Peking University (Beijing University) for International Students: Admission, Requirements and Fees

Peking University (北京大学, PKU) is China's oldest national university and one of the country's two most prestigious. In English searches it is often called Beijing University, and in China simply "Beida". It admits international students to bachelor's, master's, PhD and pre-university programmes. Here are the requirements, 2026 application windows, fees and scholarships. For the general admission process, see How to Apply to Study in China in 2027.

Beijing University and Peking University are the same

Yes. "Beijing University", "Peking University", "PKU" and "Beida" (北大) are all names for the same university. The official English name is Peking University — use it in your documents.

Don't confuse it with other Beijing universities that have "Beijing" in their names, such as Beijing Normal University or Beijing Language and Culture University. They are separate universities with separate applications.

Peking University: key facts

According to the Peking University International Students Division:

Source: Peking University, Peking University — graduate programmes, ShanghaiRanking — ARWU 2025

The university is in Haidian District in north-west Beijing, next to Tsinghua University and the Zhongguancun technology hub. For choosing a city, see Best Cities in China for International Students.

Programmes for international students

1. Yuke pre-university programme — 1–2 years of language and academic preparation for strong high school graduates aiming for a PKU bachelor's degree. See the programme page.
2. Bachelor's — taught in Chinese, 4–6 years, with several admission tracks: via an entrance examination, without a written examination, and the Boya programme.
3. Master's and PhD — taught in Chinese or English; master's 2–3 years, PhD 4–5 years. English-taught programmes are listed on the graduate programme page.
4. Exchange and visiting programmes — short-term, non-degree study.

If you don't speak Chinese yet, the only realistic route to a PKU bachelor's is language preparation first — see Language Year in China.

How to apply for a bachelor's at Peking University

Bachelor's programmes for international students at PKU are taught only in Chinese. Key requirements from the 2026 admission notice:

1. foreign citizenship and a valid passport;
2. age generally 18–25;
3. completed high school with excellent academic performance;
4. CSCA results for applicants to the Chinese Government Scholarship.

2026 tracks and windows:

Source: Peking University — entrance examination track, Peking University — track without written examination

You cannot apply to two bachelor's tracks at once. The application fee is RMB 800 and non-refundable. PKU announces bachelor's tuition to admitted students after approval — it is not listed in the 2026 notice.

For the CSCA exam, see The CSCA Exam in 2027.

How to apply for a master's at Peking University

Each school and programme sets its own requirements. An example is the 2026 Computer Science guide:

Source: Peking University

Other schools charge less: for example, a master's at the School of Electronic and Computer Engineering in Shenzhen costs RMB 33,000 a year. For the Computer Science programme, admission letters and JW201/JW202 forms were sent in late June 2026.

Scholarships at Peking University

Admitted international students can apply for several scholarships, listed on the university's scholarship page:

1. Chinese Government Scholarship — tuition waiver, accommodation, medical insurance and a monthly stipend. Bachelor's applicants need CSCA results.
2. Beijing Government Scholarship — full or partial funding.
3. PKU Scholarship for International Students — full or partial tuition waiver, insurance and monthly payments.
4. Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC) Scholarship — for Chinese language learners.

Living costs in Beijing are high — see How Much It Costs to Study and Live in China.

Frequently asked questions

Are Beijing University and Peking University the same?

Yes. The official English name is Peking University (PKU); in Chinese it is 北京大学.

Can I study at Peking University without Chinese?

Not at bachelor's level — it is taught only in Chinese. At master's and PhD level, yes, on English-taught programmes, but you need IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 100+ (for Computer Science, for example). For a bachelor's without Chinese, consider the Yuke programme or a language year.

How much does Peking University cost?

The application fee is RMB 800. An English-taught master's in Computer Science costs RMB 50,000 a year; at the ECE school in Shenzhen, RMB 33,000. Bachelor's tuition is announced to admitted students.

When should I apply to Peking University?

For bachelor's 2026: December 2025 to February 2026, with a second round in June–July 2026. For master's: from late October to December or January. Expect similar windows for 2027.

Do I need CSCA for Peking University?

Yes, if you apply for a bachelor's programme with the Chinese Government Scholarship — PKU requires valid CSCA scores.

Quick action plan

1. Decide on your level and language of instruction.

2. Prepare HSK 5–6 or IELTS 6.5+ well in advance.

3. For a bachelor's with a scholarship, take CSCA.

4. Watch for admission notices from October 2026.

5. Apply in parallel to 2–3 universities with more realistic competition.

Information checked on 4 October 2026. Requirements, fees and deadlines may change — always check the official Peking University website before applying.

Useful articles about studying in China

1. How to Apply to Study in China in 2027 — a Complete Guide for International Students
2. The CSCA Exam in 2027: Who Needs It, Subjects, Dates and Preparation
3. Language Year in China in 2027: Cost, Universities and Application Deadlines
4. Scholarships to Study in China: Chinese Government Scholarship, University and Provincial Grants
5. Top Universities in China for International Students: Rankings and How to Choose