Yenching Academy Scholarship for Pakistanis: Apply by 30 November 2026
Yenching Academy of Peking University for Pakistanis: apply by 30 November 2026 for 2027. Full first-year fellowship, eligibility, IELTS 7.0 and documents list.
Pakistani graduates can apply for the Yenching Academy of Peking University until 30 November 2026, for the September 2027 intake. Every admitted student gets the Yenching Fellowship for the first year, which pays tuition, a room on campus, a monthly stipend, medical insurance and a return trip to Beijing.
We read the Academy's admissions page, its FAQ and the 2027 announcement on yenchingacademy.pku.edu.cn on 1 October 2026. Applications are open to international candidates now. You apply on the Academy's own portal, not through HEC.
It is a two-year master's in China Studies at one of China's top universities. It is also small. The Academy takes about 120 new students a year from all over the world, so expect strong competition.
Yenching Academy deadline for the 2027 intake
The deadline for international applicants is 30 November 2026, for study starting in September 2027. Interviews for international finalists are held online in winter or early spring. Final decisions for international applicants come out around April 2027.
| Stage | Date for international applicants |
|---|---|
| Applications open | Now, on apply.yca.pku.edu.cn |
| Deadline | 30 November 2026 |
| Interviews (online) | Winter or early spring |
| Final decisions | Around April 2027 |
| Programme starts | Early September 2027 |
Finalists are told about one week before their interview. If you are shortlisted, you will need a quiet room, good light and a stable internet connection. The Academy suggests a wired connection, which matters in Pakistan during load shedding.
What the Yenching Fellowship covers
Every admitted student receives the Yenching Fellowship for the first academic year. It covers tuition, housing in the Academy's dormitory, one round trip between your home city and Beijing, basic medical insurance, a monthly stipend and research costs. A second-year fellowship is available on application.
The return trip is calculated from a city in the country of your nationality. For a Pakistani applicant, that means a city in Pakistan. The Academy works out the cost itself.
The second year works differently. International students can choose to leave Beijing and write their thesis from home. Only those who stay in Beijing, with good academic standing, can apply for the second-year fellowship. It covers tuition, housing support, insurance and a monthly stipend. The Academy does not publish the stipend amount on its public pages, so we cannot give a figure.
Who is eligible from Pakistan
You need a bachelor's degree in any field, awarded by August 2027. You do not need to have studied China or Chinese. There is no strict age limit, but the Academy says nobody over 29 has been admitted, apart from Zhuoyue Scholarship holders.
The average age on entry is 23. Some points that matter for Pakistani applicants:
- Final year students can apply, as long as the degree is awarded by August 2027. Peking University does not allow you to be enrolled in two degrees at once.
- A master's degree is allowed but gives no advantage. About 16% of past scholars already held one.
- Any subject is fine. Engineers and doctors apply too. But your study plan must link China Studies to your career goals.
- Chinese is not required to apply. A Chinese language course is compulsory once you arrive.
The Academy says it looks at academic merit, leadership potential, international experience and long-term goals. Your personal statement has to explain clearly why this programme fits you. A generic "I love China" essay will not do it.
English test and documents you need
You need IELTS Academic 7.0 overall, TOEFL iBT 100 or Cambridge English 185, taken after 1 September 2025. Applicants whose native language is English, or who graduated from an English-taught degree, do not need a test. Scores must be sent to the Academy directly.
Many Pakistani degrees are taught in English, but the Academy does not say how it checks this. If you plan to rely on the exemption, check the portal's instructions first. Booking an IELTS test in Pakistan and getting the score sent both take time, so decide early. The Academy does not accept IELTS Online, the IELTS Indicator, TOEFL Home Edition or TOEFL MyBest scores. Its TOEFL code is C488. The TOEFL fee in Pakistan is paid in dollars.
All documents must be in English:
- The online application form at apply.yca.pku.edu.cn.
- A personal statement of 750 words or less.
- A statement of research interest of up to 1,500 words, not counting citations.
- Your CV.
- Official transcripts.
- Your degree, or a certificate of enrolment if you are still studying.
- Two academic recommendation letters from full or associate professors in the field you want to study.
- An English test score, sent directly, unless you are exempt.
The letters are the slowest part. Ask your professors in October, not the week before the deadline.
Yenching compared with the Chinese Government Scholarship
The Yenching Academy is one programme at one university, chosen by the Academy itself. The Chinese Government Scholarship is a wider scheme for many universities and subjects, and Pakistanis can apply to it through HEC. You can try both.
Yenching suits people who want to work on China itself: its politics, economy, law, history, literature or religion. Students choose one of six research areas, write a thesis and receive a Peking University master's in China Studies. The degree title depends on the area, such as Master of Law or Master of Economics.
Common questions
What is the Yenching Academy deadline for 2027?
30 November 2026 for international applicants, including Pakistanis, for the September 2027 intake.
Is the Yenching Academy fully funded?
Yes for the first year. All admitted students get the Yenching Fellowship. The second-year fellowship is by application, for students who stay in Beijing.
Do I need IELTS?
Yes, unless English is your native language or your degree was taught in English. The minimum is IELTS Academic 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 100.
Can I apply in my final year of BS?
Yes, if your degree will be awarded by August 2027.
Is there an age limit?
No strict limit. But the Academy says no one over 29 has been admitted, except Zhuoyue Scholarship holders.
How long is the programme?
Two years. You finish coursework in the first year and must complete and defend your thesis within two years of enrolling.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
Last checked on 1 October 2026. We read the Yenching Academy admissions page, its FAQ and the 2027 intake announcement on the Academy's home page. The application portal at apply.yca.pku.edu.cn loaded normally. The monthly stipend amount and any application fee are not shown on the Academy's public pages.
About the author
Public Services and Education Journalist
Fajr Riaz is a journalist and content writer at Pakistan Era, based in Lahore. She covers the questions people meet in everyday life in Pakistan: how a public service works, what a change in the rules means, and where to find a reliable answer.
