Yenching Academy of Peking University

Provides support for at least the first year of a two-year Master’s in China Studies issued by Peking University

Yenching Academy: At a Glance

Eligibility:

Selection Criteria:

  • Evident commitment to and preparation for rigorous graduate studies
  • Strong interest in the interdisciplinary study of China at the graduate level
  • A record of extracurricular achievement, community engagement, social responsibility, and leadership potential

Candidates for the Yenching Academy program can affirm the following statements:

  • I can explain how pursuing a MA in China Studies in one of the six academic concentrations makes sense for my long-term professional interests and goals.
  • I can present a detailed research proposal for an MA thesis that aligns well with the Yenching Academy program and that builds on my undergraduate academic research
  • Two associate or full professors are willing to write strong letters of recommendation for me in support of my application to this program

Extensive Description

The Yenching Academy of Peking University program offers support for at least the first year of a two-year Master’s in China Studies (in English). The Academy's mission is to ensure that international leaders in a variety of fields have a broad and rich understanding of China. Yenching Scholars receive a full tuition scholarship for the first year of the program, accommodation in the residential college, basic medical insurance, a monthly stipend, and expenses related to research. 

Students who maintain a good academic standing and plan to stay in Beijing during their second academic year can apply for the second-year Yenching Fellowship, which covers tuition, accommodation, basic medical insurance, and a monthly stipend.

Yenching Scholars select one academic concentration:

  • Literature and Culture,
  • History and Archaeology,
  • Philosophy and Religion,
  • Law and Society,
  • Politics and International Relations, or
  • Economics and Management

Yenching Scholars are deeply immersed in Chinese culture through excursions to various parts of China and an intensive Chinese language program.  

Deadline Information

UChicago Yenching Academy Campus Nomination Application (Stage 1) Deadline: Wednesday, October 18, 2023

UChicago Yenching Academy Campus Nomination Application (Stage 2) Deadline: Monday, November 27, 2023

Yenching Academy National Deadline for UChicago Nominees: Saturday, December 2, 2023

Eligibility Requirements

Yenching Academy Scholars will exhibit the following qualities and characteristics:

  • Outstanding academic record – CCRF requires a 3.6 GPA or higher without rounding; CCRF recommends a 3.7 GPA or higher
  • BA required
  • Any currently enrolled degree awarded no later than August 31, 2024
  • Evident commitment to and preparation for rigorous graduate studies
  • Strong interest in the interdisciplinary study of China, including a research proposal for an MA thesis that aligns well with the Yenching Academy program
  • A record of extracurricular achievement, community engagement, social responsibility, and leadership potential
  • Demonstrated English proficiency 
  • Meets all eligibility criteria set out by the Yenching Academy. Potential applicants may also wish to review Peking University’s additional admissions criteria which may affect applicants with specific medical conditions or disabilities. Please note that CCRF is committed to ensuring equitable access to our programs and services. These admissions criteria of Peking University will not affect an applicant’s eligibility to be part of CCRF’s 2023 Yenching Cohort or the applicant’s eligibility for University nomination

Please note: 

  • Applicants with any form of current identification from Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan have a different application process. Applicants in this category should reach out to Johanna Best (bestjl@uchicago.edu) as soon as possible to discuss the application process.
  • Applicants who were born in, or who previously held citizenship in, China, Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan have a different application process. Applicants in this category should reach out to Johanna Best (bestjl@uchicago.edu) as soon as possible to discuss the application process.
  • College students holding a Chinese passport are not eligible to apply for UChicago nomination.

Application Process

2023 UChicago Yenching Academy Campus Process

Current students in the College, UChicago BA/MA candidates in their fourth year, and College alumni who have not started graduate school must be nominated for the Yenching Academy by the University of Chicago through CCRF. Applicants who are (or were) UChicago graduate students should reach out to UChicagoGRAD. Applicants who are (or were) graduate students at other institutions should reach out to the fellowships office at their graduate institution.

Information about the requirements and deadlines of the 2023 UChicago Yenching Academy Cohort and Campus Process will continue to be updated throughout September 2023. Please check back regularly for the most up-to-date information.

To be eligible for UChicago nomination, you must complete all of the following, in addition to meeting all the requirements and deadlines of the 2023 UChicago Yenching Academy Campus Process:

  • Attend (or review a recording of) two information sessions
    • Yenching Academy Information Session -- Friday, September 22, 1-2:15 pm CT (A recorded version of this workshop is now available in the CCRF Resource Library)
    • Yenching Academy: Essay Overview Workshop -- Monday, October 2, 1-2 pm CT in HM 284. (A recorded version of this workshop is now available in the CCRF Resource Library)
    • New! Potential applicants should also feel free to review the recordings of two Yenching Academy information sessions from September 2023.
  • On or before Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 12:00 pm CT: Complete and submit Stage 1 of the UChicago Yenching Academy Campus Nomination Application in Survey Monkey. CCRF staff reserve the right to determine whether or not applicants will be invited to join the 2023 UChicago Yenching Academy Cohort and Canvas course based on the materials submitted in Stage 1 of this application. Only members of the 2023 Yenching Cohort will be eligible to submit Stage 2 of this application, and therefore be eligible for campus nomination. To complete Stage 1, you will be asked to provide the following:
    • Biographical and academic information
    • The name of the citation style that you will use in your Statement of Research Interest and your Statement of Research Interest Selected Bibliography
    • The names of two associate or full professors from whom you plan to request letters of recommendation
    • Optional: The names of up to two additional academic references from whom you plan to request letters of recommendation
    • The name of one relevant faculty mentor who you plan to ask for feedback on your second draft Statement of Research Interest
    • The names and titles of three potential relevant faculty mentors at the Yenching Academy
    • Statement of Research Interest First Draft in short answer format (template can be downloaded from this Box folder). Format: 3.5 pages maximum, single spaced, 12 point font, standard margins.
    • Statement of Research Interest Selected Bibliography (Format: 0.5 page maximum, 12 point font, standard margins, consistent formatting in a citation style appropriate to your research project’s academic field)
    • Personal Statement First Draft in short answer format (template can be downloaded from this Box folder). Format: 2 pages maximum, single spaced, 12 point font, standard margins.
    • CV/academic resume (2 pages maximum)
    • Confirmation & Attestation Form
    • (If you are a UChicago College alum who is having difficulty accessing the templates for the first drafts, please email Johanna Best at bestjl@uchicago.edu with the following information: UChicago email address, current email address, year of graduation from the College, and major)
  • Sunday, October 22, 2023: All letters of recommendation requested through Stage 2 of the UChicago Yenching Academy Campus Nomination Application
  • Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 12:00 pm CT: Second drafts of both essays in narrative format due in Canvas
  • Attend one Second Draft Review Appointment with a CCRF advisor
  • Monday, November 6, 2023 at 12:00 pm CT: Third drafts of both essays due in Canvas. Optional Third Draft Review Appointments will then be offered to current Yenching Cohort members.
  • On or before Wednesday, November 22, 2023: All letters of recommendation uploaded by recommenders to Stage 2 of the UChicago Yenching Academy Campus Nomination Application
  • On or before Monday, November 27, 2023 at 12:00 pm CT: Complete and submit Stage 2 of the UChicago Yenching Academy Campus Nomination Application. UChicago campus nomination will be based on the materials submitted in Stage 2. Late or incomplete materials or recommendations will not be accepted. CCRF reserves the right to decide not to nominate Yenching Cohort members if the materials submitted at the Stage 2 deadline do not represent the standards of the University of Chicago. 
    • Two letters of recommendation from faculty members required and up to two optional, additional letters of recommendation
    • Personal Statement final draft (750 words maximum)
    • Statement of Research Interest final draft with relevant citations/bibliography (1500 words maximum, not including citations/bibliography)
    • Additional Applicant Information for the Nomination Form
    • CV/academic resume (2 pages maximum)
    • Confirmation & Attestation Form
  • On or before Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 10:00 pm CT: Yenching Academy National Deadline for UChicago nominees. All designated nominees must additionally submit their complete and final applications through the separate online Yenching Academy application portal, making sure to include any necessary supporting materials, such as official transcript(s), any diplomas or certificates of enrollment, and/or demonstrated English proficiency.

Please note that the timeline above is an overview only, with dates and requirements subject to addition and change. Members of the 2023 UChicago Yenching Academy Cohort should refer to the 2023 UChicago Yenching Academy Canvas course for the latest information about deadlines and requirements.

It is your responsibility to be aware of and work to the 2023 UChicago Yenching Academy Campus Process application procedures and deadlines. The CCRF and its associated staff are not responsible for late submissions, including late or missing letters of recommendation, or missed campus nomination or national deadlines. There is no recourse at the national level for missed deadlines or incomplete applications.


Students with disabilities who have been approved for the use of academic accommodations by Student Disability Services (SDS) and need a reasonable accommodation(s) to participate fully in the 2023 UChicago Yenching Academy Campus Process should follow the procedures established by SDS for using accommodations. Timely notifications are required in order to ensure that your accommodations can be implemented. Please contact Johanna Best (bestjl@uchicago.edu) to discuss your access needs for this Campus Process after you have completed the SDS procedures for requesting accommodations.

To contact SDS: disabilities.uchicago.edu | (773) 702-6000 | disabilities@uchicago.edu

For more information on this opportunity, please contact: 
Johanna Best
773.834.0794