Is Peking University public or private?

Peking University is a public comprehensive research university in Beijing, founded in 1898. Its official profile describes six faculties, 55 schools and departments, 60 research entities and ten affiliated hospitals.

Are PKU programmes taught in English?

Some graduate programmes are English-taught, but undergraduate international study is Chinese-medium and many graduate routes are Chinese or bilingual. The current programme notice lists MBA, LLM in Chinese Law and Computer Science among English-taught examples; applicants must check the active department guide.

Can an international student apply for undergraduate study directly after school?

Yes, PKU has international undergraduate admission routes, but the current route is restricted to non-Chinese citizens and undergraduate study is Chinese-medium with a 4–6 year duration. Applicants use either the entrance-examination route or the written-test-exemption route when they meet the published score and document requirements.

What prior qualification is needed for graduate admission?

The 2026 general notice requires a bachelor's degree or higher for master's applicants and a master's degree or higher for doctoral applicants, while allowing bachelor's applicants to apply for doctoral study in science and engineering. Each school may impose additional academic or professional requirements.

What language tests does PKU require?

For Chinese-taught graduate programmes, the 2026 notice specifies HSK 6 above 200 with a writing score of at least 65 for science and above 210 with writing at least 65 for humanities; English-taught programmes require their own evidence, with TOEFL iBT 100 or GRE 315 given as general examples for non-native English speakers.

How do international graduate applicants apply?

Applicants use PKU's International Student Service System at studyatpku.com, upload degree and transcript evidence, a personal statement and research plan, a résumé, two recommendations and language scores, then follow the relevant school's academic review and second-examination process.

When are applications due?

The general 2026 master's and doctoral notice lists October 20 to December 23, 2025 in Beijing time. English-taught programmes can set separate application windows, so the programme-specific notice controls.

What tuition and living costs should students budget for?

PKU's reference guidance estimates about RMB 35,000 per academic year for accommodation, RMB 15,000 for daily living and RMB 5,000 for miscellaneous transport costs. Tuition varies by level and programme; an older academic guidance table lists broad annual figures, but applicants should use the current programme fee notice.

Does PKU offer scholarships?

The 2026 graduate notice identifies Chinese Government Scholarship Type B, Beijing Government Scholarship and Peking University Scholarship routes. Coverage can include some combination of tuition, accommodation, medical insurance and living expenses, subject to the applicable rules and award.

What visa and insurance steps apply?

Students studying in China for more than six months need an X1 visa and must apply for a residence permit within 30 days of arrival. PKU requires comprehensive medical insurance for the study period, and students without valid insurance cannot register.

Is accommodation guaranteed?

No. Scholarship awards that include accommodation are handled under their award conditions; self-funded students must arrange on-campus or off-campus housing. Off-campus residents must register their address with the local police within 24 hours.

Why compare PKU with another Chinese university?

PKU is especially relevant for applicants comparing a comprehensive Beijing university with broad humanities, science, engineering, law, management and policy provision. The decisive comparison remains programme-specific language, eligibility, deadline, tuition, scholarship, campus and research fit.

Is Peking University public or private?

Peking University is a public comprehensive research university in Beijing, founded in 1898. Its official profile describes six faculties, 55 schools and departments, 60 research entities and ten affiliated hospitals.

Are PKU programmes taught in English?

Some graduate programmes are English-taught, but undergraduate international study is Chinese-medium and many graduate routes are Chinese or bilingual. The current programme notice lists MBA, LLM in Chinese Law and Computer Science among English-taught examples; applicants must check the active department guide.

Can an international student apply for undergraduate study directly after school?

Yes, PKU has international undergraduate admission routes, but the current route is restricted to non-Chinese citizens and undergraduate study is Chinese-medium with a 4–6 year duration. Applicants use either the entrance-examination route or the written-test-exemption route when they meet the published score and document requirements.

What prior qualification is needed for graduate admission?

The 2026 general notice requires a bachelor's degree or higher for master's applicants and a master's degree or higher for doctoral applicants, while allowing bachelor's applicants to apply for doctoral study in science and engineering. Each school may impose additional academic or professional requirements.

What language tests does PKU require?

For Chinese-taught graduate programmes, the 2026 notice specifies HSK 6 above 200 with a writing score of at least 65 for science and above 210 with writing at least 65 for humanities; English-taught programmes require their own evidence, with TOEFL iBT 100 or GRE 315 given as general examples for non-native English speakers.

How do international graduate applicants apply?

Applicants use PKU's International Student Service System at studyatpku.com, upload degree and transcript evidence, a personal statement and research plan, a résumé, two recommendations and language scores, then follow the relevant school's academic review and second-examination process.

When are applications due?

The general 2026 master's and doctoral notice lists October 20 to December 23, 2025 in Beijing time. English-taught programmes can set separate application windows, so the programme-specific notice controls.

What tuition and living costs should students budget for?

PKU's reference guidance estimates about RMB 35,000 per academic year for accommodation, RMB 15,000 for daily living and RMB 5,000 for miscellaneous transport costs. Tuition varies by level and programme; an older academic guidance table lists broad annual figures, but applicants should use the current programme fee notice.

Does PKU offer scholarships?

The 2026 graduate notice identifies Chinese Government Scholarship Type B, Beijing Government Scholarship and Peking University Scholarship routes. Coverage can include some combination of tuition, accommodation, medical insurance and living expenses, subject to the applicable rules and award.

What visa and insurance steps apply?

Students studying in China for more than six months need an X1 visa and must apply for a residence permit within 30 days of arrival. PKU requires comprehensive medical insurance for the study period, and students without valid insurance cannot register.

Is accommodation guaranteed?

No. Scholarship awards that include accommodation are handled under their award conditions; self-funded students must arrange on-campus or off-campus housing. Off-campus residents must register their address with the local police within 24 hours.

Why compare PKU with another Chinese university?

PKU is especially relevant for applicants comparing a comprehensive Beijing university with broad humanities, science, engineering, law, management and policy provision. The decisive comparison remains programme-specific language, eligibility, deadline, tuition, scholarship, campus and research fit.

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M.Sc. Computer Science at Peking University

Academic structure, teaching phases, and curriculum for M.Sc. Computer Science at Peking University.

Written by Students Traffic Research Team·Updated On: 12 Jul 2026

Peking UniversityBeijing, ChinaM.Sc. Computer Science · Public

Academics eligibility recognition admissions fees

Academic structure

Master's Degree/Ph.D. in Computer Science — master's route

Duration—2 yearsMedium—Programme-specific: English, Chinese or bilingualIntake—September

Teaching phases

1

Master's coursework and research

PKU's 2026 notice lists a School of Computer Science Master's Degree/Ph.D. route; applicants follow the department's current curriculum, language and assessment requirements.

Tuition fee and hostel estimate

Year-wise cost data is not currently published for this program.

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