Yenching Scholars Program in China Studies

Benefits

Yenching Scholars receive a scholarship to cover the cost of tuition, accommodation in the residential college and living expenses.

The Yenching Academy program is two years in duration. Fellowships for students are initially for twelve months, during which they complete their coursework and may write their theses.

All Yenching scholars are required to live on campus during the first academic year. During the second academic year, it is compulsory for the Chinese students (including those from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) to continue staying in Beijing, while international students can choose whether or not to stay in Beijing to complete thesis writing and the defense. Students who maintained a good academic standing and continued to live in Beijing can apply for the second-year Yenching Fellowship. Furthermore, second-year students who choose to live on campus and serve in student assistantship roles can receive additional funding support.

Further information

Detailed information about the Yenching Scholars Program, including the curriculum is available from the Yenching Academy website.

Different timelines and application processes apply for Mainland Chinese passport holders. Please refer to Peking University Graduate Admissions.

Application

How to apply

The application process consists of three parts:

1. You must complete and upload the following documents:

• Academic transcripts for any tertiary studies undertaken at an institution other than the University of Melbourne
• Curriculum vitae (maximum 2 pages)
• Statement of research interest (maximum 1,500 words, excluding citations) you should include key research question(s), background to study and/or summary of literature, and study design that reflects your academic training. Please note that applicants are not committed to making this proposed project their Master’s thesis topic. The Admissions Committee wants to judge how you formulate and write about academic topics.
• Personal statement (maximum 750 words); you should include a self-introduction and well-articulated explanation of how you will make the most of the Yenching Academy program experience, as well as how it would benefit your career.

The above documents must be submitted via the University of Melbourne online application portal by 10th November.

2. Two letters of recommendation

• Peking University will only accept recommendation letters written by full professors or associate professors (or equivalent titles)
• We will contact your referees to request submission of the letters. Please ensure both referees complete the Recommender form and reference letter and submit by 17th November.

3. In addition to the above, shortlisted candidates must submit an online application through the Yenching Academic online portal by 1st December (12 noon Beijing time)

Shortlisted candidates from the Chinese regions of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan must apply through the Yenching Academy application portal, as well as complete a supplementary application through the Peking University Graduate Admissions website.