CountryChinaThe fellowship supports students from different academic backgrounds. You do not need to turn your application into a long list of awards. What matters is explaining what you want to study, why that question matters to you and how your experience has prepared you for it.
Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 9:00 AM Beijing time. This is a morning deadline, so plan your submission carefully. Below, we explain the funding conditions, eligibility, documents and application steps for the 2027 intake.
Yenching Academy Scholarship 2027: Key Details
- Host country: China
- Host institution: Yenching Academy of Peking University, Beijing
- Degree: Master's in China Studies
- Program duration: Two years
- Funding: Fully funded fellowship; second-year support requires a separate application and eligibility
- Application opening: 1 September 2026
- Deadline: 30 November 2026, 9:00 AM Beijing time (UTC+8)
Yenching brings together students with different perspectives on China. The program combines academic study with opportunities to learn from classmates, faculty and field activities. It is particularly relevant if you can connect a clear research interest with your longer-term plans.
What Can You Study?
Scholars choose from six research areas within China Studies:
- Economics and Management
- History and Archaeology
- Law and Society
- Literature and Culture
- Philosophy and Religion
- Politics and International Relations
Read the course and faculty information before choosing an area. A familiar subject title is only a starting point; your proposed question should explain what you actually want to investigate.
Exploring other options? Browse our scholarships in China.
Financial Benefits and Second-Year Funding
The first-year Yenching Fellowship includes:
✓ Tuition fees
✓ Campus accommodation
✓ A monthly stipend
✓ Basic medical insurance
✓ Research expenses
✓ An allowance for one return journey between Beijing and an eligible base city in the scholar's country of nationality
Second-year funding is not automatic. Scholars who maintain good academic standing and stay in Beijing can apply for continued support covering tuition, accommodation support, insurance and a stipend.
Check the official Yenching Academy FAQ before making financial plans. Avoid relying on an exact stipend amount quoted by an unofficial website if the Academy has not confirmed it for your offer.
Our practical advice is to separate the fellowship benefits from your personal budget. Passport costs, document preparation, extra travel and individual spending can vary. Ask the admissions team about any expense that is important to your decision, and keep their written response with your application records.
Eligibility and English Language Requirements
Applicants need a bachelor's degree in any field, or must receive their diploma by August 2027. Strong academics, leadership potential, community involvement, English proficiency and a serious interest in China Studies are expected. Concurrent enrollment in another degree is not permitted.
International applicants need a valid non-Chinese passport. Applicants with former Chinese nationality should check the additional citizenship documentation rules. Mainland Chinese and Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan applicants should follow the instructions for their own category.
Can You Apply Without IELTS?
International applicants who are native English speakers or have graduated from an English-taught undergraduate or higher degree are exempt from an English test report. The exemption has specific conditions; it does not mean that every applicant can apply without English evidence.
Otherwise, the listed minimums include IELTS Academic 7.0, TOEFL iBT 100 or Cambridge Advanced 185. Tests must be taken after 1 September 2025. TOEFL MyBest and Home Edition, IELTS Indicator, IELTS Online and IELTS One Skill Retake are not accepted. Scores must come directly from the testing organization; the TOEFL institution code is C488.
Read the official admissions requirements for the full list and category-specific rules. If your previous university taught your degree in English, request an English Proficiency Certificate or Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate confirming the teaching language. Ask admissions which evidence they require before relying on the exemption.
For more English-medium study options, read universities accepting MOI instead of IELTS.
Required Documents for the Yenching Academy Scholarship
Prepare the following application materials:
- Completed online application form
- Personal statement: up to 750 words
- Statement of Research Interest: up to 1,500 words, excluding citations
- CV
- Official academic transcripts
- Diploma or enrollment certificate
- Two academic recommendation letters in English or Chinese
- English test report, where required
Referees must be full professors, associate professors or academics with equivalent titles in your intended field. Ask early and confirm that they meet the requirements.
How to Make Your Application Clearer
Use the personal statement to explain the connection between your background and your plans. Choose a few specific examples instead of repeating every activity in your CV. If you led a project, describe the problem, your contribution and what you learned.
For the research statement, begin with a question you can explain in plain language. Then show why it matters, what you already know and how you might study it. A focused proposal is easier to understand than several unrelated ideas competing for space.
Keep your CV factual and easy to scan. Check that dates, degree titles and organization names agree across all documents. Read your statements aloud to catch awkward sentences, and ask someone to point out anything they cannot follow. Feedback is useful when it makes your own ideas clearer.
Organize your paperwork with our scholarship application documents checklist.
How to Apply for Yenching Academy Scholarship 2027
- Check your application category. Read the current official instructions and confirm your eligibility.
- Check your university's process. Students and alumni of partner universities must complete internal pre-selection before submitting to Yenching. Review the partner university list and contact your home institution about its deadline.
- Create an account. Use the official Yenching Academy application portal and read the instructions available inside your account.
- Prepare and upload your documents. Follow the portal's file requirements and keep within the statement word limits.
- Arrange references and English scores. Give your referees enough time, and request official score delivery if needed.
- Review and submit. Check every section, confirm that all required materials are complete and save your submission confirmation.
Deadline and Final Checks
The general deadline is 30 November 2026 at 9:00 AM Beijing time. Partner universities may set earlier internal deadlines. Use the 2027 application instructions to confirm submission requirements.
Do not leave the upload until the final morning. A reference that has not arrived or a document that will not open can take time to resolve. Open each uploaded file once, check that the pages are readable and make sure your account shows the correct submission status.
Prepare for a possible interview by revisiting your own statements. You should be able to discuss your research interest naturally, explain your choices and acknowledge what you still need to learn. Practicing with a friend can help you notice unclear answers without memorizing a script.
Last reviewed: 25 October 2026. This guide was checked against the Academy's admissions page, official FAQ and application instructions. Recheck the official portal before submitting in case any requirements change.
Frequently asked questions
Is Yenching Academy Scholarship fully funded?+
Yes, the first-year fellowship covers the main study and living costs listed above. Continued support in year two requires good academic standing, residence in Beijing and an application.
Is there a strict age limit?+
The Academy states that there is no strict age cutoff. Its FAQ also describes the age profile of previous admitted scholars, so read that guidance if age is a concern.
Can final-year students apply?+
Yes, provided they receive their diploma by August 2027 and meet the other requirements. Check your expected award date with your university before applying.
Is Chinese language knowledge required?+
Prior Chinese language study is not required for admission. You should still be ready to explain your interest in studying China.
Is this scholarship available for PhD study?+
No. This opportunity is for a master's degree in China Studies. Applicants looking for doctoral funding should choose a separate PhD scholarship.
Can I apply if I already hold a master's degree?+
International and Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan applicants with a previous master's degree may apply. Explain clearly why this program fits your next academic step.
Does an MOI letter guarantee an IELTS exemption?+
No. Check whether you meet the Academy's English-taught degree exemption and provide the evidence it requests. An MOI document alone should not be treated as a guarantee.
What should I do if I am unsure about a requirement?+
Contact the admissions team through the official website. Include the exact requirement and a concise explanation of your situation so they can answer the relevant question.
Prepare your application
This workspace organises the verified facts from the guide above. Check items as you prepare; progress is stored only on this device.
Required documents
Steps to complete
Listed benefits
- First-year tuition
- Campus accommodation
- Monthly stipend
- Basic medical insurance
- Research expenses
- One eligible round-trip travel allowance
- Second-year support by application for scholars in good academic standing who remain in Beijing
Coverage can change. Confirm every benefit in the official award terms.
November 30, 2026
Opening: September 1, 2026. Confirm the final date and timezone on the official source before submitting.
You still have time, but verify the provider timezone and requirements before applying.
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