Yenching Academy Scholarship 2027 | Fully Funded Master’s at Peking University in China

What if you could earn a Master’s degree in China while having your tuition, accommodation, travel and living expenses covered?

The Yenching Academy of Peking University is now accepting applications for its 2027 cohort, offering a fully funded interdisciplinary Master’s programme in China Studies to outstanding international candidates.

Unlike many scholarships that are limited to students from specific countries or regions, the Yenching Academy’s international application route is open to non-Chinese citizens with a valid passport. Applications for the September 2027 intake opened on 1 September 2026.

About the Yenching Academy

The Yenching Academy is based at Peking University in Beijing and brings together scholars from China and around the world.

The programme focuses on understanding China through an interdisciplinary approach. Rather than restricting students to one traditional subject, scholars can build their academic path around one of six research areas:

• Economics and Management
• History and Archaeology
• Philosophy and Religion
• Politics and International Relations
• Law and Society
• Literature and Culture

The programme is designed for students interested in China and its relationship with the wider world, making it particularly interesting for people pursuing careers involving international relations, development, business, policy, culture, research and global affairs.

What Does the Yenching Fellowship Cover?

Every admitted scholar receives the Yenching Fellowship for the first academic year.

The funding package includes:

• Full tuition fees
• Accommodation at the Yenching Academy House
• A monthly stipend
• Basic medical insurance
• A travel stipend for one round trip between the scholar’s base city and Beijing
• Expenses related to research

Students who maintain good academic standing and plan to remain in Beijing for a second academic year can apply for a second-year Yenching Fellowship. Second-year support includes tuition, accommodation support, medical insurance and a monthly stipend.

This means the opportunity can provide substantial financial support beyond tuition alone.

Who Can Apply?

The 2027 international application route is open to non-Chinese citizens with a valid passport.

Applicants should have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in any field, or be currently completing a Bachelor’s degree and on track to graduate by August 2027.

The selection process also looks for:

• Strong academic performance
• A genuine interest in the interdisciplinary study of China
• Extracurricular achievements
• Community engagement
• Social responsibility
• Leadership potential
• English proficiency

Students and alumni of Yenching Academy partner universities may have to complete their university’s internal pre-selection process before submitting their application to Yenching Academy.

What Makes This Opportunity Different?

The Yenching Academy is not simply a traditional scholarship where you attend classes and leave.

Scholars become part of an international academic community at one of China’s leading universities. The programme combines academic study with field study, extracurricular activities and opportunities to develop connections with people from different countries and backgrounds.

The Academy typically brings together around 120 new scholars each year, creating a relatively small and international cohort.

For someone interested in China, international development, diplomacy, economics, culture, politics or global affairs, this could be a particularly valuable experience.

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How to Apply

Applications for the September 2027 intake opened on 1 September 2026.

The deadline for international candidates is:

30 November 2026 at 9:00 AM Beijing Time.

Applicants should use the official Yenching Academy admissions process and carefully check whether their university requires an internal pre-selection before applying.

Conclusion

The Yenching Academy Scholarship is an opportunity for graduates and final-year students who want to take their studies beyond the usual destinations.

With full tuition, accommodation, a monthly stipend, travel support, medical insurance and research funding included in the first-year fellowship, it offers a serious opportunity to study in Beijing without carrying the usual financial burden of an international Master’s degree.

And because the programme welcomes international candidates from around the world, it fits TheOpHub’s wider mission of finding opportunities that are worth knowing about wherever you are.

TheOpHub Tip

Do not leave this application until the final week. A strong application requires more than academic documents. Give yourself enough time to develop your personal statement, research interests and recommendation letters, and check your university’s requirements early if it is a Yenching partner institution.

If it’s rare, hidden, or slept-on, TheOpHub finds it.