2027 Call for Applications
English Taught Doctoral Program in Information Science

Department of Information Management
Peking University

The Department of Information Management at Peking University invites international applicants to its 2027 English-taught doctoral program in Information Science. The program develops the theoretical knowledge, analytical skills and capacity for original research needed to examine information systems and their social and technical implications.

Applications are open from October 26, 2026 to January 10, 2027, Beijing time. Applicants should read this notice together with Peking University’s 2027 application information for international graduate students (https://www.isd.pku.edu.cn/en/detail.php?id=841).

I Program Profile

The program is taught in English and requires four years of full-time study. Students must complete 19 credits: 4 credits of public compulsory courses, 1 credit of academic writing, 8 credits of compulsory major courses and 6 credits of electives.

II Research Areas

Theory of Information and Knowledge Organization
Information Service Institutions and Users
Information Analysis and Metrics
Computational Social Science and Digital Humanities
Information and Data Governance

III Eligibility and English Language Requirements

Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens holding valid foreign passports, hold or expect to obtain a master’s degree before enrollment, and meet the university’s requirements for international graduate admission. Applicants whose nationality status requires additional documentation must follow the nationality provisions in the 2027 university admissions guidelines. Applicants should demonstrate research capability, analytical skills and an interest in information management, digital society or data governance.

Applicants who are not native English speakers and do not qualify for an exemption must submit one of the following:

TOEFL iBT: 5 or above under the current scoring scale. Scores of 100 or above obtained between September 1, 2025 and January 21, 2026 are also accepted under the university’s 2027 requirements.
IELTS: an overall score of at least 6.5, with no sub-score below 5.5.
GRE: a total score of at least 315.

Applicants who have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher in an English-speaking country, or at an institution where English is the main language of instruction, are exempt from the English proficiency requirement and should provide relevant supporting documentation.

IV Application Period and Submission

Application period: October 26, 2026 to January 10, 2027, Beijing time. Complete the online application and upload all required documents through the Peking University International Student Online Service System:

https://www.studyatpku.com

The application fee is RMB 800 per application. Applicants should complete payment and ensure that all required materials, including both recommendation letters, have been submitted before the program deadline.

V Application Documents

Prepare the following documents in accordance with the university’s 2027 admissions guidelines and the application system instructions.

1. Graduation and degree documents and authentication reports. Submit certificates and supporting authentication in Chinese or English. For certificates in another language, provide the original and a notarized Chinese or English translation. Overseas degrees must be authenticated by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE); degrees awarded on the Chinese mainland must be authenticated through the Center for Student Services and Development (CSSD). Applicants who have already graduated should provide their authentication report when applying. Prospective graduates should submit an official expected-graduation or study certificate and complete the required degree documentation before enrollment, following the university’s instructions.

2. Official academic transcripts. Submit originals or notarized copies in Chinese or English showing the courses taken and academic results.

3. Personal statement and research plan. Provide approximately 3,000 words describing your academic background and proposed doctoral research.

4. Curriculum vitae and Application Commitment Letter. Use the university’s commitment letter template.

5. Two recommendation letters. Letters must be in Chinese or English and written by professors, associate professors or professionals with equivalent academic titles in a relevant field. The application system will email the recommenders, who may complete the recommendation online or upload a scanned copy of their signed letter.

6. Proof of English proficiency. Submit the relevant test report or supporting documents for an exemption, as described in Section III.

7. Ordinary passport information pages. Submit the information page of your valid ordinary passport and any additional passport pages required by the 2027 university guidelines. Your current passport must remain valid for at least three months beyond enrollment.

8. Academic publications and other original achievements, if applicable. Provide tables of contents and abstracts of publications and details of other relevant work.

Templates for the personal statement, commitment letter and recommendation letters are available from the International Student Division:

https://isd.pku.edu.cn/en/downloads.php?cate=13

Document submission requirements. Upload clear color scans made with a scanner; photographs taken with a mobile phone or camera are not accepted. Once passport details and the applicant photograph have been confirmed and submitted, they cannot be changed before enrollment. Applicants are responsible for the completeness and compliance of their materials, including both recommendation letters.

VI Review Admission and Enrollment

The International Student Division will review applicants’ basic qualifications. The department will then evaluate the academic dossiers and invite shortlisted applicants to a comprehensive assessment and interview.

The re-examination will take place between January and March 2027. Specific dates, format and instructions will be announced separately by the department. Applicants should monitor departmental notices and the email address used for their application.

The preliminary admission list is expected to be announced by the end of May 2027, subject to the university’s approval procedures. Admitted students will enroll in early September 2027, on the date specified in their admission notice, and must present original academic documents for verification.

VII Tuition and Scholarships

Tuition is RMB 35,000 per academic year. Tuition payment follows the applicable university regulations.

International students may apply for the following scholarships, subject to the relevant eligibility criteria and selection procedures:

Chinese Government Scholarship — High-Level Graduate Program. Support may include a full or partial tuition waiver, accommodation, comprehensive medical insurance and a monthly living allowance in accordance with the applicable standards.
Beijing Government Scholarship for International Students. Category A covers tuition, accommodation, medical insurance and a monthly living allowance; Category B covers tuition, accommodation and medical insurance; Category C covers tuition and medical insurance.
Peking University Scholarship for International Students. Support may include a full or partial tuition waiver, comprehensive medical insurance and a monthly living allowance in accordance with the applicable standards.

Scholarship assessment and disbursement are governed by the relevant national and university regulations. Admission does not automatically confer a scholarship. Consult the International Student Division’s scholarship notices for application procedures and deadlines.

VIII Visa Insurance and Accommodation

Admitted students must follow the university’s instructions for an X1 visa and apply for a residence permit within 30 days of arrival in China. International students must maintain medical insurance throughout their studies and purchase the required comprehensive insurance on registration; students without valid insurance cannot register.

Accommodation is provided to students whose scholarships include housing. Self-funded students should arrange their own accommodation on or off campus. Students living off campus must complete local accommodation registration within 24 hours of arrival, as required.

IX Graduation Requirements

Students must complete the required credits and training requirements, successfully defend their doctoral dissertation, and satisfy the program’s scholarly publication and degree conferral requirements.

X Further Information and Contacts

Department of Information Management, Peking University
Program inquiries: gxgyjsyw@pku.edu.cn

International Student Division, Office of International Relations
Room 330, New Sun Student Center, Peking University, Beijing, China
Email: study@pku.edu.cn
Website: https://www.isd.pku.edu.cn

For matters not specified in this notice, please refer to the university’s 2027 admissions guidelines and subsequent official announcements.