Scholarships in china for international students 2024

This article offers an overview of scholarships in China available for international students for the academic year 2024-2025.

Despite the need for careful consideration, I believe it presents a valuable opportunity. Typically, Chinese scholarships encompass not just tuition and accommodation fees throughout your study duration but also provide a monthly stipend for personal expenses. Within this guide, you’ll discover helpful insights to aid your decision on the most suitable scholarship for you, along with the necessary steps and documents for the application process.

What type of Scholarships in China are available for international students?

There are three most popular scholarships in China for international students to study :

1. Chinese Government Scholarships
2. Scholarships from the Provincial Governments of China
3. Confucius Institute Scholarships (governmental entity for the teaching of the Chinese language to foreigners)

These scholarships in China are universal. Citizens of almost all countries can apply for these scholarships, depending on educational agreements between countries. These scholarships do not have many application requirements. Because of the expensive university education in the eastern country, these economic endowments are quite generous.

Of course there are  many other scholarships, such as inter-university scholarships, those granted by private organizations, scholarships awarded by Chinese universities, or others that may be granted by educational institutions in your country. However, in this article I will focus only on the most popular and universal scholarships in china.

Which type of Chinese Scholarship is suitable for me?

Navigating this question requires some careful consideration. Initially, you must determine your intended field of study. Essentially, you have two primary options: focusing on learning the Chinese language (leading to the attainment of an advanced studies university diploma) or pursuing a formal degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD). Additionally, your choice of city for studying is a crucial factor that will impact your scholarship options.

For context, the entities offering scholarships typically have agreements with numerous universities nationwide (given that in China, everything is affiliated with or linked in some manner to the government). It’s important to note that the sections of the government responsible for awarding scholarships, including the Confucius Institute and various universities, are integral parts of the government structure.

These agreements result in various scholarship allocations, with each funding entity assigning quotas to specific universities based on the type of courses offered. The Chinese government scholarship is open to students from all countries, creating intense competition.

Given the competitive nature, it becomes crucial, once you’ve clarified your chosen field of study and preferred city or university, to thoroughly investigate the following aspects for each university:

1. Confirm whether they offer scholarships for your chosen program (e.g., master’s degree, Chinese language course, etc.).

2. Determine the number of scholarships each entity allocates to the specific course you’re interested in.

While online research is possible, not all universities may have this information readily available on their websites, especially in the English version. Therefore, it is advisable to reach out directly via email for accurate details. Conducting this thorough inquiry is absolutely essential if you aim to secure scholarships for financing your studies in China.

I will now provide you with a set of hints regarding scholarships in China, aiming to offer guidance and assist you in determining the most suitable Chinese scholarship for your needs, such as the Chinese Government Scholarship or the Confucius Institute Scholarship.

Scholarships to Learn Chinese Language in China

Numerous individuals, including many foreigners, opt to undertake a Chinese language course at a university in China. This is particularly beneficial if you are already studying the language in your home country. The progress in your proficiency tends to be exponential, a marked difference from the incremental advances sometimes observed in local settings. For those new to the Chinese language, it presents an ideal opportunity to explore and assess your interest and aptitude. I have acquaintances who, after spending a year studying Chinese in China, acquired a level of proficiency surpassing what I achieved in five years of studying in the UK. However, the outcome undoubtedly depends on individual effort.

The three scholarships mentioned in the previous section accommodate students pursuing Chinese language courses, with the Confucius Institute scholarship being especially geared towards this purpose. Although this scholarship also extends to doctoral students and researchers, those categories are not as prevalent. Notably, the Confucius Institute scholarship necessitates prior study of Chinese, preferably in one of its numerous global branches.

Applying to a university in China

Contrastingly, applying for scholarships from national and provincial governments to pursue a Chinese course does not mandate prior language study. Nevertheless, these scholarships are in high demand, making them relatively more challenging to secure. Between the two, Chinese government scholarships offer a greater number of grants for Chinese language courses across a broader spectrum of universities. It’s worth noting that not all provincial governments provide scholarships for studying Chinese, necessitating thorough investigation on a university-by-university basis.

In conclusion, for those who have a background in Chinese studies, I highly recommend applying for the Confucius Institute scholarship to pursue further studies in the language within China. Meeting all the specified requirements (elaborated in detail in the relevant section) significantly increases the likelihood of being awarded a scholarship for the university of your choice.

On the other hand, if you are new to Chinese studies or haven’t been affiliated with the Confucius Institute, your application should be directed towards either the Chinese government or the relevant provincial government based on your desired study city. Between the two options, my suggestion is to opt for the former, as it offers a broader range of opportunities, thereby enhancing your chances of securing a scholarship at your preferred location.

Scholarships for Undergraduate or Postgraduate Studies in China

Many people decide to go to China to study undergraduate, master or doctorate, whether in Chinese or English. In this case, as in the previous one, you must first investigate which universities offer your required course that you want to do and, secondly, review if such universities offer scholarships to students granted by the government (national or provincial). Click here to start your search.

Once this is clear, contact the university to find out how many students are admitted

 both to the Chinese government scholarship and to the provincial government scholarship (this specific information is difficult to find on the internet). At this point it is worth making a differentiation: there are two ways to apply for the Chinese government scholarship(national). One is through authorized agencies (basically the Chinese embassy in your country or some international organizations in your area of ​​membership, such as the European Union, etc.), and the other is directly at the destination university.

Both routes have the power to grant the scholarship of the Chinese government, and both have a different scholarship quota. Also, if you apply, for example, through the Chinese embassy in your country, you will only compete with other students of your same nationality. But if, on the contrary, you decide to apply for this scholarship directly at the destination university, you will compete with students from all over the world as they accept applications from all five continents. Because of this and because the scholarship quota awarded directly by the university is lower, it is more complicated to obtain a Chinese government scholarship if you choose this route (if you are already in China, for example).

On the other hand are the scholarships of the provincial governments. The way of application for this scholarship is exclusively delivering the documentation at the destination university. This means that it is necessary to be in China to request them (you can also ask someone to do it for you or send the documentation by mail, but this last option I do not recommend).

Certainly, This rule about being in China before starting your studies reduces the number of people applying, as not many candidates are already in China. However, if you want to apply for a provincial government scholarship and are not studying the Chinese language, you need to have an official Chinese or HSK diploma (usually level 4 for a degree and level 5 for a master’s or doctorate, depending on the university).

This requirement is good for those who already have the necessary Chinese qualification. There aren’t many people with that level of Chinese, and even fewer are in China during the application period. In short, choose the option that is most likely to get you a scholarship based on your situation and background. Generally, if you are in your home country and don’t speak Chinese, I recommend applying for the Chinese government scholarship through your country’s embassy.

This scholarship also includes financing for a Chinese language course of up to two years that allows you to follow the undergraduate or postgraduate courses in Chinese. You can also select a program taught in English, but the applicants will multiply exponentially for this opportunity. If you are already in China and have HSK4 and up, applying for the provincial government grant then you clearly have greater chances for obtaining this funding. Remember to check if the university accepts scholarship students for the course you want to study.

A couple of considerations to finish:

• If you are applying to a prestigious university with higher ranking, then remember, it will also be the first option of a greater number of people, so you will compete with many more candidates.
• In the case of the two government scholarships, you should evaluate if you want to apply for full or partial financing (more information in the corresponding sections). It is much easier to get a partial scholarship.

If you are not clear anyway, my recommendation is that you apply for as many scholarships as possible (as long as you meet the minimum requirements). Although you cannot be a beneficiary of two scholarships during the same year (I speak of the government, including the Confucius Institute), yes you can apply to as many as you want, thus increasing your chances of being granted a scholarship.

Popular Scholarships in China

Now I will present a complete guide about the popular scholarships in China. Step by step procedure to apply for these scholarships is also presented.

1. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC Scholarship)

Chinese government scholarship finance undergraduate, postgraduate, and Chinese language study programs, as well as research stays throughout the country.

Regarding the type of funding, the Chinese government scholarships are divided into:

• Total or type A Scholarship: Includes 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 and 500 USD respectively).
• Partial or type B Scholarship: It usually covers the same as the total, except for the monthly allowance for personal expenses.
• Type C Scholarship: Another type of partial scholarship that indifferently includes some of the benefits of the total scholarship.

2. Chinese Provincial Government Scholarships

These types of scholarships are granted by the provincial governments, including the governments of the four Chinese cities called “municipalities under central jurisdiction” (Beijing, Tianjin, Chongqing and Shanghai), since they function as provinces in themselves.

These scholarships are applicable to undergraduate, masters and doctoral studies, as well as to take Chinese language courses. However, not all universities have scholarships from their provincial government for all types of courses. You should review your case carefully.

Chinese Provincial Government Scholarships cover registration fees, accommodation in a university residence (sharing a room and bathroom with another person) and health insurance will be covered. If you are awarded a scholarship with full coverage, you will also receive a handsome amount of money per month for personal expenses.

Check also: Fully Funded Master Scholarship:Hatfield Lioness Scholarship at University of Durham

3. Confucius Institute Scholarship (CIS)

The Confucius Institute scholarships are very popular among students from all over the world. It is a government entity whose purpose is to promote knowledge of the Chinese language and culture throughout the globe. It annually offers numerous study grants in a total of 150 universities.

In this section, I will focus solely on the highly sought-after scholarships for Chinese language and culture courses

Confucius Institute scholarships include tuition and lodging fees (in a university residence, in a room shared with another person), basic medical insurance and a monthly allowance for personal expenses.

4. Scholarships for high school students in China

Although they are much less popular than the aforementioned scholarships, there is also the possibility of obtaining a scholarship to study a year of study in a Chinese high school. As far as we know, no general scholarships are available and therefore the only opportunity will be through bilateral agreements between China and your country.

5. Postdoctoral Scholarships in China

One of the specific characteristics of the Chinese research system is that there is a postdoctoral degree, this means that if you get a final postdoctoral scholarship you must write a “postdoctoral” thesis and defend it in front of a board of faculty. Postdoctoral grants are usually managed directly by universities or research centers, so the requirements, procedures and conditions can vary greatly. Below I detail these points in a general way.

Characteristics of Postdoctoral Scholarships in China

• Amount of the scholarships: It will depend on the province and the university in which they are offered. In most cases, apart from the base salary, you will receive financial assistance for house rent, the option to opt an apartment at the university at a very reduced price (with private bathroom and kitchen), basic medical insurance (usually covers 75% of all medical expenses in public hospitals), deposit for the purchase of a house (obtained upon graduation). The monthly salary is around 4,000 Yuan (including housing assistance).
• Number of scholarships awarded: Each university has a certain number of postdoctoral scholarships especially in areas related to science and technology.
• Duration of the scholarships: The postdoctoral scholarships usually have a duration of two years that can be extended a half or a year more.

Note: Having a postdoctoral fellowship is not incompatible with other national and international scholarships, in fact many universities have programs to retain talent that supplement the postdoctoral base salary.

Minimum Requirements of Postdoctoral Scholarships in China

Although the only requirement is usually to have a doctorate degree, each university has its own specific requirements.

Documents Required for Postdoctoral Scholarships in China

• Application form duly completed: The University must provide you documents.
• Letter of acceptance from the principal investigator.
• Official medical form or Foreigner Physical Examination Form: This form must be completed and signed by an accredited doctor (may be from your country), and carry an official stamp of the hospital where you perform the checkup. Make sure that this stamp is stamped on the photo that you must attach.
• Doctorate degree. If this document is not written in English or Chinese, you may need to submit a sworn translation to either of the two languages.
• Research project written in English or in Chinese.
• Two letters of recommendation written in English or in Chinese by a tenured or associate professor.
• Curriculum Vitae: Publications and participation in conferences must be well specified.