Peking University Master of Public Policy Program Guide 2026

Why Peking University for Public Policy

Founded in 1898, Peking University stands as China’s first comprehensive national university and consistently ranks among the top institutions in Asia. The Peking University Master of Public Policy program, housed within the School of Government, offers a distinctive opportunity for professionals from developing countries to study governance and economic policy in the heart of Beijing. With China’s growing influence in global trade, infrastructure development, and international diplomacy, understanding Chinese public policy has become essential for leaders worldwide.

The School of Government at Peking University combines political science and economics through an integrated academic approach that blends normative and positive research methodologies. More than 50 distinguished faculty members lead research across six departments, including the Department of Public Policy, the Department of Public Economics, and the Department of Urban and Regional Management. The school also maintains collaborative programs with the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), offering a Double Master Degree pathway that enhances international credentials.

What truly sets this program apart is its sponsorship structure. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce fully funds the program through Chinese Government Scholarships, removing all financial barriers for talented professionals from developing nations. This commitment reflects China’s strategic investment in building intellectual capacity and fostering economic cooperation with countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and beyond. For students exploring other internationally-focused graduate programs, the Sciences Po Paris financial aid guide offers helpful comparisons on scholarship structures at leading European policy schools.

Program Structure and Curriculum Overview

The Peking University Master of Public Policy is a one-year, full-time program requiring 30 credits for completion. The curriculum is divided into a taught component of 10 courses — 7 compulsory and 3 elective — alongside a substantial 20,000-word master thesis. Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, case discussions, tutorials, and student presentations, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience that bridges theory and practice.

The program is taught entirely in English, making it accessible to international students from diverse linguistic backgrounds. However, students may also choose certain courses taught in Chinese upon application, which is particularly valuable for those seeking deeper engagement with the local academic environment. The Chinese Language course, worth 4 credits, is compulsory for all students, ensuring every graduate leaves with foundational Mandarin skills.

Each student is expected to bring specific research questions concerning public policy and management to the program. Thesis supervisors are assigned from the faculty toward the end of the first semester, and the thesis must combine theoretical perspectives, analytical skills, and practical experiences of public management. Students must pass an oral examination — a thesis defense — before the University Degree Committee can approve their graduation with a Master Degree of Management in Public Policy.

Core Courses and Elective Options

The compulsory curriculum provides a rigorous foundation in policy analysis and Chinese governance. The seven required courses cover Public Policy Analysis (3 credits), Economics for Public Policy (3 credits), Chinese Politics and Public Policy (3 credits), China’s Economic Reform and Development (3 credits), Research Design and Practice (3 credits), Introduction to China (2 credits), and Chinese Language (4 credits). Together, these courses equip students with the analytical frameworks and contextual knowledge needed to evaluate complex policy challenges in both Chinese and international settings.

Students select three elective courses from a diverse catalog that spans multiple policy domains. Available options include Chinese Foreign Policy, Health Policy and Reform, Innovation and Economic Development Strategy, Distributive Justice in Public Policy, Public Finance and Tax Policy in China, Regional Development Strategy in China, Social Policy Transformation in China, Social Science Methodology, Special Topics in Ethnic Politics, Strategy and Management of Public and Non-profit Organizations, Law and Society in China, Comprehensive Studies of Africa, and Theories and Practices of International Relations. This breadth allows students to tailor their studies to their professional interests and home-country policy priorities.

It is important to note that not all elective courses run every year. If fewer than three students enroll in a particular course, it will not be delivered. Students are therefore advised to identify their preferred electives early and coordinate with classmates to ensure sufficient enrollment. Similar flexible curriculum structures can be found in programs like the EUI Global Executive Master Programme, which also offers modular course selection for policy professionals.

Admission Requirements and Application Process

The Peking University Master of Public Policy targets mid-to-senior level officials and managers from government, media, NGOs, and other public sectors in developing countries. Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens holding a valid passport, and they must have obtained at least a bachelor’s degree by the time of matriculation. Demonstrated superior performance both academically and professionally is expected.

English proficiency requirements are rigorous. Non-native English speakers or those whose undergraduate education was not conducted in English must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores: a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 107, TOEFL PBT score of 627, or an IELTS overall band score of 7.0. While a GRE score is desirable, it is not mandatory. Applicants must also be in good physical health, with no infectious diseases that violate China’s entry-exit inspection regulations.

The application process requires a comprehensive set of documents: a completed application form, graduation certificates and degree diplomas, official academic transcripts, a 1,500-word personal statement covering academic background, work experience, achievements, research proposals, and career plans, a CV, two recommendation letters from professors or government officials, English proficiency test results, passport copies, passport-size photos, and a Physical Examination Form issued within one month of submission. Crucially, applicants must be recommended by the Economic and Commercial Counsellor’s Office of the Chinese Embassy in their home country.

Students must also apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship through the Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC) online system, selecting program Type B with Agency Number 10001 for Peking University, under the discipline of Management and major of Public Policy.

Scholarship and Financial Aid Details

One of the most compelling features of the Peking University Master of Public Policy is its comprehensive financial support package. The Chinese Government Scholarship, provided through the Ministry of Commerce, covers every major expense associated with studying in Beijing. Tuition fees are fully waived, eliminating the often prohibitive cost of international graduate education.

Beyond tuition, the scholarship provides a living allowance of 36,000 RMB per year (approximately 5,000 USD), a one-time settlement allowance of 3,000 RMB, and one round-trip international airfare. These provisions ensure students can focus entirely on their studies without financial stress. The comprehensive nature of this scholarship package places it among the most generous fully-funded master’s programs available globally, rivaling offerings from institutions across Europe and North America.

For students researching other scholarship opportunities to compare, the Seoul National University Graduate Admission Guide provides useful context on how leading Asian universities structure financial support for international students. However, the PKU program’s fully-funded model — where 100% of admitted students receive full scholarships — is exceptionally rare at this level of institutional prestige.

Faculty Expertise and Research Strengths

The School of Government boasts more than 50 faculty members with distinguished careers spanning political science, economics, public administration, and urban planning. Many hold doctoral degrees from leading global universities, ensuring students benefit from both Chinese policy expertise and international academic perspectives.

Notable faculty include Associate Professor Chang Zhixiao, who specializes in international economics and public economics policy with degrees from Wuhan University and Peking University. Zhang Jian, an Associate Professor with a PhD from Columbia University, brings expertise in comparative politics and Chinese political systems. Professor Xue Ling focuses on urban and regional economics, contributing cutting-edge research in agent-based computational spatial economics. Feng Kaidong, who earned his D.Phil. from Sussex University, researches technological learning and industrial development in developing countries — a topic directly relevant to students from emerging economies.

Other distinguished scholars include Zhou Qiang, an Assistant Professor with a PhD from Columbia University specializing in international and comparative political economy, and Duan Demin, who holds a PhD from the Catholic University of Leuven and researches Western political philosophy and democratic theory. Sun Tieshan, with a PhD from the University of Southern California, contributes expertise in urban and regional planning. This diverse faculty ensures students receive instruction from scholars who understand both Chinese governance dynamics and broader global policy challenges.

Field Trips and Practical Learning

A distinctive feature of the Peking University Master of Public Policy is its emphasis on experiential learning through organized field trips. Students visit Chinese government agencies, special economic zones, and business corporations to gain firsthand knowledge of how governments and markets operate under the rapidly changing conditions of China’s ongoing economic reform and opening-up process.

These field trips transform abstract policy concepts into concrete observations. Students witness how special economic zones like Shenzhen evolved from small fishing villages into global technology hubs, how state-owned enterprises navigate market competition, and how local governments implement national policy directives at the municipal level. This practical exposure is particularly valuable for professionals from developing countries who may be grappling with similar development challenges in their home nations.

The program’s location in Beijing further amplifies these learning opportunities. As China’s political capital, Beijing provides unparalleled access to national government institutions, international organizations with China offices, foreign embassies, and major policy think tanks. Students regularly attend public lectures, policy forums, and academic conferences that complement their classroom studies. The Peking University campus itself is a living testament to Chinese intellectual heritage, located near the Summer Palace and featuring traditional Chinese gardens within a modern research university setting.

Career Outcomes and Alumni Network

Since its inception in 2008, the PKU Master of Public Policy program has trained over 1,695 students from developing countries, with more than 835 graduates having obtained their master’s degrees. These alumni have returned to their home countries to assume increasingly significant roles in economic development cooperation between China and their respective nations.

Graduates work across a wide spectrum of public sector specialties, including government administration, international trade, foreign affairs, agriculture, technology, education, culture, and public health. The program specifically aims to produce high-end business officials and managerial personnel who can bridge the gap between Chinese development experience and the policy needs of their home countries. This unique positioning makes PKU public policy graduates highly sought after by government ministries, international development agencies, and diplomatic missions.

The alumni network spans dozens of developing nations across Africa, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific Islands. This global network creates lasting professional connections that facilitate bilateral cooperation, trade agreements, and knowledge transfer long after graduation. For professionals considering alternative career-focused programs, the Stellenbosch Business School MBA Programme offers a complementary perspective on leadership development in emerging markets.

Campus Life and Student Experience in Beijing

Beijing, with over 3,000 years of city history and approximately 857 years as a capital city, offers an extraordinary backdrop for graduate studies. As a post-WTO and post-Olympics international hub, the city combines ancient cultural heritage with cutting-edge modernity. Students in the PKU program enjoy access to world-class museums, vibrant international dining, efficient public transportation, and a thriving expatriate community.

Peking University’s campus is renowned for its beauty and academic atmosphere. The university library — the biggest university library in Asia with a collection of 6.5 million items — provides exceptional research resources. The School of Government additionally maintains its own specialized library focused on public policy, governance, and related disciplines, giving students convenient access to the literature most relevant to their studies.

With approximately 120 undergraduate programs, 242 postgraduate programs, and 212 doctoral programs across five principal academic branches, Peking University offers a vibrant intellectual community. Public policy students can attend lectures and events across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, information and engineering, and medical sciences — fostering the interdisciplinary thinking that modern policy challenges demand. The small cohort size of 25 students creates a tight-knit community where lifelong friendships and professional partnerships form naturally.

How PKU Compares to Other Policy Programs

When evaluating the Peking University Master of Public Policy against other leading programs globally, several factors stand out. The fully-funded model is its most distinctive advantage — while institutions like the University of Glasgow and others offer partial scholarships, PKU provides complete financial coverage including airfare, which is exceptionally rare.

The one-year duration is another competitive advantage, allowing experienced professionals to minimize time away from their careers. Comparable programs at schools like Harvard Kennedy School, the Lee Kuan Yew School at NUS, or Sciences Po typically require 18-24 months. The LSE partnership also adds international credibility, with the Double Master Degree option creating a uniquely valuable credential that spans Chinese and European policy traditions.

The program’s focus on China-specific policy analysis fills a critical gap in global policy education. As China continues to reshape global trade, infrastructure investment through the Belt and Road Initiative, and multilateral governance, professionals who understand Chinese policy frameworks hold a significant career advantage. The combination of academic rigor, practical field exposure, and a globally-minded faculty makes this program a compelling choice for any policy professional seeking to advance their career in international development.