Scholarships in China

How to get a Chinese scholarship

Most scholarships in China are available for master's and PhD studies, where the competition is relatively lower. Foreign students can apply for various funding programs in China. Specific requirements can be found on university and program websites. Here are the key factors to consider:

• Age. Chinese funding programs have age restrictions. The maximum age for bachelor's programs is 25 years, for master's programs — 35 years, and for doctoral programs — 45 years.
• Language. It is possible to enter Chinese universities even with no prior knowledge of the Chinese language. Once enrolled, you will be required to attend language courses for a year. However, scholarships typically require a minimum proficiency of HSK 3-4. For English, the requirements are more stringent, often requiring a language level of B2-C1. Successful applicants will need to provide satisfactory results from the IELTS (minimum 6.5) or TOEFL (minimum 80) exams.
• Academic performance. Most scholarships have a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 out of 5. However, due to high competition, it is advisable to aim for a higher average score — closer to 4.5 out of 5.
• Health. Medical requirements are commonly imposed by universities and are also important when applying for a visa. Applicants should not have any diseases or mental disorders that pose a risk to others. Many universities may also refuse admission to individuals with chronic illnesses. A comprehensive medical examination report will be required.
• Additional requirements. Prospective bachelor's students can showcase certificates from olympiads, volunteer programs, and scientific conferences. For master's and PhD students, having scientific publications is desirable. However, the most significant factor is the presentation of an interesting research project or plan relevant to the interests of the university.

Chinese government scholarships

Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)

The Chinese Government Scholarship is awarded to students studying at one of the 279 universities in the country. It covers the cost of tuition, accommodation, and provides a monthly living allowance ranging from 2500 to 476 USD. However, obtaining this scholarship is highly challenging.

Candidate requirements:

• GPA — 4.5 out of 5.0
• English proficiency at the C1 level
• or Chinese proficiency at the A1 level (language courses are often included in the scholarship)
• Recommendation letters
• Motivation letter
• Age within the specified range
• Extracurricular achievements — scientific publications, conference presentations, work experience in the field, volunteering, participation in summer schools, olympiads, etc.

You can apply for the scholarship either before or after submitting your documents to the university. It is also recommended to contact a prospective professor in advance to obtain an acceptance letter, as this can increase your chances of receiving the scholarship.

You can also apply for the scholarship through the Chinese Consulate. In this case, the list of required documents may vary.

Scholarship from the MOFCOM-CSC

The MOFCOM-CSC Scholarship is a sponsored program by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, aimed at attracting officials and senior managers to receive training. It provides full coverage for tuition fees in an English-taught master's or PhD program at one of the 26 participating universities^[1].

In addition to covering tuition costs, the scholarship includes the following benefits:

• Campus accommodation
• Monthly allowance of 4,900 USD/year for bachelor’s students and 5,717 USD/year for PhD students
• Medical insurance
• Air ticket provided for travel to and from China
• Teaching materials and research costs

Scholarship from the Confucius Institute

The Confucius Institute offers a fully covered scholarship for students interested in studying Chinese language and culture. This scholarship is available at 150 universities in China and covers the cost of tuition, accommodation, medical insurance, and provides a monthly allowance of 272-408 USD for personal expenses. There are two types of scholarships offered by the Confucius Institute:

• Chinese language and culture scholarship. This scholarship is available for a duration of one month to one year. The available study programs are limited to Chinese Language and Literature, Chinese History, Chinese Philosophy, Tai Chi, and Chinese International Education. Applicants must have a language proficiency level of at least HSK 3 and be between the ages of 16 and 35.
• Scholarship for future Chinese teachers. This scholarship is available for bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs in teaching. The duration of the scholarship corresponds to the duration of the chosen program, ranging from 2 to 4 years. Applicants must have a language proficiency level of at least HSK 4. The age requirement is up to 25 years for bachelor’s studies and up to 45 years for PhD studies. Priority is given to applicants with teaching experience, and many scholarships require recommendation letters.

Each program has its own specific deadlines. Generally, applications open in April, May, September, and November, depending on the type of scholarship. Applications can be submitted through the Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship website or the selected university's website.

Scholarships from Chinese provinces

Many regions of China have their own scholarship programs, targeting foreign students for specific universities or study programs. These scholarships can be found on the Campus China website, specifically under the "Scholarships" section, or on the websites of the respective universities.

The application deadline for most regional scholarships in China falls in June. However, preparation for the application should start as early as December to March^[2].