Yenching Academy Youth of Excellence Scholarship 2027 in China | Fully Funded

The Yenching Academy Youth of Excellence Scheme 2027 is a fully funded scholarship opportunity supported by the Chinese Government for eligible international applicants pursuing the Yenching Academy Master’s Programme in China Studies at Peking University.

The scholarship is provided under the “Youth of Excellence Scheme of China Program Chinese Government Scholarship” by the Ministry of Education of the P.R.C. and administered in conjunction with Yenching Academy of Peking University, which runs an English-taught, two-year (1+1) Master’s degree program in China Studies.

Youth of Excellence Scholarship Benefits

• Fully-funded scholarship.
• Program tenable for one academic year during the Yenching Academy study.
• Recipients must complete all required credits during the first academic year on campus.
• Second-year Master’s thesis work and defense must be fulfilled outside of the Chinese Mainland.
• Yenching Academy is an English-taught, 2-years (1+1) Master’s degree program.
• All Yenching scholars are required to live on campus during the first academic year.
• Compulsory core courses include China in Transition, Field Study, Topics in China Studies Lecture Series, Academic Writing, and Chinese Language.

Youth of Excellence Scholarship Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens with a valid passport.
• Residents of the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan who have emigrated must present valid passport or citizenship documents dated before April 30 in 2021 and proof of cancellation of Chinese nationality.
• Applicants must be under 45 years of age.
• Applicants must be in good physical and mental health and have no criminal record.
• Applicants must abide by the laws and decrees of China and the regulations of Peking University.
• Applicants must hold or be on track to receive before August 2027 a Bachelor’s degree accredited by the Ministry of Education in the P.R.C.
• Applicants must have at least three consecutive years of employment experience in one of the following categories: chief staff member (or equivalent) of a government department, senior managerial role in an institution, organization, or enterprise, administrative management role in the higher education sector or a research institution, work or internship experience in an international organization.
• The pre-admission letter issued by Peking University must include all essential registration details and not reference any prior Chinese Government Scholarship promise.
• Permission from the employer to reside on campus in Beijing and conduct a one-year, full-time study at the Yenching Academy is required.
• Academic or work experience related to the applied research area is preferred.
• An outstanding academic record is required.
• Strong interest in interdisciplinary study of China is required.
• A record of extracurricular achievement, community engagement, social responsibility, and leadership potential is required.
• English proficiency minimum scores: IELTS (Academic) overall 7.0.
• English proficiency minimum scores: TOEFL (iBT) overall 5 with note about scores of 100 or above obtained between September 1, 2025 and January 21, 2026 being accepted.
• English proficiency minimum scores: Cambridge English Scale (Advanced) overall 185.
• English proficiency minimum scores: CET 6 overall 600.
• English proficiency minimum scores: TEM-4 pass at the ‘Good’ level or above.
• International applicants whose native language is English or who graduated from an English-taught degree program are not required to provide an English test report but must provide evidence for a waiver.

How to Apply for Youth of Excellence Scholarship

• Complete the Yenching Academy online application at https://apply.yca.pku.edu.cn/ before 9:00 am on November 30, 2026 (Beijing time).
• Complete the Chinese Government Scholarship online application at http://studyinchina.csc.edu.cn/#/login before 23:59 on March 29, 2027 (Beijing time).
• Obtain an official pre-admission letter from Peking University before submitting the Chinese Government Scholarship application.
• Prepare all application materials in English and provide certified translations for documents not issued in English.
• Provide diploma(s) and/or Certificate(s) of Enrollment and Overseas Credential Evaluation as required.
• Arrange for official transcripts to be sent directly to Yenching Academy or provide university certified transcripts in Chinese or English.
• Submit employment certification or internship certificate on official letterhead with required information.
• Provide two academic letters of recommendation in Chinese or English.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are frequently asked questions about the Yenching Academy Youth of Excellence Scholarship. These answers cover funding, duration, eligibility, deadlines, application steps, and required materials.