The SMART PhD Program is a collaborative doctoral initiative between the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation (SMART) and leading universities in China. Launched in 2024, the Program aims to redefine the training of the next generation of biomedical experts by fostering close partnerships between education, research, and industry. The first two cohorts of doctoral candidates are being jointly recruited with Tsinghua University.

With a focus on high academic standards, a global perspective, and a cross-disciplinary approach, the Program is designed to nurture innovative individuals who possess the creativity and scientific curiosity to explore critical questions in life sciences and medical research. These future leaders will be equipped to drive advancements in understanding diseases and improving human health.

I. Minimum Entrance Requirements for Applicants

1. Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens with a valid personal ordinary-type passports.

2. The students who will enroll in the 2026 academic year must obtain a nationally recognized master's degree or bachelor's degree by universities in mainland China, or an equivalent academic degree awarded by universities outside mainland China (including universities from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) that has been certified by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange, Ministry of Education, People's Republic of China (CSCSE) (for degree awarded) before the designated registration date. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the invalidation of the admission qualification to the Program awarded.

3. This program accepts candidates with bachelor's or master's degrees background to pursue doctoral degrees. Applicants must meet all the uniform requirements set by the university, as well as the following mandatory requirements: 

(1) TOEFL scores of 80 or above or IELTS score of 6.5 or above for non-native English speakers.

(2) The Minimum Requirement of GPA or Average scores at Undergraduate level: 3.5/4.0 or B+ or 85/100.

(3) The Minimum Requirement of GPA or Average scores at Postgraduate level: 3.5/4.0 or B+ or 85/100.

4. Applicants should be in good health and of good character, meet the physical examination requirements stipulated by both the country and Tsinghua University, willingness to abide by laws and regulations, as well as the regulations set by Tsinghua University.

5. Applicants shall carefully check whether they meet the eligibility and application requirements (including those issued by the university/program/major) before applying. The applicant shall be responsible for the subsequent consequences arising from the non-compliance with the eligibility and application requirements.

6. Doctoral students who are already enrolled in Chinese universities are not eligible to apply for this program.

II. Program Overview

A Doctoral Program is open for international students for the Tsinghua University-Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation Joint PhD Program. Please refer to the International Graduate Admissions Catalog at Tsinghua University for detailed subject specialties, research directions, and enrollment descriptions. Further information can also be referred to the website: https://www.sigs.tsinghua.edu.cn/en/7383/list.htm.

The duration of study for students in this program is subject to qualifications attained upon enrollment. Generally speaking, for applicants with a master's degree, the duration of doctoral studies spans between 3-4 years. For bachelor's degree holders, the duration spans between 4-5 years.

Doctoral Programs and Majors

International Graduate Admissions Catalog (PhD)

III. How to Apply

Applicants should apply at the Tsinghua University website (https://yzbm.tsinghua.edu.cn/intlLogin) during the stipulated application period. Applicants should fill in the application information online directly, upload the application documents stipulated in Section IV below to the Online Application System, and pay the application fee online upon submission of application materials.

Application Period

The online application for 2026 entry is open now, and the application system closes at 17:00 p.m. Beijing Time on May 31, 2026.

* Please note that if you would like to apply for any scholarships, it is recommended that you complete your application before the end of December 2025.

The winter break of Tsinghua University is between January 22 and February 23, 2026. While the application system remains available during the winter break, online verification might be delayed due to the vacation. Applicants are therefore recommended to complete their application at least two or three weeks in advance.

IV. Required Application Documents

Please upload all the documents listed below to the application system:

· Personal Statement

· Degree diploma and degree authentication (for applicants with education background outside China)

· Academic Transcripts

· English Language proficiency test score report

· 2 Academic Recommendation Letters

· Personal Information Page of your valid passport

Details of the requirement of each application documents are specified below:

1. Personal Statement

The personal statement should be submitted and completed directly in the application system. PhD applicants are also required to upload a brief research experience or research plan.

2. Degree Diploma and Degree Authentication

Applicants with a bachelor's degree should submit a certificate of his/her bachelor's degree, whereas applicants with a master's degree should submit certificates for both master's and bachelor's degrees.

The degree awarded by universities abroad (outside of mainland China) should be authenticated by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange, Ministry of Education, People's Republic of China (CSCSE: http://zwfw.cscse.edu.cn/). The degree awarded by universities of mainland China should be authenticated by Center for Student Services and Development, Ministry of Education, People's Republic of China (CSSD: https://www.chsi.com.cn/en/). 

(Applicants who will not be graduated before the application deadline shall provide a certificate from his/her current program for the expected graduation date and submit the degree diploma and degree authentication before registration. Applicants who have graduated are required to provide the degree authentication concurrently upon submitted his/her application.)

3. Academic Transcripts

Applicants should submit academic transcripts of both undergraduate (for bachelor's degree holders) and graduate studies (for master's degree holders). Applicants who have not graduated before the application deadline shall provide their current academic transcript. In such case, the completed academic transcript must be submitted prior to registration. If the uploaded transcript does not directly show the total GPA score, the applicant is also required to submit an additional GPA certification document issued by the university.

4. English Language proficiency test score report

For related requirements for English proficiency test scores, please check the 'Minimum Entrance Requirements for Applicants' mentioned above. Those who intend to apply for scholarships (such as the Chinese Government Scholarship) must provide corresponding language score reports according to the requirements of the scholarship application.

5. Two academic recommendation letters

Academic Recommendation Letters should be written by scholars who hold the title of associate professor or higher, or senior professionals in a related academic field.

Please follow the instructions on the online system for submission of online recommendation letters or upload the recommendation letters signed by referees.

6. Passport (Personal ordinary-type passport): Personal information page

Applicants should present the information page of a personal ordinary-type passport. Those who previously held Chinese nationality and subsequently acquired foreign nationality are required to provide certificate of cancelled Chinese household registration (Hukou) and certificate of naturalized citizenship of other countries.

* For information on the required documents for bachelor's degree holders who wish to pursue Doctoral degrees, please see the 'Application Instructions for Bachelor's Degree Holders to Pursue Doctoral Degrees' (https://yz.tsinghua.edu.cn/en/info/1035/1046.htm).

V. Additional Remarks of Application to the Program

1. Applicants are required to submit scanned images of all required documents at the time of application. All uploaded documents should either be in Chinese or in English, otherwise notarial translations in Chinese or English are mandatory. Should notarial translations be required, please scan the original or notarized application documents in color using a scanner. Images captured by mobile phone or camera and scanned copies of the original document will not be accepted.

2. The application fee must be paid at the time the application is submitted. (It cannot be covered by the Chinese Government Scholarship). Please apply online and pay the application fee in a safe place. Tsinghua University is not responsible for any losses caused by your own operation errors or the leakage of your online payment account and password. Please consider carefully before paying the application fee online. If you cannot finish the application due to various reasons, the paid application fee will not be refunded. Regardless of whether the application is successful or not, the application fee is not refundable.

3. Applications with incomplete documents or without application fee payment will not be processed. Applicants should take the initiative to understand the application procedures and application requirements before applying. The applicant will be responsible for any consequences arising from failure to complete the application process as required.

4. Tsinghua University reserves the right to request applicants to provide original application materials or authentication documents issued by a designated institution for further inspection.

5. As some countries' higher education systems are very different from the Chinese higher education system, applicants from education systems outside China should refer to Tsinghua University's online application website to verify if there are additional requirements based on your education background

(https://yz.tsinghua.edu.cn/en/info/1020/1098.htm).

6. Application documents submitted will not be returned regardless of the application result.

7. Applicants must ensure that the application information, application materials, degree certificate and degree authentication provided are true and accurate. If the admissions unit or certification department find anything in the application material is fraudulent, the application, admission or study qualification will be canceled.

8. Relevant information, documents and messages disclosed or sent to the applicants by Tsinghua University by website, telephone, e-mail, or SMS are considered as delivered, and all consequences caused by the applicants' personal negligence or other reasons shall be borne by the applicants themselves.

9. Please refer to the Admission to Tsinghua University 2026 (For International Students), Admission to Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduation School 2026 and its related application instructions for further details. Website:

https://yz.tsinghua.edu.cn/en/info/1035/1523.htm

https://www.sigs.tsinghua.edu.cn/en/2025/0916/c7519a285659/page.htm

VI.   Evaluation and Admission

1. Tsinghua University admits students based on evaluation of their application documents together with a comprehensive assessment of their research experience and potential. The application materials are reviewed by an expert group, and the candidates for the comprehensive assessment will be selected based on the review results. The comprehensive assessment is generally based on interviews. The specific content, format, requirements, and time arrangements will be further notified to applicants who are invited to the comprehensive assessment.

2. Tsinghua SIGS and SMART comprehensively consider the submitted materials, the interview performance, and other factors, to select the best candidates. Students who are selected will be issued a letter of acceptance and an addendum by Tsinghua University. Applicants may check their admission status via the Application System (https://yzbm.tsinghua.edu.cn/intlLogin).

VII.   Scholarships

At present, Tsinghua University provides the following scholarships for outstanding prospective full-time international graduate students.

1. Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS):

The Full CGS usually covers tuition fees, free university dormitory or accommodation subsidy, stipend, and comprehensive medical insurance. Partial CGS includes one or a few contents covered by the Full CGS. Annual Review is strictly required for all CGS holders.

Joint program students can apply through the recommendation of the relevant departments of your country and Chinese embassies and consulates abroad ((I) Bilateral Program)

2. Tuition Scholarship

For example, the Beijing Government Scholarship for International Students, covers full or partial tuition fees with a duration of one academic year. Applicants may apply for Tuition Scholarships annually (please note that the Tuition Scholarship is competitive).

3. Assistantship

SMART offers assistantships for outstanding students.

*Remarks

1.  The CGS can be used directly to cover tuition fees.

2.  SMART will provide students with competitive monthly stipends.

3.  For more information on scholarships, please refer to:

https://yz.tsinghua.edu.cn/en/Financial_Aid/Financial_Aid_System.htm

https://www.sigs.tsinghua.edu.cn/en/7413/list.htm

VIII.  Application Costs (Unit: RMB Yuan)

1. Application fee: 800 RMB

2. Accidental Injury and Hospitalization Insurance: 800 RMB /year covered by the SMART PhD program

3. Tuition Fees of Graduate Programs:

IX. Visa Application and Registration

1. Admitted students should apply for a student visa (X1 visa) at the Embassy or Consulate of the People's Republic of China in their home country. To apply, students should provide their personal ordinary-type passport, Admission Notice and its Appendix, Visa Application for Study in China (JW201/JW202), and Physical Examination Record for Foreigners (applicants should confirm with the Chinese embassy/consulate for specific requirements).

2. Students must enter China with an ordinary type of passport (nationality and personal information must be consistent with the passport information as applying) and X1 visa and must apply for a Residence Permit within 30 days after arrival in China.

3. Students are required to arrive at the registration place and complete their university registration during the dates indicated in the admission package. Normally, registration is normally held in late August or early September in Shenzhen, and will be specified in the admission documents. All students should present the required original degree certificates and submit the degree authentication issued by Tsinghua University designated institutions upon registration at Tsinghua University for enrollment qualification review. Students who fail the enrollment qualification review will be disqualified from enrollment and study at Tsinghua University.

X. Accommodation

PhD students enrolled in this program will study in Shenzhen throughout the program. Centralized accommodations are provided by SIGS for the duration of the course, and SMART for the scientific research phase respectively.

XI.  Contact

1. SMART Admission Office

Tel: +86-0755-26849354
Email: graduate_academics@smart.org.cn
SMART website: https://smart.org.cn/en/
SZBL website: https://en.szbl.ac.cn/

2. SIGS Graduate Admission Office

Tel: +86-0755-26036110

Email: admission@sz.tsinghua.edu.cn

· Online application: https://yzbm.tsinghua.edu.cn/intlLogin

· Tsinghua University Graduate Admission: https://yz.tsinghua.edu.cn/en/

· SIGS website: https://www.sigs.tsinghua.edu.cn/en/

3. SIGS Office of Academic Affairs (for scholarship related issues)

Tel: +86 755 26036030
Email: pyc@sz.tsinghua.edu.cn

Additional Information:

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