Schwarzman Scholars 2028–29: Fully Funded Tsinghua Master’s, Eligibility and Next Application Window

Could your degree in engineering, medicine, business or the arts lead to a fully funded master’s at Tsinghua University, ranked 14th worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2027? Schwarzman Scholars welcomes applicants from every undergraduate field to compete for one specific degree: its year-long Master of Global Affairs in Beijing. Tuition, accommodation, travel and a personal stipend are covered.

There is a timing catch for anyone discovering the 2028–29 class now: both application routes have closed. If you submitted on time, the next step may be an interview. If you missed the window, the programme has already announced the months for its 2028–29 intake. Here is how to judge whether that next opportunity suits you.

Table of Contents

• What does full funding include?
• Can graduates of any subject apply?
• What are the age and English rules?
• How does the application work?
• When can you apply next?

What does full funding of Next Schwarzman Program include?

Selected Scholars receive a funded year at Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University. The package covers tuition and fees; room and board; travel to and from Beijing at the beginning and end of the academic year; an in-country study tour; required books and supplies; a laptop; health insurance; and a personal stipend. The programme also covers specified travel and accommodation costs for candidates invited to interview.

The published benefits do not give a fixed cash figure for the stipend. Nor does the award fund a spouse or partner’s living costs or provide married accommodation at the College. If you would move with family, budget for their separate expenses.

Can graduates of any subject apply for Schwarzman Scholarship?

Yes. Your bachelor’s subject does not have to be politics or international relations. The programme welcomes graduates in science, engineering, business, medicine, the humanities and other fields. Everyone studies the same one-year Master of Global Affairs, with coursework on China, leadership and global affairs; it does not award a master’s in your previous discipline. Applicants who already hold a master’s degree may also apply.

Selection focuses on academic ability, leadership and character. There is no published minimum GPA or class-rank cutoff, but strong grades alone do not explain how the degree advances your work. A persuasive application shows what you have already led, what changed because of it, and why a deeper understanding of China matters in your field.

What are the age and English rules?

For the 2027–28 class, you needed to be 18 to 28 on 1 August 2027 and to complete your bachelor’s degree by that date. Applicants of all nationalities could seek a place, using the application route determined by their citizenship. Former Chinese citizens and applicants with Chinese-citizen parents should check the programme’s nationality documentation rules before selecting the U.S./global route.

The degree is taught in English. Applicants required to supply a test could use IELTS 7; TOEFL iBT 100 on the 120-point scale or 5 on the six-point scale; Duolingo English Test 130; or Cambridge C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency 185. Native English speakers do not need a test. The test requirement is also waived for applicants who studied for at least two years in an undergraduate programme taught primarily in English, or for at least two years of graduate study in English. A short English-language course does not meet that stated waiver.

How does the application work?

1. Choose the correct route. Non-Chinese citizens use the U.S./global application. Applicants with Chinese citizenship from the mainland, Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan use the China application. Both 2027–28 portals have passed their deadlines.
2. Check the programme against your goals. Review the degree and funding overview and official eligibility answers. Pay particular attention to the age rule and to the citizenship documents if your nationality history is complex.
3. Build the evidence for your next application. It called for a two-page CV, transcripts, a 750-word leadership essay, a 500-word statement of purpose, two short responses and three recommendation letters submitted online. A one-minute video was strongly recommended but optional in those instructions. Check the new cycle’s instructions before reusing this checklist.
4. Submit through the programme’s own system. The application has no fee; referees must submit letters by the route’s deadline. The 2028–29 U.S./global portal required applicants to certify that their written materials were their own and were not created using an AI generator. Follow the declaration displayed in the next cycle.
5. Prepare for selection. Shortlisted U.S./global candidates are invited to interviews, generally in late October or early November.

When can you apply next?

For the class of next Schwarzman scholars beginning August 2028, the programme currently lists March–May 2027 for Chinese-citizenship applicants and April–September 2027 for U.S./global applicants. Exact 2028–29 closing dates have not yet been announced. If you missed 2027–28, prepare your leadership evidence and referees now, then confirm the new instructions when applications open.