CHINA SCHOLARSHIP COUNCIL (CSC), MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
full · bachelors, masters, phd
- Mostly Fully FundedScholarship type
- Chinese universitiesHost country
- Bachelor’s–PhDStudy levels
- ~CNY 3,500/mo (PhD)Stipend (guideline)
- English & Chinese-taughtLanguages
- Embassy or universityApplication routes
At a glance
full
Funding
€20k
Max amount
Apr 30, 2027
Deadline
Most countries (bilateral programmes depend on agreements with China)
Country
China Scholarship Council (CSC), Ministry of Education, People's Republic of China
Provider
The Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) is administered by the China Scholarship Council on behalf of China's Ministry of Education to fund international students to study at Chinese universities at bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. It is one of the largest government scholarship schemes in the world, operating through many sub-programmes (bilateral, university-specific, Silk Road, and others). Most CSC awards are fully funded — covering tuition, on-campus accommodation (or a housing allowance), a monthly living stipend of ~CNY 2,500–3,500 by level, and comprehensive medical insurance. Programmes are offered at more than 270 designated Chinese universities, with both Chinese-taught and English-taught options. Application routes vary: students may apply through a Chinese embassy (Type A bilateral), directly to a Chinese university (Type B), or via other dispatching authorities. Demand is high, especially at master's and doctoral level, where securing a supervisor's pre-acceptance strengthens an application.
What's covered
- Tuition — Full tuition waiver for the programme of study.
- Accommodation — Free on-campus accommodation or a monthly housing subsidy.
- Living stipend — A monthly stipend (~CNY 2,500 for bachelor's, ~CNY 3,000 master's, ~CNY 3,500 doctoral — guideline).
- Medical insurance — Comprehensive medical insurance for international students in China.
- Chinese language support — Funded preparatory Chinese-language study where required for the programme.
How to apply
Identify your CSC sub-programme and route, apply on the CSC online system (and the university's own portal), and submit required documents by the relevant deadline (commonly ~December–April depending on route and university).
- Choose programme & university — Select a CSC-designated Chinese university and a programme taught in a language you meet.
- Identify your route — Determine whether you apply via a Chinese embassy (Type A) or directly to the university (Type B).
- Register on CSC system — Create an account on the CSC online application system and complete the form with the correct agency number.
- Apply to the university — Submit the university's own application alongside the CSC application, with all documents.
- University & CSC review — The university nominates candidates; the CSC makes the final award decision.
- Admission & visa — Receive the admission notice and JW201/202 form, then apply for the X-visa to study in China.
Eligibility
NationalityA non-Chinese citizen in good health.
Bachelor'sHigh-school graduate, generally under ~25 years old.
Master'sBachelor's degree holder, generally under ~35 years old.
DoctoralMaster's degree holder, generally under ~40 years old.
LanguageMeet the language requirement of the programme (Chinese for Chinese-taught; English proof for English-taught).
Application routes differ — Type A (via a Chinese embassy / bilateral), Type B (directly via a Chinese university), or other dispatching authorities. Confirm the route for your chosen programme and university.
Eligible countries
Most countries (bilateral programmes depend on agreements with China)
Deadlines
2027 entry (varies by university/route)2027-04-30
Selection
Candidates are reviewed by the host Chinese university (academic merit, study/research plan, references, and supervisor fit for research degrees) and then confirmed by the China Scholarship Council. Bilateral (Type A) places are coordinated with the applicant's home-country dispatching authority and the Chinese embassy.
Verified sources
- China Scholarship Council — Study in Chinacampuschina.orgofficial
About the provider
The China Scholarship Council (CSC) is a non-profit institution affiliated with China's Ministry of Education. It administers the Chinese Government Scholarship and other programmes that fund international students and scholars to study in China and Chinese citizens to study abroad, as part of China's educational exchange and international cooperation efforts.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What is the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)?
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A large government scholarship administered by the China Scholarship Council for China's Ministry of Education, funding international students to study at Chinese universities at bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels.
Who is eligible?
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Non-Chinese citizens in good health meeting the level requirements — generally under ~25 for bachelor's, ~35 for master's, and ~40 for doctoral study, with the right language proficiency.
What does it cover?
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Most CSC awards are full: tuition waiver, on-campus accommodation or a housing subsidy, a monthly living stipend (~CNY 2,500–3,500 by level), and comprehensive medical insurance.
How do I apply?
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Through one of several routes — a Chinese embassy (Type A / bilateral), directly to a Chinese university (Type B), or another dispatching authority — using the CSC online system plus the university's own application.
When is the deadline?
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It varies by route and university, commonly between ~December and ~April for a September start. Check both the CSC system and your chosen university's deadline.
Do I need to speak Chinese?
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Not always — many programmes are taught in English. Chinese-taught programmes require Chinese proficiency; the scholarship can fund preparatory Chinese-language study where needed.
What are Type A and Type B applications?
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Type A is the bilateral route via a Chinese embassy / your home-country dispatching authority; Type B is applying directly to a Chinese university that holds CSC quota. Each programme specifies its route.
How competitive is the CSC?
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Competitive, especially for top universities and at master's/doctoral level. Selection weighs academic merit, the study/research plan, and (for research degrees) a supervisor's acceptance.
Can I choose any university?
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You choose among CSC-designated universities (hundreds participate). For research degrees, securing a supervisor's pre-acceptance strengthens your application considerably.
What is the Foreigner Physical Examination Form?
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A required medical examination form completed by a licensed physician, confirming you are in good health to study in China. It is a standard CSC document.
Does the scholarship cover my whole degree?
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Yes — CSC awards typically fund the full standard duration of the degree (e.g. ~4 years bachelor's, ~2–3 years master's, ~3–4 years doctoral), subject to satisfactory annual review.
What visa do I need?
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After receiving your admission notice and the JW201/202 form, you apply for an X-visa (X1 for long-term study) at the Chinese embassy to enter China and study.