China's flagship state scholarship, administered by the China Scholarship Council, funding bachelor's, master's and PhD study for international students at 270+ Chinese universities. The full award covers tuition, a dormitory place, a monthly living stipend and medical insurance — and since the 2026–27 cycle, bachelor's applicants must submit a CSCA (China Scholastic Competency Assessment) score.
Why it is notable: there is no single application — two routes (Type A through your country's Chinese embassy/dispatching authority; Type B directly through a Chinese university), each with its own deadline and agency number, and using the wrong agency number sends your application to the wrong reviewer.
Funding at a glance
What it covers
Tuition waiver (tuition funds used comprehensively by the host university)
Free university dormitory (usually twin room) OR accommodation subsidy: CNY 700/month (undergraduates/master's/general scholars); CNY 1,000/month (doctoral/senior scholars) — where the university permits off-campus living
Comprehensive medical insurance: CNY 800/person/year (CNY 400 for programs under 6 months)
Partial scholarships cover one or some of the above items
(Travel to/from China, visa/document costs and meals are NOT covered — budget separately.)
Eligibility criteria
Qualification Required
Secondary school certificatefor Bachelor'sGraduationfor MastersMasters/MPhilfor PhD
This scholarship is offered for Bachelor's, Master's and PhD programs, plus general scholar and senior scholar (non-degree) programs.
Who can apply
citizens of any country other than the People's Republic of China, in good health (mentally and physically). Type A runs through bilateral education agreements — check your country's dispatching authority.
Experience
No experience required.
Language Certificate
HSK Level 3 for Chinese-taught undergraduate/general scholar programs (excluding Chinese-language majors); HSK Level 3 for Chinese-taught senior scholar programs; HSK Level 4 for Chinese-taught postgraduate programs. English-taught programs: IELTS/TOEFL or equivalent per the university's requirements. NEW: all bachelor's applicants must take the CSCA and upload a valid score report (register at csca.cn; check target universities for required subjects).
Other Certificates
notarized highest diploma; academic transcripts; Foreigner Physical Examination Form (valid 6 months); police clearance (within 6 months, per some embassies).
Age Limit
Under 25 (undergraduate); Under 35 (master's); Under 40 (doctoral); Under 45 (general scholar); Under 50 (senior scholar).
Tools that may help
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Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.
1
Country checker
eligible = citizens of any country other than the PRC. Type A additionally depends on your country's bilateral arrangement with China (check the Chinese…
2
Last degree checker
Choose your highest completed qualification to see which degree level may fit.
3
Course checker
Pick a course to see whether it falls inside this scholarship's scope.
Complete all three checks
Your combined result will appear here.
Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.
Application essentials
Requirements
Review each requirement before you begin the application.
01
Nationality
citizen of a country other than the PRC; good health.
02
Age/qualification
under 25/35/40 with the required degree for bachelor's/master's/doctoral; under 45/50 for general/senior scholar tracks.
03
Language
HSK 3 (Chinese-taught UG), HSK 4 (Chinese-taught PG); IELTS/TOEFL per university for English-taught programs; CSCA score report mandatory for ALL bachelor's applicants (new from 2026–27).
04
Documents
notarized diploma + transcripts; physical exam (6-month validity); police clearance (6 months, per embassy); 2 professor/associate-professor recommendation letters for postgraduates.
05
Study plan
minimum 200 words (undergraduates) / 800 words (postgraduates).
06
Correct routing
Program Category + Agency Number must match your embassy (Type A) or university (Type B); one Type B application per year.
Document checklist
01(1) CSC application form
02(2) passport bio page (valid 12+ months)
03(3) notarized highest diploma
04(4) transcripts
05(5) CSCA score report (bachelor's)
06(6) language certificates
07(7) study plan (min 200 words UG / 800 words PG)
08(8) 2 recommendation letters (postgraduate)
09(9) Foreigner Physical Examination Form
10(10) police clearance (per embassy).
Application fee
No fee charged by CSC itself — completely free (some universities charge their own portal fee; CAS-ANSO waives it).
Visa, kept concise: Visa type: X1 (study over 180 days), applied at the Chinese embassy/consulate in your country with the admission notice + JW201/JW202 visa application form issued via CSC.
Application Procedure
6 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
01
Decide your route
Type A (Chinese embassy/dispatching authority in your country — get the correct Agency Number from the official embassy notice) or Type B (your chosen university — get its agency number from the university's own scholars
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02
Register at the CSC "Study in China" system
http://www.campuschina.org → "Scholarship Application for Students" → CREATE AN ACCOUNT.
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03
Complete personal details
then the application: select the correct Program Category (Type A or Type B) + Agency Number — these are directly matched; a wrong number sends your file to the wrong authority.
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06
Track results ~May–July 2027 (pattern)
admission + JW201/202 visa forms follow.
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05
Submit within the window AND complete any
additional steps your embassy/university requires (interviews, pre-admission letters — some 2026–27 embassies required a professor's invitation letter).
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04
Upload supporting documents (application form
passport, notarized diploma, transcripts, CSCA report for bachelor's, HSK/IELTS/TOEFL, study plan 200/800+ words, 2 recommendation letters for postgraduates, physical exam form, police clearance).
Ready to apply?
Continue on the official designated universities via the China… platform.
When is the 2027–28 CSC deadline? A: Not announced yet. In 2026–27, university (Type B) deadlines ran December–April and embassy (Type A) deadlines mostly fell in February. Monitor your embassy and taWhat is the difference between Type A and Type B? A: Type A = bilateral program via your country's Chinese embassy/dispatching authority (you list preferred universities). Type B = direct application What is the CSCA? A: The China Scholastic Competency Assessment — mandatory since 2026–27 for all bachelor's applicants to CSC-designated universities. Register at csca.cn and check your target univerDo I need IELTS? A: Not always — CSC leaves English requirements to each university; many accept an English-medium-degree certificate. Chinese-taught programs need HSK instead.Is an acceptance letter required? A: For 2026–27, several embassy notices asked all applicants for a pre-admission document (e.g. a professor's invitation letter). Check your embassy's notice.Is there an application fee? A: CSC itself charges none; some universities charge their own portal fee.Does the scholarship cover flights? A: No — travel to/from China, visa costs and meals are not covered. Budget separately.Can I apply for a program taught in English? A: Yes — many designated universities offer English-taught programs; meet that university's English requirements.
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