Overview
The International and Graduate Affairs Office of The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law (Moritz) and Peking University Law School (PKU) have partnered to provide an exchange opportunity for students at both universities. To create opportunities for students to gain exposure to international law, comparative legal issues, and the systems and cultures of other nations, the student exchange program will be offered in Fall and Spring semester, although most students will choose to travel to Beijing in Fall semester. Global competency and an appreciation for cultural diversity are imperative skills that lawyers need to possess and meaningfully cultivate in order to be effective advocates, thought leaders, and citizens in today’s deeply interconnected world. Through the proposed exchange program, highly qualified law students from the partner schools would be able to sample the vast academic and cultural programs that each school has to offer and would return to their home countries armed with an enriched understanding of the law through a transnational lens.
Fall Semester: Early September to mid-December (depending on exam schedule
Mandatory Orientation for International students: late August
Spring Semester: Mid-February to mid-June (depending on holiday schedule)
Mandatory Orientation for International students: one week before semester starts
PKU is a pre-eminent university in China, well-known for its long history, rich culture, distinguished alumni, enlightened education policies and exciting campus life. Peking University now consists of 31 colleges and 14 departments, offering 101 undergraduate programs, 224 postgraduate programs, and 202 doctoral programs. The campus is known as the Garden of Yan and is located in Haidian district, a western suburb of Beijing. Near the Yuanmingyuan Garden and Summer Palace, PKU is a center for teaching and learning and aims to rank among the world’s best universities. For more information, please visit the Peking University website and view a virtual tour of campus.
1L and 2L students are eligible to apply. Students must have completed at least one year of law school, have at least a 3.0 GPA, and be in good-standing at Moritz. Those students with an interest in International and Comparative Law will receive preference, but all students are encouraged to apply. Students with Chinese citizenship will have different application procedures. If you are a Chinese Citizen, please alert the Assistant Dean of Moritz International and Graduate Affairs.
Program Fee: Regular Semester tuition paid to Moritz College of Law
Office of International Affairs Study Abroad program Fee: $150
Housing/Room and Board: Approximately $4000 per semester depending on housing and dining options
International Travel: Approximately $1000
Passport (if needed): Approximately $150 Visa (required): Approximately $170
PKU Fees: Waived
Chinese Residency permit (if needed): Approximately $80
PKU Health Insurance (required): Approximately $60
OSU Supplemental Health Insurance (required): Approximately $40/month
Financial Aid: Eligible for Vogel International Fellowship and federal financial aid may apply.
Students should also budget additional amounts for miscellaneous expenses, including entertainment, books, travel within China, personal care items, and other living expenses.
Students are encouraged to book accommodations at either the international student comprehensive living complex Zhongguanyuan Global Village via their website or at the Peking University Shaoyuan Guest House via Tripadvisor's website. You can also rent an apartment privately in the local area. Please see a list of housing options at the International Students Orientation webpage here. PKU has a number of canteens and dining halls on campus which provide inexpensive meals. Please note: Foreigners in China must get a housing registration form within 24 hours after arrival in China. If you stay/live on Peking University campus or at a hotel, this can be done via the registration desk. If you decide to rent privately, please work with your landlord to arrange for this registration.
China requires U.S. citizens to carry a valid U.S. passport and visa when traveling to China for any purpose. Visas are available through a number of travel and visa agencies in Columbus, including Fun Travel Service in Dublin, OH. Please see their website for more information on visa services or contact the International and Graduate Affairs Office with additional questions using the contact info below. When applying for your visa, please remember to bring your valid passport, the original copy of Peking University’s official admission notification letter and a Visa Application Form for Foreign Students Studying in China (also known as the JW201/JW202 form). Make sure that you take your passport (with visa), letter of admission, and JW202 form with you to China, as you will need these documents to apply for a Residence Permit after your arrival in Beijing. If you plan to study in China for more than 6 months, you will apply for an X1 visa. If you plan to study for less than 6 months, you can apply for an X2 visa. You can find more information about the Visa application process at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website.
All students studying at PKU for any period of time are required to purchase a Comprehensive Insurance Plan for Foreign Students provided by the Ping An insurance company. You will be able to purchase this insurance during your registration (matriculation) to the university. Please see your official letter of acceptance from PKU for more details.
While participating in an Ohio State study abroad program, students are required to maintain their primary insurance coverage. Students are also required to apply for and purchase supplemental insurance through GeoBlue for the duration of the program. Once accepted to the program, you will be sent a link to complete the supplemental health insurance application.
Students will work with the Office of International and Graduate Affairs and the PKU Faculty of Law to determine a course schedule that meets both ABA study abroad requirements and Moritz College of Law requirements to ensure the transfer of credit hours and maintain progress towards graduation. The OSU Moritz Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs and the Registrar for OSU Moritz would be consulted for determinations about the applicability of credits for exchange students under their auspice. Although not offered every semester, the courses listed below are taught in English. Each credit unit is 50 minutes of classroom instruction per week. Exchange students can only take courses in the law school, and should take 4 classes per semester.
- Chinese Civil Law (Credit Units: 3)
- Chinese Contract Law (Credit Units: 2)
- Chinese Company Law (Credit Units: 3)
- Chinese Economic Law (Credit Units: 3)
- Chinese Foreign Investment Law (Credit Units: 3)
- Chinese Intellectual Property Law (Credit Units: 3)
- Chinese Civil Procedure and Arbitration Law (Credit Units: 3)
- Chinese Constitutional and Administrative Law (Credit Units: 3)
- Chinese Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure (Credit Units: 3)
- Chinese Judicial System (Credit Units: 2)
- International Law as Applied in China: Theory and Practice (Credit Units: 2)
- Chinese Family Law (Credit Units: 2)
- Legal Chinese (Credit Units: 2)
- Resolution of Civil and Commercial Disputes in China (Credit Units: 3)
Applying to study abroad is a three-step process:
Step 1: Internal Application within the Moritz College of Law
Please complete the online application and upload the required materials:
- “Statement of Educational Objectives” (250 words) explaining your interest in the exchange opportunity and what you hope to accomplish and gain by studying abroad
- Official copy of law academic transcript (undergraduate transcript not necessary)
Step 2: Once pre-approved by Moritz, complete the Office of International Affairs study abroad application ($150 program fee) and related paperwork (orientation, risk management, supplemental health insurance)
Step 3: Complete university partner application and submit required materials
Additional documents required by PKU:
- PKU online and paper application provided after student is approved to study abroad by Moritz. Applications are due to PKU by April 15 for Fall semester and October 15 Spring Semester.
All Ohio State students participating in any OSU sponsored study abroad program must attend a pre-departure orientation organized by the Office of International Affairs. Possible dates for this orientation will be shared with students once they are accepted to the program.
International students are expected to participate in a pre-semester orientation session held by the PKU International Student Division. Please refer to the “Orientation” tab on the International Students Division website for more specifics about orientation. Students will receive an assigned registration (matriculation) date noted in their acceptance letter from PKU. Students are encouraged to arrive in Beijing no earlier than two weeks before this date, but no later than one day before this date. Students are required to register at the Division of International Students Office. Students MUST register in person. More registration specifics will be included with your letter of acceptance to PKU.
Applications are due by March 1 for studying abroad in the next calendar year but early applications are encouraged. If applying as a 1L, note that no decision will be made until first semester grades are posted.
The internal review process at Moritz takes approximately 2-4 weeks. Admitted students work on academic proposal to the Academic Affairs committee to have all credits pre-approved before departure.
The American Bar Association has criteria that must be met in order for study abroad programs established by ABAApproved Law Schools to be approved. These criteria are listed on the the ABA Criteria for Approval of Foreign Semester and Year-Long Study Abroad Programs and the Criteria for Foreign Summer and Intersession Programs. The Assistant Dean of International and Graduate Affairs will work with students to ensure that these criteria are met. For further information, please contact the Office of International and Graduate Affairs using the contact information below.
Moritz College of Law Contact Information
Office of International & Graduate Affairs
The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law
55 W 12th Avenue, 361 Drinko Hall
Columbus, Ohio 43210
Peking University Contact Information
Li Yuanyuan, Assistant Dean and Director of External Affairs
Law School
Peking University
Law School Building, Peking University
Beijing, PRC, 100871
Phone: 011-86-10-627-564-86
Email: liyuanyuan or pkulaweao@law.pku.edu.cn