The University of Hong Kong is one of the Partner Universities of Yenching Academy, which is a prestigious Master programme hosted by Peking University in China. The Faculty of Arts is pleased to announce that we will nominate outstanding UG final-year students and recent graduates for the Yenching Academy (Cohort 2026). As YCA has extended the application period for applicants from China’s Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan regions to early January 2026, the Faculty is ready to receive and review another batch of applications made by students/graduates from these regions by December 12, 2025.
About Yenching Academy
The Yenching Academy (YCA) offers a 2-year Master's programme in China Studies for English speakers with varied levels of Chinese language competency. YCA provides full fellowships to its Scholars. Scholars can choose courses from six research areas: Economics and Management, History and Archaeology, Law and Society, Literature and Culture, Philosophy and Religion, Politics and International Relations. They will also complete a thesis from one of these research areas. Please click the YCA website and the FAQ page for further information about the programme.
Application for YCA (Cohort 2026)
Part A: The Faculty's Nomination
The following candidates are eligible to apply for the Faculty's nominations for YCA (Cohort 2026):
- Final-year students of HKU with a current CGPA of 3.50 or above and who are expected to complete their UG degree by July 2026; or
- Graduates of HKU who completed their UG degree with the First Class Honours in 2024 or 2025.
Eligible candidates interested in the programme from China’s Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan regions can make an application here now until December 12, 2025 (5:30 pm) (GMT+8). Please prepare the following before clicking the application link:
- Curriculum Vitae (within two A4-size pages);
- Personal Statement (within 750 words in English);
- Partial Statement of Research Interest (within 750 words in English, excluding citation)
<It should include key research question(s), background to study and/or summary of literature,
and study design that could reflect you academic training.>; and - Two names of Professors or Associate Professors who have agreed to write an Academic Letter of Recommendation for you if you will obtain the Faculty's nomination. These Professors or Associate Professors should be from the field of study that you intend to pursue in the Master degree.
The Faculty will invite shortlisted applicants for an interview in December 2025.
After the interview, the Faculty will request applicants shortlisted for nomination to submit (a) two Academic Letters of Recommendation in the format required by YCA, and (b) the English proficiency test result deemed suitable by YCA, by January 3, 2026.
The Faculty will provide our nominations to YCA for their consideration in early January 2026.
Part B: Other application procedures
Please read the YCA's application page here and complete all procedures (incl. the additional ones for international applicants and applicants from HK, Macau and Taiwan) accordingly by the stipulated timeline. YCA requires all applicants, including those nominated by a Partner University, to submit an application to their system by December 1, 2025 (9:00 am) (GMT+8) and the deadline for the extended application period for applicants from China’s Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan regions is Jaunary 9, 2026 (12:00 noon) (GMT+8). Their selection process also includes an interview, please read the FAQ "What is the selection process and timeline?" for details.
Please note that applicants studying or graduated from a Partner University have to obtain the nomination of the respective Partner University for YCA to consider their applications. For mainland Chinese applicants, please read the FAQ "What are the eligibility requirements for PRC passport holders?"
