The National School of Development, the Institute of New Structural Economics, and the Institute for Global Health Development are recruiting PhD students through an “Application-Assessment” admission model. Applicants are required to follow the 2025 PhD Admissions Guide for Peking University’s main campus and adhere to the specific instructions outlined in this document to register and submit the necessary application materials. The detailed procedures are as follows:
1. Basic Requirements
1. Applicants should support the leadership of the Communist Party of China, maintain correct political alignment, demonstrate patriotism, uphold high moral standards, and abide by laws and regulations.
2. Applicants pursuing a doctoral degree must meet one of the following academic qualifications:
a. Possession of a master’s or doctoral degree
b. For current master’s students, the degree should be obtained prior to enrollment in the year of admission. Applicants with degrees from foreign institutions must provide a certification from the Ministry of Education’s Overseas Study Service Center before enrolling.
c. Individuals holding a bachelor’s degree for at least six years (from the degree date to the start of the PhD program) may apply as equivalent degree candidates. Such applicants must have published at least two academic papers in core national journals related to their field (as the first or second author) or have received provincial or ministerial awards relevant to their area of study (ranked among the top five).
3. Applicants should demonstrate a strong interest in academic research, have solid research skills, and a high level of English proficiency for conducting research, academic writing, and scholarly communication.
4. Physical and mental health must meet the health examination requirements for graduate admissions to Peking University.
2. Application Process
1. Application Timeline
a. Online Application Period: From October 11, 2024, at 09:00 until December 6, 2024. Late applications will not be accepted. For details on the application procedures, please refer to the “2025 Application-Assessment PhD Program Online Application Announcement” on the Peking University admissions website: https://admission.pku.edu.cn/zsxx/bszs/bssqkh/index.htm. Applicants should ensure the accuracy of all information entered and carefully review their submission. Any issues that arise due to incorrect or misleading information in the application, which may result in disqualification from the interview or admission process, will be the sole responsibility of the applicant.
b. Deadline for Submission of Applicant Materials: All required materials must be received by December 27, 2024, by 17:00. It is essential that applicants submit accurate and authentic documents, as changes will not be accepted after materials are received by the school.
i. Applicants to the National School of Development should submit the following nine required documents by the deadline, using only EMS or SF Express (local couriers will not be accepted). Please clearly indicate the applying school and specific program on both the application cover and the delivery notes, as follows: “National School of Development – [Program Name].”
· Mailing Address:
National School of Development, Peking University
Chengzeyuan, Office 115, No.5 Yiheyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing
· Contact Number: 010-62751476
ii. Applicants to the Institute of New Structural Economics should submit the materials by the deadline (only EMS or SF Express is accepted). The program offered is “Theoretical Economics (National Development). On both the application cover and delivery notes, please specify “Institute of New Structural Economics.”
· Mailing Address:
Institute of New Structural Economics, Peking University
Langrun Garden. Office 202, No.5 Yiheyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing
· Contact Number: 010-62768932
iii. Applicants to the Institute for Global Health and Development must submit the required nine documents by the deadline (EMS or SF Express only). Clearly label the application materials and courier details with “Institute for Global Health and Development.”
· Mailing Address:
Institute for Global Health and Development, Peking University
Peking University Science Park, Building A, Rm.403, No.127-1
· Contact Number: 010-62759213
c. Please note that submitted materials are non-returnable.
2. Submission of Application Documents
a. Peking University 2025 PhD Program Application Form (This form can be downloaded from the application portal after successfully completing the online registration and payment. After printing, the application must sign their name on pages 2 and 3).
b. A copy of a valid identification card.
c. A copy of the highest degree and diploma obtained (Applicants who are current master’s students must submit a certification letter from their graduate school or department upon application. A copy of the degree and diploma must be provided prior to enrollment. Registration will only be allowed after the degree has been verified. For applicants who received their degree from overseas institutions, a copy of the "Foreign Academic Degree Certification" issued by the Ministry of Education's Service Center for Scholarly Exchange is required).
d. Official transcripts from both undergraduate and master’s programs (Applications who have competed a master’s or doctoral degree, as well as those currently enrolled in a master’s program, must provide original transcripts for both their undergraduate and master’s studies. Both are required without exceptions.)
e. Master’s thesis (Current master’s students must provide a thesis abstract and table of contents) along with copies of representative academic papers, publications, or original research results that demonstrate academic ability (both published and unpublished works are acceptable)
f. Personal statement (This should include your understanding of the field you are applying to, along with a proposed research plan. The statement should be approximately 3,000 characters long and must be signed by the applicant. The template can be downloaded from: https://admission.pku.edu.cn/zsxx/bszs/bssqkh/index.htm. Applicants to the Institute of New Structural Economics must write a research plan relevant to New Structural Economics, while those applying to the Institute for Global Health and Development should write a research plan related to Health Economics
g. Two recommendation letters from experts, each letter should be sealed separately and signed by the recommending expert across the seal. (The experts must hold an academic title of associate professor or higher or an equivalent professional technical title in the relevant field. Letters must bear the expert’s personal signature. The template can be downloaded from: https://admission.pku.edu.cn/zsxx/bszs/bssqkh/index.htm)
h. Proof of English proficiency, please provide at least one of the following documents:
i. A score of 60 or higher on the Peking University PhD English Proficiency Test (valid for tests taken between December 2015 and January 2019)
ii. TOEFL (IBT) (including the TOEFL IBT Home Edition) score of 100 or above (for tests taken after September 1, 2023)
iii. GRE score of 320 or above (for tests taken after September 1, 2020)
iv. GMAT score of 650 or above (for tests taken after September 1, 2020)
v. CET-6 score of 600 or above
vi. A passing score on either the TEM-4 or TEM-8 English proficiency tests
vii. A degree obtained from an English-taught program in an English-speaking country or region (excluding Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan), accompanied by the "Foreign Academic Degree Certification" issued by the Ministry of Education’s Service Center for Scholarly Exchange. Current students enrolled in English-taught programs in English-speaking countries or regions (excluding Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) must submit an official transcript from their English-taught degree program and provide the "Foreign Academic Degree Certification" before enrollment. (Please note that only degree programs are accepted; exchange or training programs are excluded).
viii. Applicants must submit at least one of the above English proficiency proofs before the application deadline. The scores and dates must comply with the listed requirements; otherwise, the application materials will be deemed invalid. The original proof of English proficiency must be presented during the interview for verification.
i. Other documents demonstrating academic or professional abilities, such as award certificates, patents, etc.
3. Assessment and Evaluation
1. Preliminary Review: The National School of Development, the Institute of New Structural Economics, and the Institute for Global Health and Development will carefully evaluate applicants based on their submitted materials. Those who demonstrate strong qualifications through this initial assessment will be invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process.
2. Final Examination: At the final examination stage, candidates will be required to provide original copies of their identification documents, degree and diploma certificates, as well as proof of foreign language proficiency for verification, in accordance with the specific requirements of each institute. For candidates with foreign (or overseas) degrees, the original “Foreign Academic Degree Certification issued by the Ministry of Education’s Service Center for Scholarly Exchange must also be presented for verification. Should any questions arise regarding the authenticity of these documents, the respective institute may request candidates to submit a formal certification report from an authoritative body. Candidates who do not meet these requirements will not be permitted to continue to the final examination.
a. The final examination is expected to take place in mid-to-late March 2025. Further details, including the list of candidates invited to participate and the schedule for the examination, will be made available on the websites of the National School of Development, the Institute of New Structural Economics, and the Institute for Global Health and Development. This stage of the selection process will involve an interview, with more candidates than available spots. During the interview, candidates will be assessed on various criteria, including academic background, professional competencies, language proficiency, critical thinking abilities, and capacity for innovation. Each candidate will be asked to present a report to the panel, covering their research experience and accomplishments, their insights into the intended field of study, and their proposed research plans and justifications. The interview will be graded on a scale of 100 points, with a minimum passing score of 60. Candidates who do not meet this threshold will not be considered for admission.
3. Admission: From the pool of candidates who pass the final examination, the most qualified will be selected for the provisional admission list. This list will be submitted for approval by the Graduate School and will be publicly posted for a period of 10 business days. The scores from both the preliminary review and final examination are only valid for the current admissions cycle. Candidates who fail to participate in the preliminary review or final examination within the designated timeframe for this year will not be considered for admission.
a. Admitted PhD students required to present the original copies of their identification and degree certificates on the day of registration for verification by the institute. Those who fail to provide valid degree certificates will not be permitted to register. Candidates with foreign degrees must also submit the original Foreign Academic Degree Certification issued by the Ministry of Education's Service Center for Scholarly Exchange for verification. Admission offers are only valid for the academic year in which they are admitted.
4. Evaluation of Political Ideology and Moral Character
In line with the principle of objectivity and fairness, the institute will evaluate candidates' political ideology and moral character throughout the final examination and admission process. This evaluation will focus on key aspects such as the candidate’s political stance, ideological awareness, moral character, compliance with laws and regulations, as well as honesty and integrity. Candidates who do not meet the standards for moral character will not be considered for admission.
5. Handling of Violations
1. Candidates must ensure the authenticity of all submitted information, including degree certificates, personal details, and application materials. Should any issues arise related to academic misconduct, professional ethics, or honesty and integrity, their application or admission may be canceled at any time upon verification.
2. Candidates must uphold a strong sense of compliance with exam regulations and honesty. During the final examination period, candidates are expected to fully abide the university’s examination rules and the Integrity Commitment for the Final Examination they signed. Candidates must not disclose or share any details of the exam questions or related information before the conclusion of the examination process. Any candidates, exam personnel, or associated individuals who violate exam management regulations or disrupt the fairness and integrity of the exam will be subject to strict disciplinary action according to the Education Law of the People’s Republic of China and the Regulations for Handling Violations in National Education Examinations (Ministry of Education Order No. 33). In cases of legal violations, judicial authorities will take appropriate action, and criminal charges will be pursued where applicable.
3. If university staff detect any forged documents submitted by a candidate, the matter will be promptly reported to the public security authorities.
4. It is strictly forbidden for any university department or staff member to organize or participate in exam coaching or related activities. Current students are also prohibited from engaging in illegal activities related to exams, such as assisting in cheating or false advertising. Any admissions personnel with direct relatives or individuals with a conflict of interest applying to the doctoral program must withdraw from the admissions process. Violations will result in accountability for the relevant departments and individuals involved.
6. Information Disclosure and Supervision
1. The National School of Development, the Institute of New Structural Economics, and the Institute for Global Health and Development will each establish an admissions committee responsible for the coordinated management of their PhD admissions. Adhering to the principles of transparency, fairness, and impartiality, these institutes will publish relevant information, including PhD admissions guidelines, assessment procedures, lists of candidates advancing to the final review, and provisional admission lists, on their respective websites.
2. The Graduate Admissions Office, in conjunction with relevant university departments will supervise the entire admissions process for all institutes. Should an applicant have concerns regarding any aspect of the PhD admissions process, they may submit a signed, written appeal to the institute in question, which will review and provide a formal response. If the applicant is not satisfied with the response, they may request further review from the Graduate Admissions Office.
7. Additional Information
1. The National School of Development, the Institute of New Structural Economics, and the Institute for Global Health and Development offer generous scholarships, opportunities for international exchanges and funding, as well as rewards for academic publications, in accordance with their institutional policies.
The university does not provide accommodation, nor is there an option to apply for special accommodation financial aid. Students will need to cover their own housing costs.
For details on program duration, graduation requirements, employment, tuition fees, and scholarships, please refer to the Peking University 2025 PhD Admissions Guide.
Any questions specifically regarding admissions to the National School of Development, the Institute of New Structural Economics, or the Institute for Global Health and Development should be directed to their respective offices.
Should new PhD admissions policies be introduced by higher authorities during the 2025 admissions cycle, the institutes will adjust accordingly and announce them in a timely manner.
8. Admission Inquiries
National School of Development
Admissions Information: visit http://www.nsd.pku.edu.cn and select "PhD Students" on the homepage.
Admissions Office Phone: 010-62751476
Email: yanjiusheng@nsd.pku.edu.cn
Institute of New Structural Economics
Admissions Information: visit http://www.nse.pku.edu.cn/ and navigate to the "Graduate Programs" section under "Teaching and Training."
Admissions Office Phone: 010-62768932
Email: shengtaoyu@nsd.pku.edu.cn
Institute for Global Health and Development
Admissions Information: visit https://www.ghd.pku.edu.cn/ and check the "PhD Programs" section under "Educational Programs."
Admissions Office Phone: 010-62759213
Email: ghd@pku.edu.cn
