Online application & document submission

The two systems you must complete

You must complete two separate applications for every CSC application: (1) the CSC's official CGSIS system at studyinchina.csc.edu.cn (linked from campuschina.org), and (2) the university's own online application portal, where any university fee is paid.

Almost every applicant has to complete two separate applications. The first is the CSC's official online system, CGSIS, accessed via studyinchina.csc.edu.cn (linked from the main portal at campuschina.org). Both sites are official and free. The second is the university's own online application system, which you complete separately - this is where any university application fee is paid. Missing either one means an incomplete application, so treat them as a pair.

Fill in every field carefully and make sure your name, date of birth and passport number match your passport exactly across both systems and all your documents. Mismatches cause delays and can invalidate an application.

Walkthrough of CGSIS

In CGSIS, register an account, choose Type A (embassy) or Type B (university) and enter the correct 5-digit agency number, complete the eight form sections (personal information, education, study plan, work, family, and so on), upload your documents within the stated size limits, review, and submit.

Register for a CGSIS account and log in, then choose your application type. For Type A (embassy/bilateral) you enter the agency number of the relevant embassy or dispatching authority; for Type B (university) you enter the university's 5-digit agency number.

This number is critical, it routes your application to the correct place, and the wrong number sends your application into the void. Confirm the code inside CGSIS before you submit, rather than trusting a number you found on a blog.

Then work through the eight form sections (personal information, education background, study plan/language, work experience, family, and so on), upload your documents within the stated size and format limits (usually PDF/JPG under a few megabytes each), review everything, and submit.

Below are verified 5-digit codes for flagship universities as a reference.

The university's own application

In parallel with CGSIS, complete each target university's own online application on its international students' portal, upload the same documents there, select your exact program, pay any official university fee if listed there, and courier required original documents before the stated deadline.

After (or alongside) CGSIS, complete the university's own online application on its international students' portal. This is usually where you upload the same documents again, select your exact program, and pay the official university application fee if your target route requires one.

Some universities also require hard copies of certain documents - for example original transcripts or the physical examination form - to be couriered to admissions by a stated date. Read the notice carefully and send materials early to avoid missed deadlines.

The maximum-three-applications rule

CSC application route limits and application caps are set by current notices and can change by year and country. Confirm the current official guidance before you submit.

The allowed number of applications and route combinations is route-specific and changed over time. Always check the latest official CSC notice, embassy guidance, and your university admission instructions before final submission. Do not submit blindly to the maximum you think exists: misrouted applications can be rejected before review.

After you submit: tracking, review and results

Review and result timing varies by university, route, and intake cycle. Keep login details for both systems and monitor status, but avoid repeated follow-ups unless the result-date window has truly passed.

Once submitted, keep your login details and check your application status periodically in both systems. Some universities and programs may interview shortlisted applicants, increasingly with online calls.

Do not panic during the long quiet period between submission and results - no news is normal. Avoid emailing the admissions office repeatedly; one polite status enquiry is fine if a stated deadline for results has clearly passed.

From acceptance to arrival: visa and prep

Once admitted, follow your university's admission packet for visa documentation. Many scholarship routes use the Admission Notice plus JW201, while others use route-specific visa forms.

If your route uses JW201, the university provides Admission Notice and the form, then you apply for a long-term student visa at your local Chinese embassy/consulate using the visa guidance in that route. Some scholarships and programs use different forms, including route-specific versions. Plan for medical checks, document delivery, and one or two original-set checks after visa approval.

Prepare early: gather originals, book flights once your visa is issued, arrange initial funds for the first few weeks before your stipend begins, and confirm your on-campus accommodation arrangement with the international office.