Scholarships in China for International Students 2024: An extensive list of scholarships available in China for the 2024–2025 school year is provided in this article. While it does necessitate careful planning in advance, I believe this is a valuable opportunity. A monthly sum for personal expenses is typically provided by Chinese scholarships in addition to covering your tuition and living costs for the duration of your studies.
Along with the procedures and materials required to apply for scholarships, you will find some guidance here to help you select the one that’s best for you. Stay positive and good luck!
What type of scholarships are available to study in China?
The three most sought-after scholarships for study at Chinese universities are as follows:
1. Scholarships from the Chinese Government
2. Scholarships from the Provincial Governments of China
3. Scholarships from the Confucius Institute (a government organization that instructs foreigners in Chinese language)
In China, these scholarships are available to all. Applicants for these scholarships may be nationals of nearly any nation, subject to international agreements on education. The requirements 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.
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?
This question is tricky. The first thing you have to ask yourself is what are you going to study? You basically have two options: study Chinese language (with which you obtain a university diploma of advanced studies), or do a degree (Bachelor’s Degree, Master of Science or PhD). Then, you have to think about which city you want to study, since that will also influence the choice of your scholarship.
To give you an idea, the entities that grant the scholarships have agreements with many universities nationwide (in China everything belongs or is connected in some way to the government). After all, both the sections of the governments which provide scholarships, such as the Confucius Institute and the various universities, are part of the government body.
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Several scholarships quotas are derived from these agreements that each financier grants to each university by the type of course. Students from all countries are eligible to apply for Chinese government scholarship, which translates into a very high competition.
That is why it is very important that, once you are clear about what are you going to study and in what city or university you would like to study, you have to investigate the following points university by university:
1. If they offer scholarships to study what you want (master’s degree, Chinese course, etc.)
2. How many scholarships each entity grants to the type of course you choose?
The research can be done online, but not all universities have published this information on their web pages (especially in the English version), so I recommend you ask them directly by email. And it is absolutely essential that you do this sweep if you want to have some scholarships to finance your study in China.
I will now provide you with a number of hints regarding scholarships in China, which should help you determine which kind of Chinese scholarship is best for you. Examples of these hints include the Chinese Government Scholarship and the Confucius Institute Scholarship.
Scholarships to Learn Chinese Language 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 great idea. You’ll notice that your level rises exponentially, as opposed to the small steps forward that you sometimes see 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 purpose among the three scholarships listed in the previous section (it also offers grants for doctoral students and researchers, though they are not very popular). All three scholarships accept 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 grants for Chinese language education at more universities than any other scholarship. However, not all provincial governments offer financial aid for Chinese language study. You will need to look into each university separately.
In summary, if you have already studied Chinese, I strongly recommend that you apply for the Confucius Institute scholarship to study Chinese in China. If you meet all the requirements (I explain them in detail in the corresponding section), it is very likely that they will award scholarship to you for the university you choose.
If you have never studied Chinese or have not been a student of the Confucius Institute, you must request either the Chinese government or the provincial government that corresponds to the city in which you want to study. Between the two, my advice is that you request the first, since the offer is wider and therefore you will have more chances of obtaining scholarship at the place of your choice.
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 admit 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 the 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).
Obviously, this requirement greatly reduces competition, as there are not many candidates who are already in China before beginning their studies. However, unless you want to study Chinese language, provincial government scholarships require that you already hold an official Chinese or HSK diploma (normally 4 for a degree and 5 for a master’s or doctorate, depending on each university).
This last requirement is very favorable for those who already have the necessary Chinese qualification. There are not so many people who have such a level of Chinese, and even fewer who are already in China during the application period. In short, play the card that most likely gives you scholarship, depending on your situation and your background. In general terms, if you are in your country of origin and do not speak Chinese, I recommend that you apply for the Chinese government scholarship from the embassy of your country.
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 applicants 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 course you wish to take.
To conclude, a few things to think about:
– If you are applying in 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 partial scholarship.
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 meet the minimum requirements). 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 Scholarships in China
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. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC Scholarship)
Study abroad and research stays across the nation are funded by Chinese government scholarships for undergraduates, graduates, and students studying Chinese language.
The Chinese government scholarships fall into two categories based on funding types:
– 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 type 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.
3. Confucius Institute Scholarship (CIS)
The Confucius Institute scholarship 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.
Although it also offer scholarships for specific doctoral studies, research stays, participation in international conferences, etc., in this section, I will exclusively focus on the scholarships offered for Chinese language and culture courses, since they are the most demanded.
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.
It should be noted that receiving a postdoctoral fellowship does not preclude one from applying for other national and international scholarships. In fact, many universities offer retention programs that augment the postdoctoral base salary.
Minimum Requirements of Postdoctoral Scholarships in China
Every university has its own unique requirements, even though the only prerequisite is typically a doctorate degree.
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.
How to Apply for Scholarships in China for Postgraduate Studies
– Place of application: The documentation must be sent directly to the university or research center.
– Date of application: Many universities usually allow you to apply at any time of the year.
– Application procedure: Varies a lot depending on the university.
Note: It’s possible that when applying for postdoctoral programs, a lot of the information is vague (usually only available in Chinese) and you may even be required to submit documents that are only partially written in Chinese. For this reason, it’s crucial to seek assistance from the destination research group.
In addition to providing you with some guidance when selecting the best scholarship for you, my goal with this post is to inform you about the most well-liked study abroad programs in China. Thousands of students from all over the world receive these grants each year, despite the fact that it may seem extremely complicated.
In the event that you fulfill the prerequisites and are considering studying in the massive Asian nation, I strongly advise you to begin the application process. I wish you luck!