Yenching requires two different written arguments
The personal statement is limited to 750 words. The research-interest statement is limited to 1500 words excluding citations. The first explains the applicant’s preparation and reasons for the programme; the second needs a credible question about China and an approach to studying it. A general CSC plan does not automatically perform either task.
Academic recommendations also have a defined role: the Academy requires two from full or associate professors, or equivalent titles, in the intended field. A well-known employer cannot replace that academic requirement merely because the applicant has an impressive career.
The English score must be in an accepted form
The published minimum examples include IELTS Academic 7.0, TOEFL iBT 100 and Cambridge Advanced 185. Tests must be taken after 1 September 2025 under the displayed instructions. The Academy does not accept the listed alternatives including TOEFL MyBest, TOEFL Home Edition, IELTS Online or IELTS One Skill Retake.
A high result in an excluded format is therefore not a compliant result. IELTS, TOEFL and Cambridge scores must be sent directly by the testing organisation to the designated recipient. The displayed international language-waiver conditions should be read with their separate regional exceptions rather than generalized to every applicant.
Put this guide into practice
Create a short record for your intended programme. Add the relevant notice or document beside each item; leave unpublished details marked “to confirm”.
- Compulsory modules that match your study goal
- Exact writing prompt, language and word limit
- Published deadline, time zone and application stage
Partner pre-selection can be the first deadline
The published international deadline is 30 November 2026 at 09:00 Beijing time. Students and alumni of partner universities must first complete the home university’s internal pre-selection. That earlier step can be decisive even if the Academy portal remains open.
The fellowship lists tuition, accommodation, monthly support, one return journey and field-study costs. It does not justify inserting the standard CSC monthly rate as the Academy’s cash amount. Build the final funding comparison from Yenching’s own notification, keeping its programme-specific selection separate from ordinary admission to another Peking University degree.
Yenching submission requirements with practical consequences
| Item | Published detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Personal statement | No more than 750 words | Different purpose from the research statement |
| Research-interest statement | No more than 1500 words excluding citations | Develop an actual China Studies research question |
| Recommendations | Two relevant academic references | Employer praise alone does not meet the academic rule |
| English test examples | IELTS 7.0 / TOEFL 100 / Cambridge 185 | Accepted format and test date also matter |
| International application deadline | 30 November 2026, 09:00 Beijing time | Partner pre-selection may close earlier |
Read the full Academy requirements, including exemptions and regional distinctions; these entries summarize the international application.
Yenching’s programme-specific fellowship
The published package includes tuition, accommodation, a monthly stipend, one return journey and field-study costs. Keep these benefits separate from the standard CSC stipend table; the admissions page does not justify assigning a universal cash amount.
Partner pre-selection and accepted English tests
Students and alumni of partner universities follow their home institution’s pre-selection process first. Its internal deadline can be earlier. Check accepted English-test formats as well as scores: a high score in an excluded format is insufficient.
FAQ
Does a Yenching fellowship apply to another Peking University master’s programme?
No. The cited fellowship supports the Academy’s interdisciplinary China Studies programme. Other PKU degrees have their own admissions and funding arrangements.