Chinese Government Scholarships 2026 – Complete Guide to Apply

Updated: November 11, 2025

The Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC Scholarship) 2026 offers fully funded Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs for international students in almost every academic field, including Engineering, Medical, Social Sciences, Applied Sciences, Arts, and more. Thousands of students from around the world study in China without paying tuition fees, accommodation fees, or living expenses — thanks to this scholarship program.

Application deadlines vary by university and may continue up to 31 March 2026.

Scholarship Overview

CategoryDetails
Host Country:China
Degree Levels:Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
Scholarship Type:Fully Funded
Eligible Students:All Nationalities
Deadline:Up to 31 March 2026 (varies by university)

✅ No IELTS/TOEFL Required
✅ Monthly Stipend + Accommodation + Full Tuition
✅ Study in World Ranking Top Universities

Why Study in China?

  • 10 Chinese Universities ranked among the Top 100 Worldwide (QS Ranking).

  • Tsinghua University ranked ahead of MIT in some research rankings.

  • Chinese universities offer strong research-based programs, especially for Master’s and PhD.

  • Graduates from Chinese universities have high global employability — 5 universities are in the Top 50 for employability ranking.

  • Degree from China is recognized globally similar to the US, UK, Canada, or Australia.

Documents Required

Prepare digital scans of the following (in English or Chinese):

  1. CSC Scholarship Application Form
    (Download from CSC Portal after creating your profile)

  2. Highest Degree Certificate / Certificate of Enrollment

  3. Official Academic Transcripts

  4. Study Plan / Research Proposal

    • Undergraduate: min 200 words

    • Master’s/PhD: min 800 words

  5. Two Recommendation Letters
    (From professor or associate professor)

  6. Passport Copy

  7. Foreigner Medical Examination Form

  8. English Proficiency Certificate
    (IELTS/TOEFL NOT required — your university certificate is enough)

  9. Research work / publications (optional but beneficial)

  10. Portfolio (For Arts & Music students only)

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1 — Prepare All Documents

Ensure each document is clear, complete, and translated (if needed).
You will upload these documents on:

  • CSC application portal

  • University application portal

Step 2 — Shortlist Universities

Search for Chinese universities that:

  • Offer programs in your field

  • Accept CSC Scholarship (Type B)

  • Provide English-taught programs (if needed)

Tip: Don’t only apply to very high-ranked universities. Competition is high.
Focus on mid-ranked universities for better chances.

Acceptance Letter (Optional but Helpful)

  • Good for PhD applicants

  • Not mandatory for Master’s

Step 3 — Apply for Scholarship Online

  1. Visit CSC Website:
    👉 https://studyinchina.csc.edu.cn/

  2. Create Account → Fill Form → Select Type B (University Route)

  3. Enter University Agency Number (available on university website)

  4. Submit application

Step 4 — Apply to University Portal

Most universities also require:

  • University online application

  • Uploading the same documents

  • Some may charge application fee (many do not)

Application Limits

Application RouteMax UniversitiesNotes
Type B (University Direct Application)Up to 3 UniversitiesMost common & recommended
Type A (Through Embassy)Up to 2 UniversitiesRequires embassy submission

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: When can I apply?
A: Applications open from November to March depending on university.

Q: Is IELTS Required?
A: NO. You can apply with English Proficiency Certificate from your previous institution.

Q: How to improve selection chances?

  • Apply early

  • Choose realistic universities (not only top 10)

  • Write a strong study plan / research proposal

  • (For PhD) Contact professors for supervision

Final Advice

The CSC Scholarship is one of the easiest fully-funded scholarships to apply for — but it requires strong documentation and selecting universities wisely.

If you start preparing documents now, you will be ready before deadlines start closing.