The China Studies Program is implemented by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of China’s Ministry of Education. Peking University hosts recipients in Beijing for doctoral study in China-focused humanities and social sciences.
The annual fellowship supports eligible master’s graduates through a doctorate with a basic study period of four years. The 2026 cycle closed on February 28, with results due in late May or early June and enrollment in early September.
Benefits & funding
- The full scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, living expenses, and international travel.
- The doctoral program has a basic study period of four years.
- Graduates may receive priority for further China Studies Program support, including dissertation or translation publication, research in China, and academic conferences.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens holding a valid foreign passport; no separate country-of-residence requirement is published.
- Former residents of mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan who later obtained foreign nationality must show foreign passport or citizenship documents dated before April 30, 2020, plus proof that Chinese nationality was cancelled.
- Applicants must hold a master’s degree or higher from an institution recognized by China’s Ministry of Education and meet the academic requirements of the chosen field.
- Applicants must be physically and psychologically healthy, have no criminal record, and comply with Chinese law and Peking University rules.
- Chinese-taught programs require HSK Level 6 with at least 210 overall and 65 in writing, or a qualifying HSK Level 7–9 result.
- English-taught programs require HSK Level 5 and the English proficiency specified by the relevant program.
- Applicants should have a strong academic foundation, a clear China-related research topic or goal, and the ability to conduct research in Chinese.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Education required
Master
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Application process
- 1Apply through the China Studies Program website and print the completed Ph. D. Fellowship in China application form.
- 2Apply through Peking University’s International Student Service System using admission code CSP-PHD and the path Application → Degree Programs Application → CSP Ph.D in China Fellowship project.
- 3Upload the required degrees and authentication reports, transcripts, personal statement, résumé, commitment letter, two recommendations, HSK result, research outputs, CSP form, passport pages, and any department-specific materials.
- 4If pre-admitted, send the requested original application materials to Peking University by the date given in the admission notice.
Program timeline
December 31, 2025
The 2026 application notice was published.
Program and scholarship application deadline.
February 28, 2026
Admission and scholarship decisions sent by email.
Late May or early June 2026
Enrollment and registration at Peking University.
Early September 2026