Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
Full scholarship funded by the Chinese government, covering tuition, accommodation, living allowance and insurance
Key facts
Under the full Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC), undergraduates receive ¥2,500 per month, master’s students ¥3,000 and doctoral students ¥3,500. A full award also covers tuition, on-campus accommodation or an accommodation subsidy, and comprehensive medical insurance. Partial awards may cover only some items; Type A, B and C identify the application channel, not the funding level.
| Degree level | Monthly stipend | Annual stipend |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor | ¥2,500/month | ¥30,000/year |
| Master | ¥3,000/month | ¥36,000/year |
| Doctoral | ¥3,500/month | ¥42,000/year |
Scholarship Funding
What a four-year bachelor's place is worth
¥2,500 × 12 months × 4 years = ¥120,000 in living allowance. Add the tuition waiver (typically ¥20,000–30,000 per year) and the free on-campus accommodation, and the total value of a four-year undergraduate scholarship comfortably exceeds ¥200,000.
First, prepare for the CSCA exam
For 2026/27 Chinese Government Scholarship undergraduate applications, take the CSCA before applying and submit the score report. Mathematics and Professional Chinese are required; the university and major determine whether Physics and/or Chemistry are also required.
Applying from your country
Browse country guidesEligibility Requirements
| Degree Level | Education Requirement | Age Limit | Language / entrance test |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor | High school diploma | <25 | CSCA |
| Master | Bachelor's degree | <35 | Programme-specific language proof |
| Doctoral | Master's degree | <40 | Programme-specific language proof |
The CSCA is the academic entrance test for undergraduate applicants. The language requirement itself depends on whether your programme is taught in Chinese or in English — check it on the programme page of the university you are applying to.
Application timeline
The CSC publishes no single global deadline. Each dispatching authority and each university sets its own, so treat the windows below as typical rather than guaranteed and confirm this year's dates with the authority in your own country.
- December – January
Your dispatching authority — usually the Chinese embassy or your country's education ministry — opens applications and publishes that year's local deadline.
- January – April
Register on the CSC online system, complete the application form and upload your materials, then submit through your dispatching authority or directly to the university. Undergraduate applicants submit their CSCA results at this stage. Some authorities and universities ask for paper copies as well — check what yours requires.
- April – June
Universities review applications and nominate candidates; the CSC makes the final selection.
- July – August
Results are announced and the admission notice and JW201 form are issued.
- September
Registration and the start of the academic year.
Application Channels
Your application plan
Choose the route first. The responsible authority—not the letter A, B or C—determines the deadline, agency number and required documents.
Confirm the route and deadline
For Type A, find the current notice from your country’s dispatching authority, often the Chinese embassy or education ministry. For Type B, use the university’s current scholarship notice. Use Type C only when a special programme notice tells you to.
Check the programme requirements
Confirm the degree, teaching language, CSCA subjects, pre-admission requirement, application fee and whether the university also requires its own portal.
Get the correct agency number
Copy it from the current authority or university notice. A mismatched category and agency number can prevent the receiving body from seeing your application.
Submit and save proof
Complete every required portal before its own deadline. If you withdraw an application to edit it, submit it again, then save the application form or serial number.
CSC does not authorize individuals or intermediary agencies to process scholarship applications. Apply only through the official receiving authority, university and designated system.
CSC universities — a selection
A sample of the universities that accept CSC applications. Tuition shown is the standard rate, which the scholarship waives in full. The complete list is published by the CSC.
Beijing Language and Culture University
Beijing Technology and Business University
East China Normal University
Guizhou University
Harbin Normal University
Kunming Medical University
Ningxia Medical University
Northeast Normal University
Peking University
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Shanghai Maritime University
Shanghai University of Political Science and Law
University of International Business and Economics
Yunnan Minzu University
Zhejiang University of Science and Technology
More universities accepting CSC scholarships
Search official universities and programmesContact Information
- Americas & Oceania
- americas-admission@csc.edu.cnoceania-admission@csc.edu.cn+86-10-66093578
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Frequently asked questions
How much is the CSC undergraduate stipend per month?
Under the full Chinese Government Scholarship, undergraduates receive ¥2,500 per month (about ¥30,000 per year), master’s students ¥3,000 per month and doctoral students ¥3,500 per month. Partial awards can differ.
Does the CSC scholarship cover tuition, accommodation and insurance?
Yes. The full CSC scholarship waives tuition in full, provides free on-campus accommodation (or an accommodation subsidy), pays the monthly living stipend, and includes comprehensive medical insurance worth about 800 RMB per year.
Is 2,500 RMB per month enough to live on in China?
As a general guide: in most Chinese cities outside Beijing and Shanghai, a 2,500 RMB monthly stipend covers everyday living costs — food, local transport and phone — for a student living in the subsidized on-campus housing the scholarship provides. In first-tier cities it is tighter but still workable because accommodation is already covered. Actual costs vary by city and lifestyle.
Does the CSC undergraduate scholarship include airfare to China?
The standard full award normally does not include international airfare or a one-time settlement allowance. A bilateral or local dispatching-authority arrangement may differ, so check the current notice for your route.
Do I need to take an exam to get a CSC bachelor's scholarship?
Yes. For 2026/27 Chinese Government Scholarship undergraduate applications, you must take the CSCA before applying and submit the score report. Mathematics and Professional Chinese are required; Physics and/or Chemistry depend on the university and major. You must also meet the programme’s language requirement.
Scholarship policies, funding amounts, and application requirements may change. Please refer to official university announcements and CSC official website for the latest information.