Quick Summary
Schwarzman Scholars offers Schwarzman Scholars, a fully funded opportunity designed for international students heading to China. The award covers $4,000 personal stipend for the program year and is open to master's (one-year) students studying global affairs (concentrations in public policy, economics and business, or international studies). The scholarship runs for 1 year. Eligibility is generally based on candidates must hold an undergraduate degree before the program's August start date and be between 18 and 28 years old at that time. English proficiency is required unless the applicant completed at least two years of undergraduate or graduate study taught in English; otherwise a TOEFL score of 100+, IELTS of 7+, Cambridge Advanced of 185+, or Duolingo of 130+ is required. Selection weighs leadership ability, character and integrity, academic aptitude, intercultural empathy, and open-mindedness rather than academic transcripts alone. The application deadline is September 2027 (Class of 2028-2029, U.S./Global applicants). Applicants are encouraged to review the official eligibility criteria carefully before starting their application.
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
$4,000 personal stipend for the program year
📅
Deadline
September 2027 (Class of 2028-2029, U.S./Global applicants)
💼
Fields
Global Affairs (concentrations in Public Policy, Economics and Business, or International Studies)
🏆
Awards/Year
Up to 200 scholars per year (approximately 40% U.S., 20% Greater China, 40% other countries)
🏛️
Provider
Schwarzman Scholars
Schwarzman Scholars sets a fixed nationality quota for each cohort: approximately 40% of scholars come from the United States, 20% from Greater China, and 40% from the rest of the world, a structure built into the program rather than left to open competition. The one-year Global Affairs master's is based entirely at Schwarzman College, a purpose-built residential college on the Tsinghua University campus in Beijing, and every scholar receives a Lenovo laptop alongside academic materials. Applicants must be between 18 and 28 years old as of August 1 of their enrollment year and already hold an undergraduate degree, since the program admits directly into a one-year graduate cohort rather than a multi-year degree track.
👥 Who Should Apply
Candidates must hold an undergraduate degree before the program's August start date and be between 18 and 28 years old at that time. English proficiency is required unless the applicant completed at least two years of undergraduate or graduate study taught in English; otherwise a TOEFL score of 100+, IELTS of 7+, Cambridge Advanced of 185+, or Duolingo of 130+ is required. Selection weighs leadership ability, character and integrity, academic aptitude, intercultural empathy, and open-mindedness rather than academic transcripts alone.
🏛️ Host University
Tsinghua University (Schwarzman College), Beijing
🤝 Sponsor
Founded by Stephen A. Schwarzman, funded through a privately raised endowment (not government funding)
💼 Fields of Study
Global Affairs (concentrations in Public Policy, Economics and Business, or International Studies)
✨ Key Benefits
Full tuition and fees, room and board at Schwarzman College, round-trip travel to and from Beijing, in-country study tours, course books, a Lenovo laptop, comprehensive health insurance, and a $4,000 personal stipend for the year. Because it is privately funded through Stephen Schwarzman's endowment rather than a government budget, the program can guarantee this full package to every admitted scholar regardless of nationality or financial need.
🎯 Target Students
International students aged 18-28 with a completed undergraduate degree
🏷 Tags
China
Tsinghua University
Master
Global Affairs
Fully Funded
Stephen Schwarzman
Beijing
💸 Funding Breakdown
Living Stipend
Yes, $4,000 personal stipend for the academic year
Total Award
$4,000 personal stipend for the program year
✈️ Travel: Yes, round-trip travel to and from Beijing plus in-country study tours
🏠 Accommodation: Yes, room and board at Schwarzman College
💊 Health Insurance: Yes
🔄 Renewable: No
💳 App Fee: Free
🏠 Living Stipend
Yes, $4,000 personal stipend for the academic year
🏡 Accommodation
Yes, room and board at Schwarzman College
✈️ Travel Allowance
Yes, round-trip travel to and from Beijing plus in-country study tours
🎁 Other Benefits
Lenovo laptop and required course books/supplies provided to every scholar
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Bachelor's degree completed by August 1 of the enrollment year; aged 18-28 as of that date; strong English proficiency
🎓 Academic Level
Master's (one-year)
🗣️ English Requirement
TOEFL 100+, IELTS 7+, Cambridge Advanced 185+, or Duolingo 130+ (waived after 2+ years of English-medium study)
🍢 Age Limit
18-28 as of August 1 of the enrollment year
💼 Work Experience
None required
🏆 Leadership
Yes, demonstrated leadership ability is a core selection criterion
🎯 Target Students
International students aged 18-28 with a completed undergraduate degree
📝 Application Requirements
Documents Required
- Academic Transcripts
- Passport / National ID
- Recommendation Letters
- CV / Resume
- Personal Statement / Essays
- English Proficiency Proof
- Interview
📋 Application Process
Since English-proficiency test waivers depend on having completed at least two full years of English-medium study, confirm early whether you need to sit the TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Advanced, or Duolingo test, as scheduling and score delivery can take longer than expected before a September deadline. Candidates who assume they qualify for a waiver without checking the exact two-year threshold risk missing the testing window entirely.
💡 Insider Tip: Address the program's five selection criteria directly in your essays: leadership ability, character and integrity, academic aptitude, intercultural empathy, and open-mindedness, since the program states it selects on these traits rather than on academic record alone. An essay that reads as a research summary rather than evidence against these five traits tends to underperform regardless of the applicant's academic credentials.