scholar gets:
- Full tuition fees for the entire program.
- Accommodation right on Peking University’s beautiful campus.
- A generous monthly stipend to cover your living expenses.
- Round-trip travel costs from your home country to Beijing.
- Funding for exciting field studies, so you can explore China firsthand.
Seriously, they’ve got you covered so you can soak up all the academic and cultural awesomeness without worrying about your wallet!
Who Can Apply?
Alright, so who gets to join this amazing program? Here’s the lowdown:
- You need to have a Bachelor’s degree in ANY field or be on track to graduate by August 31, 2026.
- You should have an outstanding academic record and a genuine passion for understanding China from different angles.
- Show off your leadership potential, community involvement, and commitment to social responsibility.
- You must have strong English language proficiency.
Just a heads-up: Peking University doesn’t allow you to be enrolled in any other degree programs at the same time.
English Language Requirements: Let’s Talk Scores!
If English isn’t your first language, you’ll need to provide official test results. Here are the minimum scores:
- IELTS (Academic): Overall 7.0
- TOEFL iBT: Overall 100
- Cambridge English Scale (Advanced): Overall 185
- CET 6: 600
- TEM 4: Pass level of “良好” or above
Good news! If you’ve been educated in English-taught programs, you might be exempt from submitting these scores (but unfortunately, candidates from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan still need to provide them). Also, only scores obtained after September 1, 2024, are accepted, and no TOEFL Home Edition, IELTS Online, or IELTS One Skill Retake, please!
This bursary is specifically for international candidates (like our awesome South African students!) who are non-Chinese citizens with a valid passport. If you previously held Chinese citizenship but renounced it, you’ll need to provide documentation from before April 30, 2020, along with proof of citizenship cancellation.
How to Apply?
Ready to kickstart your application? Here’s your step-by-step guide:
- Head over to the Yenching Academy online portal (link below!). You’ll need to create an account and fill out all the sections in English.
- Prepare and upload these essential documents:
- Your completed online application form.
- A sparkling personal statement (max 750 words).
- A clear statement of research interest (max 1,500 words, excluding citations).
- Your up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Official academic transcripts from all your previous studies.
- Your degree certificate(s) or proof that you’re currently enrolled.
- Two awesome academic recommendation letters from associate or full professors (or equivalent).
- For your English test scores (IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge), make sure they’re sent directly from the testing organizations to the Yenching Academy. If you’re using TOEFL, the institution code is C488.
Applications for the 2026 international intake are set to open in August 2025. So mark your calendars and get those documents ready!
You can find more detailed information and the official application portal here: Yenching Academy Admissions.
If exploring China, gaining a world-class education, and becoming a global leader sounds like your dream come true, then this Yenching Academy Master’s Bursary is definitely for you! Don’t let this incredible opportunity slip away. Start preparing your application today and remember to check Bursaries Room for even more amazing funding opportunities!
