Application Instructions for the Ph.D. Program in the History and Theory of Art (English-Language)

School of Arts, Peking University

Beginning in 2020, the School of Arts at Peking University invites international students who would like to study in China to submit applications to pursue a doctoral degree in the History and Theory of Art. Applicants will be evaluated according to several combined criteria. The details of the program are as follows:

1. Program Overview

This four-year Ph.D. program will welcome ten international students in Fall 2024. The program meets the needs of students who want to pursue advanced studies and research in the History and Theory of Art, including the fields of art theory, art history, art criticism, and art management. For further details, please refer to the Peking University International Student Admissions Directory.

2. Program Information

1)  Full-time registration required;

2)  Four-year program;

3)  Language of instruction: English.

3. Admission Requirements

1)   Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens with a valid passport. Residents of the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan who have emigrated to other countries and are applying to Peking University as international students must present valid passport or citizenship documents dating from before April 30, 2018, along with proof of cancellation of Chinese nationality.  

2)  Applicants should be healthy, both physically and psychologically, with no criminal record, friendly to China and must abide by the laws and decrees of China.

3) Applicants for doctoral programs must have attained a master's degree, and those who graduated from a non-Chinese institution must have a master's degree from an institution recognized by the Ministry of Education of China.

4)   Applicants must demonstrate excellent academic performance and must meet the English Proficiency Requirements set by the program.

4. Application Timeline

Please refer to https://www.isd.pku.edu.cn/graduate/boshi/detail/7967.html for details.

5. Application Steps

Please refer to https://www.isd.pku.edu.cn/graduate/boshi/detail/7967.html for details.

6. Submission of Application Materials

Visit the application system (http://www.studyatpku.com), fill in the application and upload the following documents:

1) Graduation and degree certificates and degree authentication in Chinese or English. For degree certificates in other languages, applicants are required to 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 2024 must upload their degree authentication report during the application period. Applicants expected to graduate in 2024 must provide an official letter from their current university stating their expected graduation date, submit their certificate of graduation upon being pre-admitted, and present their original degree diploma upon registration.

2)  Official transcripts from the applicant’s most recent 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 that includes a doctoral research plan of 3,000 words. Please click the link to download the template: https://www.isd.pku.edu.cn/down/shen/ru.html

4)   Resume and a copy of the Commitment for Application. Please click the link to download the template for the Commitment: https://www.isd.pku.edu.cn/down/shen/ru.html

5)  Two recommendation letters from professor(s) or associate professor(s) (or equivalent professionals with relevant academic titles) related to the applicant’s major. Once applicants submit the application the application system will send a link to the recommenders, and the recommenders should click the link and complete the recommendation either by filling out the form online or by uploading the scanned copy of the signed letter.

Click the link to download the template: https://www.isd.pku.edu.cn/down/shen/ru.html

6)  English Proficiency Requirements:

i. For native English speakers and applicants who completed college education in a country where the only language of instruction was English, no proof of English proficiency is required.

ii. For non-native English speakers, English proficiency must be demonstrated by submitting official test scores from either TOEFL or IELTS. Minimum Scores: TOEFL: 100; IELTS (Academic Test): 7.0.

7)  Information page of the valid passport (passport type must be ordinary). The passport’s date of expiry should be after December 2024.

8)  Table of contents and abstracts of the applicant’s academic publications and any other original achievements in the applicant’s field of study (if applicable).

9)   A copy of the applicant’s master’s thesis.

Note: Applicants should scan the original or notarized application documents in color using a scanner. Images captured by mobile phone or camera are NOT acceptable.

7. Application Fees

Please refer to https://www.isd.pku.edu.cn/graduate/boshi/detail/7967.html for details.

8. Departmental Preliminary Review

The International Student Division will assess the documents provided by applicants to ensure that they meet the standards set by the program. The documents of qualified applicants will then be transferred to the Academic Affairs Office of the School of Arts before the end of March.

Admission decisions are made by the Admissions Committee of the School of Arts. All aspects of each application are carefully and thoughtfully reviewed by the committee, using a combination of criteria including the applicant’s undergraduate and graduate schools, major, academic performance, character, and potential for development in the applied professional field. After careful consideration, the committee identifies applicants for final review.

9. Departmental Final Review

In March/April of each year, the School of Arts will conduct a final review. The Admissions Committee will comprehensively assess the professional level and English-language ability of the applicants. Applicants will give an oral presentation to the committee describing their academic research experiences, their understanding of the program in the School of Arts, and their plans for doctoral study and research.

Based on the results of both the preliminary and the final reviews, the Admissions Committee will identify and recommend top applicants and then submit the preliminary decision to the Graduate School Admissions Office for further review.

10. Admission Decisions

1) On the basis of the school's preliminary decision, the Admission Office of the Graduate School will review and make the preliminary admission list.

2) The school will publish the preliminary admission list before the end of May.

3) The pre-admitted candidates should download and print the application form and, together with other required original application documents (except for degree diploma and recommendation letters), deliver or mail the materials to the International Student Division of Peking University.

Deadline: May 31, 2024

Address: Room 330, International Student Division, New Sun Student Center, Peking University. Please note on the envelope: Graduate student application materials

4) The International Student Division will issue an admission notice, visa application form (JW201/JW202) and other documents to the admitted students in late June 2024.

11. Academic Calendar

Admitted students are required to register for courses at the beginning of September 2024. Registration dates and deadlines will be indicated in the admission letter. Accepted students must arrive at Peking University to complete their registration in strict accordance with the dates specified in the admission letter.

All students should present their original degree certificates and submit their degree authentication as required upon registration for the enrollment qualification review. Students who fail the enrollment qualification review will be disqualified from enrollment at Peking University.

12. Tuition and Scholarship

The tuition fee for the Ph.D. program is RMB 50,000 Yuan per year (RMB 200,000 Yuan total for four years). Admitted students can apply for the following scholarships:

1) Chinese Government Scholarship (Type B): tuition waiver, free accommodations, monthly living expenses, and medical insurance provided in accordance with the scholarship’s regulations.

2) Beijing Government Scholarship for International Students: tuition subsidy.  

Note: The evaluation of scholarships will be carried out in accordance with the relevant regulations of the government and the university. For more information, please pay close attention to notices posted at http://www.isd.pku.edu.cn.

13. Awarding of the Degree

To be awarded your degree, you are required to complete all graduate credit coursework indicated in your “Training Plan” with qualifying grades, successfully complete your dissertation, and pass the oral defense of your dissertation. After review and approval by the Academic Degree Assessment Committee of the university, the corresponding academic degree will be conferred.

Concerning visa requirements and other issues, please refer to “2024 Application Information for International Students (Master's Degree and Ph.D. Degree)”.