Funding

8 points · checked 11 October 2026

What the official texts say

Each point names the article or section it is taken from.

1. Scholarship eligibility at graduate level

   For a master's programme: a bachelor's degree or equivalent and under the age of 35. For a doctoral programme: a master's degree or equivalent and under the age of 40. Applicants must be citizens of a country other than China and in good health.

   Source: CSC application guide, section IV, items 1, 3 and 4

2. What the Chinese Government Scholarship covers

   Tuition, a free university dormitory or an accommodation subsidy, comprehensive medical insurance, and a monthly stipend of CNY 3,000 for master's students and CNY 3,500 for doctoral students.

   Source: CSC application guide, section III

3. Where the application goes depends on the programme

   Bilateral Program: the dispatching department of your home country. University Program: the Chinese university undertaking the programme. Designated programmes: the international organization or institution concerned.

   Source: CSC application guide, section I

4. The scholarship can include a year of Chinese

   The scholarship covers both the major and Chinese language (preparatory) study. The language courses last one year.

   Source: CSC application guide, section II(II)

5. Recruiting period: normally January to April, set locally

   An English page on the Ministry of Education site, dated 2009, gives the recruiting period as normally the beginning of January to the end of April and says the details are settled between Chinese diplomatic missions and the authorities of the applicant's country. The current application guide prints no dates. Ask the body that receives your application.

   Source: MOE English page on the scholarship (2009), Application ProceduresCSC application guide, whole guide (no dates given)

6. Universities and others may fund scholarships too

   Universities may set up scholarships for international students, and local governments, enterprises and other organizations are encouraged to.

   Source: MOE Order No. 42, Articles 32 and 34

7. Fees are published and charged in renminbi

   A university publishes its fee items, fee standards and refund rules for withdrawal and transfer. Fees and refunds are priced in renminbi.

   Source: MOE Order No. 42, Article 14

8. Insurance is compulsory whoever pays

   Every international student must be insured as the state and the university require. A university does not admit, or does not register, a student who fails to buy insurance within the time allowed.

   Source: MOE Order No. 42, Article 40