Schwarzman Scholars Program at Tsinghua University, Beijing

Schwarzman Scholars pays for a one-year Master's Degree at Tsinghua University in Beijing, and the program is built around leadership training and professional networking. It is aimed at students seen as future global leaders. The degree is taught at one of China's most prestigious universities. The award covers study costs and living costs, so selected Scholars can focus on the program rather than on funding.

• Host: Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
• Level: one-year Master's Degree and Leadership Programme in Global Affairs
• Who can apply: all nationalities
• Awards: up to 200 students
• Covered: tuition and fees, room and board, travel, study tour, books and supplies, health insurance, personal stipend
• Deadline: 9 September 2026 for applicants from the US and other countries; 20 May 2026 for Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao passport holders
• Course starts: August 2027

Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.

The award supports a Master's Degree and Leadership Programme in Global Affairs. Within that programme you pick one concentration: Public Policy, Economic and Business, or International Studies.

Up to 200 students are selected. About 45% of the first class come from the United States, 20% from China, and 35% from the rest of the world.

All nationalities can apply.

Selected Schwarzman Scholars receive a scholarship that covers tuition and fees, room and board, travel to and from Beijing at the start and end of the academic year, an in-country study tour, required course books and supplies, health insurance, and a personal stipend.

The stipend is money paid to you for day-to-day living, separate from tuition. Room and board means housing and meals are covered, and the two travel payments cover your flights at the beginning and end of the year.

Undergraduate degree or first degree from an accredited college or university or its equivalent. If you are still enrolled in an undergraduate program, you must be on track to finish all degree requirements before August 1 of your Schwarzman Scholars enrollment year. No specific undergraduate field is required and all fields are welcome. Whatever your major, you need to explain how Schwarzman Scholars will help you develop your leadership potential within your field.

Age Requirement. Candidates must be at least 18 but not yet 29 years of age as of August 1 of their Schwarzman Scholars enrollment year (for the Class of 2026-2027, as of 1 August 2026).

English language proficiency. You must show strong English skills, because all teaching is in English. If English is not your native language, submit official English proficiency test scores with your application. Accepted tests are:

• Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT). Minimum score 100.
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum score 7.
• Cambridge English: Advanced (C1) or Cambridge English: Proficiency (C2). Minimum score 185.

The test requirement is waived if you graduated from an undergraduate institution where the main language of instruction was English for at least two years of your academic program. It is also waived if you studied in English for two or more years at Master's degree level or higher.

Read the complete eligibility criteria at this link.

This suits graduates of any field who want a one-year Master's in Global Affairs in Beijing and who can show leadership potential in their own area. You need to be within the age range and hold, or be about to finish, an undergraduate degree.

If English is not your native language, plan for a TOEFL iBT, IELTS or Cambridge test unless you qualify for the waiver through English-language study.

Apply by completing the online application form and submitting the required documents before the deadline. The online application form must be completed in English. All requirements must be submitted electronically; we do not accept materials via mail or email.

To begin, create an account to start a new application. The email address you provide to create your account will be used for all correspondence about your admissions status. After creating an account, a system-generated email will be sent to you with a temporary PIN to activate your account. If you do not receive this email immediately, check your spam/junk folders. Add [email protected] to your safe senders list.

Once you have created an account, click “Start New Application” to begin your application. You do not have to complete your application in one sitting; you may access and continue your work as frequently as needed before final submission. To save your work, click on the “Continue” button.

If you created an account in 2021 or later, login as a returning user to start a new application. You may notice some information will be carried over, such as the personal information page, listed schools, uploaded transcripts, and professional experience. Review this information to make any necessary updates prior to your final submission. For applicants who applied or started an application prior to 2021, create a new account.

Applicants from the US and other countries must apply before 9 September 2026 at 3 p.m. EDT.

Applicants who hold passports from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao can apply until 20 May 2026 at 12:00 p.m. CST.

Check the official website (link below) for the application forms and full details on how to apply.

• Who can apply for Schwarzman Scholars? All nationalities. You need an undergraduate degree or equivalent, must meet the age rule, and must show English proficiency unless waived.
• What does the scholarship cover? Tuition and fees, room and board, travel to and from Beijing at the start and end of the academic year, an in-country study tour, required books and supplies, health insurance, and a personal stipend.
• What are the deadlines? 9 September 2026 at 3 p.m. EDT for applicants from the US and other countries, and 20 May 2026 at 12:00 p.m. CST for passport holders from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao.
• Do I need an English test? If English is not your native language, yes: TOEFL iBT 100, IELTS 7, or Cambridge C1/C2 at 185. The requirement is waived in the cases listed under Eligibility.
• How many awards are there? Up to 200 students.

• Read the official eligibility page before you start, so you know which documents apply to you.
• Request test scores and transcripts early; official documents take time to reach you.
• Use your essays to connect the program to leadership in your own field, whatever you studied.
• Check the deadline in your own time zone and submit before the final day.