Chinese Government Scholarship

In order to promote the mutual understanding, cooperation and exchanges in politics, economy, culture, education and trade between China and other countries, the Chinese government has set up a series of scholarship programs to sponsor international students, teachers and scholars to study and conduct research in Chinese universities. China Scholarship Council (hereinafter referred to as CSC), entrusted by the Ministry of Education of People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as MOE), is responsible for the enrollment and administration of Chinese Government Scholarship programs. 279 designated Chinese universities offer a wide variety of academic programs in Science, Engineering, Agriculture, Medicine, Law, Economics, Management, Education, Liberal Arts, Philosophy, History, and Fine Arts for scholarship winners at all levels.

Chinese Government Scholarship includes the following 7 programs.

Scholarship programs

When to
apply

Where to send
the application

Supporting
category

Scholarship coverage

January to
early April
(please consult
the application
receiving
agencies for
specific
deadline
for each
program)

dispatching
authorities in
applicant’s
home country

undergraduate students
master’s students
doctoral students
general scholars
senior scholars

full scholarship
or partial
scholarship

2.Chinese
University
Program

designated Chinese
universities

master’s students
doctoral students

3.Great
Wall
Program

National Commissions
for UNESCO in
applicant’s home
country

general scholars
senior scholars

Office for Education
and Culture, Mission
of P. R. China to EU

undergraduate students
master’s students
doctoral students
general scholars
senior scholars

master’s students
doctoral students

undergraduate students
master’s students
doctoral students
general scholars
senior scholars

undergraduate or
graduate students of
meteorology, hydrology
, and water resources
supervision &
management.

Application Time

Usually from January to April each year

Application Procedure
Step 1 - Apply to the dispatching authorities for CGS opportunity;
Step 2 - Apply to your target university for the Pre-admission Letter once recommended by the dispatching authorities as an eligible candidate (you will receive an Award Letter for CGS Candidate);
Step 3 - Complete the online application procedure at CSC Online Application System for International Students (Visit http://www.csc.edu.cn/laihua and click “Application Online” to log in), submit online the completed Application Form for Chinese Government Scholarship and print a hard copy. You should consult the dispatching authorities for overseas study of your home country for Instructions of CSC Online Application System for International Students and Agency Number;
Step 4 - Submit all of your application documents to the dispatching authorities before the deadline.

CSC will send the admission documents to the dispatching authorities before July 31st. The dispatching authorities will send the admission documents (Admission Letter and Visa Application Form for Study in China (JW201)) to scholarship recipients.

Dispatching Authorities
Dispatching authorities for Chinese Government Scholarship Programs are as follows:
Embassies (Consulate-General) of P. R. China in foreign countries
Chinese higher education institutions (Chinese HEIs) which undertake Chinese University Program, now totally 221 institutions
Embassies of foreign countries in China
Regional education departments
Other relevant educational institutions

Receiving Institutions

There are a total of 279 Chinese universities are approved by MOE to accept Chinese Government Scholarship students. You can download the list here.

Agency Number
Each dispatching authority has their code number which is called agency number. It is needed when you apply online. Here we have collected most of agency numbers for your convenience. Others you’d better contact your dispatching authority directly.
Agency Numbers of Embassy of P.R. China
Agency Numbers of 221 Chinese Universities for Graduate Program

Application Documents (in duplicate)

1.Application Form for Chinese Government Scholarship (written in Chinese or English);
2.Notarized highest diploma (photocopy);
Prospective diploma recipients must submit official document issued by your current school to prove your current student status or expected graduation date. Documents in languages other than Chinese or English must be attached with notarized Chinese or English translations.
3.Academic transcripts (written in Chinese or English);
Transcripts in languages other than Chinese or English must be attached with notarized Chinese or English translations.
4.A Study Plan or Research Proposal (written in Chinese or English);
This should be a minimum of 200 words for undergraduate students, 500 words for non-degree students, and 800 words for graduate students.
5.Two Recommendation Letters (written in Chinese or English);
Applicants for the graduate programs or the senior scholar programs must submit two recommendation letters signed by a professor or an associate professor.
6.A CD of your own works (only required for arts students);
Applicants for music studies are requested to submit a CD of their own musical works. Applicants for the fine arts programs must submit a CD of their own works which include two sketches, two color paintings and two other works.
7.Valid documents of your legal guardians in China (only required for applicants under the age of 18);
8.Foreigner Physical Examination Form (photocopy), (written in English, only required for applicants planning to stay in China for more than 6 months, can be downloaded from http://www.csc.edu.cn/laihua; The physical examinations must cover all of the items listed in the Foreigner Physical Examination Form. Incomplete forms or forms without the signature of the attending physician, or the official stamp of the hospital, or a sealed photograph of the applicant are considered as invalid. Please carefully plan your physical examination schedule as the result is valid for only 6 months.
9.The copy of Pre-admission Letter from designated Chinese university (if available);
10. The copy of HSK Certificate (if available).
All documents should be bound together on top left corner in the order of 6.1 to 6.10.
You should submit TWO sets of bound documents.
No application documents will be returned.

Duration

Chinese Government Scholarship covers both major study and Chinese language/ preparatory study. The table below illustrates the duration of each category.

Major Study
(academic year)

Chinese Language
/Preparatory Study
(academic year)

Duration of Scholarship
(academic year)