What is the China Scholarship Council (CSC) scholarship?

The CSC scholarship, officially the Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS), is a fully funded scholarship run by the China Scholarship Council. It supports international students to pursue bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees — plus Chinese-language programs — at around 300 designated Chinese universities. "CSC scholarship" and "Chinese Government Scholarship" refer to the same program.

What does the CSC scholarship cover?

A full CSC award typically covers four things: full tuition, free on-campus accommodation (or a housing subsidy), comprehensive medical insurance, and a monthly living stipend. The stipend is CNY 2,500 for undergraduates, CNY 3,000 for master's students, and CNY 3,500 for doctoral students. Exact amounts can vary by year and route, so always confirm on the official CSC portal.

What is the difference between Type A, Type B, and Type C?

The "type" describes how you applied. Type A is the embassy route — you apply through the Chinese embassy or a designated agency in your home country, and it usually delivers the full package including the monthly stipend. Type B is the university route — you apply directly to a university, which typically covers tuition and accommodation but may not include the stipend. Type C covers other channels and specific agreements. You may submit up to three applications per year: a maximum of two Type A and one Type B.

Do I need to speak Chinese or take IELTS/TOEFL for the CSC scholarship?

Usually not. Many CSC programs, especially at the graduate level, are taught entirely in English, and most universities don't require IELTS or TOEFL if your previous degree was taught in English — an English proficiency certificate from your former university is typically enough. If your program is taught in Chinese, universities routinely include a free year of Chinese-language study before your degree begins.

Who is eligible for the CSC scholarship, and what are the age limits?

You must be a non-Chinese citizen in good health, meet the academic level for your target degree, and ideally have strong grades and a clear study plan. Age limits apply by level: under 25 for undergraduate applicants, under 35 for master's applicants, and under 40 for doctoral applicants.

Do I need an acceptance letter from a professor to apply?

No — a pre-admission or acceptance letter from a supervisor is optional, not mandatory. A large share of winners are admitted without one, on the strength of their study plan or research proposal and, sometimes, an interview. That said, a supervisor who wants to work with you is a real advantage, especially for master's and PhD applicants.

When can I apply for the CSC scholarship, and how?

The application cycle generally opens around December and runs through winter and spring, with exact deadlines set by each university and embassy (many fall between December and April). You apply online through the official CSC "Study in China" portal (studyinchina.csc.edu.cn) using your chosen university's agency number, and most universities require their own separate admission application as well. Always confirm the current year's deadlines directly with each program.

Chinese Government Scholarship: A 2026 Guide to Fully Funded Study in China

The Chinese Government Scholarship is administered through the China Scholarship Council (CSC). Some awards provide a full package, while others provide partial support. The current program notice, host-university notice, and application portal record—not a general guide—determine what an individual award covers.

What “fully funded” can mean

A full Chinese Government Scholarship commonly includes:

tuition waiver
university accommodation or an accommodation subsidy, depending on the award
comprehensive medical insurance under the scholarship rules
a living stipend at the rate stated in the current award notice

Not every CSC-linked route includes every benefit. Some university, provincial, bilateral, or partial awards may cover only tuition or only part of the total cost. Flights, visa fees, document authentication, deposits, books, and personal travel may remain the student’s responsibility unless the notice explicitly includes them.

Main application routes

Type A: dispatching authority route

Applicants normally apply through a designated authority such as an education ministry, government agency, or Chinese embassy. Country eligibility, agency numbers, deadlines, and nomination procedures vary.

Type B: Chinese university route

Applicants apply to a participating Chinese university using that university’s instructions and agency number. The university decides which programs and scholarship categories are open.

Other program categories

CSC and partner bodies may publish additional categories for specific institutions, regions, research programs, or exchange arrangements. Follow the category named in the current notice rather than assuming all applications use the same process.

Eligibility

Eligibility depends on the scholarship category and host institution. Current notices may set conditions for nationality, health, education, age, academic record, language proficiency, and program level.

For Chinese-taught programs, the institution may require an HSK score. English-taught programs may require English-language evidence. A preparatory Chinese-language year is included only where the scholarship and university notice say so.

Application process

Choose the degree and university first. Confirm that the program is open to international students and eligible under the scholarship route.
Read the current notice. Record the deadline, agency number, program category, language requirement, coverage, and submission channel.
Prepare documents early. Common requirements include academic records, degree certificates, a study or research plan, recommendations, language evidence, passport pages, and a physical examination form. Authentication and translation rules vary.
Complete the official online application. Use the category and agency number provided by the authority or university.
Follow the second submission step if required. Some universities or authorities require their own portal or paper documents in addition to the CSC system.
Track both academic admission and scholarship review. A scholarship application does not automatically replace the university admission process.

Do not assume a fixed global application limit or one universal deadline. Portal rules and agency procedures can change by cycle.

How to evaluate an offer

Before accepting, confirm in writing:

exact tuition coverage
accommodation type or subsidy
monthly stipend and payment start date
insurance coverage
scholarship duration
annual review and renewal conditions
language-preparation arrangements
expenses you must pay yourself
what happens if you change programs or suspend study

Avoid scholarship scams

Use official government, embassy, and university domains.
Never trust anyone who guarantees selection.
Verify the agency number independently.
Do not send passport or medical documents through unverified messaging accounts.
Be cautious with “processing fees” that do not appear in the official notice.
Keep copies of every submitted document and confirmation.

Official verification

Campus China / CSC application portal
Chinese Tests Service
The Chinese embassy or designated dispatching authority for your country
The international admissions office of the host university

The portal can be slow or change page locations. Start from the official domain and navigate to the current scholarship and application instructions.

Asia Pathway China programs

Asia Pathway’s current China summer programs are short-term, self-funded experiences and are not presented as CSC-funded degree scholarships:

They can be useful for students who want to experience Mandarin study and life in China before considering a longer degree. For scholarship-route guidance or current program availability, contact Asia Pathway.

Chinese Government Scholarship: The Complete Guide to Fully Funded Study in China in 2026