Peking University (PKU) is a comprehensive research university with disciplines ranging from philosophy, literature, history, law, economics, and education to science, engineering, medicine, management, art, and interdisciplinary studies.

Peking University enrolls international students to pursue master’s and Ph.D. degrees through the “Application + Examination” method, and is dedicated to educating innovation-minded scholars with a global perspective and an understanding of China.

This admissions prospectus is intended for applicants to the Yanyuan campus (Haidian District, Beijing); the new Yanyuan campus (Changping District, Beijing); the School of Software and Microelectronics (Daxing District, Beijing); and the Shenzhen Graduate School (Shenzhen, Guangdong).

The specific provisions are as follows:

1. Disciplines and Majors

For detailed information on majors and subjects, including the language of instruction, please consult the “Peking University 2027 Master/Doctoral Admissions Major Catalogue (International Students)” .

2. Method and Length of Study

1)  Study methods for master’s or Ph.D. degree programs at Peking University are divided into full-time and part-time. For details on the learning methods for each major and focus, please refer to the “Peking University 2027 Master/Doctoral Admissions Major Catalogue (International Students)” .

2)  Unless otherwise specified by the enrollment department (or program), the basic study period is 2 or 3 years for master’s degree students; 4 or 5 years for doctoral students; and generally 5 years for doctoral students admitted with only a bachelor’s degree.

3. Application Prerequisites

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

1)  Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens holding a valid passport. Residents of the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan who have emigrated to another country and are applying to Peking University as international students must present a valid passport or citizenship documents issued before April 30, 2021, and provide proof of the cancellation of Chinese nationality.

Note: The exit and entry administration authority of the public security organ of China reserves the right to determine whether an applicant still holds Chinese nationality. If, during the application period or even after admission or registration, the applicant is found to still hold Chinese nationality, the applicant’s application, admission, registration, or enrollment will be nullified.

2)  Applicants should be both physically and psychologically healthy, have no criminal record, and must comply with the laws and decrees of China and the regulations of Peking University.

3)  Applicants to master’s degree programs must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a university or college accredited by the Ministry of Education of China. For certain professional degrees, such as Public Administration, Business Administration, Executive Business Administration, Law, and others, special application requirements apply and will be implemented in accordance with the Ministry of Education of China’s “2027 National Regulations for the Administration of Postgraduate Admissions.”

Applicants to doctoral programs must hold a master’s degree or higher from an institution accredited by the Ministry of Education of China. Applicants with bachelor’s degrees may apply to doctoral programs in the sciences and engineering.

4)  The applicant’s academic performance, academic level, and language ability should meet the admission requirements for the major they are applying to.

4. Application Period (Beijing time)

October 26, 2026 – December 25, 2026

Note: For details on English-taught master’s programs, please consult the application guidelines for each program.

5. Application Materials

Visit the International Student Service System (https://www.studyatpku.com), complete the application, and upload the following documents:

1)  Graduation and degree certificates, along with degree authentication in Chinese or English. For degree certificates in other languages, applicants must upload both the original copy and a notarized copy in Chinese or English. Degree diplomas awarded by overseas universities must be authenticated by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange, Ministry of Education, P. R. China (CSCSE). Degree diplomas awarded by universities on the Chinese mainland must be authenticated by the Center for Student Services and Development, Ministry of Education, P. R. China (CSSD).

Note: Applicants who graduated before 2027 must upload their degree authentication report during the application period. Applicants expected to graduate in 2027 must provide an official letter from their current university confirming their expected graduation date and submit their graduation certificate upon pre-admission.

2)  Official transcripts of the applicant’s academic achievement, including courses taken and standards achieved. These must be original documents or notarized copies, in either Chinese or English.

3)  A personal statement (including a research plan: 1500 words for the master’s degree program or 3000 words for the doctoral program). Please use the link to download the template: https://isd.pku.edu.cn/en/downloads.php?cate=13

4)  Résumé and a copy of the Application Commitment letter. Please click the link to download the Commitment letter template: https://isd.pku.edu.cn/en/downloads.php?cate=13

5)  Two recommendation letters from professors or associate professors in the applicant’s major (or equivalent professionals with a relevant academic title), in Chinese or English. Once applicants submit a request, the application system will send a link to the recommenders. Recommenders should click the link and complete the recommendation either by filling out the form online or by uploading a scanned copy of the signed letter. To download the template, click the link: https://isd.pku.edu.cn/en/downloads.php?cate=13

6)  Original Chinese or English language test scores:

● For Chinese-taught programs, language test scores that meet the following standards are eligible for submission.

Note: Applicants who have taken the new HSK Levels 7–9 exam may submit corresponding qualifying score reports.

● Applicants to English-taught programs (projects) whose native language is not English must submit a TOEFL (iBT, 5 points or above; TOEFL scores of 100 or above obtained between September 1, 2025 and January 21, 2026, are also accepted), GRE (above 315), or other evidence of English proficiency. The specific requirements for English and Chinese language proficiency are subject to the admissions guidelines of each English-taught program.

7)  Passport front page. Applicants must upload the front page of all ordinary passport(s) used continuously since April 30, 2021. The current passport must remain valid for at least three months beyond the date of enrollment.

8)  Table of contents and abstracts of the applicant’s academic publications and any other original achievements in the applicant’s field (if applicable).

9)  Some departments or schools may require additional application documents.

Note: Applicants should scan the original or notarized application documents in color using a scanner. Images taken with a mobile phone or camera are not acceptable.

Once confirmed, the applicant's passport details (including name, nationality, gender, date of birth, and the uploaded photo) submitted during the application phase cannot be modified before enrollment.

Applicants must thoroughly review and ensure that all required documents (including two letters of recommendation) are complete and meet the specified standards before submitting them. Consequences of incomplete or non-compliant materials will be borne solely by the applicant.

6. Application Fee

The application fee for each program or major is 800 RMB.

Note: Each applicant may apply to up to two programs or majors. Applicants must pay the application fee online before the application deadline. Payments in other currencies or by traveler’s checks will not be accepted. Applications with incomplete documents or an unpaid application fee will not be processed. The application fee is nonrefundable.

7. Examination by the School/Department

The International Student Division will review the applicant’s basic qualifications. After passing the review, the application materials will be forwarded to the admissions office of the relevant school or department for academic evaluation.

The school’s (department, institute, center) admissions team will convene panels of experts to review applicants’ academic dossiers. All submitted application materials will be reviewed to assess each applicant’s overall ability. A shortlist of applicants will be prepared for the next stage of the examination.

The second examination round will be held between January and March 2027. The exact date and time will be set by the respective school or department and posted on its website. Applicants should check the website regularly for updates.

The school’s (department, institute, center) admissions expert committee will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the candidates’ research capacity, language proficiency, innovation capacity, and overall quality during the second examination round and rank the candidates.

8. Admission

1)  Based on the school’s or department’s examination results, the Admission Office will review and prepare the preliminary admission list.

2)  The preliminary admission list will be posted by the school or department before the end of May. Applicants should monitor the latest notices from the school or department.

3)  The pre-admitted candidates should download and print the application form and, together with the other required original application documents (except the degree diploma and recommendation letters), deliver or mail the materials to the International Student Division of Peking University.

Deadline: May 31, 2027

Address: Room 330, International Student Division, New Sun Student Center, Peking University. Please write on the envelope: “Graduate Student Application Materials.”

4)  In late June 2027, the International Student Division will issue an admission notice, a “Confirmation Form for Study in China” (JW201/JW202), and other documents to admitted students in batches.

9. Enrollment

Admitted students will complete registration and enroll at Peking University in early September 2027. The exact time will be announced in the admission notice. Admitted students must register at Peking University at the designated time with a valid passport, a valid visa, and an admission letter. All students should present their original degree diplomas for admission qualification review at the designated time. Students with degrees from overseas universities should, in addition, submit the authentication report issued by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange.

If the relevant certificates have not been obtained before enrollment in the year of admission, the admission qualification shall be invalid.

10. Tuition Fees (per year per person) and Scholarships

1)  Tuition Fees: Tuition Fees of Graduate Programs for International Students.

2)  Scholarships: New international students may apply for the following scholarships:

(1) Chinese Government Scholarship (Type B): includes a full or partial tuition waiver, free accommodation, monthly living expenses, and medical insurance provided in accordance with regulations.

(2) Beijing Government Scholarship for International Students: Type A includes a tuition waiver, free accommodation, medical insurance, and monthly living expenses in accordance with the regulations; Type B includes a tuition waiver, free accommodation, and medical insurance; Type C includes a tuition waiver and medical insurance.

(3) Peking University Scholarship for New International Students: includes a full or partial tuition waiver, monthly living expenses, and medical insurance.

Note: Scholarship applicant evaluations will be conducted in accordance with applicable government and university regulations. For more information, please visit the International Student Division’s website at http://www.isd.pku.edu.cn.

11. Visa, Medical Insurance and Accommodation

1)  Visa: Students admitted to PKU should apply for a student visa at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in their home country using the admission letter and the JW201/202 form. International students who will study in China for more than 6 months must obtain an “X1” visa, which is valid for only 30 days upon arrival in China. Upon arrival, they must visit the International Student Division and apply for a Residence Permit within 30 days to obtain legal status in China.

2)  Medical Insurance: The Ministry of Education of China requires all international students to maintain medical insurance throughout their planned period of study. Students must purchase the ‘Comprehensive Insurance Plan for Foreign Students’ on the day of registration. Students without valid medical insurance will not be permitted to register.

3)  Accommodations: Students with scholarships that cover housing will receive housing. Self-funded students should arrange their own housing on or off campus. Please note that students who live off campus must register with the local police station within 24 hours of arrival.

12. Graduation and Degree Awarding

Students who have completed all the requirements stipulated in the academic plan and passed their thesis defense upon completion of their studies are permitted to graduate. After being examined and approved by the university’s Academic Degree Assessment Committee, the corresponding academic degree will be conferred.

To provide opportunities for those who are not proficient in Chinese to pursue a PKU degree, Peking University has developed several English-taught programs, listed below.

Additional Notes:

1.   For further information about the school or department to which the applicant is applying, including basic facilities, research, supervisors and faculty, subjects, research focus, training, and grants, please refer to the website of the relevant school or department.

2.   Graduate students are NOT allowed to be enrolled in more than one program or at more than one university at the same time.

3.   Applicants should closely monitor the latest relevant information posted on the website or sent by the school or department to which they are applying. Applicants must read and follow the posted instructions and deadlines in a timely manner; all consequences resulting from the applicant’s personal negligence or other reasons shall be borne solely by the applicant.

4.   For admission to Peking University’s Health Science Center, as well as for related scholarships, financial aid, accommodations, and other matters specific to medical graduate students, please consult the Center’s application guidelines at https://e.bjmu.edu.cn/.

5.   Issues that may arise which are not mentioned here will be handled in accordance with the relevant regulations of the university and higher authorities.

6.   If new admission policies for graduate students are issued in 2027, Peking University will make the necessary adjustments and promptly announce the changes.

Contact Information

Room 330, New Sun Student Center

International Student Division

Office of International Relations

Peking University, Beijing 100871

People’s Republic of China

Tel: (+86-10) 6275 1230

Fax: (+86-10) 6275 1233

Email: study@pku.edu.cn

Web site: www.isd.pku.edu.cn