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Flagship scholarship

China Scholarship Council Scholarship (CGS)

The Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS), administered by the China Scholarship Council (CSC), is China's flagship fully funded scholarship for international students. It covers full degree studies at more than 270 partner universities via three routes: Type A (embassy), Type B (university), and Type C (provincial/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

December – April (varies by route & university)

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, for research degrees, a professor's acceptance

How to apply

  1. 1Choose your route (Type A embassy, Type B university, or Type C).
  2. 2Register on the CSC portal (CGSIS) and complete the online application.
  3. 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 (CNY 200–800).
  • • 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' own institutional scholarships and fee waivers can complement a CSC nomination; always confirm stacking rules with the university.
Official source: studyinchina.csc.edu.cn

Universities offering this scholarship

Derived from each university's province and program mix: always confirm on the university's international admissions page.

Universities offering the CSC / CGS scholarship(276)

Open the filtered universities directory

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FAQ

Can I apply for several scholarships at once?

Yes: you can generally apply for several different programs at once to maximise your chances. However, you cannot hold the CSC (Chinese Government Scholarship) together with provincial or city government scholarships at the same time. Always check each program's rules, as some awards cannot be combined.