Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School (PKUSZ) was established in April 2001 with the approval of the Ministry of Education. As the southern campus of Peking University (PKU), it draws on the strengths of PKU and is rooted in Shenzhen. It has gradually developed into a research-oriented, international campus of Peking University based in Shenzhen, and constitutes an important part of PKU’s strategy to build a world-class university.

Established in 2025 at Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, the School of AI for Science represents a forward-looking initiative by Peking University to address the scientific and industrial transformations of the intelli-gent era. As the world's first higher education institution to establish AI for Science as an academic discipline, the School is dedicated to advancing the deep integration of artificial intelligence and fundamental sciences. It is developing a dual-track mentorship system that pairs AI and science advisors, pioneering a research paradigm that merges scientific first principles with big data, and fostering an open and collaborative innovation ecosystem. By accelerating scientific discovery and defining the future of industry, the School aims to cultivate frontier interdisci-plinary talent equipped with global perspectives, cross-disciplinary expertise, and strong innovative capabilities.

1. Programs Offered

For the 2027 intake, AI4S enrolls international students in master’s and Ph.D. degree programs through the “Application + Examination” method.

2. Application Prerequisites

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

1) Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens holding a valid passport. Residents of the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan who have emigrated to another country and are applying to Peking University as international students must present a valid passport or citizenship documents issued before April 30, 2021, and provide proof of the cancellation of Chinese nationality.

Note: The exit and entry administration authority of the public security organ of China reserves the right to determine whether an applicant still holds Chinese nationality. If, during the application period or even after admission or registration, the applicant is found to still hold Chinese nationality, the applicant’s application, admission, registration, or enrollment will be nullified.

2) Applicants should be both physically and psychologically healthy, have no criminal record, and must comply with the laws and decrees of China and the regulations of Peking University.

3) Applicants to master’s degree programs must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a university or college accredited by the Ministry of Education of China. Applicants to doctoral programs must hold a master’s degree or higher from an institution accredited by the Ministry of Education of China. Applicants with bachelor’s degrees may apply to doctoral programs in the sciences and engineering.

4) The applicant’s academic performance, academic level, and language ability should meet the admission requirements for the major they are applying to.

3. Application Period (Beijing Time)

Chinese-taught programs: October 26, 2026 to December 25, 2026

English-taught programs: October 26, 2026 to March 31, 2027

4. Application Procedures

Visit the International Student Service System (https://www.studyatpku.com), complete the application, and upload the following documents:

1）Graduation and degree certificates, along with degree authentication in Chinese or English. For degree certificates in other languages, applicants must upload both the original copy and a notarized copy in Chinese or English. Degree diplomas awarded by overseas universities must be authenticated by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange, Ministry of Education, P. R. China (CSCSE). Degree diplomas awarded by universities on the Chinese mainland must be authenticated by the Center for Student Services and Development, Ministry of Education, P. R. China (CSSD).

Note: Applicants who graduated before 2027 must upload their degree authentication report during the application period. Applicants expected to graduate in 2027 must provide an official letter from their current university confirming their expected graduation date and submit their graduation certificate upon pre-admission.

2）Official transcripts of the applicant’s academic achievement, including courses taken and standards achieved. These must be original documents or notarized copies, in either Chinese or English.

3）A personal statement. Using the language of instruction of the program applied for, briefly introduce your academic background and focus on your proposed research plan for graduate study. The expected length is approximately 1,500 words for master's applicants and 3,000 words for Ph.D. applicants. Please use the link to download the template: https://isd.pku.edu.cn/en/downloads.php?cate=13

Note: In the ‘School/Department Applied to’ field of the personal statement, applicants for the professional master’s program must specify AI4S.

4）Resume and a copy of the Application Commitment letter. Please click the link to download the Commitment letter template: https://isd.pku.edu.cn/en/downloads.php?cate=13

5）Two recommendation letters from professors or associate professors in the applicant’s major (or equivalent professionals with a relevant academic title), in Chinese or English. Once applicants submit a request, the application system will send a link to the recommenders. Recommenders should click the link and complete the recommendation either by filling out the form online or by uploading a scanned copy of the signed letter. To download the template, click the link: https://isd.pku.edu.cn/en/downloads.php?cate=13

6）Original Chinese or English language test score report:

(1) Applicants to Chinese-taught programs in the discipline category below must submit a score report meeting the following standard or other relevant evidence of Chinese proficiency.

Note: Applicants who have taken the new HSK Levels 7–9 exam may submit corresponding qualifying score reports.

(2) Applicants to English-taught programs whose native language is not English must meet at least one of the following requirements.

7) Passport front page. Applicants must upload the front page of all ordinary passport(s) used continuously since April 30, 2021. The current passport must remain valid for at least three months beyond the date of enrollment.

8) Research achievements. If applicable, provide a list and abstracts of published academic articles and evidence of other original research achievements.

Notes:

1) Applicants should scan the original or notarized application documents in color using a scanner. Images taken with a mobile phone or camera are not acceptable.

2) Once confirmed, the applicant’s passport details (including name, nationality, gender, date of birth, and the uploaded photo) submitted during the application phase cannot be modified before enrollment.

3) Applicants must thoroughly review and ensure that all required documents (including two letters of recommendation) are complete and meet the specified standards before submitting them. Consequences of incomplete or non-compliant materials will be borne solely by the applicant.

4) In the School/Department field, please select: Shenzhen Graduate School

5. Examination

1)AI4S conducts a preliminary review of applicants’ eligibility and application materials. Materials of applicants who pass the preliminary review are forwarded to the Education Administration Office of Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School.

2) AI4S establishes an admissions expert panel to review the prior academic performance, academic foundations, and potential for further study of applicants who meet the requirements, and prepares a shortlist of candidates for the next stage of the examination.

3) The examination will tentatively be conducted in batches from January to April 2027. The specific format, requirements, and schedule will be published separately on the AI4S website once finalized. Applicants must check the relevant announcements on the AI4S website in a timely manner. Each member of the examination panel will independently score candidates and assess their subject knowledge, research ability, language proficiency, capacity for innovation, and overall qualities.

6. Admission

1) Peking University conducts a comprehensive evaluation based on the preliminary review of application materials, examination results, and AI4S’s preliminary admission recommendations, and selects candidates for preliminary admission.

2) The preliminary admission list will be published on the Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School website by the end of May 2027. Applicants should monitor the published information closely.

3) By May 31, 2027, candidates offered preliminary admission must deliver or mail the downloaded and printed original application form and the other original application materials, excluding degree certificates and recommendation letters, to AI4S.

Mailing address: Room 6E 208, University Town of Shenzhen(International Campus), Changlingpi, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.

Recipient: Ms. Ding. Telephone: +86-755-26037662.

Please mark the envelope ‘Graduate Student Application Materials.’

4) Applicants will be notified of the admission result after the paper application materials have been reviewed and confirmed. Admission documents are expected to be issued in batches in late June 2027.

7. Enrollment

New students are expected to register in early September 2027; the exact date will be stated in the admission notice. Admitted international students must report to Peking University within the specified period with their passport, student visa for China, admission notice, and other required documents. At registration, students must present their original degree certificates for verification of admission eligibility. Students who obtained degrees from institutions outside the Chinese mainland must also submit a degree authentication report issued by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange, Ministry of Education. Admission will be invalid if the required certificates have not been obtained before enrollment in the year of admission.

8. Tuition Fees and Scholarships

1) Tuition fees: To be announced separately.

2) Scholarships: Newly admitted international students may apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship. For details, please consult the official Chinese Government Scholarship website.https://www.campuschina.org/

9. Visa, Medical Insurance and Accommodation

Visa: Students admitted to PKU should apply for a student visa at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in their home country using the admission letter and the JW201/202 form. International students who will study in China for more than 6 months must obtain an “X1” visa, which is valid for only 30 days upon arrival in China. Upon arrival, they must visit the International Student Division and apply for a Residence Permit within 30 days to obtain legal status in China.

Medical Insurance: The Ministry of Education of China requires all international students to maintain medical insurance throughout their planned period of study. Students must purchase the ‘Comprehensive Insurance Plan for Foreign Students’ on the day of registration. Students without valid medical insurance will not be permitted to register.

Accommodations: Accommodation for international students will be arranged in accordance with the relevant regulations of Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School.

10. Graduation and Degree Awarding

Students who have completed all requirements of the training program, achieved satisfactory academic results, and passed the thesis or dissertation defense will be permitted to graduate. The corresponding degree will be conferred upon approval by the university’s Academic Degree Assessment Committee.

11. Additional Notes

1) Graduate students are NOT allowed to be enrolled in more than one program or at more than one university at the same time.

2) Applicants must regularly check documents and notices published or sent by Peking University and AI4S. Applicants bear responsibility for consequences arising from their own oversight or other personal circumstances.

3) Matters not covered in this document will be handled in accordance with the applicable policies of the competent authorities and Peking University.

12. Admissions Inquiries

Contact: Ms. Ding +86-755-26037662

Email: ai4s-admissions@pku.edu.cn

Address: Room 6E 208, University Town of Shenzhen(International Campus), Changlingpi, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.

School of AI for Science, Peking University

October 2026