Peking University
北京大学 · PKU
Beijing, Beijing · QS #17
QS Rank
#17
City
Beijing
Founded
1898
Students
45,000+
Intl Students
4,000+
CSC Eligible
Yes — Type A
Tuition
$4,000–8,000/yr
Living Cost
$400–800/mo
Language
HSK 5+ (Chinese-taught) / IELTS 6.5+ (English-taught)
Deadline
January 15 (CSC) / March 1 (self-funded)
About Peking University
Peking University (Beida) is China's most storied institution — the birthplace of the May Fourth Movement and the intellectual heart of the nation for over a century. While Tsinghua dominates engineering, PKU reigns supreme in pure sciences, mathematics, law, and medicine. The Yenching Academy (全额奖学金) is one of the world's most competitive master's programs, modeled after Oxford's Rhodes Scholarship. PKU's campus on the former site of imperial gardens is considered the most beautiful university campus in China, with Weiming Lake and the Boya Tower as iconic landmarks.
Motto: "Patriotism, Advancement, Democracy, Science"
Programs Offered
Key Strengths
- #17 globally — highest-ranked C9 alongside Tsinghua
- Yenching Academy — fully funded elite Master's
- Most beautiful traditional/garden campus in China
- #1 in Mathematics & Pure Sciences in Asia
- Birthplace of modern Chinese intellectual thought
Admission Tips
PKU is as competitive as Tsinghua. The Yenching Academy is a separate, English-taught, fully-funded master's program — extremely competitive but worth applying. For regular CSC admission, a professor's pre-acceptance letter is critical. PhD applicants should have publications. GPA: 3.5+/4.0 expected. Chinese language programs are more accessible for beginners.
Campus Life
The campus is a serene oasis in north Beijing — traditional Chinese gardens, winding paths around Weiming Lake, and historic architecture blended with modern libraries. Located in Haidian, adjacent to Tsinghua and the tech hub of Zhongguancun. International dorms are on-campus. Beijing winters are cold and dry; summers are hot. Budget ¥3,000–5,000/month.
Why Choose Peking University?
China's most prestigious university brand
Yenching Academy opportunity
Stunning historic campus
Unmatched in humanities, law, and pure sciences
Beijing's cultural and political capital
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