How to Apply for the CSC Scholarship at Tsinghua University
Beijing, Beijing
Portal links verified July 2026. Universities occasionally change systems: if a link fails, search '<university name> international student application' or tell us via the contact page.
Admissions timeline
CSC/CGS round: opens October–December, and most university deadlines fall between January and April. Deadlines are set per university and per program: always check the current admission notice on the official portal linked above.
Typical intake: September; some universities offer a smaller March intake.
Manually verified against official admission notices on July 3, 2026. Other universities may also be open: absence from this list does not mean closed. We update this list periodically.
Tsinghua University is China's most prestigious institution, world-renowned for engineering, computer science, architecture, and economics, with a large international community and many English-taught graduate programs. With recognised strengths in comprehensive, Tsinghua University is a strong destination for international students seeking the fully funded Chinese Government Scholarship for the 2026-2027 academic year. This guide walks you through exactly how to apply for the CSC scholarship at Tsinghua University, from choosing your program to submitting your documents online.
Tsinghua University is the most prestigious university in mainland China and a fixture in the global top tier. Founded in 1911 on a former imperial garden in Beijing's Haidian district, it grew from an institution preparing students for study in the United States into a comprehensive research university whose reputation now rivals the world's best. For CSC applicants, a Tsinghua offer is the single most competitive outcome in the entire Chinese Government Scholarship system.
Tsinghua's historic strength is engineering and technology: computer science and artificial intelligence, electrical and electronic engineering, and environmental engineering are all world-leading: but its School of Economics and Management, School of Architecture, and life-sciences institutes are equally respected. English-taught graduate programs are widely available, and marquee English-medium tracks such as the Schwarzman Scholars program and the Global MBA attract applicants from every continent.
Because demand is so high, a competitive Tsinghua application usually combines a near-perfect academic record, demonstrable research (publications, conference papers, or substantial project work), and: for research degrees: a professor willing to supervise you. Reply rates from Tsinghua faculty are low simply because of email volume, so write short, specific, well-targeted messages and email a broad list of professors whose recent work genuinely overlaps with yours.
Life in Beijing means real winters, hot summers, and a dry climate, but also unmatched cultural access and a subway system that puts the whole capital within reach. The campus itself is enormous and largely self-contained, with dorms, canteens, sports facilities, and a large, well-supported international student community. Living costs sit at the higher Tier 1 band, though the scholarship's covered accommodation removes the biggest expense. Confirm Tsinghua's early Type B deadline and its application fee directly on the international students office site before you commit.
CGSIS Agency Number
10003
Always confirm the agency number inside CGSIS before submitting.
Typical CSC deadline
Type B usually closes end of December: one of the earliest in China.
Global standing
Consistently ranked as mainland China's #1 university and a global top-20 institution.
English-taught programs
Extensive English-taught master's and doctoral tracks, plus flagship English programs like the Schwarzman Scholars and Global MBA.
Strongest departments & majors
City snapshot
- Climate:
- Beijing: cold, dry winters and hot summers; noticeable spring dust season.
- Living costs:
- Tier 1 city: roughly CNY 2,500–4,000/month living costs (accommodation covered).
- Student life:
- Huge, self-contained campus in Haidian near many top universities; excellent subway links and a very large international community.
Scholarships available at Tsinghua University
Scholarship availability is based on program type and province; always confirm on the university's international admissions page for the current intake.
Beijing, Beijing: living costs
Estimated monthly living costs (food, transport, phone, personal items) excluding accommodation, which the CSC scholarship covers via free on-campus housing or a subsidy.
The 7 steps to apply at Tsinghua University
Confirm that Tsinghua University offers your program at your degree level and supports the CSC channel (most accept Type B), then add it to your shortlist.
Identify a potential supervisor at Tsinghua University whose research matches yours and email them to request pre-admission: an acceptance letter is optional but a strong plus.
Secure two recommendation letters from professors or associate professors to submit with your Tsinghua University application.
Prepare your English proficiency evidence (or HSK for Chinese-taught programs) as required by Tsinghua University.
Complete the Foreigner Physical Examination Form with lab reports in time for the Tsinghua University deadline.
Write a tailored study plan or research proposal that references specific programs, labs, or supervisors at Tsinghua University.
Submit everything on the official CSC portal using the unique Agency Number for Tsinghua University, then track your application through to results.
What the scholarship covers at Tsinghua University
Tuition
Fully waived at the host university
Accommodation
Free on-campus housing or a housing subsidy
Medical insurance
Comprehensive insurance for international students
Monthly stipend
Bachelor's CNY 2,500 · Master's CNY 3,000 · PhD CNY 3,500
Deadlines & timeline
Tsinghua University sets its own deadline: always confirm the exact date on the official admissions page well ahead of time.
Application fee
Not covered by CSC.
University application fees typically range CNY 400-800; a few universities charge none, and a few waive it for CSC awardees. The CSC portal itself is always free.
Fee amounts verified against official 2025-2026 admission notices; universities update fees yearly: confirm on the linked portal.
Find faculty & official info
Browse the official website to identify potential supervisors and their research groups. We link to the official site rather than listing individual professor emails: always find current contact details on department pages.
Official websiteTips for emailing professors
- Reference a specific lab or research group and connect it to your background.
- Attach a concise one-page CV and a short study/research statement.
- State clearly that you plan to apply through the CSC (Chinese University Program) channel.
Need a starting point? Use our email-to-a-professor template.
Tsinghua University CSC scholarship FAQ
Is Tsinghua realistic for a CSC applicant?
Tsinghua is extremely competitive and typically expects a top-of-class GPA, strong research output, and often a supervisor's support. Treat it as a reach school and always pair it with mid-tier and best-odds universities.
Do I need a supervisor's acceptance letter for Tsinghua?
For research degrees (especially PhD) a pre-admission or supervision letter dramatically strengthens your case, even though it is technically optional. Start contacting professors between September and December.
Does Tsinghua charge an application fee?
Tsinghua's international graduate admissions have historically charged an online application fee (around CNY 800). Confirm the exact amount and payment step inside the university's own application system before you submit.
When is the Tsinghua deadline for 2026-2027?
Tsinghua's Type B window is one of the earliest, often closing in late December. Verify the exact date on the Tsinghua international students office page and prepare documents months ahead.
Does Tsinghua University accept CSC Type B applications?
Most CSC partner universities, including Tsinghua University, accept Type B (Chinese University Program) applications where you apply directly to the university. Confirm the current channel and the university's unique Agency Number on its international students office page before you apply.
Is the CSC scholarship at Tsinghua University fully funded?
Yes. The Chinese Government Scholarship covers tuition, on-campus accommodation or a housing subsidy, comprehensive medical insurance, and a monthly stipend (CNY 2,500 for Bachelor's, CNY 3,000 for Master's, and CNY 3,500 for PhD) for successful applicants at Tsinghua University.
What is the application deadline for Tsinghua University?
Deadlines are set by each university and typically fall between December and April, with many closing by March. Check the official Tsinghua University admissions page for the exact 2026-2027 deadline as early as possible.
What can I study at Tsinghua University on a CSC scholarship?
Tsinghua University in Beijing, Beijing has strengths in Comprehensive. Explore its program catalogue for English-taught and Chinese-taught options at your degree level, and identify a potential supervisor whose research matches your interests.
Figures based on China Scholarship Council program information. Always verify current details on campuschina.org and your target university's admissions page.
Related universities
Ready to begin? Read the full step-by-step CSC application guide or the complete 2026-2027 overview.