Language of instruction
Generally available as a second or third preference.
Peking University has been a leading institution of higher education in China since its establishment in 1898 and is currently ranked within the Top 100 universities worldwide. The university has effectively combined research on important scientific subjects with the training of personnel with a high level of specialised knowledge and professional skill.
The campus, known as "Yan Yuan" (the garden of Yan), is situated at Haidian District in the western suburb of Beijing. It stands near to the Yuanmingyuan Garden and the Summer Palace.
Semester dates
| UQ Semester | Host Semester | Dates |
| Semester 1 | 2nd Semester (Spring) | February–June |
| Semester 2 | 1st Semester (Autumn) | September–January |
View the PKU academic calendar.
Guides and additional information
PKU has online resources to help get more from your exchange:
Exchange deadlines
Exchange deadlines
The Semester-based Exchange application process begins one year before the exchange starts. For example, if you plan to start your exchange in UQ’s Semester 1, 2027, you must apply in UQ’s Semester 1, 2026.
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 April
Register interest by: 21 May
Applications close: 31 May
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 September
Register interest by: 21 October
Applications close: 31 October
Student testimonials
- B Biomedical ScienceSemester 1, 2019
Full-time study load
Discipline-focused study: 4 courses per semester at PKU is equivalent to 8 UQ units.
Chinese Language Studies Program: Requires 20 class hours per week to equate a full-time study load.
MBA at Peking - Guanghua School of Management: 12–15 credits per semester is equivalent to 8 UQ units.
Host university requirements
GPA
You will need a minimum cumulative GPA of 4.5 to study at PKU.
Language
Students looking to study courses taught in Chinese must have HSK band 6 or pass the PKU Chinese Language Placement test.
Study Options
You must choose one of five study options if choosing PKU. Further details are outlined in the Additional Academic Information section below.
Other Requirements
- Nationality: Exchange applicants at PKU including Guanghua School of Management must be non-Chinese citizens, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao.
- Age: PKU applicants must be aged between 18–45 (not including Guanghua School of Management applicants).
Note: Host university eligibility criteria are at the discretion of the host and may change without notice.
Find courses
Please refer to the Additional Academic Information section below for study options and specific course offerings and course profiles.
UQ Credit Precedent Database
The first step is to review the host university's most recent course catalogue and identify the courses available to exchange students in the semester you plan to attend (e.g. Fall/Spring or Semester 1/Semester 2).
Once you have identified suitable courses, you can search the Credit Precedent Database (CPD) to check whether any of those courses have previously been assessed for UQ credit.
Please note:
- Always use the host university course catalogue to identify available courses. The CPD should only be used to check whether those courses have previously been assessed for UQ credit.
- The CPD is a guide only and does not represent the full or current range of courses available at a host institution.
- Previous credit assessments may have expired or no longer reflect the current course content.
- Courses that do not appear in the CPD can still be considered for UQ credit through the Study Plan assessment process.
Study areas taught in English
Academic restrictions
Additional academic information
Exchange deadlines
Exchange deadlines
The Semester-based Exchange application process begins one year before the exchange starts. For example, if you plan to start your exchange in UQ’s Semester 1, 2027, you must apply in UQ’s Semester 1, 2026.
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 April
Register interest by: 21 May
Applications close: 31 May
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 September
Register interest by: 21 October
Applications close: 31 October
Accommodation
Housing is available for exchange students in PKU’s on-campus accommodation, but places cannot be guaranteed. Information on the application process and other accommodation options are available from PKU’s International Student Division.
Cost of living
The cost of living in Beijing is a bit higher than most cities in China. The PKU International Student Division provides a rough estimate of basic costs to help you prepare for your exchange.
Financial support
A range of funding for student exchange including scholarships, grants and loans are available to UQ students.
Insurance
Students approved to participate in a Semester-based Exchange are automatically covered by UQ’s Travel Insurance for the country of their host university only.
For more information, read the Student Travel Insurance Policy Summary on UQ’s Travel Insurance web page (login required).
If you plan to travel outside of your host country, you should purchase additional insurance.
Students are required to purchase the Comprehensive Insurance Plan for Foreign Students, which is offered by Peking University.
Exchange deadlines
Exchange deadlines
The Semester-based Exchange application process begins one year before the exchange starts. For example, if you plan to start your exchange in UQ’s Semester 1, 2027, you must apply in UQ’s Semester 1, 2026.
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 April
Register interest by: 21 May
Applications close: 31 May
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 September
Register interest by: 21 October
Applications close: 31 October
Organise your visa
It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa for the country where you will be studying. As the Global Experiences team is not a visa-issuing authority we cannot provide visa advice.
PKU provides visa and immigration information for incoming exchange students.
Contact the Chinese Embassy and Consulates for more visa information.
Travel risk levels
The University of Queensland cannot and does not allow students to travel to any country with a risk level of 3 (Reconsider your need to travel) or above, as assessed by the Australian Government.
If a country's risk level changes to 3 or above, experiences to that country are suspended until the risk level improves.
Find out the risk level and travel advice, and sign up to receive updates for your host country on the Smartraveller website.
Exchange deadlines
Exchange deadlines
The Semester-based Exchange application process begins one year before the exchange starts. For example, if you plan to start your exchange in UQ’s Semester 1, 2027, you must apply in UQ’s Semester 1, 2026.
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 April
Register interest by: 21 May
Applications close: 31 May
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 September
Register interest by: 21 October
Applications close: 31 October