CSC Scholarship for Master's Students: Full Guide
Written by CSC Path Editorial. Reviewed by Aqib Javed, a CSC scholarship recipient in China. Facts are checked against official CSC, government, embassy, and university sources.
A source-based guide to CSC master's eligibility, routes, funding, language evidence, documents and application order.
1.Is there a CSC scholarship for master's students?
Yes. Master's students are included in the Chinese Government Scholarship Bilateral Program, usually called Type A, and in university-run postgraduate routes, usually called Type B. The current government guide to the Bilateral Program lists master's students among the supported categories (Shanghai government Bilateral Program guide). Xiamen University's 2026 University Program says its approved places are mainly for master's and doctoral study (XMU 2026 guide).
This does not mean every university, subject or master's program is funded in every cycle. Check the current scholarship notice and the university's approved program list before preparing an application.
2.What are the eligibility and age rules?
In Beijing Language and Culture University's 2026 Type A guide, a master's applicant must be a non-Chinese citizen in good physical and mental health, hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent, show strong academic performance and be under 35. The applicant must also meet BLCU's program requirements and cannot hold another Chinese government scholarship at the same time (BLCU 2026 Type A guide).
Final-year students may still have a route. BLCU accepts an expected-graduation or student-status certificate at application and requires the final certificate before registration. Hefei University of Technology likewise allows graduating students to submit a pre-graduation certificate showing the expected graduation date, followed by the degree certificate before registration (HFUT 2026 Type B guide). The controlling notice can add grades, subject background, interview or other conditions.
3.Should a master's applicant use Type A or Type B?
Type A is handled through an application receiving agency, such as a government department, embassy or other dispatching authority in the applicant's country. The current Bilateral Program guide tells applicants to obtain that authority's nomination or recommendation, then submit the CSC application. A desired university may also require its own admission step or provide pre-admission material.
Type B is applied for through a designated Chinese university. The order is not identical at every host. Xiamen University required both its university system and the CSC system for 2026, while HFUT reviewed candidates in its own system before nominated applicants completed the CSC submission. The University of Science and Technology Beijing also separates its Type A pre-admission process from Type B programs applied for directly through the university (USTB 2026 explanation). Use the current notice for your route and follow the portal-order guide rather than assuming one sequence applies everywhere.
4.What does the master's scholarship cover, and for how long?
Current full-scholarship examples commonly cover tuition, university accommodation or an accommodation subsidy, a CNY 3,000 monthly stipend for master's students and comprehensive medical insurance. BLCU lists that package for its 2026 Type A route, and Xiamen University lists the same core benefits for its 2026 University Program.
The funded study period follows the program and route. Xiamen University lists two or three years for master's programs, while HFUT lists three years. A Type A award can also include a funded Chinese-language preparation period where the notice provides it. Airfare is not automatic: Beijing Foreign Studies University's 2026/27 postgraduate guide says applicants bear their own travel expenses (BFSU 2026/27 guide). Read the coverage and duration attached to your exact award.
5.Do master's applicants need HSK, IELTS or another test?
For Chinese-taught master's programs, the current Bilateral Program guidance sets HSK Level 4 as the baseline. For a program taught in another language, the chosen university sets the evidence. BLCU directs applicants to its own program-level language rules instead of publishing one universal English score.
Type B examples show why the host notice matters. HFUT's 2026 guide accepts IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 85, TOEFL Essentials 9 or Duolingo 100 for its English-taught programs. A different university may use other scores or accept an eligible Medium of Instruction certificate. Check the exact program page and the CSC without IELTS guide before paying for a test.
6.Which documents are usually required?
The current Bilateral Program checklist includes the CSC application form, passport page, notarized bachelor's certificate or expected-graduation evidence, transcripts, language evidence, university admission material, a study or research plan, two academic recommendation letters, the Foreigner Physical Examination Form and a recent no-criminal-record certificate. The government guide specifies at least 1,000 words for a postgraduate study or research plan.
Universities can require more. BFSU's 2026/27 postgraduate guide asks for a personal statement, two recommendation letters, a CV of more than 800 words and a master's research proposal of more than 1,500 words. Follow the longest applicable requirement and keep every translation, notarization and validity rule tied to the source that requests it. The study-plan structure guide can help you organize the required document without replacing the university's instructions.
7.How should I apply for the next master's cycle?
First, choose a current master's program and confirm that the scholarship route funds it. Second, read the dispatching-authority notice for Type A or the university notice for Type B. Third, prepare the degree or expected-graduation evidence, transcripts, language proof, study plan, recommendations and health and police documents. Fourth, complete every required portal in the stated order and keep the submitted versions consistent. Treat a pre-admission letter or university nomination as an intermediate step, not a final CSC award.
Do not copy a past deadline into a new cycle. Xiamen University's 2026 Type B window closed on February 15, while HFUT used a February 28 university deadline and a later CSC submission for nominated applicants. Wait for the current notice from the authority and university that control your application.
If you want an independent check before submission, the CSC Path Document Review can compare your files with the official checklist you provide and flag missing or inconsistent items. It does not submit applications, contact authorities, influence decisions or guarantee nomination, admission or funding.
*CSC Path is an independent educational resource, not affiliated with the China Scholarship Council, any university, embassy, dispatching authority or scholarship provider. We do not submit applications, control admission or scholarship decisions, or guarantee nomination, admission or funding.*
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