A master's or doctorate in teaching Chinese: category 0453 and the teacher scholarship

A graduate degree in teaching Chinese sits in category 0453 国际中文教育 (International Chinese Language Education), a professional degree category under discipline 04 教育学 (Education) that may be awarded at both master's and doctoral level. A dedicated scholarship exists: the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship, whose 2025 guidelines set out separate master's and doctoral categories.

The English names in this article are this site's translation of the Chinese text.

Where the degree sits in the catalogue

The Graduate Education Discipline and Programme Catalogue (2022), issued by notice 学位〔2022〕15号 of the State Council Academic Degrees Committee and the Ministry of Education, divides study into discipline categories (two-digit codes), first-level disciplines and professional degree categories (four-digit codes). Its explanatory note three states that a four-digit code whose third digit begins with "5" marks a professional degree category.

Under 04 教育学 (Education): - 0451 教育 (Education) - 0452 体育 (Physical Education) - 0453 国际中文教育 (International Chinese Language Education) - 0454 应用心理 (Applied Psychology)

The catalogue's explanatory note five states that a name followed by "" may be awarded only as a professional master's degree; the others may be awarded professional master's or doctoral degrees. 0453 国际中文教育 carries no "", so it may be awarded as a professional master's or doctoral degree.

For contrast, 0501 中国语言文学 (Chinese Language and Literature) is a first-level discipline under 05 文学 (Literature), not a professional degree category. A first-level discipline and a professional degree category are different kinds of entry in the catalogue — see academic vs professional degrees in China for the distinction.

The catalogue's category list and explanatory notes state no rule on which institutions offer a category or on admission of international students. Whether 0453 国际中文教育 is open to international students, and which institutions offer it, is set by each institution: Order No. 42, Article 10 lets higher education institutions decide their own international-student programmes and majors according to their conditions and capacity, and Article 11 requires each institution to formulate and publish its own international-student admissions brochure and to enrol according to that brochure.

The International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship

The Application Guidelines for International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship 2025, issued by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC), set out two relevant categories.

Master's category

Section 2 of the guidelines covers the Scholarship for Master's Degree in International Chinese Language Education. The programme commences in September 2025, and the scholarship is provided for a maximum of two academic years. Applicants shall hold a Bachelor's degree. Applicants shall have a minimum score of 210 on the HSK Test (Level 5) and 60 on the HSKK test (Intermediate Level). Priority will be given to applicants who may provide an employment contract with a teaching institution upon completing their studies in China or proof to the same effect.

Doctoral category

Section 1 of the guidelines covers the Scholarship for Doctor's Degree in International Chinese Language Education. The programme commences in September 2025, and the scholarship is provided for a maximum of four academic years. Applicants shall hold a Master's degree in teaching Chinese as a foreign language, linguistics, international Chinese language education, or education-related disciplines. Applicants shall have a minimum score of 200 on the HSK Test (Level 6) and 60 on the HSKK test (Advanced Level). Priority will be given to applicants who may provide an employment contract with a teaching institution upon completing their studies in China or proof to the same effect.

Who may apply

Section I of the guidelines lists eligibility: 1. Be a non-Chinese citizen. 2. Be friendly to China, have no criminal record, abide by the laws and regulations of China and the rules and regulations of the Host Institution. 3. Be in good physical and mental health, be in good academic and behavioral standing. 4. Be interested in Chinese language education and related work. 5. Be aged between 16 and 35 years on September 1, 2025. The maximum age limit for in-service Chinese teachers may be extended to 45, but those who apply for a scholarship for a Bachelor's degree shall be younger than 25 under most circumstances.

The 2025 dates have passed

The guidelines are the 2025 edition, written for programmes starting in September 2025, so the dates they name have passed. (Suggestion: before planning an application, check whether CLEC has published a later guidelines edition and read the admissions brochure of each institution you are considering, because the 2025 cycle dates no longer apply.)

Questions people ask

Is 0453 国际中文教育 the same as 0501 中国语言文学?

No. 0453 国际中文教育 is a professional degree category under 04 教育学 (Education); 0501 中国语言文学 is a first-level discipline under 05 文学 (Literature). The catalogue treats them as different kinds of entry, and its explanatory note five on the master's-or-doctoral award applies only to professional degree categories.

Does the scholarship cover living costs or tuition?

Section 1 and Section 2 of the 2025 guidelines state the maximum scholarship years and the HSK/HSKK scores, but they state no amount for living costs or tuition.

Which universities offer 0453 国际中文教育 to international students?

The catalogue's category list and explanatory notes name no institution. Order No. 42, Article 10 lets each higher education institution decide its international-student programmes and majors, and Article 11 requires the institution to publish its own admissions brochure; check that brochure for the institutions you are considering.

Sources

• Graduate Education Discipline and Programme Catalogue (2022) (研究生教育学科专业目录（2022年）) — Ministry of Education of the PRC
• Application Guidelines for International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship 2025 — Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC)
• Measures for the Administration of Schools Recruiting and Educating International Students (Order No. 42) — Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Public Security

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, is not legal advice, and the official text and the current notice of the university or authority handling your case prevail if they differ.