For many international students, the idea of studying in China initially raises one major concern: affordability. While China is widely recognized for its rapid technological growth and globally ranked universities, fewer students realize how structured and accessible China scholarships have become in recent years. Types of scholarships to study in China are offered through multiple channels, including the Chinese Government, provincial authorities, individual universities, and language-focused institutions. This guide from admission institute provides a practical breakdown of the main types of scholarships in to study in China, their benefits, and how they directly reduce the overall costs of study in China for international students planning their academic journey.
When it comes to China scholarships, there are various options to meet different needs and criteria. Scholarships are largely designated for overseas students to facilitate education diplomacy.
| Scholarship Type | Coverage | Monthly Stipend | Best For | Competition Level | Application Channel |
| Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) | Tuition, accommodation, insurance | 2,500–3,000 RMB | Master’s & PhD applicants with strong academics | High | CampusChina (Type A / Type B) |
| Provincial Government Scholarships | Full or partial tuition, allowance | Up to 40,000 RMB per year | Students applying to second-tier cities | Medium | Provincial or university portals |
| University Scholarships | Partial or full tuition | Usually none | Early applicants with consistent grades | Low–Medium | Direct university application |
| Confucius Institute Scholarship | Tuition, accommodation, insurance | 2,500–3,000 RMB | Chinese language and culture students | Medium | Confucius Institute + university |
| Belt and Road / Silk Road Scholarships | Tuition and living expenses | Varies by program | Students from BRI countries | Medium | Embassy or university |
| Language and Foundation Scholarships | Partial tuition | Limited or none | Language and preparatory students | Low | Language institutions |
Updated 12/20/2025
The main scholarship offered is from the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) but there are also others dedicated to specific provinces and higher education institutions. It also provides degree programs at the Bachelors, Master, or Doctoral levels, in addition to general and senior scholar programs, which encompass non-degree research. Eligibility includes applicants being non-Chinese nationals, in excellent health, with academic merit shown by a minimum GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (or an average grade of 80% on a scale of 100%). Applicants seeking a Bachelor’s degree also require a China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) result, whereas higher degree programs require excellent research proposals. It also provides excellent benefits, including full scholarships, which cover tuition, residence (on-campus residence or housing subsidy), international medical insurance, and a monthly allowance of up to 3,000 RMB (about $450).
Partial scholarships can cover either tuition or residence, potentially providing up to a saving of $30,000 over the entire course of a full-time program. Application deadlines for the academic year 2026/2027 will be in early 2026. The key application deadlines include submission of applications on-line as of February 16, interviews on February 20-23, and notification by July. The application requires one to register on the web site of the China Scholarship Council (www.csc.edu.cn and www.campuschina.org), choosing either “Type A” if submitting application through the Chinese Embassy or “Type B” if submitting it directly to the institution, attaching credentials like the notarized diploma, transcript, research plan, letter of reference, and physical examination results.
Another important category includes provincial scholarships that are funded by provinces with the intention of encouraging enrollments in certain parts of the country. These vary from one province to another but usually seek areas that have been underrepresented with the intention of promoting economic and cultural exchanges. For instance, the Jiangsu Jasmine Scholarship or Shanghai Government Scholarship may be offered on a full or partial basis that covers tuition, dormitory, and living fees. Requirements for these applications include similar criteria for CSC, with an emphasis on academic achievement as well as possible geographic considerations. Allowance may vary up to 40,000 RMB each year, making them perfect for those wishing to apply to less major cities such as Nanjing or Hangzhou. Usually applied for through the provincial or university-related educations organizations, deadlines often occur around late January for September entry.
The university scholarships offer a lot of flexibility, being offered directly by over 150 institutions to outstanding international students.. Criteria include high grades, early application, and additional activities like volunteering or research experience. Jiangsu University’s presidential scholarship, for example, gives full tuition exemption to outstanding applicants. Awards include tuition reimbursement, ranging from partial to full, encompassing all aspects like living arrangements, sometimes without CSC’s involvement. Application procedures differ, some automatically considering applicants in program application, others requiring an additional form. Deadlines in 2026 are individual to each university, but most range between December to April. Websites such as China Admissions include “Scholarships Available” in their offerings, making searching easier. In our admissions work over the past three years, we have observed that students applying before February are significantly more likely to receive partial or full university scholarships, especially in second-tier cities.
From an admissions standpoint, university scholarships are often more attainable than national programs, especially for early applicants. Institutions outside the most competitive cities such as Beijing and Shanghai frequently allocate higher scholarship quotas to international students. Candidates with strong academic consistency, clear study objectives, and documented extracurricular involvement tend to receive preferential consideration, even when applying for partial tuition waivers.
The Confucius Institute Scholarship is a scholarship to promote Chinese language and culture and is sponsored by the Confucius Institute Headquarters. It is most suitable for students’ studying languages and other related programs at universities and institutes internationally. The criteria involve love for Chinese culture and do not require GPA but requires HSK/HSKK test results. The benefits are the same as CSC full scholarship and involve tuition, accommodation, insurance, and allowances. The application process requires submitting to both university and Confucius Institute websites simultaneously, with deadlines closed by end of January for fall admissions.
Scholarships for specialized programs, for instance, the Belt and Road Initiative Scholarship and the Silk Road Scholarship, are mainly for students from countries represented in the programs, with the emphasis being on infrastructure development, trade, and cultural exchange. These will cover tuition and living expenses for studies in economics, engineering, or international relations. Urban development objectives are covered by city-specific scholarships, for example, Beijing or Ningbo Government Scholarships. The embassy scholarship is the same as the CSC Type A scholarship; the application is conducted from the respective Chinese embassies. In pursuing an MBA, specific programs may offer partial tuition scholarships, and private or alumni scholarships will motivate outstanding achievement with full tuition.
Other scholarships available include CCN Scholarships for scholarships in the foundation years for a bachelor’s degree and BLCC Scholarships for immersion programs at Beijing Language and Culture College. Regardless of the type, advice for applicants would be to consider applying for multiple options, mastering basic Chinese skills, and utilizing pre-admission recommendation letters. Such scholarships can be considered democratizers for the education system in China as thousands are awarded every year.
China scholarships are an important factor in reducing financial obstacles; however, it is essential to understand the overall cost as well. China holds one of the lowest positions in terms of studying abroad for foreign students based on their level of studies. Below are critical elements with explanations on how scholarships can help in covering those costs.
The tuition system contributes the largest portion. This depends on the course and the institution as well. For Chinese language courses, tuition ranges between $1,000 and $2,000 per year. For bachelor’s courses, the tuition covers an average of $2,000–$5,000, except for MBBS, which costs a tuition of $3,000–$6,000. For master’s courses, the tuition depends on the school but averages between $2,500–$6,000. The cost for a DOCTORAL degree averages between $3,000–$7,000. Some schools like Bohai University charge very low tuition fees, which go as low as $2,000 compared to the best schools like Tsinghua
The cost of accommodation also adds $1,800 to $4,800 every year. The least expensive form of campus accommodations includes shared rooms, which cost $150 to $300 per month or singles at $300 to $500; all these are below off-campus apartment prices that cost $400 to $800; these prices are higher in top cities such as Beijing compared to second-tier cities such as Xi’an. In our admissions experience, students applying before February often secure partial or full scholarships, especially in second-tier cities.
The cost of living is $2,400-$4,800 per year, or $200-$400 per month. Food and groceries: $100-$200; transportation: $15-$30; internet/mobile: $10-$20; entertainment: $30-$100; materials/misc.: $30-$80. These amounts are lower in smaller cities (e.g., Wuhan: 10-20%).
Visa fees and related expenses are either one-time or per annum. X1/X2 visa fees range from $30 to $100, residence permit from $80 to $150. Medical examination costs are from $50 to $100. Health care insurance is mandatory and costs.
‘Hidden costs’ involve flight prices that cost $500-$1,000 one-way, and ‘settling expenses’ that cost $200-$300. In short, an undergraduate course costing $10,000 annually in an average city could cost ‘near zero’ with the help of CSC.
Choosing the right scholarship depends largely on your academic level and study goals. Undergraduate students often benefit most from university-based or provincial scholarships, while master’s and PhD candidates gain higher approval rates through the Chinese Government Scholarship. Language students are best suited for Confucius Institute programs, whereas applicants from Belt and Road countries may access specialized funding with broader coverage.
China scholarships provide transformative experiences that combine intellectual depth with cultural diversity at affordable tuition. Whether it is the full scholarship programs offered by the CSC or other university and even provincial ones available for specific objectives, these scholarships fuel different interests at costs that remain below $16,000 every year despite being unsubsidized. Applying for different types of Scholarships in China well in advance and doing well academically and tapping into government sources make it possible for individuals to access scholarships that have the potential to reshape their lives. Contact us for more information about Costs of Study in China and expertise consultation.
