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Yenching Academy at Peking University: China studies in English
A fully funded master's in China studies at PKU, taught in English and open to applicants from any discipline.
Quick answer
Structure
The programme runs for two years and is organised around six research areas: literature and culture; history and archaeology; philosophy and religion; politics and international relations; economics and management; and law and society. Students take core courses together and then specialise.
Chinese language training is compulsory and streamed by level, from absolute beginner upwards, and all students complete a master's thesis supervised by a PKU faculty member.
Funding and eligibility
The fellowship covers tuition, on-campus accommodation, medical insurance, a monthly living stipend and a round-trip flight. Applicants must hold or be about to complete a bachelor's degree; there is no subject restriction and no Mandarin requirement.
Applications are submitted directly to the Yenching Academy, with deadlines typically in the late autumn for enrolment the following September.
How it compares
Schwarzman (Tsinghua) is one year, professionally oriented and leadership-focused. Yenching (PKU) is two years, academically oriented and research-based. If your goal is a PhD or a research career with China content, Yenching is the better fit; if your goal is a professional network and a fast credential, Schwarzman is.