Flagship scholarship

China Scholarship Council Scholarship (CGS)

The Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS), administered by the China Scholarship Council (CSC), supports degree study at designated Chinese host institutions through routes commonly described as Type A (dispatching authority or embassy), Type B (university), and Type C (other programs).

Level

Bachelor's, Master's, PhD

Coverage

Full tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend, medical insurance

Who it's for

International students of all nationalities

Deadline window

Typically September – March (official guidance); each route and university sets its own dates

What it covers

Full tuition fees
Free or subsidised on-campus accommodation (or a housing allowance)
Monthly living stipend (CNY 2,500 undergraduate / 3,000 Master's / 3,500 PhD)
Comprehensive medical insurance

Who is eligible

Non-Chinese citizen in good health
Meet the degree and age requirements for your target level
Strong academic record and route-specific requirements for research applicants (including any requested supervisor recommendation pathway)

How to apply

1Choose your route (Type A embassy, Type B university, or Type C).
2Register on the CSC portal (CGSIS) and complete the online application.
3Submit required documents to your chosen universities and/or embassy.

Good to know

• The CSC portal is free, but universities may charge their own application fee. Check each university's current notice for fee amount and payment rules.
• The CSC (Chinese Government Scholarship) cannot be held at the same time as a provincial or city government scholarship: you accept one government award, not both.
• Some universities may offer additional institutional support in addition to route-specific funding, but stacking rules differ by university and must be confirmed in writing.

Official source: studyinchina.csc.edu.cn

Universities offering this scholarship

These are directory records, not confirmed current openings. Check each university’s current notice for its eligible programs and application route.

Universities with a CSC route on record(300)

Open the filtered universities directory

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Start the CSC Guide

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The complete CSC scholarship FAQ

FAQ

What does the CSC / CGS award cover?

Full tuition fees; Free or subsidised on-campus accommodation (or a housing allowance); Monthly living stipend (CNY 2,500 undergraduate / 3,000 Master's / 3,500 PhD); Comprehensive medical insurance. The current award notice controls the exact benefits and any limits.

When is the CSC / CGS application deadline?

Typically September – March (official guidance); each route and university sets its own dates. Check the current notice for your country, host, program, and intake before relying on a date.

How do I apply for CSC / CGS?

Choose your route (Type A embassy, Type B university, or Type C). Register on the CSC portal (CGSIS) and complete the online application. Submit required documents to your chosen universities and/or embassy. Follow the official source linked above for the current steps.

Can I apply for several scholarships at once?

Only where the current notices allow it. Check submission limits, simultaneous-application rules, nomination conflicts, and which award must be declined before registration. Permission to apply does not establish permission to hold two awards.