Peking University

Known as "Beida." China's oldest and most prestigious national university, famed for its beautiful traditional campus and academic leadership.

Beijing (Haidian), China World Rank: #14 (QS 2026) Founded: 1898

46,000+

Students

76

Academicians (CAS)

#1

Rank in China

8M+

Library Volumes

Why Study at Peking University?

Imperial Campus

The campus, known as "Yan Yuan," is situated on the former site of Qing Dynasty imperial gardens. It is famous for its traditional Chinese architecture, pagodas, and lakes.

Academic Prestige

Often referred to as the "Harvard of China," PKU is the top destination for the country's best students in humanities, social sciences, and pure sciences.

Yenching Academy

Home to the prestigious Yenching Academy, a fully-funded master's program that brings together future global leaders to study China from diverse perspectives.

Largest Library

The Peking University Library is the largest university library in Asia, holding millions of volumes and ancient manuscripts.

Guanghua Management

The Guanghua School of Management is one of the most elite business schools in Asia, with deep ties to China's corporate and political leadership.

Tech Hub

Located in the Haidian District, right next to Zhongguancun (China's Silicon Valley), offering immense opportunities for tech internships and startups.

Popular Programs

Chinese Literature

The world's premier center for Sinology

Economics

Highly quantitative and policy-focused

Clinical Medicine

PKU Health Science Center

Law

Training ground for China's legal elite

International Relations

Renowned School of International Studies

Computer Science

Top-tier research in AI and systems

Chemistry

Consistently ranked top 10 globally

History

Deep focus on Chinese and World History

Philosophy

Mixing Eastern and Western traditions

Physics

Rigorous theoretical physics program

*Note: Most undergraduate programs require HSK 6 (fluent Chinese).

MBA (Global)

Guanghua School of Management (English)

Master of China Studies

Yenching Academy (Fully Funded/English)

LLM (Chinese Law)

Designed for international lawyers

MPP (Public Policy)

School of Government

MSc Finance

Top-ranked finance program in Asia

MSc Computer Tech

Advanced computing and software engineering

International Relations

MIR Program (English Taught)

Public Health (MPH)

Leading research in global health issues

Management (MiM)

For recent graduates seeking business roles

PhD

Doctoral research across all disciplines

Scholarships & Funding

Chinese Govt Scholarship

The "CSC Scholarship" is the most comprehensive award, covering full tuition, accommodation, medical insurance, and a monthly stipend.

Beijing Govt Scholarship

Provides tuition fee support (full or partial) for international students studying in Beijing universities.

PKU President's Fellowship

Designed for outstanding international PhD students, offering a generous living allowance and tuition coverage.

Yenching Fellowship

A globally competitive, fully funded scholarship for the Master of China Studies program (tuition, travel, accommodation, stipend).

Confucius Institute

Scholarships for students pursuing degrees in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (MTCSOL).

Guanghua Scholarships

The Business School offers specific merit-based entrance scholarships for competitive MBA and Master's applicants.

The "Yan Yuan" Garden Campus

Weiming Lake

The spiritual heart of the campus. A tranquil lake surrounded by weeping willows, perfect for study and reflection.

Boya Pagoda

A water tower designed as a traditional pagoda. The combination of "One Tower and One Lake" is the symbol of PKU.

PKU Library

A massive, modern library complex that blends traditional aesthetics with state-of-the-art research technology.

Sackler Museum

The Arthur M. Sackler Museum of Art and Archaeology is located on campus, housing priceless Chinese artifacts.

Khokho Sports Centre

Facilities used during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, including a world-class table tennis arena and swimming complex.

Canteens

Famous for having numerous subsidized canteens offering diverse cuisines from every province in China at very low prices.

Research & Innovation

Natural Sciences

PKU is China's leader in fundamental sciences, including physics, chemistry, and mathematics research.

Artificial Intelligence

The Institute for Artificial Intelligence is driving China's advancements in machine learning and computer vision.

Sinology

The undisputed global center for the study of Chinese history, philosophy, language, and archaeology.

Biomedicine

The BIOPIC center focuses on single-cell genomics and advanced medical imaging technologies.

South-South Cooperation

Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development (ISSCAD) trains leaders from developing nations.

Environmental Science

Leading research in air pollution control, ecology, and sustainable development policies for China and the world.

Entry Requirements

Undergraduate Requirements

  • HSK 6 (Mandarin): Strictly required for most majors. Score of 210+ usually needed.
  • Academic Records: Top grades in High School (A-Levels A*AA, IB 38+, or equivalent).
  • Entrance Exam: International students may need to take PKU's own entrance exam (Math/Chinese/English).
  • Interview: A comprehensive interview is part of the selection process for qualified applicants.
  • Pre-University: If your Chinese isn't ready, you can apply for the 1-year Pre-University program to improve language skills.
  • SAT/ACT: Accepted in lieu of entrance exams for certain international pathways (competitive scores required).
  • Recommendation: 2 letters of recommendation from teachers.

Graduate Requirements

  • Bachelor's Degree: From a recognized university with a high GPA.
  • Language Proficiency: HSK 6 for Chinese-taught programs; TOEFL/IELTS for English-taught programs.
  • Personal Statement: 1500 words outlining academic background and research plan.
  • References: Two letters from professors or associate professors.
  • GRE/GMAT: Required for Guanghua MBA and some other specific schools.
  • Research Proposal: Essential for PhD applicants to demonstrate alignment with a supervisor.
  • Passport: Valid non-Chinese passport (applicants must be non-Chinese citizens).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know Chinese?
For Undergraduate: YES. Almost all programs are in Chinese (HSK 6 required).
For Graduate: Not necessarily. There are many specific Master's programs (MBA, Law, IR) taught entirely in English.
What is the acceptance rate for internationals?
It is competitive but higher than for domestic students taking the Gaokao. The challenge is usually the language requirement. If you have the grades and the HSK score, your chances are reasonable.
Is there a Foundation Year?
Yes. The "Pre-University Program" is designed for international students who have excellent grades but need to improve their academic Chinese before starting their Bachelor's degree.
Where is the campus located?
PKU is in the Haidian District of Beijing, the university and tech hub of the city. It is close to the Summer Palace and Tsinghua University, with easy subway access to the city center.

Ready to Study at China's Top University?

From passing the HSK to applying for the Chinese Government Scholarship, we guide you through every step.