Designed to prepare the next generation of global leaders, Schwarzman Scholars is the first scholarship created to respond to the geopolitical landscape of the 21st Century. Whether in politics, business or science, the success of future leaders around the world will depend upon an understanding of China’s role in global trends.

The program will give the world’s best and brightest students the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and professional networks through a one-year Master’s Degree at Tsinghua University in Beijing – one of China’s most prestigious universities.

Students will live and study together on the campus of Schwarzman College, a newly-built, state-of-the-art facility, where all classes will be taught in English. Students will work individually with their faculty advisors to design an academic plan that best suits his or her academic and professional goals. Scholars are able to choose from a wide range of elective courses, and can opt to either create their own individualized academic plan or focus their electives in one of the major themes of our course offerings: public policy, economics and business, or international studies.

Students will spend a year immersed in an international community of thinkers, innovators and senior leaders in business, politics and society. In an environment of intellectual engagement, professional development and cultural exchange, they will learn from one another and pursue their academic disciplines while building their leadership capacities. This experience will expand students’ understanding of the world and create a growing network of global leaders for the future.

Minimum eligibility requirements:

1. Undergraduate degree or first degree from an accredited college or university or its equivalent. Applicants who are currently enrolled in undergraduate degree programs must be on track to successfully complete all degree requirements by August 1 of the program’s starting year, before orientation begins. There are no requirements for a specific field of undergraduate study; all fields are welcome, but it will be important for applicants, regardless of undergraduate major, to articulate how participating in Schwarzman Scholars will help develop their leadership potential within their field.
2. Age Requirement. Candidates must be at least 18 but not yet 29 years of age as of August 1st of the program’s starting year.
3. English language proficiency. Applicants must demonstrate strong English skills, as all teaching will be conducted in English. If the applicant’s native language is not English, official English proficiency test scores must be submitted with the application. This requirement is waived for applicants who studied at an undergraduate institution where the primary language of instruction was English for at least three years of the applicant’s academic program.  The requirement will also be waived for applicants who have studied in English for three or more years at a Master’s degree level or higher.
4. For students requiring institutional endorsement, have demonstrated academic excellence (a cumulative UCSB GPA of 3.80 or above).

Current undergraduates are not required to submit materials by any campus deadline and do not participate in any campus interview or selection process. Undergraduates are encouraged consult with Undergraduate Education for feedback on application materials. For feedback, your complete Schwarzman application and all letters of recommendation should be shared with our office at least 30 days prior to the national deadline.

See Schwarzman's official website for application requirements.

Three total letters of recommendation are required. If you would like one of your three required letters to be an institutional endorsement letter from UCSB Undergraduate Education, you must schedule an appointment with our office and plan to provide the following materials no later than 30 days before the national deadline:

1. A complete printed or scanned copy of your yet-to-be-submitted Schwarzman online application, including all essays and questions, and copies of all supporting documents (except the institutional endorsement letter).
2. Copies of your other two recommendation letters. Letter writers must forward copies of their letters electronically to scholarships@ltsc.ucsb.edu, no later than the campus deadline.
3. Unofficial copies of any transcripts you plan to submit to Schwarzman.

Again, note that working with our office for an institutional endorsement letter is optional for Schwarzman. There is no campus nomination process or campus competition. Students may find it more effective to select three letters of recommendation from faculty or other individuals familiar with their work.

Whether or not you are requesting an institutional endorsement letter from our office, you are still encouraged to meet with our office as early as possible to get assistance and feedback on the Schwarzman application. If you have any questions or wish to meet, please contact our office at scholarships@ltsc.ucsb.edu.