Bing Overseas Studies Program

Beijing Overview

Please be advised that there are some outstanding program details awaiting final confirmation, and we are dedicated to ensuring their resolution before the application deadline.

Academic Objective

The primary objective of the program is to provide students with a fundamental understanding of China’s role in the global system and the various factors that brought the country to where it is today. By attending lectures in English from Stanford faculty who are top experts in China Studies and experienced leaders in US diplomacy, students will learn about Chinese politics, policies and challenges while living in Beijing.

Academic Prerequisites

No academic prerequisites. Strongly recommended that students have taken some contemporary China courses.

Language Study

No prior Chinese language required.

Course Credit 

Each course will be 4-5 credits, and each student will be expected to enroll in a full load of 3 courses. The courses will be combined with field visits.

Course Offerings 

  • China in the Global Economy
    • Professor Jean C. Oi, Department of Political Science and Freeman Spogli Institute
    • Home Campus equivalent: Political Science 248D/348D - China in the Global Economy
      • Students may not earn credit for both OSPBEIJ 25 and Political Science 248D/348D
  • The Economic Development of China: Past, Present and Future
    • Professor Scott Rozelle, Faculty Co-director of the Stanford Center on China's Economy and Institutions
    • Home Campus equivalent: Econ 131 - The Chinese Economy
      • Students may not earn credit for both OSPBEIJ 30 and ECON 131
  •  Understanding China’s Rise
    • Professor Andrew Walder, Department of Sociology and Freeman Spogli Institute
    • Home Campus equivalent: Sociology 175/275/Global 194 - Understanding China’s Rise
      • Students may not earn credit for both OSPBEIJ 20 and Sociology 175/275/Global 194

Visas

Upon acceptance into the program, students will be issued an official China visa invitation letter. It is the responsibility of the student to gather all necessary documents, insure that their passport is valid for the appropriate period, and make their application to the relevant Chinese embassy or Consulate, depending on their residency. Associated costs for the Chinese visa application are the responsibility of the student and could be upwards of $185.

Housing

Students will be housed in one of the international student housing complexes at PKU. The facilities typically are double occupancy with private bath/shower, air conditioning, phone, and internet access. Linens such as pillows, blankets and two sets of sheets are provided and there are coin-operated laundry facilities on site.

View an information session recording here. Must use your Stanford credentials to log in.