phbs
Admission FAQ
What types of software are used in classes for each major?
SPSS, STATA, SAS, and AMOS are widely used in our economics courses. Matlab is also being used in several courses. 

Does PHBS have a Bloomberg terminal? How many terminals? Do you have a financial research center?
The Financial Lab is a resource for students of Economics and Finance to track changes in financial markets the world over. The lab provides resources for students to tap into current market trends, including a Bloomberg Terminal, WIND, Eventus, Compustat, SRSP, and WRDS. Students use their school login information to access this terminal, which is linked to national and international financial databases.

Are there training sessions for the Bloomberg terminal?
Yes, PHBS faculty members will conduct workshops during orientation to help new students to get familiar with all on-campus resources, including the Bloomberg terminal. There is also a student manager of the finance lab that can offer assistance.

What is the requirement of receiving the scholarship from PHBS? If I fail a class, will I lose my scholarship?
Scholarship statuses will be reevaluated after each academic year. The scholarship will be downgraded if a student who have received scholarship from the school fails one course. Students are also expected to follow all rules and regulations set by the school and the Chinese government. A committee will convene at the end of every academic year to ensure that students receiving scholarships have met the school's requirements. A student's academic record of their first year at the school and their participation in university activities will be assessed. If the scholarship of a student is downgraded or revoked, he/she need to pay his/her tuition to the school year in the following academic year.

What is the limit of classes I can take in one module?
The standing rule is that you may take up to three 3-credit courses for each module. Under most circumstances, we will not allow our students to take more than three courses, but you may talk to professors about course audition without receiving credits if you want.

When can I register for classes? When can I see the syllabus for the next Module?
Students will be able to select their courses online several days prior to the first day of each module. Each module’s course schedule will be posted online in advance. The administrative office will track the electives and mandatory courses for each department to make sure that our students will be able to register for courses they want to take.

How do I apply for leave?
If a request for a leave of absence is due to medical reasons, official documents from the school hospital or a hospital of county level or above must be submitted. If the leave of absence is less than one week, the application has to be approved by his or her instructor. If it is more than one week, the application must be approved by the dean in charge. If the cumulative leave of absence is more than one month in one semester, the case shall be reported to Graduate School of Peking University. If the cumulative leave of absence is more than 1/3 of the total weeks of one semester, the school will impose a compulsory suspension. If a request for a leave of absence is for personal reasons, approval of their instructors is required for a leave less than one week, or the approval of the dean of PHBS for a leave less than one month. Students shall not apply for a leave of absence over one month; otherwise, they have to apply for suspension at Graduate School of Peking University. Students returning from absence shall re-register at the Administration Office of PHBS before their leave of absence ends. If students ask for an extension of absence, they must resubmit their applications. When students plan to attend internship programs or other activities off campus, they shall obtain approval from their instructors and the dean of PHBS first and inform the Administration Office of PHBS. Those students leaving the school without approval will receive penalty according to the relevant regulations of the school.

Can I take classes from other programs?
Yes, students may take classes of other departments at HSBC Business School, but only two non-major courses will be counted toward your degree. Some of the school’s elective courses are cross-listed in two or more programs (for example, some courses can fulfill the requirement of both the Economics and Finance major).

How many students are enrolled in the Master’s of Management/ Economics/ Finance?
Master of Economics: 65 students (including 4 international students); Master of Finance: 197 (including 18 internationals); Master of Management: 70 (including 21 internationals). All students are full-time master students.
What types of jobs do international students find after graduation?
PHBS has a Career Services Office dedicated to helping students find meaningful career and internship opportunities, and students have started their professional career domestically and abroad in international trading, financial analysis, and corporate relations. Past students have received offers from Deloitte, Philips, HSBC, ING, CitiBank, Towers Watson, General Electric, and Hay group, etc.

How do I apply for the PhD program?
Currently PHBS usually accepts around ten PhD candidates per year. Therefore, the application process is highly competitive, and both domestic and international students are encouraged to apply. Master students of PHBS may consider applying for the PhD program at the beginning of their second year at PHBS.
What is school’s relationship with HSBC?
HSBC initially donated a large endowment to assist the school’s establishment. Though there is no continued formal relationship between the bank and the school, many of our alumni are working for HSBC
Is the program the same for Chinese students and international students? Do they attend classes together?
Yes, Chinese and International students attend classes together. However, the international students’ program is a two-year, accelerated track.

Can I hold an internship during the academic year?
First-year students are not permitted to hold internships during the academic year, but they are encouraged to find internships for the following summer and their second year to supplement their working experiences. Students can also participate in networking events, professional receptions, job fairs, and job application counseling. Chinese government regulations on student visas imposed a limitation on international students who want to find an internship in China. However, PHBS has opened a course that provides a legal avenue for international students to participate in internships in China. 

What grade do I have to get to pass a course?
Students should receive at least a D to receive course credits. However, unwarranted absences, unapproved extended leaves, or academic dishonor may lead to an F, and no credits will be granted if the final grade of that course is an F.

Is there a limited time that I must complete my studies?
If you're unable to graduate in the standard two-year period (or three-year period for domestic students), the school will examine your academic records, and you will pay a lower tuition fee for additional semesters of study. However, the maximum length to finish the master’s degree is five years.

Can I decide to change my major if I am not satisfied with the program I have chosen?
PHBS does not allow our students to change their major. 

When will get I get my admissions decision?
PHBS has a rolling admission process, which means that we will give you an admission decision shortly after you submit your application. The admission process usually lasts around 4 weeks.

What if I was born in mainland China but become a foreign country’s citizen through naturalization?
Candidates who were born in mainland China and become foreign country’s citizens will be required to submit their naturalization records in accordance with PKU admissions policy.

What does the school expect for prospective students?
PHBS will admit students who have good academic records at their undergraduate and graduate institutions. The school also wants our students to possess characteristics of business leaders, such as excellence, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a global perspective. Candidates applying to PHBS should embody such characteristics in their application materials and display their advantages in the admission interview.

What GPA do I need to get into PHBS?
GPA is an important component of our admission standard. Our past admitted class of 2020 had an average GPA of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale.

What score do I need on the IELTS or TOEFL?
IELTS – 6.5 Minimum; TOEFL – 90 minimum

Do you require the GRE?
PHBS does not require a GRE test score, but candidates who decide to apply our Finance and Economics master’s programs may consider it as a supplementary material to show their analytical mathematical abilities.

What should I include in my statement of purpose?
Your statement of purpose is an opportunity to show your academic background, interest, ambition, and why you want to study at PHBS. Candidates who clearly define their academic, cultural, and professional goals in their statement letters are more likely to be admitted.

Who should I select to be my letter of recommendation reference?
PHBS requires two letters of recommendation. Your recommenders should be aware of your academic background, and give you a thorough and detailed letter.

Will the school grant students scholarships?
Yes, and we have two scholarships available.
- The PHBS Scholarship
A: PHBS offers scholarship to international candidates on merits related to the candidate’s academic, professional, and extracurricular performance. In 2020, we offer 64% of our admitted class half or full tuition scholarships. The PHBS scholarship program does not cover any living or housing accommodation expenses.
-The CSC Scholarship
A: The CSC Scholarship program offers students who want to study in China a chance to receive generous scholarships. To learn more about this opportunity, please visit the CSC website.

How can I get more information?
-Go to our website
https://english.phbs.pku.edu.cn/
-Contact our office
Our international office is open from 8:00am to 5:30pm (Beijing Standard time). You can call us at +86 755 2603 3642 or email us at int.admission@phbs.pku.edu.cn -
-Follow our social media accounts
PHBS has many platforms you can follow to learn more about our community. We are currently on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.