UNIVERSITY OF CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (UCAS) / CHINA SCHOLARSHIP COUNCIL (CSC)
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) Chinese Government Scholarship
full · masters, phd
- Full tuition + fees waivedFunding type
- RMB 3,500-5,000/monthMonthly stipend
- Free on-campus housingAccommodation
- ~RMB 700-1,000/month (est.)Off-campus allowance
- Agency No. 80001UCAS CSC code
- Master's 2-3 yrs / PhD 3 yrsProgramme length
At a glance
full
Funding
—
Max amount
Feb 15, 2027
Deadline
Open to international students of all nationalities (non-Chinese citizens)
Country
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) / China Scholarship Council (CSC)
Provider
The University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) Chinese Government Scholarship is a subset of the China Scholarship Council (CSC) programme that funds international students to pursue master's and doctoral study at UCAS, the graduate education arm of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The award is fully funded: it exempts all tuition and application processing fees, provides free shared on-campus accommodation, comprehensive medical insurance under the Ministry of Education, and a monthly stipend that includes a research assistantship of RMB 3,500 for master's students and RMB 5,000 for doctoral students. Students living off campus may receive a monthly allowance of RMB 700 for master's and RMB 1,000 for doctoral students with prior approval. Master's programmes run 2 to 3 years and doctoral programmes 3 years, and all subjects are open. Applicants must secure a UCAS-affiliated supervisor and apply through the CSC website using UCAS agency number 80001. The main application window centres on around 15 February 2026 for the 2026/2027 cycle. Because stipend rates, allowances, and the exact deadline are confirmed each year, check the current-cycle figures and dates on the official UCAS international admissions page before you apply.
What's covered
- Tuition and fees — Full exemption from tuition fees and application processing charges for the duration of the programme.
- Monthly stipend — A monthly stipend including a research assistantship of RMB 5,000 for doctoral students and RMB 3,500 for master's students.
- Accommodation — Free shared accommodation on the UCAS campus, or an off-campus living allowance of about RMB 1,000 (est.) per month for doctoral and RMB 700 for master's students with prior approval.
- Medical insurance — Comprehensive medical insurance provided through the Ministry of Education for the duration of study.
- Research support — A research assistantship is built into the monthly stipend to support the student's research work under a UCAS supervisor.
How to apply
Application begins by finding a UCAS supervisor, then submitting documents both to the supervisor and through the UCAS and CSC online systems for institutional review.
- Find a supervisor — Identify an eligible supervisor at a UCAS-affiliated institute whose research aligns with your field of interest.
- Prepare and submit documents — Complete the UCAS admission application form online and the CSC scholarship form (UCAS agency No. 80001), then send hard and soft copies to your selected supervisor.
- Obtain the supervisor's acceptance — The supervisor evaluates your academic credentials and provides written approval of your application.
- Institutional review — The affiliated institute reviews the application and submits it to UCAS for further evaluation.
- Final selection by UCAS — UCAS reviews all submissions and finalises the scholarship awards for the cycle.
Eligibility
Master's qualificationHold a bachelor's degree and be under 40 years old.
Doctoral qualificationHold a master's degree and be under 45 years old.
Supervisor recommendationMust be recommended by a UCAS-affiliated supervisor.
Graduation statusMust not be currently enrolled in any Chinese university and must have graduated at least one year before applying.
No concurrent sponsorshipMust not hold any other scholarship during the application process.
Applicants apply through the CSC website using UCAS agency number 80001 and must provide a passport valid for at least two years. Up to five abstracts or title pages of published works may be submitted optionally.
Eligible countries
Open to international students of all nationalities (non-Chinese citizens)
Deadlines
2026/2027 master's and doctoral~15 February 2026 (est.)
Selection
Selection is supervisor-led and multi-stage. After a UCAS-affiliated supervisor reviews and approves the candidate's credentials, the affiliated institute evaluates the application and forwards it to UCAS, which makes the final award decisions. Candidates are assessed on academic record, the research proposal, recommendations, and supervisor support, with awards confirmed for those who clear each review stage.
Verified sources
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences - Internationalenglish.ucas.ac.cnofficial
- China Scholarship Council - Study in Chinastudyinchina.csc.edu.cnofficial
About the provider
The University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), based in Beijing, is the graduate education institution of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and one of China's top research universities. It trains master's and doctoral students across the sciences and engineering and hosts international scholars through the China Scholarship Council's Chinese Government Scholarship.
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 UCAS China Government Scholarship?
+
It is a subset of the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) that funds master's and doctoral study at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS).
Which degree levels are funded?
+
Master's programmes of 2 to 3 years and doctoral programmes of 3 years are covered.
How much is the monthly stipend?
+
Doctoral students receive a total monthly stipend of RMB 5,000 and master's students RMB 3,500, each including a research assistantship.
Is accommodation provided?
+
Yes. Free shared on-campus accommodation is provided, or an off-campus allowance of about RMB 1,000 (est.) for doctoral and RMB 700 for master's students with prior approval.
Do I need a supervisor before applying?
+
Yes. You must be recommended by an eligible UCAS-affiliated supervisor who reviews and approves your application.
What is the UCAS agency number for the CSC form?
+
Applicants must use UCAS agency number 80001 when applying through the China Scholarship Council website.
What are the age limits?
+
Master's applicants must be under 40 and doctoral applicants under 45 years old.
Can I apply while studying in China?
+
No. You must not be currently enrolled at any Chinese university and must have graduated at least one year before applying.
Can I hold another scholarship at the same time?
+
No. Applicants must not hold any other scholarship during the application process.
Which subjects are available?
+
All subjects offered at UCAS are open, covering a wide range of research fields across the sciences and engineering.
What documents are required?
+
Application forms, a personal statement, passport copy, notarized degrees, transcripts, two reference letters, a CV and research proposal, and optional published papers.
When is the deadline?
+
The main application period centres on around 15 February 2026 for the 2026/2027 cycle; confirm the exact date on the official UCAS page.