The China Studies Program (“CSP”), established by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of the Chinese Ministry of Education, aims to support international students to pursue doctoral studies and research in China and to cultivate young sinologists with a global academic perspective, a thorough understanding of international academic practices, and a strong professional ability for academic research and international collaboration. Presently, Peking University accepts two categories of students into this program: "Ph.D. Fellowship in China" and "Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship (Senior Visiting Student).”
The Ph. D. Fellowship in China provides support for outstanding master's degree holders who are pursuing doctoral degrees at Chinese universities. The study period at Peking University is generally 4 years.
I. Eligibility
Applicants should demonstrate strong research interests in the humanities and social sciences related to China, with a solid academic foundation, clear research topics or goals, and the ability to conduct research in Chinese. Specifically:
1.Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens with a valid passport of another country. Residents of the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan who have immigrated to another country and are applying to Peking University as international students must present a valid passport or citizenship documents dated before April 30, 2019, along with proof of cancellation of Chinese nationality.
Note: The Chinese Public Security and relevant governing agencies have the final authority in determination of one’s Chinese’s citizenship. An applicant’s eligibility for this scholarship, program admission, registration and/or enrollment will be nullified once positive finding of Chinese citizenship is made at any stage of the application and program.
2. Applicants are physically and psychologically healthy, with no criminal record, and must abide by the laws of China in addition to the rules and regulations of Peking University.
3. Applicants must have attained a master's degree from an institution approved by the Ministry of Education of China. See link for approved institutions, https://zwfw.cscse.edu.cn
4. The applicant's academic qualification and language proficiency level should meet the specific admission requirements of the area he/she is applying for.
5. Language Proficiency:
Program taught in Chinese: Applicant's Chinese proficiency level should reach HSK Level 6 with a score above 210, including a minimum score of 65 in writing. Qualified HSK 7–9 level scores are also accepted.
Program taught in English: Chinese proficiency level should reach HSK level 5. For specific English proficiency requirements, please refer to the application information of the respective programs that are taught in English.
II. Application Process
Step 1: Log onto the China Studies Program website at http://www.chinese.cn/page/#/pcpage/csp to submit the online application. After submission, print the "Application Form for China Studies Program Ph. D. Fellowship in China" which is needed for Step 2.11 later on.
Step 2: Log onto the Peking University International Student Service System at www.studyatpku.com to complete the online application.
Admission Code: CSP-PHD
Online Application Path: Application - Degree Programs Application - CSP Ph.D in China Fellowship project
Upload and submit the following materials:
1. Undergraduate degree certificate (original documents or notarized copies, in either Chinese or English)
2. Official transc
3. Master's degree certificate (original documents or notarized copies, in either Chinese or English)
Note: Applicants with an expected graduation date in 2025 must provide an official letter from their current university stating their expected graduation date or their current enrollment at the time of the application. A certified master’s degree must be submitted prior to the beginning of the program at Peking University.
4. Official transc
5. Personal statement, about 3000 words, written in Chinese. See template: https://www.isd.pku.edu.cn/down/shen/ru.html
6. Personal Resume
7. "Commitment for Application" letter. See: https://www.isd.pku.edu.cn/down/shen/ru.html
8. Two letters of recommendation (in either Chinese or English), from professor(s) or associate professor(s) (or experts with equivalent professional titles) in the applied field. Once applicants supply the email addresses of the recommendors, the latter will receive a link where they can complete the recommendation by either filling out the form online or uploading a scanned copy of their signed letter. See https://www.isd.pku.edu.cn/down/shen/ru.html
9. HSK transc
10. Abstracts of the master's thesis and other research achievements
11. Application Form for China Studies Program Ph. D. Fellowship in China, the printout in Step 1
12. The information page of a valid passport. The passport must be a regular passport that is valid for at least three months after enrollment at Peking University.
13. Any additional documents required by the University and departments
Note:
(1) Where original documents are required to be uploaded, then must be submitted in color using a scanner, in pdf, jpg, or jpeg formats; images captured by mobile phone or camera are not accepted.
(2) The advisor applied for on the two websites must be the same.
(3) If the applicant are in contact with the desired advisor, please upload the relevant communication to the Additional Materials section.
(4) Peking University reserves the right to request applicants to provide supplementary materials. The application materials, regardless of final admission status, will not be returned.
III. Timelines
1. Program and scholarship application Deadline: February 28, 2025
2. The applicant will be notified of program and scholarship admission results by email. Admitted students should download and print the application form, mail the original form and other original application materials (except for degree certificate and recommendation letters) to International Students Division, Peking University.
Mailing Recipient: International Students Division, Peking University
Mailing Address: Room 328, New Sun Student Center, Peking University, No. 5, Yiheyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China
Postcode: 100871
Contact: +86-10-62751230
3. Admitted students will complete the registration procedures and be enrolled at Peking University in early September 2025, according to the specific date stated in the admission letter. Admitted students will register at Peking University with their valid passport, visa and admission letter at the designated time. As a part of verification for enrollment qualification, all students should present required original degree certificates at the registration. In principle, students with diplomas awarded by non-Chinese universities should submit the evaluation report issued by the Service Center for Scholarly Exchange under the Chinese Ministry of Education（https://zwfw.cscse.edu.cn/）. Those who do not meet the enrollment requirements will have their admission nullified.
VI. Miselleanous
1. Please refer to websites of the individual school and/or department for additional information including research and grants, advisors and faculty.
2. It is not permissible for graduate students to be enrolled in more than one program or university at the same time.
3. For visa, medical insurance, accommodation, graduation, degree awarding and other matters not covered, please refer to the 2025 Application Information for International Students (Master's Degree and Ph.D. Degree)( https://www.isd.pku.edu.cn/graduate/shushi/detail/9671.html).
VII. Contact Information
Address: International Students Division, Peking University, No. 5, Yiheyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing
Postcode: 100871
Telephone: +86-10-62751230
Fax: +86-10-62751233
Email: study@pku.edu.cn
Appendix: 2025 Advisors’ List for China Studies Program at Peking University
International Students Division
Office of International Relations
Peking University
January, 2025
