In order to strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and people around the world and promote China's exchange and cooperation with other countries in various fields, the Chinese government sets up scholarships for talented students and scholars to pursue higher education or conduct research in Chinese universities.

The China Scholarship Council (hereinafter referred to as "CSC"), entrusted by China's Ministry of Education, is responsible for the admission, enrollment and administration of Chinese Government Scholarship recipients.

I. Scholarship Categories and Application

(I) Bilateral Program

The program accords with the cooperation and exchange agreements or consensus reached by the Chinese government and the governments and institutions of other nations. It is open to undergraduates, postgraduates, general and senior scholars.

An applicant shall file an application with the dispatching department of their home countries.

(II) University Program

The program is designed to finance the study of talented international students in China that are directly selected and recommended by designated Chinese universities. The supporting student categories are various which is subject to the requirements of each of these universities.

An applicant shall file an application with Chinese universities undertaking this program.

(III) Designated Scholarship Programs

These programs are set up in accordance with cooperation agreements between China and international organizations and institutions.

An applicant shall file an application with the international organizations and institutions concerned.

(IV) Student Exchange Program

The program, launched in accordance with exchange and cooperation agreements between Chinese universities and foreign partners, is designed to support general and senior scholars for a training session of no more than 12 months.

An applicant shall file an application with Chinese universities and their foreign partners.

II. Supporting Categories, Duration, Institutions, and Majors

(I) Supporting Categories

Chinese Government Scholarship programs sponsor undergraduates, postgraduates, general and senior scholars.

(II) Duration

The Chinese Government Scholarship covers both major study and Chinese language (preparatory) study. The language courses last one year, whereas the duration of the scholarship for major study conforms to that as required.

(III) Institutions and Majors

Designated Chinese universities offer scholarship recipients academic programs in science, engineering, agriculture, medicine, economics, law, management, education, history, literature, philosophy, and fine arts, among others. Please visit the website for further information about designated Chinese universities and majors they offer.

III. Scholarship Coverage

1. Tuition fees;

2. Free university dormitory or accommodation subsidy;

3. Stipend:

  Undergraduates: CNY 2,500 per month;

  Master's students/general scholars: CNY 3,000 per month;

  Doctoral students/senior scholars: CNY 3,500 per month.

4. Comprehensive medical insurance:

To be eligible, an applicant must:

1. be a citizen of a country other than the PRC and in good health both mentally and physically;

2. be an academically excellent holder of high school diploma or its equivalent under the age of 25 when applying for an undergraduate program;

3. be an academically excellent holder of a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent under the age of 35 when applying for a Master's program;

4. be an academically excellent holder of a Master's degree or its equivalent under the age of 40 when applying for a doctoral program;

5. be a holder of a high school diploma (or higher) under the age of 45 when applying for a general scholar program;

6. be a master's degree holder or an associate professor (or above) under the age of 50 when applying for a senior scholar program;

7. have passed the HSK (Level 3) when applying for a Chinese-taught undergraduate or general scholar program (excluding Chinese language majors);

8. have passed the HSK (Level 3) when applying for a Chinese-taught senior scholar program;

9. have passed the HSK (Level 4) when applying for a Chinese-taught postgraduate program;

10. meet the admission requirements of the university of preference in terms of language proficiency and academic ability, among others, when applying for a program taught in a language other than Chinese.

V. Application Process
1. An applicant shall learn about designated Chinese universities and majors they offer by visiting websites
or other means, and identify the preferred scholarship program, designated university and major;

2. An applicant shall reach the designated university for admission documents;

3. An applicant shall reach an application receiving agency for a recommendation;

4. An applicant shall fill in and submit the Application Form for Chinese Government Scholarship online via the Chinese Government Scholarship Information System

5. The application receiving agency shall submit the recommended candidates list and their application documents;

6. The CSC will organize designated universities and experts concerned to examine applicants' eligibility and academic performance before finalizing the short-list candidates;

7. The CSC will notify the admission results to the application receiving agency that will subsequently have the applicant informed.

VI. Application Documents

1. Application Form for Chinese Government Scholarship (filled in online);

2. A scanned copy of the Passport Information Page. An applicant shall submit a clear scanned copy of the information page of his/her passport that will not expire on or before March 1, 2023. Renew the passport if the requirement is not met. An applicant who fails to apply for a passport due to objective reasons may submit valid documentation or documentary evidence that carries information about the full English name, sex, nationality and date of birth of the applicant upon the approval of the application receiving agency;

3. Diploma and certificate of highest education (notarized photocopy). An applicant who is a current university student shall submit the certificate of expected graduation or student status issued by his/her university;

4. Academic transcripts. Transcripts in languages other than Chinese or English shall be attached with notarized translations in Chinese or English;

5. Certificate of language proficiency. When applying for a Chinese-taught program, an applicant shall provide a valid HSK score report that meets the program's language ability requirements. When applying for a program taught in a language other than Chinese, an applicant shall provide a certificate of proficiency in the language as required by the designated university, such as the IELTS or TOEFL test report;

6. Admission documents. When applying for a postgraduate program or for academic education as a general or senior scholar, an applicant shall provide the admission documents issued by the university of preference, including an admission letter, a pre-admission letter, or the invitation letter from a prospect supervisor (admission documents will serve as a priority of admission in granting the Chinese Government Scholarship);

7. A study or research plan written in Chinese or in English (no less than 200 words/characters for undergraduates; no less than 500 words/characters for scholars; no less than 1000 words/characters for postgraduates);

8. Recommendation letters. An applicant for a postgraduate program or for academic education as a senior scholar shall submit two recommendation letters in Chinese or in English from professors or associate professors;

9. An applicant for the arts or design program shall provide his/her own works (such as videos and paintings);

10. An applicant under the age of 18 shall submit the legal documents of his/her legal guardian(s) in China;

11. An applicant to study in China for more than six months shall submit a photocopy of the Foreigner Physical Examination Form (the original document, printed by Chinese quarantine authorities, shall be filled in in English and kept by the applicant). The medical examinations must cover all the items listed in the Foreigner Physical Examination Form. Incomplete records or those without the signature of the attending physician, the official stamp of the hospital, or a sealed photograph of the applicant are invalid. Medical examination results are valid for only six months;

12. An applicant shall submit a valid Certificate of Non-Criminal Record (or Police Clearance Certificate) issued by the local public security (such as the police station), usually issued within six months prior to the submission date of the application.

VII. Contact Information

Address: Division of International Students Admission and Cooperation Programs, China Scholarship Council

                Level 13, Building A3, No.9 Chegongzhuang Avenue, Beijing, P.R China

Updated on July 21, 2022