Academic Program

Peking University offers a wide range of courses for undergraduate students. Prior knowledge of Chinese is recommended, but not required.
If you have little to no background knowledge in Chinese, you have the option of taking Chinese language courses and related courses designed for international students. If you plan to study Chinese at Peking University, you are required to complete an online self-assessment for Chinese proficiency before arrival. You will also have an interview with a Chinese teacher upon arrival.
If you are fluent in Chinese, you can enroll in the regular university courses that are taught in Chinese. Peking University offers 93 undergraduate programs.

Course Descriptions and Syllabi

During the application period, you must decide whether or not you want to study Chinese.
• If you decide that you only want to take non-language courses, you cannot change your mind and add Chinese to your schedule when you arrive at Peking University.
• If you are unsure about whether you would like to study Chinese, it is better for you to add Chinese to your study plan (you can remove Chinese from your schedule when you arrive at Peking University).
* Courses differ each semester, and are assigned using a lottery system. Once admitted, you will pre-select your courses online, and the online system will select students for each course at random, based on their pre-selected courses, one day before classes start.
Review the most recent English-taught undergraduate course list and the general information on Peking University Chinese language training for more information.  

General Education Information for UAlbany Students

Credits earned on this program will automatically satisfy the International Perspectives requirement. Three credits of foreign language study will satisfy the Foreign Language requirement. No additional approval is required for you to earn these general elective credits.

Major/Minor Information for UAlbany Students

Courses may also satisfy major and minor requirements, upon approval by the department.

Transcript

All courses taken abroad count towards UAlbany General Elective credits. Credits and grades will appear on your UAlbany transcript. You may file a request to have additional courses approved for equivalency as necessary. 

Housing

You will be housed in one of the international student dormitories on campus. Peking University offers several different dormitory options in Zhongguanyuan Global Village. The dorms are a five minute walk from major classroom buildings, and are available on a first come, first served basis. Double occupancy and triple occupancy suites are available. You will have your own room with a shared living room and bathroom. Every room includes a single bed, bedding (sheets, pillow case, etc.), desk, cabinet, bedding, air conditioning, and internet.
You may also choose to make your own housing arrangements off campus.

Meals

There is no meal plan for this program. You may choose to purchase meals in the cafeteria or eat out at local restaurants. There is no public kitchen in the dorms. For safety reasons, cooking or use of electric kitchen utensils is prohibited in your dorm room.

Estimate of Costs

For reference, review the Academic Year 2019-20 Estimate of Costs 

More Information

Click for more information on Program Costs and Financial Aid.
Remember to speak with the Office of Financial Aid at your home campus to determine how your aid package could apply towards your program abroad.

Academic Requirements

Juniors, seniors and exceptional sophomores in all majors with at least 2.8 GPA are welcome to apply. If you have a lower GPA, you should consult with the study abroad program coordinator.
You must be at least 18 years of age by the start of the program at Peking University. 
Prior knowledge of Chinese is recommended but not required. 
If you are a Chinese citizen, or a Taiwan or Hong Kong passport holder, you are not eligible to apply.
This program is not recommended for graduating seniors. Graduating seniors can still apply, but please make sure that you have completed all necessary credits for graduation at your home university before you begin your exchange program at Peking University.

Experiential Learning

University-arranged excursions are not included in this program, but you may enjoy tourist attractions and events off campus, on your own.

Student Clubs and Organizations

Funding Opportunities

Most financial aid and academic awards will apply to semester programs.
External scholarships, listed on our website, are a good way to partially fund your study abroad experience. In addition, the Center for International Education and Global Strategy offers two scholarship programs for UAlbany students studying abroad on UAlbany or 4-year SUNY programs.
More information on applying to these scholarships is located on the Scholarships web page.

In Their Own Words

“My study abroad experience has been the highlight of my college experience without a doubt. It exposed me to new possibilities and caused me to consider what the world has to offer and not just what the U.S. has to offer in terms of my personal and future career goals. As a person, I am more educated about how to truly learn about a culture or a region, it is absolutely necessary to travel to that place and see it for yourself.”

Speak with an Advisor

About the City

Peking University is located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Beijing. Beijing is the capital, and one of the largest cities in China. The city is located in northeastern China, and is known for its ancient sites and modern architecture.

Travel Documents

A valid passport is required to participate in this program. If you are a U.S. citizen, you are required to obtain a visa to enter China. Please visit the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States of America website for further information on X1 and X2 visas.
If you are not a U.S. citizen, please consult with your government to determine whether you will need to obtain a visa to enter China. More information regarding the visa application process is available upon acceptance to the program.

Application Availability

• Spring/Winter/Spring Break programs: July
• Fall/Year/Summer programs: December

Program Dates

Academic Year 2020/2021

Fall 2020

09/14/20 to 01/17/21

Spring 2021

02/22/21 to 06/27/21

About the Program

Peking University is a comprehensive and national key university. The campus, known as "Yan Yuan" (the garden of Yan), is situated at Haidian District in the western suburb of Beijing. It has become a center for teaching and research and a university of a new type, embracing diverse branches of learning such as basic and applied sciences, social sciences and the humanities, and sciences of medicine, management, and education.
The University at Albany's study abroad option at Peking University allows you to immerse yourself in the Chinese language and culture by living in this vibrant neighborhood located in the western suburb of metropolitan Beijing. You can take Chinese language and related courses that are designed for international students at different levels.
The University at Albany hosts a mandatory general orientation session on campus during the semester prior to participation on the program. As a China program participant, you will also have an additional pre-departure session at UAlbany.

Program Orientations

Upon acceptance to the program, you will be required to attend a mandatory pre-departure orientation. During this time, you will have the opportunity to meet other program participants, discuss in-depth the details of your program, and prepare of the overall education abroad experience. The fall semester pre-departure orientation will be conducted the Saturday before the end of Spring UAlbany classes and in late November/early December for the spring term abroad.
Upon arrival at Peking University, you will attend a mandatory program orientation. This is an important and informative set of sessions organized by International Office of your host university.

Support Services

UAlbany’s Office of Education Abroad staff assists you during the application process, in your preparation to travel abroad, and on-site if necessary.
Peking University's International Office staff serve as an experienced resource for resolving issues that you may encounter in while abroad.