China Scholarship Council
CSC Scholarship Overview
The Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS), administered by the China Scholarship Council, is a fully funded scholarship for international students at 270+ universities across China.
The official CSC portal is free
Applying through the official CSC portal is free, but most universities charge their own application fee (usually CNY 400–800, ~$60–110). Some universities waive the fee for CSC applicants or let you pay after nomination. Beware of anyone claiming to "sell" guaranteed scholarships or posing as CSC officials. (Our optional service is independent consulting for those who want expert hands-on help.)
New for 2026/2027: the CSCA (Bachelor's applicants)
New from 2026/2027: Bachelor's degree applicants must register for and take the CSCA (China Scholastic Competency Assessment) before the deadline and include a valid CSCA Score Report in their application. This applies to undergraduate applicants only. Master's and PhD applicants are not required to take the CSCA.
What it covers
Fully waived at the host university
Free on-campus housing or a housing subsidy
Comprehensive insurance for international students
Bachelor's CNY 2,500 · Master's CNY 3,000 · PhD CNY 3,500
Monthly stipend & age limits
| Degree | Monthly stipend | Age limit |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's | CNY 2,500 / month | Under 25 |
| Master's | CNY 3,000 / month | Under 35 |
| PhD | CNY 3,500 / month | Under 40 |
Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens in good health.
Application categories
Chinese Embassy (Bilateral Program)
Apply through the Chinese Embassy in your home country. Government-to-government channel; up to 2 Type A applications allowed through different agencies.
Chinese University Program
Apply directly to a Chinese university. The most popular route with the most control over your university choice: but the university you choose is final and cannot be changed. Only 1 Type B application per year.
Other designated agencies
Apply through other CSC-designated agencies or specific bilateral/organisational programs.
You may submit a maximum of 3 applications per enrollment year: up to 2 Type A (through different agencies) and 1 Type B. The university in your Type B application is final and cannot be changed.
Timeline
Documents checklist
- CSC online application form (from studyinchina.csc.edu.cn)
- CSCA Score Report. Bachelor's applicants only (new requirement from 2026/2027)
- Highest diploma (notarized copy)
- Academic transcripts
- Study plan (Bachelor's/Master's) or research proposal (PhD)
- Two recommendation letters from professors or associate professors
- Foreigner Physical Examination Form with lab reports
- Passport copy
- English proficiency certificate (IELTS/TOEFL): often NOT required if your previous education was in English; a certificate from your registrar usually suffices. HSK for Chinese-taught programs.
- Acceptance / pre-admission letter from a supervisor (optional but a strong plus: about half of winners apply without one)
- Police clearance certificate
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Good to know
Ready to start?
Apply for free on the official portal, then follow our 7-step guide.
Figures based on China Scholarship Council program information. Always verify current details on campuschina.org and your target university's admissions page.