The School of Urban Planning and Design (SUPD), Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, draws on Peking University’s Double First‑Class disciplines of Geography (A+) and Ecology (A). Located in the Guangdong‑Hong‑Kong‑Macao Greater Bay Area, the school responds to global front‑line issues including urbanization, territorial spatial governance and ecological sustainable development. It offers Chinese‑taught and English‑taught doctoral and master’s programs for international students in territorial spatial planning and ecological sciences. Our mission is to cultivate high‑level professional research talents equipped with global vision and practical work experience in China.
Note: The listed courses are framework courses under the school’s training scheme. Actual course offerings are adjusted dynamically each semester and shall be subject to the official teaching implementation plan of the corresponding semester.
I. Doctoral Programs | Chinese‑Taught | Duration: 4 Years
A. Territorial Spatial Planning
Compulsory Professional Courses Theories and Methods in Geography; Theory and Application of Territorial Spatial Planning; Big Data, Machine Learning and Planning Design
Elective Professional Courses Theory and Methods of Urban System Optimization; Scientific Writing; Frontier Theories and Methods of Smart Cities; Urban Economics; Urban Spatiotemporal Analysis and Geocomputation; Geographic Information System; Seminar on Human Geography; Geostatistical Models and Methods, etc.
Degree Requirements Complete course credits, comprehensive examination, research proposal defence and pre‑defence; complete a doctoral dissertation and pass the final defence.
B. Ecology
Compulsory Professional Courses Theories and Methods in Geography; Theory and Application of Territorial Spatial Planning; Vegetation Ecology
Elective Professional Courses Landscape Ecology; Principles and Applications of Vegetation Remote Sensing; Geographic Information System; Environmental Ecology; Ecological Economics; Theory and Methods of Urban System Optimization; Scientific Writing; Geostatistical Models and Methods, etc.
Degree Requirements Complete course credits, comprehensive examination, research proposal defence and pre‑defence; complete a doctoral dissertation and pass the final defence.
II. Master’s Program (Chinese‑Taught) | Territorial Spatial Planning | Duration: 3 Years
This program is designed for international students who intend to systematically study China’s territorial spatial planning system with integrated research and practical training.
Compulsory Professional Courses Theories and Methods in Geography; Theory and Application of Territorial Spatial Planning; Big Data, Machine Learning and Planning Design; Research Internship
Elective Professional Courses Theory and Methods of Urban System Optimization; Scientific Writing; Frontier Theories and Methods of Smart Cities; Urban Economics; Landscape Ecology; Geographic Information System; Ecological Economics; Urban Governance and Management; Geostatistical Models and Methods, etc.
Degree Requirements Complete course credits and a master’s thesis, and pass the thesis defence.
III. Master’s Program (English‑Taught) | Territorial Spatial Planning (Smart Territory and Spatial Planning Track) | Duration: 2 Years
This full‑English program targets international students. It highlights spatial planning and urban sustainable development from an international perspective with an intensive curriculum.
Compulsory Professional Courses Scientific Writing; Professional Practice; Frontiers of Urban and Regional Development; Practice of Urban and Regional Development; Chinese Landscape Ecological Planning and Sustainable Design
Restricted Elective Courses Urban Spatiotemporal Analysis and Geocomputation; Seminar on Human Geography; Human Settlements Science and Technology; Theory and Application of Territorial Spatial Planning; Principles and Applications of Remote Sensing; Regional Economy and Regional Development
Degree Requirements Complete course credits and an English‑language master’s thesis, and pass the thesis defence.
IV. Tuition Fees and Scholarships
1.Tuition Fees: To be announced upon official approval. Reference standards for 2026:
·Chinese‑taught Master’s Program (Science and Engineering disciplines): RMB 33,000 per academic year
·Chinese‑taught Doctoral Program (Science and Engineering disciplines): RMB 40,000 per academic year
·Tuition for the English‑taught Master’s Program will follow the official university announcement in 2027.
2.Scholarships: New international applicants may apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship‑High‑Level Graduate Program. Benefits include tuition waiver, on‑campus accommodation, medical insurance, and monthly living stipend in accordance with national standards.
V. Visa, Medical Insurance and Accommodation
Admitted students shall apply for student visas at Chinese embassies or consulates overseas with the admission notice and the JW201/JW202 Form (Visa Application Form for Foreign Students Coming to China). Students whose study period exceeds 6 months must apply for an X1 visa. Within 30 days after arrival in China, holders of X1 visa shall apply for a student residence permit.
Per requirements of the Ministry of Education of China, all international students in China must purchase designated Chinese domestic medical insurance. Students without required medical insurance will NOT be permitted to complete university registration.
On‑campus accommodation in Shenzhen will be arranged by the university for international students. Reference accommodation fee for 2026: RMB 1,320 per month.
Important Reminders
For further information about the School of Urban Planning and Design, including infrastructure, research activities, supervisors and faculty, academic disciplines, research focuses and training models, please visit our English‑language website: https://urban.pkusz.edu.cn/en/index.htm
Applicants shall closely follow the latest notices published or distributed by our school. Please read strictly and comply with all published requirements and deadlines.
School of Urban Planning and Design, Peking University
September 11, 2026
