Peking University Admission Guide 2027: Requirements, CSC Scholarship, Fees and How to Apply
Peking University admission is possible for international students, but the route is different: most undergraduate programmes are taught in Chinese, English-taught options sit mainly at master’s level, and the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) is the key funding route. This Peking University Admission Guide 2027 explains language requirements, the CSC process for Pakistani students through HEC, other scholarships and visa basics, using PKU and other sources checked in October 2026. For ranking and a short profile, see our Peking University profile page.
Peking University QS Ranking 2027 and Its Place in China
Peking University (PKU) is 13th in the QS World University Rankings 2027. Founded in 1898 as the Imperial University of Peking, it is China’s first comprehensive university and a founding member of the C9 League, with unusual strength in humanities, social sciences and basic sciences. See all ranked universities in our World’s Top 100 Universities directory.
For a Beijing alternative read our Tsinghua admission guide.
What Is the Peking University Acceptance Rate?
PKU does not publish an acceptance rate for international applicants. For funded places the real competition is the scholarship quota: PKU receives more humanities and social science applications for CSC awards than any other Chinese university, according to one scholarship guide. Focus on meeting every language and document requirement.
Peking University Entry Requirements for International Students
- Undergraduate: international undergraduate study lasts 4 to 6 years and is taught in Chinese. Applicants to Chinese-taught programmes must pass HSK Level 6 (over 210 points) or show an equivalent level.
- Master’s and doctoral: some programmes are taught in English and do not require Chinese; others require HSK.
- English-taught graduate programmes: one published PKU programme asks for TOEFL iBT 100, GRE 320 or IELTS 6.5 and charges an application fee of RMB 800.
- Documents: degree certificates and transcripts, with authentication or translation in Chinese or English.
- CSC undergraduates: from the 2026–27 intake applicants for the Chinese Government Scholarship must also sit the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA), according to one scholarship guide.
Chinese (HSK) and English Tests for PKU
The test you need depends on the language of instruction. For Chinese-taught programmes, plan HSK, and for English-taught graduate programmes, plan IELTS or TOEFL. Start your preparation with our IELTS preparation guides, and build English vocabulary with the One Word, One Page database.
How to Apply to Peking University: Step by Step
- Choose your level and language of instruction (Chinese-taught or English-taught).
- Submit the PKU admission application first if you want the CSC Bilateral Program (Type A).
- Apply for CSC through the CSC portal and, for Pakistan, through HEC as well.
- Prepare HSK or English test scores and degree documents.
- Wait for admission and scholarship results, then follow PKU’s visa instructions.
- Prepare documents with our PDF Toolkit and refine statements in the AI Language Studio.
Explore Related Guides & Rankings
Peking University Application Deadlines 2027
| What | Date |
|---|---|
| PKU graduate application windows (example, last published cycle) | 14 October 2024 to 10 January 2025 for one computer science programme; dates differ by school |
| CSC applications for Pakistan | Both the HEC and CSC portals must be completed before the deadline announced each year (31 March 2026 was reported for last cycle) |
| Academic year begins | September 2027 |
Peking University Tuition Fees
Fees depend on the programme and language. Independent guides give typical ranges of about RMB 30,000 to 50,000 a year for taught master’s programmes at the leading Beijing universities, but individual programmes can be higher. PKU states that the Chinese Government Scholarship does not fully cover tuition for English-taught master’s programmes, so scholarship holders pay the difference.
Peking University Scholarships and the CSC for Pakistani Students
- Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC): covers tuition, accommodation, a monthly stipend and medical insurance, and Pakistan’s nominating agency is HEC (agency number 5861). Applicants need to complete both the HEC and the CSC applications.
- Seats for Pakistan: China announced 75 fully funded CSC scholarships for Pakistani students for 2026–27.
- Beijing Government Scholarship and PKU Scholarship for International Students: awarded on comprehensive evaluation with no separate application, covering some or all tuition.
- Other funding: see our fully funded scholarships for 2027 guide.
Chinese Student Visa and Living in Beijing
Admitted international students receive admission documents from PKU, which they use to apply for a student (X) visa and then a residence permit after arrival. Follow PKU’s instructions exactly. Beijing living costs are moderate compared with Western capitals, and the CSC stipend is designed to cover them. A Chinese-language course is common for students on the Chinese-taught track.
Mistakes That Cost PKU Applicants
- Applying to a Chinese-taught undergraduate programme without HSK.
- Completing the CSC form but not the HEC portal (or the reverse).
- Assuming CSC covers all tuition on English-taught master’s programmes.
- Missing school-specific dates.
- Relying on agents instead of the official portals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Peking University Admission
They apply through PKU’s international admission system for their level, and apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship through the CSC portal and, for Pakistan, through HEC.
For Chinese-taught undergraduate programmes you need HSK Level 6 (over 210 points) or equivalent. Some master’s and doctoral programmes are taught in English and do not require Chinese.
Yes. The Chinese Government Scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, a stipend and insurance, and Pakistani applicants must apply through both HEC and the CSC portal.
Pakistan’s nominating agency for the Chinese Government Scholarship is HEC, with agency number 5861.
English-taught graduate programmes accept TOEFL iBT, IELTS or GRE, with one published programme asking for TOEFL 100, IELTS 6.5 or GRE 320.
PKU says the Chinese Government Scholarship does not fully cover tuition for English-taught master’s programmes, so recipients pay the difference.
International undergraduate study at PKU lasts 4 to 6 years and is taught in Chinese.
Peking University is 13th in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
Peking University Admission for Pakistani Students
Pakistani applicants have a specific funding route through HEC and the CSC. This table turns the guide into a checklist.
| Area | What Pakistani applicants should do |
|---|---|
| Language | Decide between a Chinese-taught route (HSK) and an English-taught graduate route (IELTS, TOEFL or GRE) |
| PKU application | Submit the PKU admission application on the PKU international admission system for your level |
| CSC through HEC | Apply on both the HEC portal and the CSC portal. HEC’s agency number is 5861 |
| Undergraduate CSC | Check whether the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) applies to your intake |
| Documents | Prepare transcripts, degree certificates, passport (valid beyond March 2027) and translations |
| Visa | Follow PKU’s instructions for the student visa and residence permit |
| Start time | Begin 12 months before intake: HSK or English tests and HEC deadlines come early |
More PHL EDU University Admission Guides
Comparing universities? Every guide in this series follows the same plan: ranking, requirements, deadlines, costs, funding, visa and a Pakistan checklist. Browse them all, or open the full World’s Top 100 Universities directory for rankings and profiles.
Free tools that help with your application: AI Language Studio, PDF Toolkit, Word Bank, One Word, One Page, IELTS preparation guides, fully funded scholarships for 2027 and the PHL EDU blog.
Disclaimer: This article uses PKU’s official pages, HEC and CSC information reported by Pakistani sources, other public sources and the QS World University Rankings 2027, last checked in October 2026. Fees, deadlines, scholarships, test rules and visa rules change, and no admission, funding, visa or job outcome is guaranteed. Always confirm details with Peking University and the relevant government before applying.
