The China Studies Program (“CSP”) is established by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of the Chinese Ministry of Education (“CLEC”) to support international Ph.D. candidates in China studies to conduct research in China while pursuing their doctoral degrees. 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).”  

I. Scope of the Program

The China Studies Program provides scholarships that cover tuition, living stipends, international travel expenses, and priority access to research grants.  

It offers academic support from top Chinese universities including individually tailored engagement such as academic conference and research workshops, in addition to professional guidance from multiple advisors from Chinese and international universities with opportunities for in-depth interactions with scholars from both China and abroad.  

Upon completion of the program, CSP also gives priority access for future advancement opportunities including publication of Ph.D. dissertations and their translations, academic engagement in China, and participation in international academic conferences.

II. Eligibility

Applicants should demonstrate strong research interests related to China in the humanities and social sciences, with a solid academic foundation, clear research topics or goals, and the ability to conduct research in Chinese. Specifically:

Ph.D. Fellowship in China: Applicant is not a citizen of China, is in good health, and is abiding by Chinese laws, regulations, and university rules; HSK score must reach Level 6 with a total score of 210 or above; have obtained a master's degree or be a master's candidate with an expected graduation in 2025.

Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship (Senior Visiting Student): Applicant is not a citizen of China, is under 50 years old, is in good health, and is abiding by Chinese laws, regulations, and school rules; HSK score must reach Level 3; and is an officially enrolled Ph.D. student in a regular foreign university.

III. Selection Process

1. Applicant should submit application materials to Peking University and CLEC.

2. Peking University conducts the initial review of the materials and organizes re-examination.

3. CLEC conducts reviews and evaluations by experts and video interviews.

4. Peking University notifies applicants of the admission and scholarship decisions.

IV. Other Pertinent Rules and Logistics

1. During the funding period, students must follow and complete a timely registration procedure at the beginning of each semester.

2. After registration for each semester, students should promptly log onto the China Studies Program System at http://csp.chinese.cn/myDoip/login.html to complete the "China Studies Program Ph.D. Fellowship Registration Form."

3. Within two months after registration each academic year, students should discuss and determine the academic plan for the current academic year with their Chinese advisors in accordance to the overall academic requirements proposed by CLEC and Peking University, and submit said plan onto the China Studies Program System. The academic plan should be submitted once a year. During the first year of enrollment, students of “Ph.D. Fellowship in China” also need to submit an academic plan for the Ph.D. degree in accordance with the University’s overall academic plan.

4. Every two semesters after enrollment, students are required to log onto the China Studies Program System to complete the "Annual Summary for China Studies Program Ph.D. Fellowship" two months before the end of the second semester. For students with less than two semesters of remaining study time in China or those who apply for less than two semesters of study time in China, they are required to log onto the China Studies Program System to complete the "Annual Summary for China Studies Program Ph.D. Fellowship" two months prior to the end of the funding period.

5. When a student fails the annual review, the scholarship for the next academic year will be reduced to a partial scholarship or suspended. Those who fail the annual review twice consecutively will have their scholarship eligibility revoked.