Philip Morgan1 November 2025
142
Chinese Government High Level Postgraduate Fully Funded CSC Scholarships 2026-2027 cohorts are now being announced at 280+ Chinese Universities under their bachelors, masters, and PhD programmes in all subject areas for international students.
So, imagine waking up in the heart of Beijing, Shanghai, or Hangzhou—where centuries of history blend with futuristic innovation—and knowing your entire education is 100% fully funded by one of the world’s largest scholarship schemes.
That’s the power of the Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS), also known as the CSC Scholarship, and it’s back again for 2026—bigger and better than ever before.
If you’re an international student dreaming of studying abroad without the burden of tuition fees and living costs, this could be your golden opportunity. With 280+ top Chinese universities authorized by the Ministry of Education to host CSC students, the 2026 intake offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs across every imaginable discipline.
Let’s walk you through this exciting opportunity step by step—no jargon, just everything you need to know in plain, motivating language.
Why Study in China on a Chinese Government Scholarship?
China is home to some of the world’s fastest-growing universities, with many ranked among the top 200 globally. But what makes this opportunity unique isn’t just China’s modern campuses, global connections, or industry partnerships—it’s the scale and generosity of its government-backed scholarships.
Each year, thousands of international students win fully funded CSC Scholarships covering:
- Tuition Fees
- Accommodation (on-campus or housing allowance)
- Monthly Living Stipends
- Health Insurance
No student loans. No tuition burden. No compromise on quality education.
And in 2026, the opportunity is even larger. Over 280+ universities have been greenlit to host international students under the CSC umbrella—up from 279 in previous years. That means more seats, more degree programs, and more fields of study.
Degree Types Available for China CSC Scholarship 2026 Batch
Before diving into the application process, let’s start with what really matters: what programs are available under the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) 2026?
The CSC funds full-time, on-campus degree programs in over 280 Chinese universities, allowing students from all over the world to pursue a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree. Whether you’re fresh out of high school or ready to start your PhD, there’s likely a funded opportunity in China that matches your academic level and career goals. The table below breaks down the key details for each degree level:
| Program Level | Duration | Fields of Study | Language of Instruction | Where to Apply | Who Can Apply? |
| Bachelor’s Degree (BS) | 4–5 years | Engineering, Chinese Language, International Relations, Business, Medicine (select programs) | Mostly Chinese; some universities offer English-taught BS programs | Mainly through your local Chinese Embassy (CSC Type A); some direct university programs offer limited BS seats | High school graduates under 25 years old |
| Master’s Degree (MS) | 2–3 years | Engineering, Computer Science, Public Policy, Law, Finance, Management, Architecture, Environmental Science, Data Science, and more | Chinese or English (many programs available in both) | Embassy (CSC Type A), or directly to university (CSC Type B) | Students under 35 years old with a bachelor’s degree |
| Doctoral Degree (PhD) | 3–4 years | Research-based PhD programs across all disciplines: STEM, Economics, Arts, Development Studies, International Trade, Education, etc. | English or Chinese (most universities offer English-medium PhD tracks) | Direct to university (CSC Type B) or through specialized programs (CSC Type C) | Applicants under 40 years old with a master’s degree and research experience |
Which 280 Chinese Universities Got Authorized for CSC Scholarship 2026 Intake?
The Chinese Ministry of Education (MoE) releases an official list of universities authorized to accept CSC students for 2026-2027. This list includes:
1# Top-tier “Double First-Class” universities like:
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- Tsinghua University
- Peking University
- Fudan University
- Zhejiang University
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University
2# Specialized Institutions like:
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- Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT)
- China Agricultural University
- Beijing Institute of Technology
3# Emerging and regional powerhouses like:
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- Shanghai University
- Wuhan University
- Southwest University
- Central South University.
Wherever you’re from—Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe, or the Middle East—there’s a CSC partner university for your academic and career goals. You can find full list of those 280+ Chinese universities in later section of this article.
What Does the China Government 2026 Scholarship Cover?
This isn’t a partial tuition discount or a housing waiver—it’s a Chinese fully funded scholarship that takes care of almost every major cost. Here’s the financial benefits breakdown of China high level postgraduate CSC scholarship for 2026 intake (based on 2026 notices so far):
| Coverage | What You Get |
| Tuition Fee | 100% free—paid directly to the select Chinese university |
| Accommodation | On-campus dorm or housing allowance (¥700–1,000/month) |
| Monthly Stipend | ¥2,500 (BS), ¥3,000 (MS), ¥3,500 (PhD) |
| Health Insurance | Comprehensive policy worth ¥800/year |
| Travel | Some programs offer one-time airfare (Embassy route) |
Total support value can exceed $20,000/year, depending on city and program.
Eligibility Requirements for China Government Scholarships 2026
Before starting your CSC 2026 application, it’s essential to verify whether you meet the eligibility requirements. The Chinese Government Scholarship is highly competitive and designed to attract outstanding international students at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels.
Below is a complete overview of all academic, age, health, and language requirements you need to fulfill to qualify for this fully funded opportunity.
| Eligibility Area | Requirement | Applicable To | Notes |
| Nationality | Must be a non-Chinese citizen | All applicants | Dual nationals holding Chinese citizenship are not eligible. |
| Health Status | Must be in good physical and mental health | All applicants | Proof required via Foreigner Physical Examination Form. |
| Scholarship Status | Must not be currently receiving another Chinese scholarship | All applicants | Cannot hold multiple Chinese scholarships at the same time. |
| Age Limit | Bachelor’s: Under 25 Master’s: Under 35 PhD: Under 40 | Based on degree level | Age is counted as of September 1, 2026 (start of academic year). |
| Academic Qualification | Bachelor’s: High school diploma Master’s: Bachelor’s degree PhD: Master’s degree | Based on degree level | Documents must be officially certified and translated into Chinese/English if originally in another language. |
| Language Proficiency | Chinese-taught programs: HSK 4+ (undergraduate), HSK 5/6 (graduate) English-taught programs: IELTS/TOEFL or English Proficiency Letter | Program-specific | Language score must be within 2-year validity unless waived by university. |
| Moral Conduct | Must have no criminal record and a clean disciplinary background | All applicants | Police clearance certificate may be required. |
| Study Plan / Research Proposal | Required for Master’s and PhD applicants | Graduate applicants | Should be customized for each university; recommended length: 500–1000 words. |
| Recommendation Letters | Two letters required from academic professors or employers | Master’s and PhD applicants | Must be signed, dated, and on official letterhead. |
| Supervisor Acceptance Letter | Recommended (sometimes required) for PhD | PhD applicants | Increases selection chances significantly, especially under High-Level Postgraduate Program. |
| Portfolio (if applicable) | Required for programs in design, fine arts, music, architecture | Specialized applicants | Submit digital or scanned copy of your artistic/technical work. |
| Medium of Instruction Letter | Can be used in place of IELTS/TOEFL if previous degree was taught in English | Master’s and PhD (English-taught programs) | Must be signed and stamped by university administration. |
| Program Route | CSC Type A: Embassy CSC Type B: University CSC Type C: Partner programs (MOFCOM, Silk Road, AUN, etc.) | All applicants | You can apply via multiple routes but will only receive one final placement if selected. |
| Additional Requirements | Vary by university: GPA cutoff, interview, online portal registration, notarization | Depends on chosen university | Always consult the official admission page of your target university for special instructions. |
Which Documents You Need to Prepare to Apply for CSC Scholarship?
While each Chinese university or embassy may have specific document set requirements for their CSC high level postgrad scholarship application, but the core application package includes:
- CSC Online Application Form
- Passport (valid until at least March 2027)
- Degree Certificates (or expected graduation certificate)
- Academic Transcripts
- Study Plan or Research Proposal (500–1,000 words)
- 2 Original Recommendation Letters
- Language Proficiency Certificate
- Foreigner Physical Examination Form
- Non-criminal Record Certificate
- Supervisor Acceptance Letter (recommended for PhD).
How to Apply for CSC Scholarship (Step-by-Step) at Each Chinese University in 2026?
Now keep in mind applications window at all 280+ Chinese universities are not yet simultaneously open which is why we will keep this page updating with new scholarship openings at the end. But for now, you can get familiar with the overall application process of China government scholarship for the class of 2026-2027.
Step 1: Choose Your Route
- Embassy Route (Type A): Apply via your country’s Chinese embassy or a designated authority.
- University Route (Type B): Apply directly to your desired university.
Step 2: Select Target Universities
Pick 2–3 from the 280+ CSC universities. Research their academic programmes and language of instruction options and get familiar with their CSC scholarship application procedure.
Step 3: Register on CSC Portal
When you select 2-3 Chinese Universities to apply for CSC scholarship then you’d also be required to go to https://studyinchina.csc.edu.cn/ to create an account, select CSC scholarship type B, and input the agency number of selected Chinese university to submit your CSC scholarship application directly to the ministry whereas another admission application will also be required to be submitted directly to the selected university’s page. You can apply for CSC scholarship 2026 at 3-4 Universities simultaneously. Following sequential activity will be required by you on CSC portal:
- Choose scholarship type (A, B, or C)
- Enter the agency number (provided by embassy or university)
- Fill in personal, academic, and program info
- Upload your documents
- Submit and download the final CSC form which you’ll be required to upload at University admission application portal for CSC scholarship request.
Step 4: Submit Another application to Embassy/University
- For embassy route: submit physical or online application per embassy instructions
- For university route: apply on the university portal + CSC system as explained in step 3.
Step 5: Wait for CSC Scholarship Nomination & Results
- Nominated students are evaluated by the CSC
- Final results are usually announced in June or July 2026.
- Then you will receive admission notice, and X1/X2 study visa invitation for China to apply for your student visa to attend classes at chosen Chinese university in September 2026.
Active Updating List of Chinese Universities Where CSC Scholarships 2026 Are Open
- Nanjing university CSC Scholarship
- Wenzhou University CSC High level postgrad scholarship
- XJTU 2026 CSC high level scholarships
- SJTU Shanghai 2026 CSC Scholarships
- Shenzhen University CSC scholarships 2026
- Bookmark this page – this list will get update every week!
DATE . Nov/1/2025