- Full tuition waiverAll Liyuan tiers
- ~6,000 RMB/month stipend (Liyuan First Class)Living allowance
- 3 scholarship tiersLiyuan International Scholarship
- ~12,000 RMB/year research allowance (est.)Supervisor research fund
- Under 40 years oldAge limit
- Open to all PhD subjectsScience, engineering, arts, medicine
At a glance
full
Funding
€14k
Max amount
May 15, 2027
Deadline
Open to non-Chinese citizens of all nationalities
Country
Shenzhen University (SZU)
Provider
Shenzhen University (SZU) offers fully funded PhD scholarships for international students who want to pursue a doctoral degree in Shenzhen, the technology and business hub in southern China. The scholarships bundle several schemes, including the Liyuan International Scholarship, the Guangdong Government provincial scholarship, and the Shenzhen Universiade Scholarship, so the exact package depends on which award a student receives. The Liyuan International Scholarship is fully funded across 3 tiers: every tier waives full tuition, and the monthly living allowance is 6,000 RMB for First Class, 5,000 RMB for Second Class, and 4,000 RMB for Third Class. Provincial and municipal awards add 30,000 RMB to 40,000 RMB per year, and supervisors typically provide an annual research allowance of about 12,000 RMB for academic work and conferences. Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens, hold or be completing a Master's degree, be under 40, and meet HSK 4 or 5 for Chinese-taught programs or TOEFL/IELTS for English-taught programs. The application cycle runs from around January 2026 to a deadline near 15 May 2026, with pre-admission results in June and final offers in July 2026. Because award amounts, tiers, and dates are reset each cycle, confirm the current-cycle figures on the official Shenzhen University page before you apply.
What's covered
- Full tuition waiver — All tiers of the Liyuan International Scholarship waive 100 percent of PhD tuition for the standard study period.
- Monthly living allowance — A monthly stipend of 6,000 RMB (First Class), 5,000 RMB (Second Class), or 4,000 RMB (Third Class) covers living costs; about 4,000 RMB (est.) per month at Third Class.
- Provincial and municipal scholarships — The Guangdong Government scholarship pays 30,000 RMB per year and the Shenzhen Universiade Scholarship pays 40,000 RMB per year for eligible recipients.
- Research allowance — Supervisors provide an annual research allowance of about 12,000 RMB (est.) for academic research and conference participation.
- On-campus accommodation — Accommodation assistance and on-campus housing options are available, lowering living costs versus other major Chinese cities.
How to apply
Find a supervisor first, then apply online to SZU and submit the required documents before the deadline.
- Find a supervisor — Contact potential PhD supervisors at SZU about your research area and request a Letter of Recommendation from your chosen supervisor.
- Register online — Complete your application through the SZU online application portal for international students.
- Submit required documents — Upload your Master's certificate or pre-graduation certificate, transcripts, recommendation letters, personal statement, passport, language certificate, CV, physical examination form, and non-criminal record report.
- Apply for scholarships — Complete the scholarship application form to be considered for the Liyuan, Guangdong, or Universiade awards as applicable.
- Submit before the deadline — Ensure your complete application reaches SZU before the closing date around 15 May 2026; incomplete or late applications are not processed.
Eligibility
NationalityMust be a non-Chinese citizen holding a valid foreign passport.
Academic qualificationMust hold a Master's degree or be in the final year of a Master's program; final-year applicants may submit an expected-graduation certificate.
AgeMust be under 40 years old at the time of application.
HealthMust be in good physical and mental health, evidenced by the Foreigner Physical Examination Form.
LanguageChinese-taught programs require HSK 4 (min 180) for Science and Engineering or HSK 5 (min 180) for Liberal Arts, Medicine, and Arts; English-taught programs require TOEFL/IELTS, with native English or Chinese speakers possibly exempt.
Scholarships cover the standard study period plus the first extended year only; they are not available beyond that. Incomplete applications are not processed, and all documents must be in English or Chinese with notarized translations where needed.
Eligible countries
Open to non-Chinese citizens of all nationalities
Deadlines
2026/2027 PhD intake~15 May 2026 (est.)
Selection
The SZU admissions panel first reviews documents for completeness and academic fit, then invites shortlisted candidates to an online or in-person interview. Final selection results in an admission letter and JW202 visa form issued around July 2026. Admitted students must apply for an X1 visa and convert it to a Residence Permit within 30 days of arriving in China.
Verified sources
- Shenzhen University (International)en.szu.edu.cnofficial
- SZU International Student Application Portalszuegc.17gz.orgofficial
About the provider
Shenzhen University (SZU) is a public research university in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, established in 1983. Located in one of China's main technology and business hubs, it offers doctoral programs across science, engineering, the liberal arts, medicine, and the arts, with modern laboratories, research centers, and strong industry collaboration.
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 Shenzhen University PhD Scholarships?
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Non-Chinese citizens who hold a Master's degree or are in their final Master's year, are under 40, and meet SZU's health and language requirements.
Are these scholarships fully funded?
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The Liyuan International Scholarship is fully funded across 3 tiers, each waiving full tuition and paying a monthly living allowance; other schemes add provincial or municipal stipends.
How much is the monthly stipend?
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The Liyuan living allowance is 6,000 RMB/month (First Class), 5,000 RMB/month (Second Class), or 4,000 RMB/month (Third Class); confirm the current rates officially.
What are the provincial and municipal awards?
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The Guangdong Government scholarship pays 30,000 RMB per year and the Shenzhen Universiade Scholarship pays 40,000 RMB per year for eligible students.
Is there research funding?
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Yes. Supervisors typically provide an annual research allowance of about 12,000 RMB (est.) for research and conference costs.
What is the age limit?
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Applicants must be under 40 years old at the time of application.
What language requirements apply?
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Chinese-taught programs require HSK 4 or HSK 5 depending on field; English-taught programs require TOEFL or IELTS, with possible exemptions for native English or Chinese speakers.
Do I need a supervisor before applying?
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Yes. You should contact a prospective SZU supervisor and obtain a recommendation letter from them before submitting your application.
Which subjects are available?
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PhD programs span science, engineering, liberal arts, medicine, arts, and more; the scholarship is open across SZU's doctoral fields.
When is the deadline?
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The application window runs from around January 2026 to a deadline near 15 May 2026; verify the exact date on the official SZU page.
How long does the scholarship last?
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It covers the standard PhD study period plus the first extended year, but funding is not available beyond that.
Where do I confirm the official details?
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On the official Shenzhen University international students and admissions pages, which publish the binding criteria, amounts, and deadlines.