Peking University Law School (PKU): Beijing, China

a. General information

Founded in 1898, Peking University (PKU, also called Beijing University) is the first national university in Chinese modern history, with a high reputation in and outside China, owing to the abundant teaching resources and outstanding research level. Peking University now consists of 31 colleges and 14 departments, offering 101 undergraduate programs, 224 postgraduate programs, and 202 doctoral programs.

As the oldest Law School in China, established in 1904, the law school of the Peking University consists of over 30 departments and research centers. It is known for its long history, rich culture, distinguished alumni, enlightened education policies, and exciting campus life. It has become a leading institution for legal education and a potent force for legal development in China. The Law school frequently partners with the government, law firms, and business communities in the development of cutting edge legal, social and commercial policy. The Law School also has many international links and partnership programs with leading universities and legal institutions around the world.

b. The Exchange Program

The Peking University Law School exchange program is specially designed for law students drawn from an impressive network of universities all over the world who wish to deepen their understanding of the forces shaping Chinese law and culture. The program offers a unique opportunity for the participants to expand their knowledge of both Chinese law and international law. Courses are taught in either Chinese (Mandarin) or English. Notice of the language in which courses will be taught will be provided to the students before the beginning of the semester.

Leading faculty members from Peking University Law School will offer Chinese law courses specially designed for international students. Teaching is comprised of both lectures and small group seminars. Additionally, Peking University regularly attracts top scholars and practitioners in Chinese law and students will have first‐hand access to such distinguished presenters. The program provides for a professional and personal experience of China’s legal system and culture and is the ideal place to exchange legal and cultural perspectives from different countries.

An information sheet describing the exchange program for spring 2023 is available here. Updated information for fall 2023 will be posted when it is available.

c. Academic calendar

The fall semester ordinarily runs from early September to late December (for the English-language program)  and until mid-January of the following year (for Chinese-language program).  The spring semester ordinarily runs from late February to late June.

For the most updated information about the academic calendar, please consult our website.

d. Language of instruction

Peking University Law School offers a one‐term, Chinese (Mandarin) and English Program each year.

Although there are quite a few law courses offered in English, students are encouraged to study Chinese to increase their understanding of the country’s legal system and its culture by participating in Chinese courses.

e. Academic requirements for the admission to Exchange Program

To participate in the exchange program, students from countries where law is studied at a university or graduate level must have completed at least one year of law studies.

Peking University Law School offers English-taught (LLM in Chinese Law Program courses) and Chinese-taught courses, we encourage all students to take the Chinese-taught courses if their Chinese is good enough. Stanford Law students interested in the exchange program should check with the program coordinator at Peking University Law School to determine the specific language requirement.

 f. Eligible Courses

Students can ONLY choose courses offered by law school. There are no Chinese Language courses. We encourage the incoming students to choose the courses instructed in Chinese. It’s a great chance to improve Chinese and get acquainted with more Chinese professors and classmates.

 g. Standard course loads

The Peking University’s academic year is comprised of two semesters: the Fall Semester and the Spring Semester. For Chinese-taught courses, the semester will be 16 teaching weeks plus 2-3 weeks course reviews and examinations; and for English-taught courses, the semester will be 13 teaching weeks plus 2-3 weeks course reviews and examinations. Most courses are worth 2‐4 credits.

Visiting Students in any department at Peking University must attend the classes that pertain to their major for no less than 6 hours per week. Once these courses have been selected, students may enroll into and attend the courses that are unrelated to their major, with the approval of the director of their respective program.

 h. Course enrollment and registration

Registration

All students could register on their designated day of registration or online registration. Visiting Students, Research Scholars, and new in‐takes will have to register at the Division of International Students Office or online registration. The Division of International Students Office will provide information on the procedure to register online at the beginning of the semester. When students do the on-site registration, please present the student ID/Admission Notification to the staff when registering.

The registration period generally takes place during the first week of classes. If a student cannot register on his/her designated time of registration, he/she is required to apply for a leave of absence in advance. For those who fail to register on time and who have not applied for a leave of absence, their absence will be recorded as an act of truancy or an unexcused absence in their attendance record. Students who have not register two weeks after their designated day of registration will be dismissed from the university.

Courses Enrollments

Visiting Students are free to enroll in any of the courses that have been made available to LLB or LLM students in Peking University Law School.

PKU Law will hold the orientation for all incoming exchange students just before or on the first day of the semester, the academic coordinator will tell the students about the course selection policy and procedure during orientation.

Students have an interim period of one or two weeks to try out their classes. After that period, the students will submit the course selection sheet to the PKU Law academic coordinator, who will help all students to complete the online course selection procedure.

After submitting the sheet, the students’ list of enrolled classes becomes permanent and further changes cannot be made. If a student drops a class halfway through the semester, or if he/she does not take the appropriate tests or exams for a class, the university will consider the student to have failed the course. This failure will be recorded in his/her transcript.

i. Grading system

For the grading system, please review the PKU Graduate Academic Transcript Guide.

j. The application procedure

The application processes are different between non-Chinese citizens and Chinese citizens (including Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan). Please inform us if you are a Chinese citizen.

For academic year 2022-2023, the application procedure was as follows:

Nomination Deadline: March 30, 2022

Online Application Deadline and Web Access
February 20 to April 15, 2022
http://www.studyatpku.com

Please register an account and follow the steps as directed.

  1. Choose Non-degree Program Application
  2. General Visiting Students Program (G)
  3. Department Exchange Program (G2)
  4. Law School

The deadline is requested by PKU based on the operational period of the website. Please finish the online application before the system shuts down. Nominated students will be contacted through email for any further notice or change.

Deadline for emailing paper-based application package: April 30, 2022
Please email all the application materials to pkulaweao@law.pku.edu.cn before the deadline.

As for the hardcopy of the application materials, please submit to us when you register at PKU (if possible).

k. Required materials for application

For non-Chinese citizens, the required materials will be:

  1. One printed copy of “Peking University Application Form for International Students” (Visiting Student Programs); Please upload your ID photo or passport photo when filling in the form. (For Peking University student card); Please glue your photo (developed copy) on the printed out form.
  2. One original official transcripts in English or Chinese;
  3. One photocopy of your passport page (Passport type must be ordinary);
  4. Resume;
  5. Motivation Letter;
  6. A nomination letter from Law School or from your Law School coordinator.

For Chinese citizens:

  1. One copy of application form;
  2. One copy of ID card;
  3. One original official transcripts in English or Chinese;
  4. One original official enrollment certificate.

l. Application deadlines

For academic year 2022-2023, the application deadlines were as follows:

Semester Nomination Deadline Online Application Deadline Mail Package Deadline
Fall March 30, 2022 February 20 to April 15, 2022 April 30, 2022
Spring September 30, 2022 September 20 to November 15, 2022 (first round)

December 1 to December 20 (second round)

November 2022 (first round)

December 22, 2022 (second round)

m. Housing

PKU could NOT provide dormitory for shortterm international students. Students could apply the accommodation of Zhongguanyuan Global Village, Shaoyuan or by renting apartment in the nearby. (e.g. Wudaokou).

n. Visa/immigration information

International students to China must bring a valid passport and either a study visa (“X1”) [for students studying for more than 6 months] or a visiting visa (“X2”) [for students studying for less than 6 months]. The vise application form will be sent to you together with the Acceptance Letter from PKU. Law School exchange students should apply the X2 visa to Chinese Embassy in their home country with the Acceptance Letter, visa application form and other materials as required by the Chinese Embassy. Other visa types will not be allowed to register at PKU.

o. Fees

Students will pay their normal tuition to Stanford for the quarter during which they study at Peking University.

p. Estimated cost of living

Per semester:

Housing (and utilities): RMB 15000
Food and Miscellaneous (entertainment, supplies): RMB 11000
Books: RMB 200
Local transportation: RMB 500-1000

q. Health insurance requirements

Students MUST purchase the insurance as required by the Peking University International Student Division. Please refer to the insurance policy sent with the Acceptance Letter.

r. Library information

The Peking University Library is one of the largest university libraries in Asia and has a collection of over 9 million books. The library’s loan period for books is one month. Students may renew their books in person at the library or online at the library’s website (http://www.lib.pku.edu.cn). Students with late returns will be penalized according to the library’s rules and regulations.

Peking University Law School has its own library as well. Law students have ready access to the legal research materials through the library collection and networked electronic information sources. Databases like Lexis‐Nexis and Westlaw are available in the law library.

s. Program contacts/advisors at the partner school

Peking University Contacts/ Inquiries
Dr. Li Yuanyuan
Assistant Dean and Director of External Affairs Office
Phone: + (8610)62756486
Email:pkulyy@126.com liyuanyuan@law.pku.edu.cn
Mail Address: Law School Building, Peking University, Beijing, PRC. (Postcode:100871)

Ms. Yao Yueming
Coordinator of External Affairs Office
Phone: + (8610)62756486
Email: pkuyym@law.pku.edu.cn
Mail Address: Law School Building, Peking University, Beijing, PRC. (Postcode:100871)