Scholarships in China for International Students

China funds international students on a scale few countries match. The centre of the system is the Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS), administered by the China Scholarship Council (CSC) under the Ministry of Education and applied for through the official Campus China portal. Around it sits a ring of other funding: provincial and municipal government scholarships, university scholarships, and two famous fully funded master’s fellowships — Schwarzman Scholars at Tsinghua University and the Yenching Academy at Peking University. This guide maps the whole landscape for the 2026/2027 cycle: what each route covers in verified figures, who is eligible, how the Type A, Type B and Type C application routes actually differ, and how to apply without falling for agent myths.

Use this article as your map, then explore the wider options in our scholarships directory and the planning material in our study abroad section. Every stipend figure below is taken from official Chinese government scholarship guidance listed in the Sources section; where a 2027-cycle notice has not yet been published, we say so and describe the last verified cycle instead of guessing.

Scholarships in China at a Glance

The Chinese Government Scholarship: The Main Route

The Chinese Government Scholarship exists to promote mutual understanding, cooperation and exchange between China and the rest of the world. CSC, entrusted by the Ministry of Education, is responsible for enrolment and administration. Official guidance states that 289 designated Chinese universities offer programs for scholarship recipients across science, engineering, agriculture, medicine, economics, law, management, education, history, literature, philosophy and fine arts, at every level from bachelor’s to PhD plus non-degree general and senior scholar stays. In other words, whatever you want to study, there is almost certainly a CSC-designated university that teaches it — the real work is matching your profile to the right route and university.

Type A, Type B and Type C Explained Honestly

Applicants constantly confuse the three program categories, so here is the distinction that matters. The category letter tells CSC who is receiving and recommending your application — it does not change the stipend you receive if you win a full scholarship.

The agency number is the routing code of your application in the Chinese Government Scholarship Information System (CGSIS) on Campus China. Program Category and Agency Number are directly matched: if you enter the wrong pair, the receiving authority will not see your application at all. This is why you must copy the number from your target route’s own current notice — an embassy’s Type A number is never interchangeable with a university’s Type B number, and numbers copied from random websites or old screenshots are a classic cause of silently lost applications.

What a Full CSC Scholarship Covers: Verified Figures

Official CSC guidance published by Chinese government sources sets the full-scholarship standard as follows. Tuition is waived, with tuition funds used comprehensively by the host university. Accommodation is a free university dormitory place — usually a twin room where the university requires on-campus living — or, where the university permits off-campus living, an accommodation subsidy of CNY 700 per month for undergraduate and master’s/general scholar students and CNY 1,000 per month for doctoral/senior scholar students. The monthly stipend is:

The same official guidance breaks the total scholarship value down by field category — humanities-type fields (Category I: philosophy, economics, law, education, literature excluding fine arts, history, management), science/engineering/agriculture (Category II) and fine arts/medicine (Category III) carry different tuition and total values — but the student-facing stipend above is the same across categories. Practical stipend rules also matter: register on or before the 15th of a month and you receive that month’s full stipend; register after the 15th and you receive half. Graduating students are paid until half a month after graduation, and the stipend stops if you are outside China for more than 15 days for personal reasons (official holidays excluded). A partial scholarship, where offered, covers only one or some of these items — read any offer letter literally.

Notice what a full CSC scholarship does not normally include: your international airfare. Unlike some other countries’ flagship schemes, standard CSC guidance covers tuition, accommodation, stipend and insurance, and students typically budget their own travel to China plus visa, document and arrival costs. Anyone advertising a “CSC package” that bundles free flights as standard is embellishing.

Eligibility for the Chinese Government Scholarship

Official CSC eligibility guidance requires that an applicant:

• Be a citizen of a country other than the People’s Republic of China, in good physical and mental health.
• For an undergraduate program: hold a high school diploma or equivalent, with an excellent academic record, and be under 25 years old at application.
• For a master’s program: hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent and be under 35.
• For a doctoral program: hold a master’s degree or equivalent and be under 40.
• For a general scholar program: hold at least a high school diploma and be under 45; for a senior scholar program: hold a master’s degree or be an associate professor (or above) and be under 50.
• For Chinese-taught programs, meet the HSK requirement: HSK Level 3 for Chinese-taught undergraduate and general scholar programs (excluding Chinese language majors) and for senior scholar programs, and HSK Level 4 for Chinese-taught postgraduate programs.
• For programs taught in another language, meet the host university’s own language and academic admission requirements.

Duration rules are equally official: the scholarship covers both major study and, where needed, Chinese language (preparatory) study. Undergraduate major study runs 4–5 years with 1–2 years of preparatory Chinese possible, for a total scholarship duration of 4–7 years; master’s 2–3 years (total up to 5 with language study); doctoral 3–4 years (total up to 6). One crucial undergraduate rule: CSC undergraduates must register for Chinese-taught credit courses and normally complete a one-year preparatory course at a designated preparatory university and pass its test before starting the major, unless exempted because their secondary schooling was in Chinese or they hold a valid HSK certificate meeting the host university’s requirement. HSK results are valid for two years. Graduate students, by contrast, can choose Chinese-taught or English-taught programs where offered; those in Chinese-taught programs without adequate Chinese take one to two years of language study first, and failing to reach the required level leads to termination of the scholarship — a clause worth taking seriously.

Beyond CSC: Provincial, Municipal and University Scholarships

If CSC does not fit — wrong level, wrong timing, or a university outside the CSC list — China has a genuine second tier. Provincial and municipal governments run their own international student scholarships; Beijing and Shanghai operate well-known municipal schemes, and Jiangsu’s Jasmine scholarship is a frequently cited provincial example. These schemes vary far more than CSC: some approach a full package at universities in that province, others are tuition support or one-time grants, and eligibility, values and deadlines are set by the province and the participating universities each year. Because of that variation, this guide deliberately does not quote a single figure for them — the honest method is to pick your target universities first, then read the scholarship page of each university’s international college for the provincial or municipal awards it administers that year.

University scholarships follow the same logic. Major universities in Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Wuhan, Xi’an, Guangzhou and other student cities publish their own freshman and continuing-student awards, typically as tuition waivers of set percentages or fixed sums tied to admission strength and, later, to your grades in China. Combined with China’s generally moderate public-university tuition by international standards, a partial university award can make a self-funded remainder realistic — but only budget on figures from the university’s own current notice, never from an agent’s brochure. Shortlisting tools in our university directory and rankings pages can help you compare institutions before you check their funding pages one by one.

Two Flagship Fellowships: Schwarzman and Yenching

Two programs deserve separate attention because they are fully funded, extremely competitive, and applied for entirely outside the CSC system.

Schwarzman Scholars, Tsinghua University (Beijing). A one-year master’s degree in Global Affairs, taught in English at Schwarzman College, Tsinghua. The official program describes a comprehensive scholarship covering tuition and fees, room and board, travel to and from Beijing at the start and end of the year, an in-country study tour, course books and supplies, a laptop, health insurance and a personal stipend. Eligibility centres on leadership: applicants must hold (or complete before enrolment) an undergraduate degree, be at least 18 and not yet 29 at enrolment (the 2027–28 cycle uses an August 1, 2027 cut-off), and demonstrate English proficiency and leadership potential; there is no fixed undergraduate field and no minimum GPA stated, though competitive candidates are academically excellent. For the 2027–28 class, the application for U.S. and global applicants ran to September 9, 2026 (3:00 p.m. EDT), with interviews in October–November — always confirm the current cycle on the official site.

Yenching Academy, Peking University (Beijing). An interdisciplinary master’s in China Studies for outstanding graduates of any field. The scholarship covers tuition, accommodation in the Yenching Academy residential college, a monthly stipend for living costs, round-trip travel between your home country and Beijing, and field study costs, with first-year funding guaranteed and a second-year scholarship available on good academic standing for students remaining in Beijing. Eligibility requires a bachelor’s degree completed by August 31 of the enrolment year, an outstanding academic record, a strong interdisciplinary interest in China, evidence of leadership and community contribution, and English proficiency at a high published threshold (IELTS Academic 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 100 for applicants who need a test score; exemptions apply for native speakers and graduates of English-taught degrees). The 2027-cohort international deadline published by the Academy is November 30, 2026, 9:00 a.m. Beijing time. These two fellowships suit a small, specific profile — academically elite, leadership-heavy, globally oriented — and should be treated as ambitious additions to a CSC plan, not replacements for it.

How to Apply via Campus China (CGSIS), Step by Step

1. Choose your route first. Decide Type A (dispatching authority), Type B (university) or a Type C/special program, because the route determines your agency number, your deadlines and who reviews you.
2. Read the current notice for that route. For Type A, that is your home country’s dispatching authority notice (often published via the Chinese embassy). For Type B, it is the university’s own scholarship call, which also states whether a separate application on the university’s portal is required alongside CGSIS — frequently it is.
3. Register on Campus China. Go to campuschina.org, enter the Chinese Government Scholarship Information System (“Scholarship Application for Students”), create an account and complete your personal details.
4. Enter Program Category and Agency Number exactly. Select Type A, B or C and type the agency number from your route’s notice. Check that the institution or authority name the system shows matches your intended recipient before going further.
5. Complete the form and upload documents. Fill in education history, language proficiency, study plan and university preferences as the form requires, and upload clear scans of every document listed in the notice (see the documents section below).
6. Submit, download and, if required, send hard copies. Submit online before the deadline, download the system-generated application form, and follow any instruction from your embassy or university about printed sets — some authorities still require paper copies in duplicate.
7. Respond to review stages. Type A files are recommended by the dispatching authority and reviewed by CSC and the universities; Type B files are reviewed and recommended by the university. Watch your email and the portal for status changes, pre-admission notices and final results, which for September intake typically emerge in the summer.

One honest warning: deadlines are set per route and per authority, not by a single global date. Embassy Type A windows in many countries close in late winter or early spring; university Type B windows commonly run from around December to April, each university choosing its own dates. The 2027-cycle notices for many routes appear progressively — the correct habit is to check your embassy’s and your universities’ pages monthly from autumn onward, and to track everything in one place (see our student tools).

Required Documents

A typical CSC application package, assembled from official notices, includes:

• The CGSIS application form (system-generated after online submission)
• Passport information page copy (valid well beyond your planned arrival)
• Notarised highest diploma or, if still studying, a pre-graduation certificate plus the diploma when issued
• Academic transcripts, notarised where the notice requires
• A study plan or research proposal (embassy notices commonly set a minimum of about 200 words for undergraduates and 800 words for postgraduates — follow your notice)
• Two recommendation letters for graduate and senior scholar applicants, from professors or associate professors, in Chinese or English
• Foreigner Physical Examination Form, completed in English by a physician, covering all listed items, with the hospital stamp and a sealed photograph; results are valid for six months, so time your examination accordingly
• Language certificates: HSK for Chinese-taught programs; IELTS/TOEFL or other proof accepted by the university for English-taught programs
• A non-criminal record / police clearance certificate, commonly required to have been issued within six months of submission
• Pre-admission documents from a Chinese university if your route’s notice asks for them, plus any portfolio for arts applicants

Documents in languages other than Chinese or English need notarised translations. Keep one consistent English spelling of your name across passport, transcripts, translations and the online form; mismatches are a frequent, pointless cause of delay.

Deadlines and Timeline

Because the 2026/2027 CSC notices appear route by route, treat this table as the verified pattern from recent and current official notices — then lock your calendar to the specific notices for your country and universities. Our study guides can help you organise the wider preparation (language tests, finances, visas) around these dates.

How to Improve Your Chances

• Match the route to your profile. Strong school-leavers with a national competition in their country may do better in Type A; postgraduates with a clear university and supervisor fit often do better in Type B, where the university itself champions the file.
• Take language seriously. An HSK certificate above the minimum, or a solid IELTS/TOEFL for English-taught programs, is one of the few differentiators you fully control.
• Write a study plan that names specifics: the program, its curriculum strengths, the skills or research direction you will pursue, and your plan after graduation. Generic praise of China reads generic in Beijing too.
• Get a pre-admission signal where the route rewards it. For Type B, engaging the university’s international office properly — complete documents, correct portal, on time — matters more than emailing individual professors for undergraduate study.
• Apply to the second tier in parallel. Provincial, municipal and university awards have separate pools; a parallel application costs effort, not eligibility.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Entering the wrong agency number or program category, so the intended authority never receives the application.
• Applying only on the university portal (or only on CGSIS) when your Type B university requires both submissions.
• Assuming CSC pays international airfare — the standard full scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, stipend and insurance.
• Doing the medical examination too early; its six-month validity can expire before submission.
• Paying an agent who claims to “arrange” CSC selection. CSC does not accept applications from individuals directly, and no intermediary can sell a government scholarship decision.
• Ignoring the Chinese-taught rule for undergraduates and arriving unprepared for a preparatory year.
• Quoting provincial or university scholarship amounts from forums instead of the current official notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Chinese Government Scholarship fully funded?

A full CSC scholarship covers tuition, a free dormitory place or an accommodation subsidy (CNY 700/month for undergraduates and master’s students; CNY 1,000 for doctoral students), a monthly stipend of CNY 2,500 (undergraduate), CNY 3,000 (master’s) or CNY 3,500 (doctoral), and comprehensive medical insurance of CNY 800 per year. International airfare is not part of the standard package.

What is the difference between CSC Type A and Type B?

The route, not the money. Type A is the Bilateral Program applied for through your home country’s dispatching authority; Type B is the Chinese University Program applied for directly to a designated university, which recommends you to CSC. Each route uses its own agency number in the Campus China system.

Can undergraduates apply for scholarships in China?

Yes. CSC supports undergraduates (high school diploma, under 25, excellent record) mainly through Type A and through designated universities, with Chinese-taught study and usually a one-year preparatory course first. Provincial, municipal and university scholarships also admit undergraduates.

Do I need HSK to study in China on a scholarship?

For Chinese-taught programs, yes: HSK Level 3 for undergraduate/general scholar entry and Level 4 for postgraduate entry under CSC guidance, unless you qualify for preparatory study or an exemption. English-taught graduate programs instead require the university’s English proficiency evidence.

When do 2026/2027 CSC applications close?

There is no single closing date. Embassy Type A notices and university Type B calls set their own deadlines, commonly between December and April for September intake. Check your dispatching authority and each target university for the current cycle’s exact dates.

Can I apply for CSC and for Schwarzman or Yenching at the same time?

They are separate programs with separate portals, and strong postgraduate candidates commonly prepare a CSC route alongside one flagship fellowship application. Respect each program’s own rules on holding multiple awards if you are selected by more than one.

Does CSC accept applications sent directly to Beijing?

No. Official guidance is explicit that CSC does not accept individual applications directly; you apply through a dispatching authority (Type A), a designated university (Type B) or the organisation named for a special program.

Are provincial scholarships like Jiangsu Jasmine or the Beijing and Shanghai municipal schemes worth applying to?

Yes, as parallel options — but their values and conditions vary by province, university and year, so verify the current notice at your target university rather than relying on any published general figure.

Sources & Verification

Prepared from official sources: the Chinese Government Scholarship guidance published on the Beijing municipal government’s official English portal (program list, coverage standards, stipend tiers of CNY 2,500/3,000/3,500 per month, accommodation subsidies, insurance, durations and instruction-language rules); CSC eligibility guidance reproduced in official Chinese university and government notices (citizenship, age limits by level, HSK Level 3/4 requirements); Chinese embassy scholarship notices (CGSIS application via campuschina.org, Program Category and Agency Number matching, document lists including the Foreigner Physical Examination Form and study-plan word minimums); the Schwarzman Scholars official program site (coverage, age and degree eligibility, 2027–28 cycle dates); and the Yenching Academy of Peking University official admissions information (coverage, IELTS 7.0 / TOEFL iBT 100 thresholds, November 30, 2026 deadline for the 2027 cohort). Key links: Campus China — Chinese Government Scholarship Information System, Beijing Government Portal — Chinese Government Scholarships, Schwarzman Scholars, Yenching Academy.

Disclaimer: Scholarship details, amounts, quotas and deadlines change every year. Always confirm the current figures and dates on the official Campus China website and in the notice for your route before applying. StudyGraduate is an information portal, not an agency or a university, and we can never promise or guarantee scholarship selection, university admission or visa approval.