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Peking University

#17 QS World Ranking#12 THE RankingChinaPublic
  • QS ranking#17
  • Acceptance rate≈1%
  • Typical GPAGaokao top 0.1%
  • Tuition / year≈$3,600

Overview

About Peking University

China's most prestigious institution; Tsinghua's rival for China's #1; strong in humanities and social sciences; government elite pipeline; beautiful campus (former imperial gardens)

  • International environmentLimited intl UG (separate quota); ~5% intl; Yenching Academy (English grad) emerging
  • Teaching styleLecture + seminar; rigorous; Chinese-language dominant; research-heavy at grad

Academics

Subjects and fit

Strongest subjects

  • Humanities
  • Law
  • Economics
  • Medicine
  • Computer Science
  • Mathematics
  • Life Sciences

Best for

  • Sinologists
  • China-focused careers
  • economists
  • researchers
  • Yenching scholars

Getting in

Admission requirements

  • GPA: Gaokao top 0.1% (domestic); intl: strong GPA + Chinese proficiency
  • HSK Level 5–6 for Chinese-taught programs; TOEFL 80+ for English programs (Yenching)
  • Gaokao (domestic); intl: own selection exam or via CUCAS; Yenching: GRE optional
  • Difficulty: Extremely Competitive (domestic); Competitive (intl Yenching)
  • Acceptance rate: ~1% via Gaokao (domestic); intl: larger quota relatively
  • Deadline: Domestic: June (Gaokao) | Intl: Oct–Feb | Yenching: Jan

On campus

Campus and location

On-campus housing for intl students (Shaoyuan District); very affordable

Money

Costs and scholarships

  • Tuition (USD)26,000 CNY/yr ≈ ~$3,600 (UG intl); Yenching: ~$6,000/yr
  • Living cost (USD)8,000–14,000 USD
  • ScholarshipsChinese Government Scholarship (CSC full ride for intl); Yenching Scholarship (full-ride grad)

  • Yenching Academy

    leadership

    Master

    ChinaDec
    Official link

  • University Scholarship at Peking University 2026 (Fully Funded)

    meritneed

    Sinh viên quốc tế bậc Cử nhân, Thạc sĩ và Tiến sĩ, mọi quốc tịch.

    China23 Dec 2025
    Official link
See all scholarships

After graduation

Careers and outcomes

  • Industry connectionsGovernment ministries, Alibaba, Baidu, Tencent, Huawei, academia, CEIBS (via MBA)
  • InternshipsInternship network via Beijing tech industry; government placement strong
  • EmployabilityTop in China; global elite for Chinese studies, law, economics; Yenching rising for global leadership

The honest view

Why students choose Peking University

  • Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC full ride for intl); Yenching Scholarship (full-ride grad)
  • Employability: Top in China; global elite for Chinese studies, law, economics; Yenching rising for global leadership

Worth knowing

Gaokao almost impossible for non-Chinese; Chinese language essential; significant political/academic freedom limitations

GlowBal's insider note

VERIFIED: CSC (Chinese Government Scholarship) is one of the world's most generous covers tuition + housing + stipend for qualified international students. INSIGHT: Yenching Academy is China's answer to Rhodes Scholarship 125 fully-funded spots for global graduates.

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