Part I. About the Program

Program objectives

This program is open to fresh university graduates as well as the experienced professionals and the government officials from different countries/areas, and is designed to train those students in the field of public affairs, public administration, and public policy.

Students are expected to complete the program full time in 2 years. Academic year usually starts from the first week of September and ends at early July next year. The first year is for full time course-work, and the second year is for thesis writing and thesis defense.

The program aims to

- provide students with an opportunity to develop functional expertise, strategic perspectives, and public policy management tools that they require to operate effectively in a changing public policy environment or to understand such an environment.

- help students to learn both the successes and failures in China's public policy making and management, and therefore to understand more about how to manage political, economic and social development in developing countries.

- introduce students the techniques of policy analysis and program evaluation to resolve complex multi-dimensional policy challenges, as well as sharpen their leadership and communication skills

Program Mode / Structure

Instruction:

The language of instruction is English. Classes will incorporate a mix of lectures, seminars, case discussions, tutorials, presentations and so on. Upon application, students could also choose some courses taught in Chinese.

Program Structure:

The program comprises of

- Taught Component (11 courses: 7 compulsory, 4 optional)

- Thesis Component (15,000 words)

General Courses (compulsory, 19 credits in total)

Issue Courses (optional, 11 credits)

Note: Not all issue courses run every year. If there are fewer than 3 students, a course will not be delivered.

Master’s Thesis

Students are expected to bring specific research questions concerning public policy and management to the program, as a part of thesis research preparation. Towards the end of the first semester, several faculty members from the school will be invited as potential thesis supervisors, and the school will make arrangement for students to choose their supervisors. The thesis is expected to combine theoretical perspectives, analytical skills and practical experiences of public management, and aiming at solving practical problems. Students must pass the thesis oral defense.

Degree Requirements

Students are required to successfully complete at least 30 credit-worthy course work and a master’s thesis and a thesis defense within the required period. After meeting the above requirements and with the approval of University Degree Committee, the master’s degree of Management in Public Policy will be awarded.

Fees

The tuition of the program will be 75,000 RMB per year, and 150,000 RMB in total for two years.

Part II. Application and Admissions

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

Note: The exit and entry administration authority of the public security organ of China reserves the right to judge whether an applicant still has Chinese nationality. If during the application period or even after the admission or registration the applicant is judged to be still holding Chinese nationality, his/her application, admission, registration or even enrollment will be nullified.

2) Applicants should be healthy, both physically and psychologically, with no criminal record, and must abide by the laws and decrees of China.

3) Applicants must have attained a bachelor's degree or higher from a university accredited by the Ministry of Education of China.

4) Applicants must be proficient in English. Non-native English speakers or candidates whose undergraduate studies were not conducted in English are required to submit a TOEFL, GRE or IELTS test score as proof of English proficiency.

How to Apply

Application Period

*The first-round application period for the program is up to February 21, 2027.

*The second-round application period for the program is up to March 31, 2027.

Note: Applicants intending to apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship (Type B) must submit their applications in the first-round. Self-funded applicants may submit their applications in the second-round.

Submitted Application Materials

Note: Applicants should scan the original or notarized application documents in color using a scanner. Images captured by mobile phone or camera are NOT acceptable. Admitted applicants will be required to submit the original documents at a later date.

Application Fee

There is a non-refundable application fee of 800 RMB.

Note: International applicants are required to use the online payment while applying through the PKU online application system. Any other currency or traveler’s check will not be accepted. Applications with incomplete documents or an unpaid application fee will not be processed.

Initial Round of Selection

The Admissions Office of School of Government will review the applicant's basic qualifications. After passing the review, the school’s Admissions Office will organize professional expert panels for the admission. All the submitted application materials will be reviewed to assess the applicant's comprehensive capacity. A shortlist of applicants will be drawn up for the next step of examination. The school will select qualified applicants for an interview by the end of April 2027. The specific date and time will be decided by the School of Government and posted on the school’s website. Applicants should check regularly for relevant online information to be posted.

Interview

After an initial round of selection, an interview is required before students are pre-admitted. The Admissions Committee will give a comprehensive test for applicants and submit the pre-admission list to Office for International Exchange and Cooperation of the School. The list must be reviewed by the School.

Admission

1) The school will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of applicants based on their application materials, results of the interview, and the opinions of the committee, and will determine the list of candidates for tentative admission based on merit.

2) The tentative list of admissions will be posted by the end of May in the school. Applicants are advised to closely monitor the information posted by the school.

3) Tentatively admitted students are required to submit or mail the original printed application form and other original application materials (except for degree certificates and recommendation letters) to School of Government of Peking University by May 31, 2027.

Mailing Address: Office for International Exchange and Cooperation, Room 122, Leo KoGuan Building, School of Government, Peking University, Beijing, China, 100871. Please indicate "MPP Application Materials" on the envelope.

4) After confirmation of the admission list by the International Students Division, the offer letter will be sent out in late June 2027 together with other necessary documents for visa processing.

Registration

Registration will take place in early September 2027. The exact date will be specified in the admission letter. International students admitted by the school are required to report to the school at the specified time with their passport, study visa for China, admission notice, and other necessary documents.

During the enrollment registration, students must present the original copy of their degree diploma for the school to verify their eligibility for admission. Applicants who have obtained their degree diplomas from overseas universities must also submit the original degree authentication report from the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange, Ministry of Education, P. R. China.  If the relevant certificates have not been obtained before enrollment in the year of admission, the admission qualification shall be invalid.

Scholarship

Chinese Government Scholarship (Type B): partial tuition waiver, for-free accommodation, monthly living expenses and medical insurance provided in accordance with the regulations.

Note: The evaluation of scholarships will be carried out in accordance with the relevant regulations of the state and the university. For more information, please pay close attention to the latest notice released at http://www.isd.pku.edu.cn.

Visa, medical insurance and accommodation

1) Visa 

Students admitted to PKU may apply for a visa at the Chinese Embassy/Consulate in your country with the letter of admission and the JW201/202 form. International students who will study in China for over 6 months are required to obtain an ‘X1’ visa, which will only be valid for 30 days upon arrival in China. Upon arrival they must come to the International Students Division and apply for a Residence Permit within 30 days to obtain a legal status in China.

2) Medical Insurance

The Ministry of Education of China stipulates that all international students must be medically insured throughout their entire planned period of study. Students are required to purchase the Comprehensive Insurance Plan of Foreign Students on the day of registration. Students who do not have valid medical insurance will not be allowed to register.

3) Accommodation

Accommodation will be provided to students with scholarships that cover accommodation. Self-funded students may find their own living accommodation on campus or off campus. Please note that students who live off campus must register with the local police station within 24 hours of arrival.

Additional Notices

1) Further information about the School of Government can be found on our website.

2) Graduate students are not allowed to be enrolled in two or more programs/universities at the same time.

3) Applicants should actively pay close attention to the latest relevant information posted at the website or sent by the School of Government. Applicants must read and follow the posted instructions/deadlines in a timely way; all consequences caused by the applicant’s personal negligence and other reasons shall be borne by the applicant himself/herself solely.

4) Issues that may arise which are not mentioned here will be handled in accordance with the relevant regulations of the university and higher authorities. If new graduate student admission policies are issued in the year 2027, Peking University will make corresponding adjustments and announce the changes in a timely way.

Contact Information

School of Government, Peking University

Tel: (+86-10) 62755478

Email: gzgys@pku.edu.cn

www.sg.pku.edu.cn

International Students Division, New Sun Student Center, Peking University

Tel: (+86-10) 62751230

Email: study@pku.edu.cn

https://isd.pku.edu.cn/en/

Office for Admission, Graduate School, Peking University

Tel: (+86-10) 62751354

https://admission.pku.edu.cn/