2025-2026 class of Schwarzman Scholars - Tsinghua University

The Schwarzman Scholars experience is anchored in a rigorous and innovative master's degree program at Tsinghua University, one of the country's leading universities.

Drawing on the best traditions of Tsinghua and top academic institutions around the world, the curriculum bridges the academic and professional worlds to educate students about leadership and about China's expanding role in the world. We are excited to announce that the Schwarzman Scholars application for the 2025-2026 academic year is now available. We look forward to meeting another outstanding group of talented, young leaders from across the globe.

The program is open to candidates between the ages of 18 and 28 years old, regardless of nationality, who are proficient in English and have obtained an undergraduate degree or its equivalent. Mandarin skills are not required for admission. Whether in politics, business, sciences, or the arts – successful applicants are young people who have already begun to demonstrate the ability to lead and produce results in their fields and who have a commitment to building understanding among people with differing perspectives.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Undergraduate degree or first degree from an accredited college or university or its equivalent. 
  Applicants who are currently enrolled in undergraduate degree programs must be on track to successfully complete all degree requirements by August 1, 2025 before orientation begins. There are no requirements for a specific field of undergraduate study; all fields are welcome, but it will be important for applicants, regardless of undergraduate major, to articulate how participating in Schwarzman Scholars will help develop their leadership potential within their field.

• Age Requirement.
  Candidates must be at least 18 but not yet 29 years of age as of August 1, 2025.

• English language proficiency. 
  Applicants must demonstrate strong English skills, as all teaching will be conducted in English. If the applicant’s native language is not English, official English proficiency test scores must be submitted with the application. This requirement is waived for applicants who studied at an undergraduate institution where the primary language of instruction was English for at least three years of the applicant’s academic program.  The requirement will also be waived for applicants who have studied in English for three or more years at a Master’s degree level or higher.Acceptable test options are:
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL PBT)
• Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT)
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Many Chinese applicants to Schwarzman Scholars have had difficulty registering at English language test sites in Mainland China due to high demand. To ensure that talented applicants are not excluded in this first year, we will allow applicants from China to temporarily submit results from CET-6 or TEM-8, using the "additional information" field in the application form. If those candidates are on the shortlist to be invited as a semi-finalist for an interview, they will be required to complete a phone interview before semi-finalist decisions are made. If they are a finalist, their offer of admission will be conditional, and they will still be required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score above the minimum requirements for Schwarzman Scholars before March 1 of 2025.

This requirement is waived for applicants who graduated from an undergraduate institution where the primary language of instruction was English for at least three years of the applicant’s academic program.

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE NOT PART OF MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Marital status. Married applicants may apply and will be at no disadvantage in the application process. Spouses/partners may accompany Schwarzman Scholars to Beijing, but Scholars are expected to live in the dormitory and participate fully in the program like single students. Spouses/partners may not live in the dormitory, and no additional funding will be provided to support spouses/partners living off-campus.
• There are no citizenship or nationality requirements.

• Grade point average/class rank/pre-requisites. Academic excellence will be a requirement for successful applicants, but there is no minimum GPA or class rank required to apply. Applicants are expected to have demonstrated excellence in their academic studies, and the most competitive candidates will be among the top students in their graduating class. There are no course prerequisites for applicants to the program, although some individual classes at Tsinghua University may have prerequisites.

There is no fee associated with applying to the program. Semi-finalist interview expenses, such as economy class air or train travel, group meals and one night in a hotel if needed, will be arranged and covered by the program. Expenses for Schwarzman Scholars are also fully covered by the program, including the following: tuition, fees, room and board, travel to and from Beijing at the beginning and end of the academic year, in-country study tours, required course books and supplies, a Lenovo laptop and smartphone, health insurance, and a personal stipend.