Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) 2026: Complete Guide

Short answer: the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) can fully fund an international student’s degree in China by covering tuition, university accommodation or a housing subsidy, a monthly living allowance, and comprehensive medical insurance. Coverage, eligible degrees, language requirements, and deadlines depend on the specific program and university. For 2026 entry, undergraduate applicants must also check the new CSCA examination requirement.

What is the Chinese Government Scholarship?

The Chinese Government Scholarship is a group of programs funded by China’s Ministry of Education and administered through the China Scholarship Council. It supports qualified international students at Chinese universities. Depending on the call, it may cover bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, general-scholar, or senior-scholar studies.

“CSC scholarship” is not one single offer with one deadline. Each route has its own receiving authority, eligible programs, quota, agency number, and application calendar. Always follow the current notice issued by the relevant Chinese embassy, university, or official scholarship program.

What does a full CSC scholarship cover?

• Tuition: a full tuition waiver for the approved study period.
• Accommodation: a university dormitory place or an accommodation subsidy, according to the host university’s rules.
• Monthly stipend: the standard commonly published by official universities is RMB 2,500 for undergraduates, RMB 3,000 for master’s students and general scholars, and RMB 3,500 for doctoral students and senior scholars.
• Medical insurance: comprehensive insurance for international students in China.

A partial scholarship may cover only some of these items. International flights, visa fees, document legalization, medical examinations, application fees, and personal setup costs are not automatically included. Read the benefits section of the exact program before calculating your budget.

Type A and Type B: what is the difference?

Type A: application through an official dispatching authority

Type A applications are normally handled by an authority outside the university, such as a Chinese embassy or another designated body. The authority publishes its own agency number, deadline, eligible study levels, and document-submission process. Applicants in Morocco should rely on the official notice applicable to Morocco rather than copying an agency number from another country.

Type B: application through a Chinese university

Type B is linked to a participating Chinese university. You use that university’s agency number in the CSC system and usually complete a second application on the university’s own admissions portal. Many Type B calls focus on master’s and doctoral applicants, but the supported categories vary by institution.

Do not assume that submitting several inconsistent applications increases your chances. Follow the rules of each call, use the correct agency number, and keep your personal and academic information consistent across every required portal.

Who is eligible in 2026?

General eligibility conditions published in official calls commonly require applicants to be citizens of a country other than China, be in good physical and mental health, meet the chosen university’s academic and language requirements, and normally remain within these age limits at the time of application:

• Bachelor’s: high-school graduate, usually under 25.
• Master’s: bachelor’s degree holder, usually under 35.
• Doctorate: master’s degree holder, usually under 40.
• General scholar: usually under 45.
• Senior scholar: usually under 50.

The exact call remains decisive. Some programs are limited to particular nationalities, majors, degree levels, or partner institutions.

New for 2026: CSCA for undergraduate applicants

For the 2026/2027 academic year, official Chinese scholarship notices state that applicants for undergraduate degree programs must take the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) and upload a valid score report. Required subjects can depend on the chosen university and major, so check the current university notice and the official CSCA information before registering.

This requirement is different from language proof. Chinese-taught programs usually require an HSK result at the level specified by the university. English-taught programs may require IELTS, TOEFL, or another accepted certificate. A university can also impose its own interview, academic test, or higher language threshold.

Documents you should prepare

• CSC application form completed in Chinese or English.
• Clear copy of the passport information page with sufficient validity.
• Highest diploma or proof of expected graduation.
• Academic transcripts.
• Notarized Chinese or English translations when the originals are in another language.
• Language certificate required by the program.
• Study plan or research proposal that meets the word requirement in the current call.
• Two academic recommendation letters for graduate or senior-scholar applications.
• Pre-admission document or supervisor invitation when required.
• Foreigner Physical Examination Form for programs lasting more than six months, completed and stamped correctly.
• Valid police-clearance or non-criminal-record certificate when required.
• CSCA score report for 2026 undergraduate applications.

Document rules differ between programs. Some universities also request a CV, portfolio, application fee, supervisor acceptance letter, or additional declaration. Never submit altered or unclear files.

How to apply step by step

1. Choose the degree, major, language, and university. Confirm that the institution participates in the scholarship route you want.
2. Read the current official call. Note the program category, agency number, deadline, eligible nationalities, and required documents.
3. Contact the university early. Graduate applicants should check whether supervisor contact or pre-admission is required or recommended.
4. Prepare certified documents. Check passport validity, translations, notarization, medical-form validity, and file clarity.
5. Complete the CSC application. Register through the official Campus China system and enter the correct program category and agency number.
6. Complete the second portal if required. Type B applicants commonly need to submit a separate university application.
7. Review before submitting. Names, dates, degree titles, and uploaded documents must match.
8. Track the official result. The university or dispatching authority communicates the decision and admission documents.

Deadlines: there is no single CSC closing date

Application periods often open between late autumn and early spring, but deadlines vary widely. Embassy routes may close earlier than university routes, and some universities set deadlines in December, January, February, or March. Check the exact 2026/2027 notice and work backwards so your translations, medical form, recommendations, and CSCA result are ready in time.

How to make your application stronger

• Choose a program that matches your previous studies and career plan.
• Write a specific study plan instead of copying a generic template.
• Explain why the selected university, department, and research direction fit your profile.
• Ask referees who know your academic work to write detailed recommendations.
• Contact the university professionally and follow its instructions exactly.
• Submit early enough to correct a missing or rejected document.

No agency or intermediary can guarantee a CSC award. Selection is competitive and depends on eligibility, academic quality, the university’s assessment, available quotas, and final CSC review.

Plan the costs that may remain

Even with full funding, keep a budget for document translation and legalization, passport and visa procedures, medical tests, travel, deposits, and the first weeks before the stipend is paid. Redream’s guide to the cost of studying in China can help you estimate the remaining expenses. If you plan to earn extra income later, first read the rules on working while studying in China.

Frequently asked questions

Does the CSC scholarship cover flights?

Not automatically. Many full CSC university programs cover tuition, accommodation, stipend, and medical insurance but exclude international travel. A specific bilateral program may state otherwise, so read its official benefits section.

Can I apply without IELTS?

It depends on the university and teaching language. Some English-taught programs accept another form of proof, while others require IELTS or TOEFL. Chinese-taught programs normally require the HSK level stated by the university.

Is a pre-admission letter compulsory?

It is compulsory in some calls and only recommended in others. Check the current notice for your route and university. For graduate study, supervisor or university contact can still strengthen a well-matched application.

Can an undergraduate apply in 2026 without CSCA?

Official 2026/2027 notices require undergraduate applicants to submit a valid CSCA score report. Confirm the subjects and accepted session with the target university before applying.

Official sources

This guide is based on the official Campus China scholarship portal, the 2026/2027 scholarship notice and CSCA requirement published by a Chinese embassy, the official CSC coverage and document guide from Sichuan University, and the 2026 Type B guidance from Zhejiang University. Program rules vary, so the notice for your chosen route remains decisive. Reviewed on 28 August 2026 by the Redream editorial team.