- ~CNY 3,500 / month (est.)Living stipend
- ~CNY 1,000 / month (est.)Accommodation allowance
- Full tuition coveredFunding type
- 3–4 yearsProgramme duration
- Selected in 2017Double First-Class university
- Open to all nationalities (non-Chinese)Who can apply
At a glance
full
Funding
€5k
Max amount
Jun 15, 2027
Deadline
All countries (applicants must be non-Chinese citizens)
Country
Zhengzhou University
Provider
Zhengzhou University (ZZU) is a public university in Henan province and was selected for China's Double First-Class Project in September 2017, the national initiative to build top research universities. The President Scholarship is a fully funded award for international students entering 4-year doctoral programmes, with most PhD courses taught in both English and Chinese. A full award covers tuition, on-campus accommodation, comprehensive medical insurance, and a living stipend; the published rates include a monthly stipend of around CNY 3,500 plus an accommodation allowance of about CNY 1,000 per month, which together come to roughly CNY 54,000 per year, equal to about €5,400 (est.). Doctoral applicants must usually be under 40, hold a Master's degree, and satisfy a Chinese (HSK 4, score 210+) or English (IELTS 5.5 / TOEFL 80) language requirement. The application window for the cycle typically runs from 1 March to 15 June, and there is no application fee. Because stipend rates, the number of funded places, and exact dates are reset each year, confirm the current-cycle figures and deadline on the official Zhengzhou University international admissions page before you apply.
What's covered
- Tuition fees — Full tuition for the doctoral programme is covered for the standard 3–4 year duration.
- Monthly stipend — A living stipend of about CNY 3,500 per month (roughly €450 / month, est.) is paid to full-award holders.
- Accommodation allowance — An on-campus housing allowance of about CNY 1,000 per month (~€125 / month, est.) toward university accommodation.
- Medical insurance — Comprehensive medical insurance for international students for the duration of the award.
- International travel — Full-time scholarship recipients receive support toward international travel to and from China (confirm the current allowance officially).
How to apply
Applications are made online through the Zhengzhou University international students system; there is no application fee and no need to mail hard copies.
- Choose a programme and supervisor — Browse the doctoral programmes on the ZZU international admissions site and identify a research field and potential supervisor.
- Prepare your documents — Gather notarised degree and transcript copies, passport scan, photo, two recommendation letters, a study/research plan, and language proof.
- Complete the online application — Register on the official international students application system and complete the President Scholarship application form.
- Upload supporting documents — Attach all required documents in the requested format and submit before the deadline.
- Await the result — Wait for the admissions and scholarship review; successful applicants receive an admission notice and scholarship confirmation.
Eligibility
Nationality and healthMust be a non-Chinese citizen in good physical and mental health.
QualificationDoctoral applicants must hold a Master's degree (or equivalent) with a strong academic record and research ability.
AgeDoctoral applicants must normally be under 40 years of age at the time of application.
LanguageChinese HSK 4 (score 210 or above, valid two years) or English IELTS 5.5 / TOEFL iBT 80, or recognised proof of prior English-medium study.
ConductMust abide by the laws of the People's Republic of China and the regulations of Zhengzhou University.
Some PhD programmes are delivered fully in Chinese; check the language of instruction for your chosen field. Pakistani applicants holding a Master's may face a different minimum-age rule — verify on the official call.
Eligible countries
All countries (applicants must be non-Chinese citizens)
Deadlines
2026/2027 PhD intake~15 June 2026 (est.)
Selection
Candidates are assessed on academic record, the quality of the research/study plan, demonstrated research ability, letters of recommendation, and the fit between the proposed research and an available supervisor. Meeting the language threshold (HSK 4 or IELTS 5.5 / TOEFL 80) is a screening condition rather than the deciding factor. A limited number of full and partial awards are granted each cycle, so meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee an award.
Verified sources
- Zhengzhou University – International Students Officewww4.zzu.edu.cnofficial
About the provider
Zhengzhou University is a large public research university in Zhengzhou, Henan, China. It was included in the national Double First-Class Project in 2017 and offers doctoral programmes across engineering, the sciences, medicine, humanities, and social sciences, many open to international 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 Zhengzhou University President Scholarship?
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Non-Chinese citizens in good health who hold a Master's degree and are applying for a 4-year doctoral programme, subject to the age and language conditions.
Is the scholarship fully funded?
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Yes. A full award covers tuition, on-campus accommodation, medical insurance, international travel, and a living stipend; partial awards are also offered in some cases.
How much is the monthly stipend?
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The living stipend is about CNY 3,500 per month, with an additional accommodation allowance of around CNY 1,000 per month for full-award holders (confirm current rates officially).
What degree levels are covered?
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The President Scholarship described here is for doctoral (PhD) study at Zhengzhou University.
Is there an age limit?
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Doctoral applicants must normally be under 40 years of age at the time of application.
What language tests are accepted?
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Chinese HSK 4 (score 210 or higher) or English IELTS 5.5 / TOEFL iBT 80, or a recognised certificate of prior English-medium study.
Are PhD programmes taught in English?
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Many doctoral programmes are taught in both English and Chinese, but some are delivered only in Chinese — check the language of instruction for your field.
Is there an application fee?
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No. The university states there is no application fee and no need to send hard copies of documents.
How long does the scholarship last?
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The standard doctoral programme and award run for 3 to 4 years.
When is the application deadline?
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The window typically runs from about 1 March to 15 June; confirm the exact 2026/2027 dates on the official site.
Which documents do I need?
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A completed form, notarised degree and transcript copies, passport scan and photo, two recommendation letters, a study/research plan, language proof, and a physical examination form.
Where do I apply?
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Online through the Zhengzhou University international students application system linked from the official international admissions page.