YENCHING ACADEMY OF PEKING UNIVERSITY
Yenching Global Symposium
full · bachelors, masters, phd
- ~100 delegatesInternational delegate places per cycle
- 113 scholarsYenching Academy cohort delegates join
- Fully fundedIn-Beijing costs covered for delegates
- 3-4 daysLength of the symposium
- ~USD 1,500 (est.)Approximate value of a funded delegate place
- All disciplinesOpen to applicants from any field
At a glance
full
Funding
€3k
Max amount
Jan 31, 2027
Deadline
Open to applicants worldwide
Country
Yenching Academy of Peking University
Provider
The Yenching Global Symposium is a fully funded delegate conference run by the Yenching Academy of Peking University in Beijing, China. It is a short, intensive event of around 3 to 4 days rather than a degree programme, and it brings together roughly 100 international delegates alongside the 113 students of the Yenching Academy cohort for academic panels, lectures, cultural workshops and networking. The symposium is organised around themed streams that in past editions have included technology, nature and culture, with discussions centred on China's evolving role in the wider world. Funding for selected delegates covers the in-Beijing costs of attending: accommodation, local transportation and meals are provided, while delegates based outside China should budget separately for visa fees and any costs not explicitly covered. Selection is by application and is highly selective, drawing several thousand applicants each cycle for the limited delegate places. Because it is hosted at Peking University, an institution founded in 1898, delegates also gain direct exposure to one of China's oldest universities. The estimated value of a funded delegate place, counting accommodation, meals and local transport over the event, is in the region of around USD 1,000 to USD 2,000 depending on the year. Exact dates, the annual theme, what the award covers and the application deadline change every cycle, so confirm the current 2027 figures on the official Yenching Academy website before you apply.
What's covered
- Accommodation in Beijing — Lodging for the duration of the symposium is provided for selected delegates, with an estimated value of around ~USD 600 (est.) over the event.
- Meals — Meals across the conference days are covered for delegates, worth roughly ~USD 200 (est.) in total.
- Local transportation — Ground transport within Beijing linked to the programme is provided, valued at approximately ~USD 100 (est.).
- Programme access — Full access to all academic panels, keynote lectures, cultural workshops and social activities at Peking University at no cost to the delegate.
- Networking and community — Inclusion in the symposium's network of delegates and Yenching Scholars, with the overall funded place valued at around ~USD 1,500 (est.).
- Note on travel — Delegates based outside China are typically responsible for their own international airfare and visa costs; confirm the exact split on the official page.
How to apply
Applications are submitted online through the Yenching Academy of Peking University. There is no separate university admission step because this is a delegate conference, not a degree, but the application form and essays must be completed in full before the deadline.
- Review the current theme — Read the published theme and stream descriptions for the upcoming symposium so your application speaks to that year's focus.
- Prepare your materials — Assemble your CV, academic information and the required essays or short-answer responses on your interest in the symposium and China's global role.
- Complete the online form — Fill in and submit the official delegate application on the Yenching Academy website before the deadline.
- Submit essays — Provide the requested written responses that demonstrate your motivation, leadership and fit with the symposium streams.
- Await selection — Selected delegates are notified by the organisers; respond promptly to confirm your place and arrange travel.
Eligibility
Academic standingBe a current undergraduate or postgraduate student, or a recent graduate, with a strong academic record.
DisciplineOpen to applicants from any field of study; the symposium is deliberately interdisciplinary.
Interest in ChinaDemonstrate genuine engagement with China's role in global issues and the symposium's themed streams.
LanguageSessions are conducted in English, so delegates should be comfortable participating in academic discussion in English.
LeadershipShow leadership potential and a willingness to contribute actively to panels, workshops and dialogue.
There are only around 100 delegate places against several thousand applications, so the process is highly selective. Confirm any nationality or age conditions for the current cycle on the official Yenching Academy page.
Eligible countries
Open to applicants worldwide
Deadlines
2027 symposium (delegate application)~31 January 2027 (est.)
2027 symposium (notifications)~March 2027 (est.)
Selection
Selection is decided by the Yenching Academy organising committee on the basis of the written application, essays and academic background. With around 100 delegate places set against several thousand applicants, the committee looks for strong academic standing, leadership potential, interdisciplinary curiosity and a clear interest in China's role in global affairs. There is no examination; the essays and CV carry the weight of the decision, so applicants are advised to tailor their responses closely to the year's theme and streams. Final delegates are notified directly by the organisers.
Verified sources
- Yenching Academy of Peking Universityyenchingacademy.pku.edu.cnofficial
- Peking Universityenglish.pku.edu.cnofficial
About the provider
The Yenching Academy of Peking University is an interdisciplinary institute based at Peking University in Beijing, China, founded in 1898. The academy runs a master's programme in China Studies and hosts the Yenching Global Symposium, gathering international students and emerging leaders to examine China's role in the world through academic and cultural exchange.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What is the Yenching Global Symposium?
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It is a fully funded delegate conference of around 3 to 4 days, hosted by the Yenching Academy of Peking University in Beijing, where roughly 100 international delegates join the academy's scholars for panels, lectures and workshops on China's global role.
Is the Yenching Global Symposium the same as the Yenching Academy master's?
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No. The Yenching Academy runs a separate 2-year master's degree in China Studies. The Global Symposium is a short delegate conference, not a degree programme, and is applied for separately.
Is it really fully funded?
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For selected delegates the in-Beijing costs (accommodation, meals and local transport) are covered. Delegates from outside China are usually responsible for their own international airfare and visa fees, so confirm the exact coverage on the official page.
How many delegates are selected?
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Around 100 international delegate places are offered each cycle, joining the 113 Yenching Academy scholars.
Who can apply?
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Current university students and recent graduates from any discipline worldwide who have a strong academic record and a genuine interest in China and global affairs.
What language is the symposium held in?
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Sessions are conducted in English, so delegates should be comfortable taking part in academic discussion in English.
When is the application deadline?
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The deadline is typically around the end of January; for the 2027 cycle expect roughly 31 January 2027 (est.). Confirm the exact date on the official Yenching Academy website.
What is the estimated value of a funded place?
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Counting accommodation, meals and local transport, a funded delegate place is worth roughly ~USD 1,500 (est.), though this varies by year.
What documents do I need to apply?
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A completed online application form, a CV, the requested essays or short-answer responses, and proof of student or recent-graduate status; passport details are needed only if you are shortlisted.
Do I need to know Chinese?
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No. The working language is English, although interest in and knowledge of China strengthens an application.
How competitive is selection?
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It is highly selective, with several thousand applications competing for around 100 places, so essays should be tailored carefully to the year's theme.
Where can I confirm the current details?
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Always check the official Yenching Academy of Peking University website for the current theme, dates, coverage and deadline before applying, as these change each cycle.