UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX (IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CHINA SCHOLARSHIP COUNCIL)
CSC - University of Sussex Scholarship
full · phd
- 5 to 10 PhD awardsScholarships per cycle
- Full tuition / bench feesCovered by Sussex
- ~GBP 20,000+ / year (est.)Combined fees + living value
- Up to 12 monthsVisiting-scholar option
- All subjects at SussexEligible disciplines
- Chinese citizens onlyWho can apply
At a glance
full
Funding
€35k
Max amount
Feb 10, 2027
Deadline
China
Country
University of Sussex (in partnership with the China Scholarship Council)
Provider
The CSC - University of Sussex Scholarship is a fully funded doctoral award offered jointly by the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom and the China Scholarship Council (CSC) for high-achieving Chinese students. Each cycle the partnership supports around 5 to 10 fully funded PhD scholarships, plus short-term visiting-scholar places of up to 12 months for research students. Funding is split between the 2 partners: the University of Sussex covers the full tuition or bench fees, while the CSC provides a living allowance and, typically, return international airfares - together a package commonly worth more than 20,000 pounds a year (est.) once fees and stipend are combined. The scholarship is open across all subjects offered at Sussex and is available to first-year Chinese PhD students, 1+3 students transitioning from a master's year into a PhD, and visiting PhD researchers. To win an award a candidate must secure both a PhD admission offer from Sussex and CSC funding, and must normally start studies in the September 2026 or January 2027 entry points. On completing their studies, CSC-funded scholars are expected to return to China. Because the number of awards, the stipend rate and the exact deadlines are confirmed fresh each cycle, confirm the current-cycle figures and dates on the official University of Sussex CSC funding page before you apply.
What's covered
- Full tuition / bench fees — The University of Sussex covers the full international PhD tuition fees (or bench fees) for the duration of the funded scholarship.
- Living allowance — The China Scholarship Council provides a monthly living allowance / maintenance stipend to cover day-to-day costs; the combined fees-plus-stipend package commonly exceeds GBP 20,000 a year (est.).
- International airfares — CSC funding typically includes return international airfares between China and the UK, in line with standard CSC terms.
- Visiting-scholar support — Visiting PhD researchers can be funded for up to 12 months of research at Sussex under the CSC visiting-scholar route.
- Research environment — Access to University of Sussex research facilities, supervision and the wider doctoral training environment for the duration of the award.
How to apply
Applicants must pursue 2 parallel applications - a PhD application to Sussex and a CSC register-of-interest - then secure CSC funding once a Sussex offer is made.
- Submit a Sussex PhD application — Apply through the University of Sussex PhD application portal for your chosen research programme, including your research proposal and supervisor contact.
- Register interest in the CSC scholarship — Complete the CSC Scholarship register-of-interest form available on the University of Sussex website by the stated deadline.
- Receive your Sussex outcome — Wait for the University to assess your application; outcomes are typically released in late February or early March.
- Apply for CSC funding — After receiving a Sussex offer, apply on the China Scholarship Council portal when it opens (historically in March), submitting the CSC-required documents.
- Confirm your award — Await the CSC outcome announcement (historically in mid-May) and, if successful, complete enrolment to start in September 2026 or January 2027.
Eligibility
Nationality and residenceCitizens of the People's Republic of China, permanently residing in China or currently studying overseas; applicants working overseas are not eligible.
Fee statusMust be classified as an international Chinese student for tuition purposes.
CSC conditionsMust satisfy the eligibility conditions set by the China Scholarship Council.
Academic qualificationsFor Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences: a UK-equivalent first-class honours degree and a master's degree. For Science and Engineering: a first-class honours degree, preferably with a relevant postgraduate qualification.
English languageMust meet the University of Sussex English language requirements; candidates whose only outstanding offer condition is English proficiency are not eligible.
Start of studiesStudies at Sussex must begin in September 2026 or January 2027.
Eligible applicants include first-year Chinese PhD students at Sussex, 1+3 students moving from a master's year into a PhD, and visiting PhD researchers. On completion, recipients are required to return to China to contribute to national development.
Eligible countries
China
Deadlines
September 2026 / January 2027 entry~10 February 2026 (est.)
Selection
Selection is competitive and two-sided. The University of Sussex first assesses the academic strength of each applicant and the fit of the research proposal with available supervision; nominated candidates then compete in the national China Scholarship Council competition, where the CSC makes the final funding decision based on its own criteria.
Verified sources
- University of Sussex - China Scholarship Council fundingsussex.ac.ukofficial
- University of Sussex - PhD applicationsussex.ac.ukofficial
About the provider
The University of Sussex is a public research university near Brighton in the United Kingdom, established in 1961, which partners with the China Scholarship Council - China's national scholarship body - to co-fund PhD study and visiting research for high-achieving Chinese students.
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.
Who can apply for the CSC - University of Sussex Scholarship?
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Only citizens of the People's Republic of China who are permanently residing in China or studying overseas (not working overseas) and who meet the CSC and Sussex requirements.
How many scholarships are available?
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The partnership offers around 5 to 10 fully funded PhD scholarships each cycle, plus short-term visiting-scholar places.
What does the scholarship cover?
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Sussex covers full tuition / bench fees and the CSC provides a living allowance and typically return airfares - a combined package commonly worth more than GBP 20,000 a year (est.).
Which subjects are eligible?
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All subjects offered at the University of Sussex are eligible for the scholarship.
What degree level does it fund?
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It funds PhD study, including first-year PhD students, 1+3 students moving into a PhD, and visiting PhD researchers for up to 12 months.
What academic qualifications do I need?
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For Arts/Humanities/Social Sciences, a UK-equivalent first-class honours degree plus a master's; for Science and Engineering, a first-class honours degree, preferably with a relevant postgraduate qualification.
What are the English language requirements?
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You must meet the University of Sussex English language requirements; if your only outstanding offer condition is English proficiency, you are not eligible.
When must I start my studies?
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Studies at Sussex must begin in September 2026 or January 2027.
How do I apply?
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Submit a Sussex PhD application and the CSC register-of-interest form by the deadline, then apply on the CSC portal once you have a Sussex offer.
When is the deadline?
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Both the Sussex PhD application and the CSC register-of-interest form are historically due around 10 February at 12:00 UK time; confirm the exact 2026 date officially.
Do I have to return to China after my studies?
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Yes. As with standard CSC funding, recipients are required to return to China to contribute to national development after completing their studies.
Where can I confirm the latest details?
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On the official University of Sussex China Scholarship Council funding page, which publishes the current number of awards, deadlines and requirements each cycle.