The CSC Scholarship is an excellent opportunity for international students who wish to study in China. This fully funded scholarship, offered by the Chinese government, is available for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD programmes at more than 280 Chinese universities. The CSC Scholarship 2027 covers accommodation, basic health insurance, and a monthly allowance of up to 3,500 Yuan. In this article, we provide a complete guide to the CSC Scholarship, including scholarship benefits, eligibility requirements, required documents, application deadlines, and a detailed step-by-step application process.
This scholarship intends to promote education, culture, trade, exchanges in education and politics, cooperation, and mutual understanding between other countries and China. International students from all countries of the world are eligible to apply.
The Chinese Government Scholarship requires online application submission on the CSC portal. After that, the candidate should apply to the selected university and send the required documents to the university along with the CSC Scholarship application form.
CSC Scholarship Highlights
| Degree Programmes | Undergraduate / Master’s / PhD |
| Scholarship Providers | Chinese Universities |
| Study Destination | China |
| Fields of Study | All degree programmes are available |
| Programme Duration | Undergraduate: 4 years; Master’s: 2 years; PhD: 4 years |
| Funding | Fully Funded |
CSC Scholarship Benefits
The CSC Scholarship provides the recipient with the following benefits:
- Type A CSC Scholarship covers registration fees, accommodation (in a university residence in a shared room with another person), basic medical insurance, and a monthly allowance for personal expenses (between 2,500 and 3,500 Yuan per month, approximately 350 to 500 USD, respectively).
- Type B CSC Scholarship covers the same as the Type A scholarship, except for the monthly allowance for personal expenses.
- Type C CSC Scholarship is another type of partial scholarship with fewer benefits.
The Type A CSC Scholarship is more attractive; therefore, it is more competitive due to high demand. If you can afford living expenses, you should apply for a Type B or Type C CSC Scholarship because it will be easier to obtain.
Eligibility Requirements for the CSC Scholarship 2027
The following are the minimum eligibility requirements for the CSC Scholarship:
- International Student (not a Chinese citizen)
- Must not have another scholarship issued by the Chinese government or any of its delegations
Minimum Age Requirement:
- Undergraduate students must not be more than 25 years old
- For a master’s degree, the age limit is 35 years
- For a PhD degree, the age limit is 40 years
Minimum Qualification:
- Higher Secondary School Certificate or equivalent for undergraduate students
- Bachelor’s degree for the master’s degree
- Master’s degree for the doctoral degree
Step-by-Step Application Process for the CSC Scholarship 2027
The following simple and easy application process will help you to apply for the CSC Scholarship:
Step 1: The application for the CSC Scholarship must first be completed online (in English or Chinese). You can apply to three universities using your CSC portal account.
Step 2: At the beginning of the online application form, you will be asked to choose the type of scholarship according to its funding (A, B, or C) and the number of the authorised agency or university (a code you can find online or that will be provided by the selected university).
Step 3: Once you have completed all the information in the online application for the Chinese Government Scholarship, you must attach the required documents in PDF format (list given above).
Step 4: After submitting your online Chinese Government Scholarship application, download the application form.
Step 5: Select the Chinese university and course here.
Step 6: Check whether the Chinese university of your choice requires an online application for admission, along with the Chinese Government Scholarship application.
Step 7: If that university requires an online application, then submit that application on the university’s website and attach your Chinese Government Scholarship application.
Step 8: Prepare two sets of documents (listed above) and dispatch them to the university’s address.
Step 9: The results will be published on the same page of the application portal around mid-July. From that point, the authorities begin to send the necessary documentation to process the study visa by post to the candidate’s country of origin.
Required Documents for the CSC Scholarship 2027
- Completed application form: You will find it after registering on the official page of the Chinese Government Scholarships.
- Notary-attested highest degree and transcript.
- Official medical form or Foreigner Physical Examination Form. You must attach a copy of this form filled out by a doctor. Make sure the form is signed by the doctor and has the official seal of the hospital or medical centre where it was completed. At least one stamp must be placed on top of the attached card photograph. Forms older than six months from the date of application are not accepted.
- CV written in English or Chinese: You can attach a document that contains information about your speciality and your academic interests, or fill it out directly in the corresponding section of the application form (the space is quite short, so I recommend attaching this information as a separate document).
- Two letters of recommendation written in English or Chinese from your last university professors.
- TOEFL or IELTS diploma if you are going to study in English and you are not a native of an English-speaking country. The minimum scores for both diplomas are specified by each university for each type of course. If you don’t have an IELTS certificate, you can also provide a simple certificate stating that your last degree was taught in the English language. It is called an English Proficiency Certificate.
- Study Plan / Research Proposal.
- Passport copy.
- Although it is NOT an essential requirement to apply for this scholarship, if you have an HSK diploma (Chinese language proficiency), you must attach it. The Chinese government plans to finance up to two years of Chinese-language university studies so that you reach the level required by the programme you have chosen. However, if you already have a degree, your training will incur lower costs, which increases your chances of obtaining the scholarship. This logic does not apply to courses taught in English, since enrolment rates in these courses are twice as high as those taught in Chinese.
- Another important but not essential requirement is an acceptance letter issued by a professor at a Chinese university where you want to take admission. Some universities prefer applicants who have an acceptance letter, while others do not require it. If you have one, it is a good sign for your application. If you are applying to a university with limited seat quotas, try to obtain an acceptance letter, as it will give you preference. If you are applying to a highly ranked university, you should strive for an acceptance letter. Start emailing professors in October. Search for professor profiles related to your field at your desired university and send them personalised emails. Please don’t copy emails from others; make them your own.
Tip: How to find the faculty of your desired university? Just go to google.com and type the university name, for example, “Zhejiang University Faculty of Biochemistry or Life Sciences”. You will see the faculty list. Email the professor. If they don’t reply, don’t bombard them with emails, as they might be busy or not currently accepting new students.
- Another important but not essential requirement is a pre-admission letter from the destination university. This letter is issued by the university if they are willing to accept you as a student. However, it is not easy to obtain unless you have previously studied at that university and are known for your merits. Having this letter increases your chances of being awarded a scholarship for that particular university. If you do not have it, you may be sent to another university of your preference (you can select three universities in order of preference during the application process) or, in the worst case, to any university they choose.
- Other documents: If you have research publications or any other distinctions, you must attach them.
- If any particular Chinese university requires an application screening or application processing fee, then submit it. Print the receipt and attach it to the two sets of documents listed above.
Note: It is advised to choose a reliable courier service to send your CSC scholarship application documents directly to the address of the Chinese university so that they arrive on time.
CSC Scholarship Application Deadline
The application deadline for the CSC Scholarship 2027 is generally from 15 December 2025 to 30 April 2026. However, some authorised agencies or universities may have different deadlines.
For further information about the CSC Scholarship and the application process, please visit the official website: