StudyChina GraduateBilateral, University or Designated programme: which Chinese Government Scholarship route fits a graduate applicant
Sources checked
A graduate applicant for a master's or doctoral degree in mainland China may apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship through the Bilateral Program, the University Program or a Designated Scholarship Program. Where you file the application depends on the route you choose (Application Guide for Chinese Government Scholarship, section I).
Where this article renders a Chinese official text in English, the English is this site's own translation of the Chinese text.
Routes open to graduate degree applicants
The scholarship guide lists four categories in section I. Three are open to postgraduates:
- Bilateral Program — open to undergraduates, postgraduates, general and senior scholars (section I (I)).
- University Program — for talented international students in China recommended by designated Chinese universities; the supporting student categories vary by university (section I (II)).
- Designated Scholarship Programs — set up under cooperation agreements between China and international organizations and institutions (section I (III)).
The fourth category is not for degree students. The Student Exchange Program supports general and senior scholars for a training session of no more than 12 months; it is for scholars, not degree students (section I (IV)).
Where each application is filed
| Your situation | Route | Where you file |
|---|---|---|
| Master's or doctoral applicant | Bilateral Program | The dispatching department of your home country (section I (I)) |
| Master's or doctoral applicant | University Program | The Chinese universities undertaking this program (section I (II)) |
| Master's or doctoral applicant | Designated Scholarship Program | The international organization or institution concerned (section I (III)) |
| Master's or doctoral applicant | Student Exchange Program | Not available — scholars only, not degree students (section I (IV)) |
Designated Scholarship Programs
Section I (III) of the guide is supported by a table that lists five Designated Scholarship Programs. Their details are covered on a separate page of this site (/funding/).
Can you apply through more than one route?
None of sections I to VI of the guide gives a rule that an applicant may or may not apply through two scholarship routes at the same time.
After you choose a route: the shared process
The guide sets out one application process for the scholarship (section V):
- Learn about designated Chinese universities and the majors they offer, and identify your preferred scholarship program, designated university and major.
- Reach the designated university for admission documents.
- Reach an application receiving agency for a recommendation.
- Fill in and submit the Application Form for Chinese Government Scholarship online via the Chinese Government Scholarship Information System on campuschina.org.
- The application receiving agency submits the recommended candidates list and the application documents.
- The CSC organizes designated universities and experts to examine applicants' eligibility and academic performance before finalizing the short-list candidates.
- The CSC notifies the admission results to the application receiving agency, which then informs the applicant.
Who decides admission
Admission of international students is decided by the school (Measures for the Administration of Schools Recruiting and Educating International Students, Order No. 42 of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security, Article 12). The programs, dates, fees and language proof a university requires are published in that university's own admissions brochure (Articles 10 and 11).
Questions people ask
Is the Student Exchange Program open to master's or doctoral students?
No. Section I (IV) of the scholarship guide states the Student Exchange Program supports general and senior scholars for a training session of no more than 12 months; it is for scholars, not degree students.
Who tells me whether I am admitted to a university?
The school decides. Order No. 42, Article 12 states that admission of international students is decided by the school. The scholarship guide's process (section V, step 6) says the CSC organizes designated universities and experts to examine eligibility and academic performance before finalizing the short-list.
Sources
- Application Guide for Chinese Government Scholarship — China Scholarship Council (Campus China)
- Measures for the Administration of Schools Recruiting and Educating International Students (Order No. 42) — Ministry of Education of the PRC
Checked 11 October 2026
This page is an unofficial summary. It is not published by or affiliated with the Ministry of Education, the China Scholarship Council, CHSI or any university. It is not legal advice. If it differs from the official text or the current notice of the university or authority handling your case, the official text and that notice prevail.