Tsinghua University currently offers master’s and doctoral degree programs in 44 departments, primarily taught in Chinese or bilingual (Chinese and English). Additionally, there are 32 master’s and doctoral degree programs offered entirely in English. For a list of recruiting departments and majors, please refer to the 2024 Professional Catalog.
The standard duration of study for master’s students is two to three years, while doctoral students typically spend three to four years. Those with bachelor’s degrees directly pursuing doctoral degrees generally require four to five years of study.
Eligibility
Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens holding a foreign passport for private affairs.
Master’s degree program applicants should have a degree equivalent to a Chinese bachelor’s degree; doctoral program applicants should have a degree equivalent to a Chinese master’s degree.
By the start date of Tsinghua’s 2024 graduate program, applicants must have obtained a recognized bachelor’s or master’s degree (from domestic universities) or a degree verification from the Ministry of Education’s Service Center for Overseas Study (for degrees from foreign universities), or else their admission will be invalid.
☆32 departments accept bachelor’s degree holders for direct admission to doctoral programs. For specific departments and application requirements, refer to the “Guide for Bachelor’s Degree Holders Applying for Doctoral Programs” and the 2024 International Doctoral Students Admission Professional Catalog.
Applicants must have good conduct, be in good health (meeting the physical examination requirements set by the country and Tsinghua University), and be willing to abide by Chinese laws, regulations, and university rules.
Applicants should meet the language requirements (Chinese or English) as specified in the department’s professional catalog.
Some programs may have specific requirements regarding work experience, etc. For more information, refer to the admission instructions and program prospectuses in the professional catalog.
Applicants should carefully check if they meet the eligibility and application requirements (including those set by the university, department, major, and program) before applying. The applicant bears any consequences of failing to meet these requirements.
Application Process
Applicants should apply online within the specified timeframe via Tsinghua University’s Graduate Application Service System at https://yzbm.tsinghua.edu.cn/intlLogin (applicants for the Schwarzman Scholars Program and the MBA program should apply on the respective websites as required), fill in the application information, upload required materials (listed below), and pay the application fee online.
Application period is generally from September to February of the following year. Each department’s application deadline and batch may vary, so please check the “Admission Instructions” in the Professional Catalog.
☆Applicants are advised to complete their application at least 2-3 weeks before the program’s deadline. The university’s winter vacation is from January 25 to February 21, 2024, during which applicants can continue to apply online but may not receive timely online reviews and material checks.
Application Material Checklist
Please fill in or upload the following materials in the application system:
- Personal Statement: Fill in directly in the application system. Doctoral applicants should also upload a brief research experience or research plan.
- Degree Certificates and Verification Reports: Master’s applicants must submit original bachelor’s degree certificates; doctoral applicants must submit original master’s and bachelor’s degree certificates. Applicants who obtained degrees from foreign universities must submit a degree verification report from the Chinese Ministry of Education’s Service Center for Overseas Study. Applicants who obtained degrees from Chinese universities must submit a degree verification report from the China Higher Education Student Information and Career Center (CHESICC). (Current students may submit an expected graduation certificate, with the degree certificate and verification report to be submitted before enrollment. Graduates must provide a verification report of their degree certificate at the time of application.)
- Transcripts: Master’s applicants must submit complete undergraduate transcripts; doctoral applicants must submit complete master’s and undergraduate transcripts. Current students may first submit current transcripts, with final transcripts to be submitted before enrollment. If the uploaded transcript does not directly show the overall GPA, a GPA certification from the university is also required.
- Language Proficiency Score Report: Applicants must provide HSK score reports or English test score reports as required by the applied program. Refer to the “Admission Instructions” in each department’s section of the Professional Catalog for specific requirements. Applicants who completed their undergraduate or master’s studies in Chinese must provide proof from their graduating university. With permission from the applied department, they may be exempt from submitting HSK scores. Applicants for scholarships (e.g., Chinese Government Scholarship) must provide the required HSK scores.
- Two Recommendation Letters: Recommenders must be associate professors or above or senior professionals in the relevant industry. Complete online recommendation letters or upload scanned copies of signed letters according to the system instructions.
- Passport: Applicants must provide the personal information page of their ordinary private passport. Those who were Chinese citizens and later acquired foreign nationality must also provide: proof of cancellation of household registration and proof of acquisition of foreign nationality.
- Additional Materials for Specific Programs: Refer to the “Admission Instructions” in the Professional Catalog or the respective program prospectuses.
- Application materials for bachelor’s degree holders applying directly for doctoral programs: Refer to the “Guide for Bachelor’s Degree Holders Applying for Doctoral Programs.”
Application Notes
- Uploaded certificates, verifications, and proofs must be in Chinese or English originals. If in another language, upload the original document and a notarized translation in English or Chinese. Please use a scanner to upload color scans of relevant documents; photos taken by phones or cameras and photocopies are not accepted.
- For inquiries about application specialties, application tutors, and recruitment instructions in the professional catalog, please contact the department or program directly. Information about tutors can be found on the department’s webpage.
- Application fees must be paid online at the same time as uploading application materials (including Chinese Government Scholarship applicants). Please apply and pay the fee in a secure environment. The university is not responsible for losses due to personal operational errors or leakage of online payment account and password information. Carefully consider before paying the application fee online; the fee is non-refundable regardless of application success or inability to apply.
- Applications with incomplete materials or unpaid fees will not be accepted. Applicants should proactively understand the application process and requirements before applying. The applicant bears any consequences of failing to complete the application process as required.
- The university and departmental admissions offices reserve the right to request applicants to provide original paper versions of application materials or verification documents issued by designated certification agencies for further verification.
- Due to differences between some countries’ education systems and China’s, requirements for applicants’ degrees from certain countries can be found on the website. For more information, click the link.
- Application materials are non-returnable, regardless of application success.
- The university will make appropriate adjustments if new policies are issued by higher authorities.
- Applicants must ensure the authenticity and accuracy of provided application information, application materials, degree certificates, and degree verification documents. If found to be untrue by the admissions unit or certification department, application, admission, or study qualifications will be revoked.
- Applicants with issues in academic ethics, professional ethics, honesty, and compliance with laws and regulations will not be admitted or will have their study qualifications revoked if verified.
- Information, documents, and messages publicly disclosed or sent to applicants by the university and related admissions departments via website, phone, email, text, etc., are considered delivered. The applicant bears all consequences of neglect or other personal reasons.
Examination and Admission
Tsinghua University selects international graduate students through an “application-review” system, which includes a review of application materials and a comprehensive assessment. The relevant department’s expert group reviews the application materials and determines candidates for comprehensive assessment based on the comprehensive review results. The comprehensive assessment generally consists of an interview, with specific content, form, requirements, and schedule determined and notified by each department to candidates entering the comprehensive assessment.
Tsinghua University considers material reviews and comprehensive assessment results to select and determine the admission list. Admission results can be checked through Tsinghua University’s Graduate Application Service System (applicants for the Schwarzman Scholars Program and MBA program should check the original application website). Admitted students will receive an admission notice and appendix from Tsinghua University.
Scholarships
Currently, Tsinghua University offers scholarships mainly for outstanding full-time international graduate students, including:
Chinese Government Scholarship: Full Chinese Government Scholarship generally includes tuition, accommodation, living expenses, and comprehensive medical insurance fees. Some Chinese Government Scholarships cover only one or several items. Annual review is required for Chinese Government Scholarship students.
Tuition Scholarship: For example, the Beijing Municipal Government Scholarship for International Students offers full or partial tuition support for one academic year, with eligibility for annual reapplication.
For more scholarship information, please visit the “Scholarships and Assistance” section of the graduate admissions website.
Accommodation
Due to limited on-campus rooms, room applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis through online reservation. Only full-time students who successfully reserve within the specified time can stay in the on-campus international student dormitory. Students who fail to reserve the international student dormitory must arrange off-campus accommodation themselves.
Visit http://is.tsinghua.edu.cn for detailed information about studying, living, accommodation, student activities, and visa applications at Tsinghua University.
Visa Application and Enrollment
Admitted students should apply for a visa to China at a Chinese embassy or consulate in their country with their private passport, “Graduate Admission Notice” and appendix, “Visa Application Form for Foreign Students in China” (JW201/202 form), and “Foreigner Physical Examination Form”. Visa requirements are based on embassy or consulate information. Admitted students must enter China with their private passport (nationality and personal information must match the passport information provided during application) and an X1 visa. They must complete study residence permit application procedures within 30