Peking University, originally known as Metropolitan University, was founded in 1898 and has since played a major role in the field of higher education in China. In 1912 it was renamed “Peking University” and in 2000 Beijing Medical University was affiliated. Today the university houses 5 Faculties, 12 Institutes and offers 101 programs for undergraduates, 224 programs for master candidates and 202 programs for doctoral candidates.

Peking University is one of the best science institutions in China: it belongs both to the 211 Project and to the 985 Project and is a member of the C9-League. In the China-University-Ranking it competes every year with Tsinghua University for the 1^st position and occasionally it is called “China’s Harvard”. Its strengths lie in Liberal Arts and Natural Sciences, particularly in Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Biological Science, Biotechnology, Physics, Applied Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, Psychology, Chinese Philology, German Studies, Social Sciences and Medicine. Besides its wide range of Chinese programs, the Peking University offers various Master programs in English, such as IMBA, LLM/Chinese Law, International Relations and Public Policy. Research at Peking University focuses on Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Engineering, Medicine, Social Sciences and History.

Apart from its excellent academic achievements, Peking University also attracts students with one of the four most beautiful campuses in China. The university is located in the area of the former Qing dynasty’s gardens [1644-1912], next to the picturesque Wei Ming Lake (“Lake with no name”) and offers a remarkable blending of traditional Chinese and modern architecture.

Since 1981 Peking University and Freie Universität have been intensively cooperating. In 2011 an agreement for a strategic partnership was signed, which renews the partnership and intends extension of research cooperation and the strengthening of exchange opportunities for students, doctoral candidates, professors and researchers.

Joint projects:

The German Studies Center of Peking University (ZDS)

The German Studies Center, established in 2002, is an interdisciplinary research and educational institution of the Peking University. In cooperation with various faculties of the field of humanities and social sciences of the Peking University the ZDS established the master program “German Culture and Its Society” in 2005, in order to educate students both theoretically and practically about German culture and society. Together with the DAAD and the Humboldt University, Freie Universität is the closest Partner of the ZDS. During their studies the Master students stay one year in Berlin and attend courses at both Freie Universität and Humboldt University.

The German Studies Center is one of 19 Centers for German and European Studies worldwide and has been receiving funding from DAAD since 2005. The third funding period ends in 2020.

Confucius Institute in Berlin, in cooperation with Freie Universität  and Peking University

The partnership of Freie Universität and Peking University led to the establishment of the first Confucius Institute in Berlin in 2006. The purpose of the Institute is to spread Chinese language and culture in Germany and to promote Chinese-German cooperation. The Confucius Institute offers a variety of language courses, holds HSK exams and trains teachers, interpreters and promoters of different schools and cultural institutes.

The Confucius Institute of Freie Universität has already been awarded three times for its outstanding accomplishments by the Chinese Ministry of Education.