If you want to know how to get into Peking University as an international student, start here: you need a foreign passport, strong high school results, good Chinese, and one of three official undergraduate routes. This guide uses Peking University's (PKU) latest official rules, for 2026 entry, because 2027 undergraduate dates are not yet published.
Key takeaways
- PKU has three undergraduate routes for international students: the Entrance Examination, the Program Without Written Examination, and the Boya Program. You can apply to only one.
- Degrees are taught in Chinese. The no-exam route asks for HSK 6 with 210 or more (or an equal Chinese result).
- In the 2026 cycle, most routes closed on 28 February 2026. A second no-exam round ran from 12 June to 10 July 2026. 2027 dates are not yet announced.
- The application fee is 800 RMB (non-refundable). PKU lists undergraduate tuition at 26,000 RMB a year (humanities) and 30,000 RMB a year (sciences).
- Chinese Government Scholarship applicants must take the CSCA test and apply through their home country.
How to get into Peking University: what does it take?
Quick answer: To get into Peking University as an international student, you must hold a foreign passport, finish high school, and usually be 18-25. Pick one route: a written test (Chinese, English, Maths), a no-exam route using SAT, IB, A-Level or similar scores plus HSK 6, or school-recommended Boya. Then pass PKU's second-round assessment.
PKU was founded in 1898 as the Imperial University of Peking. Today it has seven faculties and 137 undergraduate majors (PKU International Students Division). International undergraduates study for 4 to 6 years, and teaching is in Chinese.
Does Peking University offer English-taught undergraduate programmes?
No. PKU's 2026 international undergraduate brochures all say Chinese is the medium of instruction. English-taught programmes exist only at master's and PhD level. If your Chinese is not strong yet, see the Yuke (pre-university) programme below.
You apply to a school or department, not a single major. PKU says most students choose their major after the second year (Admission Catalogue). Full details of majors are on PKU's admissions site, gotopku.cn.
Which Peking University admission route fits you?
International students with a foreign passport
These are the three official routes for 2026 entry:
| Route | Who it suits | How you are judged |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance Examination | Students who want to sit PKU's own test in Chinese, English and Maths | Written test, then a second-round assessment |
| Program Without Written Examination | Students with strong SAT, IB, A-Level, ACT or national exam results plus HSK 6 | Score review, then a second-round assessment |
| Boya Overseas Talent Training Program | Top students at high schools with Boya recommendation status | Principal's recommendation, then a second-round assessment |
Sources: Entrance Examination, Without Written Examination, Boya Program.
Boya details. Your high school must hold Boya recommendation status. Each school may recommend no more than 5 students. In principle you should be in the top 5% of your grade (overseas schools) or the top 15% of international students in your grade (schools in mainland China). Schools can apply for this status at any time of year (Boya implementation plan).
What are the rules for former Chinese citizens?
PKU follows a Ministry of Education notice (Teaching Foreign Affairs Letter [2020] No. 12). For the 2026 cycle:
- Born abroad with foreign nationality, with one or both parents Chinese citizens: your Chinese-citizen parents must have had permanent residency abroad before you were born. You also need more than 2 years of actual residence abroad between 30 April 2022 and 30 April 2026.
- Emigrated from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan: you must have got foreign nationality before 30 April 2022, plus more than 2 years of actual residence abroad between 30 April 2022 and 30 April 2026.
Nine months abroad in a year counts as one year, based on passport stamps. Chinese public security authorities decide your nationality status. Check the 2027 brochure for updated dates.
Other applicants: Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, overseas Chinese, mainland and medicine
- Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas Chinese students (Chinese citizens) use separate national schemes, such as the joint entrance exam, not the routes above. Check gotopku.cn.
- Mainland students enter through the national college entrance exam. See our Gaokao guide.
- Medicine applicants follow the separate brochure of the Peking University Health Science Center.
What are the Peking University admission requirements?
All three routes share the same core rules for 2026 entry:
- Nationality: a non-Chinese citizen with a valid foreign ordinary passport. It should be valid beyond 31 March 2027.
- Age: in principle 18 to 25. For 2026, that meant born between 1 September 2001 and 1 September 2008.
- Education: high school graduate, or expected to graduate.
- Character and health: good health, good conduct, no criminal record.
PKU's core 2026 requirements, including the no-exam score minimums.
You need a foreign passport and, in principle, an age of 18 to 25.
For the no-exam route, the Chinese standard is HSK 6 with 210 or more.
Score minimums: SAT 1400 plus three APs at 4 or more, IB 36 with three HL subjects, A-Level ABB or better, or ACT 30 with writing.
The application fee is 800 RMB.
What HSK level do you need for Peking University?
For the no-exam route, PKU asks for HSK 6 with a score of 210 or more. Some systems allow an equal Chinese result instead, such as IB HL Chinese at 6 or above, or A-Level Chinese at grade A or above (2026 score requirements).
The entrance exam route lists no fixed HSK level, but its written test includes Chinese. Aim for HSK 6 either way.
What test scores does the no-exam route need?
PKU's official 2026 minimums are:
| Exam | Minimum to apply |
|---|---|
| SAT | 1400 or more, plus three AP results (different subjects) at 4 or more |
| IB Diploma | 36 or more, with at least three HL subjects relevant to your major |
| A-Level | At least three relevant subjects, no lower than ABB |
| ACT | 30 or more, with the writing section |
PKU also lists national exams, such as ATAR 90 or more and an Abitur average of 1.5 or better. Sciences, Information Science and Technology, Engineering, and Economics and Management applicants must show maths results. AP or A-Level language courses do not count.
These minimums make you eligible; they do not guarantee an offer. Our guides to the IB Diploma Programme and SAT vs ACT can help you plan the right test.
What about English, written tests and interviews?
PKU's 2026 undergraduate brochures do not ask for TOEFL or IELTS. But the entrance exam tests English, and the video needs about one minute in English.
Every route has a second-round assessment, which PKU calls the "secondary examination." The entrance exam route adds a written test in Chinese, English and Mathematics first. Chinese Government Scholarship candidates must also pass PKU's review and interview.
What documents do you need?
All documents must be in Chinese or English. Other languages need a notarized Chinese or English translation. Upload everything to PKU's online system, studyatpku.com.
- Passport information page (plus residence permit or visa if you are in China).
- Nationality proof, if you or your parents were Chinese citizens.
- Proof of high school graduation or expected graduation.
- Full high school transcript.
- Personal statement, and award certificates if any.
- Signed commitment letter (required).
- Self-introduction video.
- Printed application form with a 2-inch white-background photo.
The no-exam route also needs your score report, Chinese proficiency proof, and two recommendation letters. Boya needs two letters, one from your principal.
The video rules (official PDF, in Chinese): up to 3 minutes, one take, no editing. About one minute introducing yourself in Chinese, about one minute in English on why PKU and your major, then read the commitment text aloud. Save as an mp4 under 50MB.
When are the Peking University application deadlines?
PKU undergraduate admission 2027 dates are not yet announced. The latest official cycle is for 2026 entry. Use it as a guide, since PKU's rounds have opened in December and January before.
Official 2026 cycle dates (Beijing time). 2027 dates are not yet announced.
No written exam Round 1 and Boya ran from 19 December 2025 to 28 February 2026.
The entrance exam route ran from 1 January to 28 February 2026, with the written test in late March and the second round in April.
No written exam Round 2 ran from 12 June to 10 July 2026.
For all routes, admission documents came from June 2026 and registration was in September 2026.
| Route (2026 entry) | Application window (Beijing time) | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| No written exam, Round 1 | 12:00, 19 Dec 2025 to 23:59, 28 Feb 2026 | Second round, mid-March to mid-July 2026 |
| No written exam, Round 2 | 12:00, 12 Jun 2026 to 23:59, 10 Jul 2026 | Second round, by mid-July 2026 |
| Entrance Examination | 12:00, 1 Jan 2026 to 23:59, 28 Feb 2026 | Written test late March, second round mid-April |
| Boya Program | 12:00, 19 Dec 2025 to 23:59, 28 Feb 2026 | Second round, mid-March 2026 |
You may apply in only one no-exam round. Boya schools had to finish recommendations by 20 February 2026.
The 2026 cycle, step by step. Watch for the 2027 version on the ISD site.
On 19 December 2025, no-exam Round 1 and Boya opened.
On 1 January 2026, the entrance exam route opened, and most routes closed on 28 February 2026.
The written test (Chinese, English, Maths) was in late March 2026.
No-exam Round 2 ran from 12 June to 10 July, and students registered in September 2026.
How do you apply to Peking University, step by step?
The four stages of a PKU undergraduate application.
First, pick one route: entrance exam, no-exam or Boya.
Next, apply on studyatpku.com and pay the 800 RMB fee.
Then pass the document review and the written test or second-round assessment.
Offers come from June, then you get an X1 visa and register in September.
- Choose one route. You cannot apply to two at once.
- Register on studyatpku.com, select "Degree Students," upload documents and pay the 800 RMB fee.
- Pass the first review, then the written test and/or second round.
- Get pre-admission. PKU still checks documents after this; false papers mean your place is cancelled.
- Receive admission documents (from June in 2026), buy insurance, get your visa, and register in September.
Want help building the maths for PKU's written test or the CSCA? Book a free demo class with an Asymptode mentor, or see our plans and fees.
How much are Peking University tuition fees?
PKU's Expense page lists undergraduate tuition as:
| Programme | Tuition |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate, humanities | 26,000 RMB a year |
| Undergraduate, sciences | 30,000 RMB a year |
| Yuke (pre-university) | 27,000 RMB a semester |
The 2026 brochures say tuition will be confirmed "after approval," so check the official page for your year. New students pay the full year at registration.
What does accommodation cost?
Unless a scholarship covers housing, you book and pay for your own room; PKU has dorms of different types, and Boya students have rooms reserved. PKU's 2026 Yuke notice gives Zhongguanyuan Global Village at about 80 yuan per person per day. Off campus, you must register with local police within 24 hours. You must also buy the Comprehensive Insurance Plan for International Students before registration.
Which Peking University scholarships can you get?
Admitted international undergraduates can be considered for three main awards (2026 brochure):
| Scholarship | What it covers | How to apply |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese Government Scholarship (Type A) | Tuition, housing, medical insurance, monthly living allowance | Through your home country's dispatching body (often the Chinese embassy) |
| Peking University Scholarship for International Students | Full or partial tuition, medical insurance, monthly living allowance | No separate application; PKU decides |
| Beijing Government Scholarship (Types A, B, C) | Type A: tuition, housing, insurance, allowance. Type B: tuition, housing, insurance. Type C: tuition and insurance | No separate application; PKU decides |
What is the CSCA rule for the Chinese Government Scholarship?
To apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship, you must take the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) from the China Scholarship Council and send valid scores. Check dates and content on the official CSCA website.
- Applying to Sciences, Information Science and Technology, or Engineering: take Chinese and Mathematics (science stream), plus Physics or Chemistry.
- All other departments: take Chinese and Mathematics (humanities stream).
- You must choose Chinese-language papers.
Then register on studyinchina.csc.edu.cn, choose "Type A," and put PKU as your first choice. All scholarship holders face an annual review.
What visa do you need to study at Peking University?
You need an X1 student visa. Take your Letter of Admission and the JW201 or JW202 form to the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country. Within 30 days of arriving in China, apply through PKU to convert it into a residence permit for study.
What is the Yuke pre-university route?
The Yuke programme is a 1 to 2 year preparatory course: 20-24 hours of Chinese a week, plus optional maths. Students who pass the final exam and review and meet PKU's standards join an undergraduate programme. For 2026 entry, applicants were in principle aged 17 to 23.
What is a good plan from Grade 9 or 10?
- Grade 9: start serious Chinese. Map a path to HSK 6, taking lower levels on the way.
- Grade 9-10: keep maths strong. It appears in the written test, the CSCA and many score rules.
- Grade 10: choose your exam system and route. Ask whether your school has Boya status.
- Grade 10-11: build your record. High grades, a strong class rank, and awards.
- Grade 11: sit HSK 6 and SAT/ACT for the no-exam route. Check nationality papers if you have Chinese family ties.
- Grade 12, autumn: watch the ISD site for the new brochure. Prepare your statement, letters and video.
- Grade 12, December to February: apply. Start the embassy process and CSCA early if you want the government scholarship.
Comparing other options in Asia? See our guides to Tsinghua University, NUS and the University of Tokyo.
What are the most common mistakes?
- Assuming English-taught options exist. Undergraduate study is in Chinese.
- Applying to two routes. PKU does not allow it.
- Missing the nationality rules. Former Chinese citizens need the right dates and papers.
- Leaving HSK too late. HSK 6 at 210 or more takes years.
- Treating minimum scores as targets. They only make you eligible.
- An edited video. It must be one take, in Chinese and English.
- Forgetting the CSCA. The Chinese Government Scholarship needs it.
How 1-on-1 tutoring helps with getting into Peking University
Asymptode gives you live online 1-on-1 classes in maths and science. For PKU applicants, that means:
- One dedicated mentor who follows your own syllabus (IB, A-Level, AP or national) and your real exam dates, including the CSCA and PKU's written test.
- Method-first maths and science. Your mentor watches each step of your working, so mistakes get fixed at the root.
- Personalised homework with feedback, plus short parent updates and every class recorded for review.
- Planning help for the rest. For Chinese, documents and timelines, your mentor helps with planning and study method. Start with a free demo class.
Facts checked against official sources on 5 November 2026.
FAQ
Can I study at Peking University in English as an undergraduate?
PKU's 2026 international undergraduate brochures say Chinese is the medium of instruction. No English-taught undergraduate route is listed. English-taught programmes exist at master's and PhD level.
What is the minimum age to apply to Peking University?
In principle, applicants must be 18 to 25. For 2026 entry, that meant born between 1 September 2001 and 1 September 2008. The 2027 age window is not yet announced.
Do I need HSK to apply to Peking University?
The no-exam route needs HSK 6 with 210 or more, or an equal Chinese result. The entrance exam route lists no fixed HSK level, but its written test includes Chinese. Since teaching is in Chinese, aim for HSK 6.
How much is the Peking University application fee?
The fee is 800 RMB, paid online when you submit. It is not refunded. PKU will not process applications with unpaid fees.
When will PKU undergraduate admission 2027 dates be announced?
As of 5 November 2026, PKU has published 2027 graduate notices but not the 2027 undergraduate brochure. In the 2026 cycle, the first rounds opened on 19 December 2025. Check the ISD undergraduate page often.
Does Peking University publish an acceptance rate for international students?
PKU's official admission pages give no acceptance rate or quota of places. Be wary of sites that quote one.
Ready to start? Book a free demo class and advisor call, or see our plans and fees.
Sources
- PKU ISD: Undergraduate Program (international students)
- PKU: 2026 Undergraduate Program Without Written Examination
- PKU: 2026 Undergraduate Program Entrance Examination
- PKU: 2026 Boya Overseas Talent Training Undergraduate Program
- PKU: 2026 Implementation Plan of the Boya Program
- PKU: 2026 Score Requirements, Program Without Written Examination
- PKU: Admission Catalogue
- PKU ISD: Expense (tuition fees)
- PKU: Yuke/Pre-university Program (2026 entry)
- PKU: Self-introduction video requirements (PDF)
- CSCA official website