Scholarship in China: All you need to know

Are you planning to study in the Asian giant? Fortunately, there are many options for scholarships to study in China that’ll make it easier for you to stay in the country. Today, we take a look at the 5 best options for foreigners wishing to train in this exciting destination. If you’re eager to immerse yourself in Chinese culture, learn the language and take advantage of the opportunity to get to know its wonderful cities and natural treasures while you study, this article is for you.

After the Covid pandemic, opportunities to study in China have been revived. This is great news for students from all over the world, who’re attracted by its vibrant culture, ancient history and natural landscapes. China is home to some of the most prestigious universities (in fact, the best in Asia are there), with high-quality educational programmes. That’s why getting a scholarship will open the doors to all the attractions this Asian country has to offer.

Sit back and adjust your glasses, because we have a detailed guide to the best scholarships to study in China in 2025. We tell you what the requirements are, how to apply, which are the best universities in the country and much more.

Why get a scholarship to study in China?

When choosing a country to study in, China comes to the forefront thanks to a combination of unique factors ranging from educational quality to cultural and economic opportunities. Here we find prestigious centres such as Tsinghua University and Peking University, ranked among the best in the world in global rankings. Not only that, studying in China is the gateway to one of the most dynamic and potential labour markets in the world, while you soak up its ancient history, cuisine and traditions. In other words, studying here will allow you to immerse yourself in one of the world’s most fascinating and ancient cultures.

However, moving to the Asian giant to study is not entirely straightforward. In cities such as Beijing and Shanghai the cost of living can be high, while in the rest of the country costs are reasonable, especially compared to destinations such as the United States or Europe. Still, the financial factor can be an obstacle for many, and this is where scholarships to study in China play a key role. Not only do they represent significant savings by covering tuition, accommodation and other expenses, but they also provide access to educational opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach for many students. In addition, these scholarships often include additional benefits such as language courses, which facilitate adaptation to the academic and cultural environment of the country.

For the year that has just begun, anyone wishing to study in China is in for some very good news. The growing offer of English-language programmes, international cooperation agreements and the Chinese government’s interest in attracting foreign students are key factors that enhance scholarship opportunities. Initiatives such as the “Chinese Government Scholarship” (CSC) are a gateway to quality education in China, as well as to a world of career possibilities in one of the most dynamic markets in the world.

The best scholarships to study in China

Fortunately, there are several scholarship options for studying in China that’ll make it easier for you to stay in the country for the duration of your studies. They provide many facilities for foreign students wishing to take part in their prestigious study programmes. Below, we tell you what your best options are and give you all the requirements you need to know to apply for them:

1- ConfuciusInstitute Scholarship (Confucius Institute Scholarship)

Some of the best scholarships to study in China are provided by the Confucius Institute. This international educational organisation was founded by the Chinese government with the aim of promoting Chinese language and culture around the world. Its main purpose is to teach the Mandarin language and to promote cultural understanding between China and the rest of the world. Hence, it cooperates with universities and local educational organisations in various countries, offering a wide range of programmes and activities related to Chinese language teaching, traditional and modern Chinese culture and cultural exchange.

Through the Confucius Institute, students can apply for scholarships to study at Chinese universities, either to learn the language or to pursue advanced studies in subjects related to Mandarin language teaching. This is a very interesting option for students of philology or linguistics who have knowledge of Chinese and wish to pursue a career in teaching or research.

The scholarship options offered by the Confucius Institute are:

• Chinese courses of 4 weeks, 6 months or 12 months duration
• Master’s degree in Chinese language teaching
• Undergraduate Chinese language teaching

In addition, language studies can be complemented by subjects such as Chinese history, traditional Chinese medicine, literature, Taichi, among others.

The general requirements to be eligible to apply for Confucius Institute scholarships are as follows:

• Hold a secondary school diploma or higher.
• Be recommended by a Confucius Institute in the home country.
• Have HSK level 3 or higher for language courses.

The benefits provided by the scholarships are accommodation at the host institution or at the Confucius Institute, tuition and living expenses of up to ¥2,500 per month (approximately $342 US).

The academic period of study will depend on the institution you’ve chosen. Many institutions participate in the programme, including Renmin University, Peking University, Tsinghua University and Beijing Normal University.

How to apply for a scholarship? To apply for one of the scholarships offered by the Confucius Institute, you should go to its official website, search for the university or institution where you have decided to study and submit your application. The call for applications starts in March and ends in June.

2- Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC – China Scholarship Council)

The CSC scholarship is a Chinese government-sponsored programme covering more than 250 Chinese universities at all levels of study. That is, it covers undergraduate/bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral courses, so the number of scholarships it awards is really wide. The main objective is to promote cooperation and understanding between China and other countries.

The CSC scholarship is aimed at international students from all countries, between 18 and 35 years of age for undergraduate and up to 40 years of age for master’s and doctoral degrees.

The general requirements to be eligible to apply for a Chinese Government scholarship are as follows:

• Have a good academic performance, generally with a minimum average of 70% or equivalent.
• Be accepted by a Chinese university participating in the programme.
• Not be a Chinese citizen or have dual citizenship with China.

The coverage of the CSC scholarship is really extensive, as you’ll be fully funded for tuition fees, accommodation, food and medical insurance. In other words, of all the scholarships available to study in China, this is undoubtedly one of the most comprehensive. Monthly stipend amounts vary according to the type of degree, but range from ¥2,500 to ¥3,500 ($342 to $479 US).

To apply for this scholarship you’ll need to complete the application form on the CSC website and send the necessary documents directly to the host university or to the Chinese embassy in your country. Enrolment dates are generally between January and March and the deadline is April, although this may vary according to the institution chosen.

Tip: To increase your chances of getting the scholarship, we recommend that you submit a letter of invitation or letter of acceptance from a professor at a Chinese university.

3- MOFCOM Scholarship

These scholarships to study in China are funded by the Ministry of Commerce and cover master’s or doctoral studies in any field of study. The aim is to promote the country’s economic and trade relations with other destinations in the world. They are aimed at students from emerging countries who have professional ties in their governments or national institutions.

The types of studies offered by this scholarship are as follows:

• Master’s degrees: Postgraduate programmes in economics, international trade, public administration, rural development, information technology, among others.
• PhDs: Advanced research in strategic areas such as engineering, environmental sciences, and global management.

In order to apply for a MOFCOM scholarship you’ll have to meet the following general requirements:

• Be under 45 years of age at the time of application.
• Be a public employee or a worker in a state enterprise.
• Have a bachelor’s degree and two years of work experience.
• Intermediate or advanced level of English (IELTS or TOEFL).
• As a beneficiary of this scholarship you’ll have to commit yourself to return to your home country after the end of the programme and apply the knowledge you’ve acquired for the benefit of your community.

This is another very comprehensive scholarship option that includes 100% of tuition fees and accommodation costs. It also provides a monthly stipend of ¥3,000-4,000 ($413.56-551.42 US), medical insurance and round-trip airfare. It’s therefore one of your best options for studying in China.

If you wish to apply for this scholarship you’ll need to contact the Economic and Commercial Council Office (ECCO) of the Chinese Embassy in your country and complete the application form. The opening of the call for applications is in January and the deadline is in March/April, but we always recommend that you check this information at the consulate office.

In order to apply for the scholarship you’ll need to submit the following documentation:

• MOFCOM application form.
• Academic certificates and transcripts (translated into English or Chinese).
• Study plan or research proposal.
• Two letters of recommendation.
• Medical certificates attesting that you’re in good health.
• Language certificates (if applicable).
• Letter of endorsement from employer or government.

4- Peking UniversityScholarship (PKU International Students Scholarship)

In addition to the scholarships mentioned above, you can apply for one of the programmes designed by Chinese universities, such as Beijing or Xiamen, among others. These scholarships have similar characteristics and very broad coverage, including accommodation, tuition fees, insurance, food and a monthly stipend. They’re therefore another great option for professional training in the country.

In the case of the Peking University scholarship, it covers undergraduate, master’s and doctoral studies. The general requirements to be able to apply are:

• Excellent academic performance.
• Be accepted in a master’s or doctoral programme at the University of Beijing.
• Be a foreign citizen, without Chinese nationality and in good health.
• Have an HSK 5 Certificate (minimum 180 points) and TOEFL (minimum 90) or IELTS (minimum 6.5).

The coverage of the scholarship can be total or partial. In the first case it includes full tuition waiver, on-campus accommodation and a monthly stipend ranging from ¥2,500 ($344.64 US) to ¥3,500 ($482.49 US), depending on the degree programme you apply for. It also includes medical insurance, so if you have any health problems or accidents while you’re studying, you can rest assured that you’ll be covered. By the way, we recommend you to read our article on the best health insurance for foreigners in Asia and be aware of the different options.

The partial scholarship, on the other hand, grants partial or full tuition fee waivers, but does not include accommodation or a monthly stipend.

You can apply directly for the scholarship on the Beijing University website with the required documents:

• Beijing University application form.
• Diplomas and certified academic transcripts.
• Letters of recommendation (minimum two).
• Language certificate (TOEFL, IELTS or HSK).
• Personal statement or letter of motivation.
• Research proposal (for postgraduate programmes).
• Passport photocopy.

The call for applications closes in March, so there’s still time to apply for a scholarship.

5- Schwarzman Scholarship

Schwarzman Scholars is one of the most prestigious scholarship programmes in the world. Inspired by the Rhodes Scholarship, this initiative aims to connect emerging leaders with China, fostering cultural understanding and the development of leadership skills. It’s aimed at students from all over the world who wish to pursue a Master’s degree in Global Leadership and International Relations at Tsinghua University in Beijing. The programme integrates academic study, cultural immersion and global network development in one of China’s leading educational environments.

To be eligible to apply for this prestigious scholarship you’ll need to:

• Be between 18 and 29 years old at the time of the start of the programme.
• Have completed a bachelor’s degree in any discipline before starting the programme.
• Previous work experience isn’t required, but appreciated.
• Be fluent in English: TOEFL, minimum 100 points, IELTS: Minimum 7.0.
• Demonstrate leadership qualities, academic excellence and cultural adaptability.
• Have a strong interest in understanding global dynamics and China’s role in the world.

The Schwarzman Scholars Scholarship is fully funded, allowing students to concentrate exclusively on their academic training and professional development. It includes tuition and fees, on-campus accommodation, a stipend of ¥29.045,12 ($4,000 US) for expenses during the programme, round-trip airfare to Beijing, medical insurance, among other things.

To apply for the scholarship you’ll have to log in to the official Schwarzman Scholars website and upload all the required documentation:

• Online application completed.
• Personal essay and statement of purpose.
• Official academic transcripts.
• Two letters of recommendation.
• Personal presentation video (optional).

The call for applications starts in April and closes in September.

How to increase your chances of getting a scholarship to study in China?

When applying for a scholarship to study in China, you may have many doubts. You don’t know where to start, you find the amount of details overwhelming, the selection seems very competitive, you don’t know anyone in your environment who is in the same process, you’re afraid of not fulfilling the requirements… Don’t worry, it’s normal. Here are some tips to help you stand out from the crowd and increase your chances of success:

• Research the scholarship options available: Take time to learn about the different scholarships offered by universities, the Chinese government (such as the CSC) and specific programmes such as the Schwarzman Scholars or the MOFCOM Scholarship. Pay attention to the requirements, benefits and terms to see which one best suits your needs and profile.
• Prepare a solid academic record: Make sure you meet the minimum required GPA. If you have additional academic achievements, such as awards or honourable mentions, please include them in your application.
• Proficient in the language: Although some scholarships accept programmes in English, demonstrating proficiency in Mandarin Chinese (HSK 4 or higher) is a big plus.
• If you have extracurricular skills and achievements, be sure to mention them: Scholarship programmes value your commitment to extracurricular activities, volunteering or social projects. These achievements reflect your leadership and ability to adapt to a multicultural environment.
• Make sure your motivation letter makes an impact: The motivation letter is one of the key pieces of your application. Explain why you want to study in China, how it aligns with your personal and professional goals and how you plan to contribute to inter-cultural understanding between your country and China. Try to be as authentic and specific as possible.
• Get outstanding letters of recommendation: Ask for letters of recommendation from professors, employers or others who can vouch for your academic, professional and personal performance. Make sure they are detailed, personalised and written in English or Chinese.
• Strictly adhere to the deadlines: It won’t do you any good to meet all the requirements if you don’t apply within the stipulated deadlines. Therefore, please check the call for applications timetables and apply early to avoid last-minute setbacks.
• Prepare the required documents accurately: Each scholarship has specific documentation requirements, such as academic certificates, passport, application form and language tests. Check the instructions carefully and make sure that everything is complete and correctly translated, if necessary.
• Be confident at the interview: If you get to the interview stage, be well prepared. Research the institution and the programme you’re applying to and try out answers to possible questions about your goals, interests and experience. Show enthusiasm and willingness to adapt to life in China.
• Keep an eye out for additional opportunities: In addition to the main scholarships, many Chinese universities and international organisations offer supplementary financial support programmes. Keep constant monitoring of new announcements and calls for proposals.

Top universities to study in China

China’s universities may not have the reputation of Harvard or Oxford. But in the last two decades, the number of international students coming to them has grown considerably, thanks to their master’s and doctoral programmes. Indeed, in fields such as technology, China’s universities lead the world. Thus, in the ranking of the best non-Western universities, we find three representatives of the country occupying the top positions. We are talking aboutTsinghua University , Beijing University and Zhejiang University, which are positioned as the best in the world.

Tsinghua University is known as the “MIT of China” because of its excellence in engineering, technology and applied sciences. It also has a strong reputation in business and international relations programmes. Beijing University, meanwhile, is famous for its focus on the humanities, social sciences and law. Meanwhile, Zhejiang University is known for its excellence in science, engineering and technology.

Other world-renowned Chinese universities include Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Fudan University, the University of Science and Technology of China and Nanjing University.

Scholarships to study in China, tips and frequently asked questions

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