Scholarships in China for international students are more accessible than most people expect. The Chinese government, through the China Scholarship Council (CSC), distributes approximately 50,000 scholarships annually to students from over 180 countries (China Scholarship Council, 2025). Beyond the national program, provincial governments and individual universities add thousands more. This guide covers every major category — what each covers, who qualifies, and where to apply.
Why Scholarships in China Are Worth Applying For
Tuition at Chinese universities is already low by international standards — typically RMB 15,000–30,000 per year for most programs. A scholarship on top of that makes studying in China genuinely free, including living costs. Furthermore, competition tends to be lower than equivalent programs in the US, UK, or Australia. Many students who apply carefully — with strong documents and early submissions — succeed on their first attempt.
1. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
This is the flagship. The Chinese Government Scholarship, managed by the China Scholarship Council, covers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs across 279 designated universities.
What it covers:
- Full tuition waiver
- On-campus accommodation (or accommodation subsidy)
- Comprehensive medical insurance
- Monthly stipend: RMB 2,500 (undergraduate), RMB 3,000 (Master’s), RMB 3,500 (PhD)
Eligibility requirements:
- Non-Chinese citizen with valid passport
- Good health
- Under 25 (undergraduate), under 35 (Master’s), under 40 (PhD)
- Academic performance meeting program requirements
- Language certificate: HSK for Chinese-taught programs; IELTS/TOEFL for English-taught
How to apply: Two routes exist. Type A goes through your home country’s Chinese embassy. Type B goes directly to the Chinese university. Both use the CSC online application system. Deadlines typically run December to April; results are announced by July (Chinese Embassy in the USA, 2026).
2. Confucius Institute Scholarship
This scholarship targets students committed to Chinese language study or those pursuing careers as Chinese language teachers. It operates separately from the CSC system, administered through the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC).
What it covers:
- Full tuition
- On-campus accommodation
- Basic medical insurance
- Monthly stipend: RMB 2,500 (language/BTCSOL students), RMB 3,000 (MTCSOL students)
- Off-campus housing supplement of RMB 700/month where applicable
- Round-trip international airfare in some countries
Program types:
- One-year Chinese language study (September or March start)
- One-semester study (five months maximum)
- Four-week short programs (July or December)
- BTCSOL undergraduate degree (up to four academic years)
- MTCSOL Master’s degree (up to two academic years)
Eligibility: Non-Chinese citizen aged 16–35; HSK scores required at levels that vary by program; must apply through a recommending Confucius Institute. Applications open March 1 each year at cis.chinese.cn (University of Manchester Confucius Institute, 2026).
3. Belt and Road Scholarship (Silk Road Program)
The Belt and Road Scholarship, also called the Silk Road Program, sits within the broader CSC framework. It specifically targets students from countries participating in China’s Belt and Road Initiative — currently over 140 countries.
What it covers: Full tuition, accommodation, medical insurance, and monthly stipend. Coverage mirrors the standard CSC amounts. However, individual university programs may vary — some offer full packages while others cover tuition only.
Who it suits: Students from BRI-partner countries at the undergraduate, Master’s, or doctoral level. The program strengthens educational ties between China and partner nations, so applicants from strong BRI-partnership countries tend to have higher success rates.
How to apply: Through the CSC system or directly through universities offering the Belt and Road track. Deadlines and quotas vary by university. Always verify current terms on the host university’s official page (China Scholarship Council, 2025).
4. MOFCOM Scholarship
The MOFCOM Scholarship is run by China’s Ministry of Commerce — separately from the standard CSC route. It targets young professionals and government officials from developing countries, not fresh graduates.
What it covers:
- Full tuition waiver
- On-campus accommodation
- Comprehensive medical insurance
- Stipend: RMB 36,000/year (Master’s), RMB 42,000/year (PhD)
- Round-trip international airfare
Eligibility: Non-Chinese citizen from a developing country; under 45; bachelor’s degree or above; minimum three years of relevant work experience; currently serving as a government official, senior manager, or academic professional; English proficiency required as all programs are English-taught.
How to apply: Applications go through the Economic and Commercial Counselor’s Office (ECCO) at the Chinese embassy in your home country — not through campuschina.org. Timelines vary by country; check with your local Chinese embassy directly.
5. UNESCO/Great Wall Co-Sponsored Fellowship
A joint program between UNESCO and the Chinese government awarding 75 fellowships per year to students from 135 developing countries. Unlike other programs, individual applications are not accepted — all candidates must be nominated through their country’s National Commission for UNESCO.
What it covers: Full funding for postgraduate study or research at designated Chinese universities, following standard CSC coverage terms.
Eligibility: Nationals of invited UNESCO member states; General Scholar applicants under 45; Senior Scholar applicants under 50 with a Master’s degree or associate professor position; English or HSK Level 3 required for Chinese-taught programs.
How to apply: Submit through your National Commission for UNESCO. Deadline is typically late January–early February each year (UNESCO, 2026).
6. Provincial Government Scholarships
Beyond national programs, most Chinese provinces run their own scholarship schemes. These are often overlooked — and therefore less competitive.
Well-known examples include:
- Jiangsu Jasmine Scholarship: Full coverage — tuition, accommodation, insurance, and RMB 1,500/month living allowance
- Shanghai Municipal Government Scholarship: Partial or full scholarships available through Shanghai universities
- Beijing Government Scholarship: Available to students enrolled at Beijing universities; amounts vary by institution
- Xi’an Belt and Road Scholarship: Tiered awards for undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD students; rolling application deadlines throughout the year (Northwest Polytechnical University, 2026)
How to find them: Check the international admissions page of your target university. Most provincial scholarships require application through the host institution, not a central portal.
7. University Scholarships
Nearly every major Chinese university offers its own institutional scholarships, separate from government programs. These are especially worth checking because you can often stack them with provincial awards.
Examples:
- USTC Fellowship: Covers tuition, insurance, and monthly stipend up to RMB 7,000 for PhD students (USTC International College, 2026)
- Tongji University International Student Excellence Scholarship: Merit-based award for high-performing applicants
- SJTU Scholarship: Available alongside Chinese Government Scholarship or Shanghai Municipal Scholarship applications
- Tsinghua University Scholarship: Awarded to pre-admitted students; applications handled internally after gaining admission (Tsinghua Graduate Admissions, 2026)
University scholarships typically require you to apply for admission first. After acceptance, scholarship consideration often follows automatically — or through a separate internal form.
8. Other Specialist Programs
Several narrower programs sit within or alongside the CSC system. If you qualify, competition tends to be lower.
ASEAN University Network (AUN) Program — exclusively for citizens of the 10 ASEAN member states. Applied through the AUN Secretariat in Bangkok. Covers undergraduate, Master’s, and doctoral programs.
EU Window Program — partial scholarships for students from EU member states, managed separately from the standard CSC bilateral track.
Marine Scholarship of China — restricted to students from coastal or island nations in the South China Sea, Indian Ocean, Pacific, or African developing nations, and limited to oceanography-related fields.
Pacific Islands Forum Program and World Meteorological Organization Program — niche programs for specific regional blocs and meteorology students respectively.
For the full list of Type A CSC sub-programs, see the China Scholarship Council portal.
Complete Comparison of Scholarships in China
| Scholarship | Who Manages It | Covers | Monthly Stipend | Best For | Apply Via |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) | China Scholarship Council | Tuition + accommodation + insurance + stipend | RMB 2,500–3,500 | All international students; all degree levels | campuschina.org |
| Confucius Institute Scholarship | CLEC / Hanban | Tuition + accommodation + insurance + stipend | RMB 2,500–3,000 | Chinese language learners and prospective teachers | cis.chinese.cn |
| Belt and Road / Silk Road | CSC + universities | Tuition + accommodation + insurance + stipend | RMB 2,500–3,500 | Students from BRI partner countries | campuschina.org |
| MOFCOM Scholarship | Ministry of Commerce | Tuition + accommodation + insurance + stipend + airfare | RMB 36,000–42,000/year | Working professionals and government officials from developing countries | Chinese embassy ECCO in home country |
| UNESCO/Great Wall Fellowship | UNESCO + Chinese government | Full funding per CSC terms | Per CSC terms | Researchers and postgraduate students from 135 UNESCO member states | National Commission for UNESCO |
| Provincial Government Scholarships | Provincial governments | Partial or full — varies by province | RMB 1,500+ (varies) | Students targeting regional universities | Host university admissions page |
| University Scholarships | Individual universities | Varies widely | Varies | High-achieving applicants at specific institutions | Host university admissions page |
| ASEAN University Network Program | AUN Secretariat | Full — per CSC terms | Per CSC terms | Citizens of 10 ASEAN member states | AUN Secretariat, Bangkok |
| EU Window Program | CSC | Partial | Varies | Students from EU member states | Chinese embassy in home country |
| Marine Scholarship of China | CSC | Full | Per CSC terms | Students from coastal/island nations; oceanography fields only | campuschina.org |
| Pacific Islands Forum Program | CSC | Full | Per CSC terms | Citizens of Pacific Islands Forum member states | National commission in home country |
| WMO Program | CSC + WMO | Full | Per CSC terms | Meteorology students from WMO member states | National meteorological authority |
Application Tips
A few things that make a real difference:
- Apply early. Most scholarship windows open December–January. Early applications get more attention from reviewers, especially at the university level.
- Secure a supervisor letter for postgraduate programs. For Master’s and PhD applications, a pre-acceptance letter from a faculty supervisor is not mandatory under CSC rules — but it significantly increases selection chances.
- Prepare a strong study plan. The study plan is the most heavily weighted written document in CSC and Confucius Institute applications. Be specific about your research goals, not general about wanting to “experience Chinese culture.”
- Check university-specific deadlines. The CSC central deadline and the university’s internal deadline are often different. Missing the university deadline — even within the CSC window — can disqualify an application.
- Do not use agencies that promise scholarship seats. No agency can guarantee selection. The CSC and Confucius Institute systems are transparent and managed by official bodies.
Where to Apply
- CSC and Chinese Government Scholarship: campuschina.org
- Confucius Institute Scholarship: cis.chinese.cn
- UNESCO/Great Wall Fellowship: unesco.org/en/fellowships/greatwall
- Individual universities: via each university’s official international admissions page
References
Center for Language Education and Cooperation. (2026). Confucius Institute Scholarship application guide. http://cis.chinese.cn
China Scholarship Council. (2025). Chinese Government Scholarship overview. http://www.campuschina.org
Chinese Embassy in the United States of America. (2026). Chinese Government Scholarship application (academic year 2026/2027). https://us.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lxfw/studyinchina/chinesegovernmentscholarship/202501/t20250104_11527005.htm
Northwest Polytechnical University. (2026). Xi’an City Belt and Road international students scholarship. https://studyat.nwpu.edu.cn/SCHOLARSHIPS1/Xi_an_City.htm
Tsinghua University Graduate Admissions. (2026). 2026 Chinese Government Scholarship. https://yz.tsinghua.edu.cn/en/info/1027/1117.htm
UNESCO. (2026). UNESCO/The People’s Republic of China — The Great Wall Co-Sponsored Fellowships Programme. https://www.unesco.org/en/fellowships/greatwall
University of Manchester Confucius Institute. (2026). The CI scholarship. https://www.confuciusinstitute.manchester.ac.uk/study/study-in-china/confucius-institute-scholarship/
University of Science and Technology of China International College. (2026). USTC Fellowship for Master’s programs. https://ic.ustc.edu.cn/en/v7info.php?Nav_x=16
