Scholarships in China: Complete Guide for International Students

Discover full and partial scholarships for studying in China, including eligibility and application tips.

RR
Dr. Rupesh Regmi
PhD, Tsinghua University
Updated February 2026
Flash-Pass TL;DR
  • Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) offers full funding including tuition, accommodation, and monthly stipend.
  • Provincial and university scholarships provide partial to full funding with varying requirements.
  • Strong CSCA scores significantly improve scholarship chances—aim for 75th percentile or higher.

What Scholarships Are Available for International Students?

China offers numerous scholarships for international students at various levels:

Major Scholarship Types
ScholarshipCoverageCompetition
CSC (Type A)Full (tuition + housing + stipend)Very High
CSC (Type B)Partial (tuition only)High
ProvincialPartial to FullModerate
UniversityPartial to FullVaries
Confucius InstituteLanguage programsModerate

Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)

What does the CSC scholarship cover?

The Chinese Government Scholarship is the most prestigious and comprehensive:

Full
Tuition Coverage
Free
Accommodation
¥3,000
Monthly Stipend

CSC Type A (Full Scholarship) includes:

Eligibility: Strong academic record, competitive CSCA score (720+ recommended), under 25 for undergraduate programs.

How to Apply for Chinese Government Scholarship

The CSC scholarship application process:

  1. Choose universities: Select 3 universities that accept CSC scholarships
  2. Apply online: Complete application at studyinchina.csc.edu.cn
  3. Submit documents: Academic transcripts, recommendation letters, study plan, CSCA scores
  4. University review: Universities evaluate applications
  5. CSC final decision: CSC makes final scholarship awards

Timeline: Applications typically open in January and close in April for September start.

Provincial and University Scholarships

Beyond CSC, many other scholarships are available:

Other Scholarship Options
ScholarshipProviderTypical Coverage
Beijing GovernmentBeijing MunicipalityPartial to Full
Shanghai GovernmentShanghai MunicipalityPartial to Full
Jiangsu JasmineJiangsu ProvincePartial to Full
University-specificIndividual universitiesVaries widely

These scholarships often have less competition than CSC and can be excellent alternatives.

How CSCA Scores Affect Scholarship Chances

Your CSCA score is a major factor in scholarship decisions:

CSCA Score and Scholarship Likelihood
CSCA ScorePercentileCSC Scholarship Chance
750+95th+Very High
720-74990th-94thHigh
700-71985th-89thGood
680-69980th-84thModerate
Below 680Below 80thLow for CSC
🔬Scientist's Note

While CSCA scores are important, scholarship committees also consider your overall application: high school grades, recommendation letters, personal statement, and extracurricular activities.

Tips for Winning Scholarships

Maximize your scholarship chances:

🎯
Check Your Knowledge
What is the approximate monthly stipend for CSC Type A undergraduate scholarship recipients?
¥1,500
¥3,000
¥5,000
¥8,000

Frequently Asked Questions

Some CSC scholarships don't require CSCA, but having a strong score significantly improves your chances. Check specific scholarship requirements.
Most scholarship applications open in January-March for September start. Apply as early as possible within the application window.
CSC scholarship recipients can work part-time on campus with university approval. Off-campus work requires special permission.
Most scholarships require maintaining satisfactory academic progress. Falling below requirements may result in scholarship suspension.

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