Overview
The School of International Studies at Peking University launched the Master of International Relations (MIR) program in 2009 for those interested in international studies and Chinese foreign relations. All the international applicants are welcomed.
MIR is one of the leading English-taught Master’s programs in China. This program offers insights into the most recent developments in Chinese international relations studies and the Chinese perspectives on crucial issues such as world system, security, environment, energy, etc. Through coursework and thesis projects, students will deepen their understanding of Chinese politics, society, and foreign relations.
Entry Requirements
1. Eligibility. This program is designed for international applicants who hold valid passports issued by their countries. Residents of Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan who have emigrated to another country and are applying to Peking University as international students must present valid passport or citizenship documents dating from before April 30, 2019, along with proof of cancellation of Chinese nationality.
Note: The exit and entry administration authority of the public security organ of China reserves the right to judge whether an applicant still has Chinese nationality. If during the application period or even after the admission or registration the applicant is judged to be still holding Chinese nationality, his/her application, admission, registration, or even enrollment will be nullified.
2. Prior Degree. Applicants must have attained a bachelor's degree from a university/college accredited by the Ministry of Education of China (Grade skipping or joining in the middle of the course is not permitted). Applicants who have not yet graduated upon application, must get the degree before September 2025.
3. Applicants should be healthy, both physically and psychologically, with no criminal record, and must abide by the laws and decrees of China and the regulations of Peking University.
4. Language Proficiency. Applicants from non-English speaking background or who did not receive their bachelor’s degree from an English-speaking institution after September 1, 2020 are required to provide valid English test certificates.
Program Content
Students will receive intensive and rigorous trainings in various fields ranging from general politics, foreign affairs, to social development of contemporary China. Students are encouraged to study Mandarin in this program, but all MIR courses and theses are conducted in English. Students will be granted a master’s degree in International Relations by Peking University once all requirements are fulfilled.
Certified by the Degree Committee of Peking University, a two-year full-time Master’s Degree in law, majored in International Relations will be granted upon completion of required credits and successful defense of a Master’s thesis.
Your Application
Visit the application system (http://www.studyatpku.com), fill in the application and upload the following documents:
(1) Degree Documentation
Graduation and degree certificates and degree authentication in Chinese or English. For degree certificates in other languages, applicants are required to upload both the original copy and a notarized copy in Chinese or English. Degree diplomas awarded by overseas universities must be authenticated by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange, Ministry of Education, P. R. China (CSCSE). Degree diplomas awarded by universities on the Chinese mainland must be authenticated by the Center for Student Services and Development, Ministry of Education, P. R. China (CSSD).
Note: Applicants who graduated before 2025 must upload their degree authentication report during the application period. Applicants expected to graduate in 2025 must provide an official letter from their current university stating their expected graduation date, submit their certificate of graduation upon being pre-admitted.
(2) Academic Transcripts
Official transcripts of the applicant’s academic achievement, including courses taken and standards achieved. These must be original documents or notarized copies either in Chinese or English.
(3) A personal statement
A personal statement of no more than 1500 words either in Chinese or English.
(4) Resume and a copy of the Commitment for Application
(5) Two Recommendation Letters
Two recommendation letters from professor(s) or associate professor(s) related to the applicant’s major (or equivalent professionals with relevant academic title), either in Chinese or English. Once applicants submit a request, the application system will send a link to the recommenders, and the recommenders should click the link and complete the recommendation either by filling out the form online or by uploading the scanned copy of the signed letter.
Please click the link to download the template for material 3-5: https://www.isd.pku.edu.cn/down/shen/ru.html
(6) Language Proficiency
IELTS 7.0, or TOEFL IBT / TOEFL Home Edition 100, GRE 315 or Linguaskill 180.
English test should be taken after September 1, 2023
(7) Information page of the valid passport (passport type must be ordinary).
The passport’s date of expiry should be after December 2025.
(8) Abstracts of publications and/or any original work in other forms in relevant fields (If relevant).
(9) Additional application documents.
Notes:
1.Applicants should scan the original or notarized application documents in color using a scanner. Images captured by mobile phone or camera are NOT acceptable.
2.Upon finishing the online application, download the application form, and send the soft copies of the required documents to sisoip@pku.edu.cn by the email of the applicant. The soft copies of the required documents shall be organized in nice order in one PDF (place the Application Form in the foremost, then proceed along the list of the Application Materials, except for recommendation letters).
3.The Application Form in soft and hard copies should be accurately and truthfully completed and signed.
4. The application fee for MIR program must be paid via online payment by Beijing time 20th February (for Round 1 applications) or 15th March (for Round 2 applications). The application fee is Nonrefundable.
Timeline 2025 (Beijing Time)
Deadline for application:
Round 1: February 20 (Interviews/Assessment: early March)
Round 2: March 15 (Interviews/Assessment: early April)
Interviews will be conducted via zoom or, in rare cases, in person.
As some scholarships have earlier application deadline, first-round applicants will have more opportunities to apply.
The pre-admitted candidates print the application form and, together with other required original Application Materials (except for degree diploma and recommendation letters), deliver or mail the materials to the office of international programs of School of International Studies.
The final admission list will be released and the official admission letter / visa application form shall be sent out: late June
Enrollment: early September 2025, the exact date is subject to PKU official admission letter. Admitted students must complete the registration procedures at Peking University with their valid passport, valid visa and admission letter and in accordance with the time specified in the admission notice. All students should present their original degree certificates and submit their degree authentication as required upon registration for the enrollment qualification review. Students who fail the enrollment qualification review will be disqualified from enrollment at Peking University.
Fees and funding
CNY75,000 (per year per person)
There are scholarships available for students.
1. Applicants can apply for the following scholarships from Peking University:
(1) Chinese Government Scholarship (Type B)
(2) Beijing Government Scholarship for International Students
2. MIR program nominates 3-5 merit-based new enrolled students as the candidates to the Scholarship Office of the International Student Division of Peking University for different scholarships
3. Applicants can also apply for Chinese Government Scholarship through the Chinese Embassy at the applicant’s country of origin. For more information, please visit https://www.campuschina.org/.
For more information, please visit https://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/graduate/lse-pku-double-degree-in-msc-international-affairs#programme-content.
Non-PRC students can apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship for year one at PKU. The scholarship application should be directed to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in the applicant’s home country. The application opens from November 2024 – April 2025 (varied for different countries). The CGS will provide the awardees with a monthly living stipend and assistance with accommodation arrangement. The PKU tuition fee will be partially covered by the CGS (students are expected to seek funding from other sources).
All Students will be eligible to apply for scholarship in year one at PKU. Since 2014, over 50 students have been awarded RMB 2,000-10,000 respectively depending on their overall academic performance in year one at PKU.
Contact Information
·Administrator: Ms. Veronica Wang Juan
·Email: sisoip@pku.edu.cn
·Phone: +86(10) 6275 9615
·Address: B101, School of International Studies, Peking University
For more detailed information including the visa issue and other matters, refer to: 2025 Application Information for International Students (Master’s Degree and Ph.D. Degree)