Scholarships in China for International Students 2025

This page offers a thorough overview of Chinese scholarships available for the 2025–2026 school year. Even if it needs a lot of planning in advance, I believe this is a very worthwhile opportunity. Chinese scholarships typically include a monthly stipend for personal needs in addition to covering your tuition and living costs for the duration of your studies.

Here are some hints to assist you in selecting the scholarship that best suits your needs, along with the actions and paperwork required to apply for them. Cheer up and good luck!

Which kinds of scholarships are offered for studying in China?

The three most sought-after scholarships for study in Chinese universities are as follows:

1. Scholarships from the Chinese Government
2. Chinese provincial governments’ scholarships
3. Scholarships from the Confucius Institute (a government organization that teaches Chinese to foreigners)

In China, these scholarships are available to anyone. Applicants for these scholarships may be nationals of nearly any nation, subject to international agreements on education. The prerequisites for applying to these scholarships are not very strict. These financial endowments are quite large due to the high cost of higher education in the eastern nation.

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Of course, there are a plethora of additional scholarship opportunities available, including those offered by private organizations, Chinese universities, inter-university programs, and other educational establishments in your nation. But I’ll limit my attention to the most well-known and accessible scholarships in China in this post.

What kind of Chinese scholarship would be best for me?

This is a challenging question. What will you study is the first question you need to ask yourself. You essentially have two choices: pursue a degree (a Bachelor’s, Master of Science, or PhD) or study Chinese language, which will grant you a university diploma for higher studies. Next, you need to consider the city in which you choose to study, as this will also have an impact on the scholarship you receive.
To give you an idea, the organizations that award the scholarships have contracts with numerous colleges across the country (in China, everything is owned by or associated with the government). After all, the government includes both the university system and the parts of the government that offer scholarships, such the Confucius Institute.

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These agreements determine the number of scholarships each financier gives to each university based on the kind of course. There is intense rivalry because Chinese government scholarships are open to students from all countries.
Because of this, it’s critical that you look into the following topics, university by university, as soon as you decide what you want to study and in which city or university:

1. If they give you the opportunity to study for a master’s degree, a Chinese course, etc.,
2. How many scholarships does each organization provide for the kind of course you want to take?

You can conduct the study online, but keep in mind that not all colleges have made this information available on their websites (particularly in the English edition). Instead, I suggest sending them an email directly. And if you wish to be considered for scholarships to help pay for your studies in China, you must complete this sweep.

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I’ll now provide you with a number of hints on Chinese scholarships, which can help you identify the kind of scholarship that best suits your needs. Some examples of these hints include the Chinese Government Scholarship and the Confucius Institute Scholarship.

Chinese language scholarships available in China

Many foreigners dare to enroll in a Chinese university course. If you are already studying the language in your nation, that is a terrific idea. You’ll notice that your level rises dramatically, as opposed to the small steps forward that you sometimes witness in your city. It is ideal to give studying Chinese a try if you have never done so before to see if you enjoy it and have the aptitude for it. Friends of mine who studied Chinese for a year in China are more knowledgeable than I was after five years in the UK. However, that obviously depends on you.

The Confucius Institute scholarship is the most focused on this aim among the three scholarships listed in the preceding section (it also offers funds for PhD students and researchers, though they are not particularly popular). All three awards admit students enrolled in Chinese language courses. But in order to be eligible for this scholarship, you must have studied Chinese in the past and have taken priority in one of the many global subsidiaries.
It is not required to have studied Chinese before in order to apply for scholarships from the federal and local governments to enroll in a course in the language. But because these scholarships are highly sought after, getting one is also a little more challenging. The Chinese government offers more funds for Chinese language education at more universities than any other scholarship. However, not all province governments offer financial aid for Chinese language studies. You will need to look at each university separately.

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In conclusion, if you have taken Chinese courses in the past, I highly advise you to apply for the Confucius Institute scholarship so that you can study the language in China. In the event that you fulfill all the prerequisites (which are thoroughly explained in the relevant section), you have a good chance of receiving a scholarship to the university of your choice.
You must apply to the Chinese government or the provincial government that is associated with the city where you wish to study if you have never studied Chinese or have not attended the Confucius Institute. My recommendation is to request the first one out of the two because it is a larger offer and will increase your chances of receiving a scholarship at the university of your choice.

China Scholarships for Graduate or Undergraduate Study

Many people choose to pursue undergraduate, graduate, or PhD degrees in China, whether they are offered in Chinese or English. Similar to the last example, you have to look into which institutions offer the required course you wish to take in this instance and then find out if those universities provide scholarships to students who are awarded by the government (federal or local). To get your search started, click this.

Once this is established, get in touch with the university to learn the number of pupils who are accepted for both the provincial and Chinese government scholarships (it can be challenging to locate this particular information online). It is important to note this distinction at this point: there are two methods to apply for the national Chinese government scholarship. One is through approved institutions (mostly the Chinese embassy in your nation or some foreign organizations within your membership region, like the European Union, etc.), and the other is done directly at the university of destination.

Each route has a distinct scholarship quota and the authority to award Chinese government scholarships. Additionally, you will only be competing against students who share your nationality if you apply, say, through the Chinese consulate in your nation. On the other hand, as the target university accepts applications from all five continents, you will face competition from students worldwide if you choose to apply for this scholarship directly there. Choosing this path (if you are already in China, for example) makes it more difficult to acquire the Chinese government scholarship because of this and the reduced scholarship quota provided directly by the university.
The provincial governments’ scholarships, however, are the opposite. The only method to apply for this scholarship is to present the required paperwork to the university of destination. This implies that in order to request them, you must be in China (but you can alternatively ask someone to do it on your behalf or ship the requisite paperwork, though I do not advise doing so).

This criterion obviously significantly lessens competition because few students arrive in China prior to starting their studies. Provincial government scholarships, however, demand that you already possess an official Chinese or HSK diploma (usually 4 for a degree and 5 for a master’s or PhD, depending on each university), unless you wish to study Chinese language.
Those who already possess the required Chinese qualification will find this last prerequisite to be quite advantageous. Such a high degree of Chinese proficiency is rare, and even rarer are those who are in China at the time of application. In other words, based on your circumstances and background, play the card that will most likely get you scholarship. Generally speaking, I advise you to apply for the Chinese government scholarship through your nation’s embassy if you are in your own country and do not speak Chinese.
In addition, this scholarship covers the cost of up to two years of Chinese language instruction, enabling you to pursue undergraduate or graduate studies in the language. You may also choose an English-taught program, but there will be a huge influx of applications for this chance. You obviously have a better chance of getting this money if you apply for the provincial government grant while you are already in China and have HSK4 and up. Don’t forget to find out if the university offers scholarships for the subject you wish to take.

To conclude, a few things to think about:

• Remember that going to a prestigious university with a better rating will also make you the first choice for a larger number of people, increasing the number of applicants you will face.
• Regarding the two government scholarships, you should consider whether you would like to apply for full or partial funding (more details are provided in the relevant sections). Receiving a partial scholarship is far simpler.

I would advise you to apply for as many scholarships as you can if you aren’t clear in any case (as long as you match the minimum standards). While it is not possible for you to receive two scholarships from the same organization (the government, that is, the Confucius Institute), you are free to apply to as many as you like, which will increase your chances of receiving one.

Popular Chinese Scholarships

I’ll now give you a thorough overview of the most well-known scholarships offered in China. Additionally, a step-by-step application process for these scholarships is provided.

1. Scholarships from the Chinese Government (CSC Scholarship)

Undergraduate, graduate, and Chinese language study programs are funded by Chinese government scholarships, which also include research stays across the nation.

The financing categories for Chinese government scholarships are as follows:

• Complete or type A Scholarship: Consists of registration costs, lodging (in a dorm room shared with another student), basic health insurance, and a monthly stipend for personal needs (ranging from 2,500 to 3,500 Yuan, or 350 to 500 USD, respectively).
• Partial or type B scholarships often provide the same coverage as the entire, with the exception of a monthly personal expenditure allowance.
• Scholarship of Type C: A different kind of partial scholarship that contains some of the benefits of the full scholarship indifferently.

2. Scholarships from Chinese Provincial Governments

Given that Beijing, Tianjin, Chongqing, and Shanghai are four Chinese cities that operate as independent provinces, they are among the “municipalities under central jurisdiction” that provide these kinds of scholarships.

These scholarships can be used for Chinese language study as well as undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate degrees. But not every university offers provincial government grants for every kind of course. You ought to thoroughly consider your case.

Registration costs, housing costs in a shared room and bathroom at the university, and health insurance are all paid by Chinese Provincial Government Scholarships. Should a full-coverage scholarship be granted to you, you will also get a substantial monthly payment for personal costs.

3. Scholarship from the Confucius Institute (CIS)

Scholarships from the Confucius Institute are highly sought after by students worldwide. It is a government organization whose mission is to advance global understanding of Chinese language and culture. It provides several study grants to 150 universities each year.

As the most popular, I will only discuss the scholarships available for Chinese language and culture courses in this area, even if it also offers funding for research stays, PhD studies, participation in international conferences, etc.

Scholarships from the Confucius Institute cover basic medical insurance, tuition and living expenses (in a dorm room shared with another student), as well as a monthly stipend for personal expenses.

4. Chinese high school students’ scholarships

Another option is to apply for a scholarship to spend a year studying in a Chinese high school, however they are far less common than the scholarships mentioned above. To the best of our knowledge, there are no open universal scholarships; so, the only avenue for chance will be through bilateral agreements between China and your nation.

5. China Postdoctoral Scholarships

One of the unique features of the Chinese research system is the postdoctoral degree, which entails writing a “postdoctoral” thesis and defending it before a faculty board in order to receive a final postdoctoral scholarship. Since postdoctoral fellowships are typically overseen directly by academic institutions or research centers, there can be wide variations in the requirements, processes, and conditions. I go into general depth about these things below.

Features of Chinese Postdoctoral Scholarships

• The quantity of the scholarships will vary depending on the province and the university offering them. In addition to your base pay, you will typically receive financial aid for housing rent, the opportunity to live in a very affordable apartment on campus with a private kitchen and bathroom, basic health insurance that typically pays for 75% of all medical costs in public hospitals, and a deposit for a house purchase (obtained upon graduation). The pay is about 4,000 Yuan per month (housing help included).
• A specific amount of postdoctoral scholarships are given out by each university, particularly in fields like science and technology.
• Scholarship duration: Postdoctoral fellowships typically last two years, though they may be extended by an additional year or two.

Note: Postdoctoral fellowships do not exclude the recipient from applying for other national and international awards. In fact, many universities provide retention programs that augment the postdoctoral basic pay.

China’s Minimum Standards for Postdoctoral Scholarships

While a doctorate degree is typically the sole need, each university has its own unique prerequisites.

Documents Needed for Chinese Postdoctoral Scholarships

• Completed application form: You must get the necessary paperwork from the university.
  Acceptance letter from the lead researcher.
• Form FX, also known as the Foreigner Physical Examination Form, must be filled out and signed by a licensed physician (who need not be a resident of your nation) and bear the official hospital stamp of the clinic where the examination is conducted. Verify that the photo you need to attach has this stamp on it.
  a doctorate. Should this document be written in a language other than English or Chinese, you might have to provide a certified translation into one of the two languages.
  scholarly work authored in either Chinese or English.
• Two recommendation letters from associate or tenured professors, written in either Chinese or English.
• Curriculum Vitae: Acknowledgments and conference attendance should be clearly indicated.

How to Apply for Chinese Postdoctoral Scholarships

• Application location: The institution or research center must receive the paperwork directly.
• Application date: You can typically apply to most institutions at any time of the year.
• Application process: Vary greatly according on university.

It is crucial to ask for assistance from the destination research group because it is probable that when applying for postdoctoral programs, much of the information is not very clear (typically only in Chinese) and that you may even be required to provide documentation written partially in Chinese.

In order to assist you in selecting the finest scholarship for you, I hope this post will inform you of the most well-liked study abroad programs in China. Although it can appear extremely difficult, thousands of students annually from all around the world receive these grants.
I strongly advise you to begin the application procedure if you think you would like to study in the massive Asian country and you fulfill the prerequisites. Wishing you luck!