If China is your preferred study destination, congratulations on this good decision. Yes, China is currently the place to be when it comes to quality education. China is also a cheap country to study. However, not everyone can afford the tuition and other miscellaneous fees. So, in this post, we will talk about how to get a scholarship in China. We will also discuss some of the best scholarships in China that you can apply for and receive a lot of money either from the Chinese government or your specific university.
How to Get a Scholarship in China
I’m going to discuss the entire process in 5 simple steps that will really help you to make the best decision. After that, we will look at some of the best scholarships you can apply for in China.
1. Research and Select Suitable Universities and Scholarships
So, the first thing on your checklist will be to research Chinese universities that meet your academic interests and career goals. Notable universities such as Fudan University, Tsinghua University, and Peking University are among the top 100 globally and offer a variety of courses. Once you know what that university will be, explore the scholarships they offer. For instance, the China Scholarship Council (CSC) Scholarships are popular and cover a wide range of expenses, including living allowance and health insurance. Similarly, scholarships such as the Jiangsu Government Scholarships and the Hubei Provincial Scholarship offer substantial financial support. We will discuss these scholarships later. Just make sure that your profile is suitable for a specific scholarship that you will apply for.
2. Understand Eligibility Criteria and Application Requirements
We have said already that you should make sure your personal profile matches the scholarship you are applying for. This will really help you to get a scholarship in China. Each scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. For example, the CSC Scholarships require good academic standing and recommendations from Chinese universities. Age limits also vary, with undergraduate programs typically requiring applicants to be under 25 years old.
Language proficiency and health conditions are other common criteria. Ensure you meet these requirements before applying. Prepare necessary documents as well, such as academic transcripts, reference letters, and a valid passport.
3. Prepare for and Ace the Scholarship Application Process
The application process can be competitive and demanding. For government-funded scholarships such as the Beijing Government Scholarship, you need to demonstrate academic excellence and good health. University-specific scholarships, such as the Zhengzhou University President Scholarships, may require a research proposal or an essay. Pay close attention to the application periods, which can range from December to April for CSC Scholarships to January to June for the Beijing Government Scholarship. Preparing a strong application with all required documents and essays is key to success.
4. Leverage Additional Opportunities and Scholarships
Besides government-funded scholarships, you can look for other opportunities such as the Confucius Institute Scholarship for studying Chinese language and culture, or the British Council China Scholarship for UK and Irish passport holders. These scholarships often have different criteria and benefits, such as monthly allowances or coverage of specific expenses like tuition or travel. Diversifying your applications increases your chances of securing a scholarship.
5. Stay Informed and Utilize Resources
The final step you can take to get a scholarship in China is to stay informed. You have to continuously seek information and guidance throughout your scholarship journey. Resources like this blog and forums can fetch you valuable insights into the application process, interview tips, and experiences of past scholarship recipients.
So, when you understand the nuances of each scholarship, such as the comprehensive coverage of the Schwarzman Scholars Program at Tsinghua University or the specific focus of the Biomedical Science Scholarships at Zhejiang University, it will really help you make your application work out.
Scholarships in China for International Students
There are many Chinese scholarships for these students to help them reach their education goals. Whether you want to do an undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degree, you are going to find a scholarship for you. Here are some of the scholarships available in China:
1. Hubei Provincial Scholarship
I wrote about the Hubei Government Scholarship, so make sure to check out that article as well. It’s really a good one for international students. The application period is February to June. Eligibility is for foreign citizens aged 25 to 50 depending on the program. Language proficiency is also required.
Undergraduate students get RMB 5,000/year; Postgraduate students get RMB 15,000/year; Doctorate students get RMB 20,000/year
This scholarship is government-funded. The Hubei Provincial Scholarship is for international students who want to study in Hubei, China. This fully funded scholarship offers undergraduate, master’s, and PhD degrees in various fields like philosophy and economics. The financial support ranges from 10,000 RMB per year for undergraduates to 20,000 RMB per year for doctoral students. Don’t miss the opportunity to study in one of China’s most advanced provinces in science and education, making it one of the best scholarships in China for international students.
2. China Scholarship Council (CSC) Scholarships
The second one is China Scholarship Council commonly called CSC scholarship. The application period is from December to April Students with good academics can be chosen and recommended by Chinese universities are eligible to apply. Scholarship awards include living allowance, health insurance, return international airfare, and visa application fees. This is a government funded scholarship.
One of the most popular scholarships for international students in China is the CSC scholarship. Offered by the Chinese Scholarship Council, this is a Chinese government scholarship program. It’s part of the Chinese Ministry of Education’s effort to promote education, cultural exchange, political cooperation, and mutual understanding between China and other countries. CSC scholarships for international students in China can be fully or partially funded. Students who get CSC scholarships can choose from 279 different universities, making it one of the best scholarships in China for international students. Read our blog on CSC Scholarship in China for all the details and answers to your questions about CSC.
3. Jiangsu Government Scholarships
At number 3, we have the Jiangsu Government Scholarships. The application period is from January to May. Eligibility is for non-Chinese applicants with valid foreign passports, age 18 to 35 depending on the program, and two reference letters. The scholarship award is a Full tuition fee waiver, accommodation, and living allowance. This is a government funded scholarship.
The Jiangsu Government Scholarships are for those who want to study higher education in China. Bachelor’s degree students can get RMB 50,000 each year for four years, and master’s degree students can get RMB 70,000 each year for two to three years. These scholarships also cover insurance, which the university pays for.
4. Zhengzhou University President Scholarships
We also have the Zhengzhou University President Scholarships. The application period is from March intake (December) to September intake (June). Eligibility is for non-Chinese citizens in good health, with a strong academic record, capable of becoming specialized researchers or experts. PhD program applicants must have a particularly strong academic background.
The scholarship covers complete tuition fees and, a monthly stipend. It is a university-specific scholarship. Zhengzhou University offers the President Scholarship for outstanding international students aiming for a master’s or doctoral degree. These scholarships provide a monthly stipend of CNY 3,500 for PhD candidates. Applicants need to submit a 2000-word research proposal and an 800-word essay (for master’s courses), along with an online application. Within 4-6 weeks after the application deadline, the university reviews all applications and announces the scholarship recipients online, making it one of the top scholarships in China for international students.
China offers everything from rich cultural experiences to excellent educational facilities and graduate programs. Also, check out our information on the Chinese Government Scholarship: Eligibility, Documents, and more for deeper insights. These scholarships are a great opportunity for international students interested in fields like biological science, engineering, or arts. Apply now to seize this chance and get these scholarships to study in China, opening doors to learning, cross-cultural exchanges, and personal growth.
5. Confucius Institute Scholarship
At number 5, we have the Confucius Institute Scholarship, which you can apply for. The application period is mid-April to June. Eligibility is for applicants who need a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, should be aged 16 to 35, and must have language skills, like a minimum score on HSK and HSKK tests. The scholarship award is a monthly allowance of RMB 2500 – RMB 3000 and RMB 700 for housing. This is a non-government funded scholarship. The Confucius Institute Scholarship helps international students study Chinese language and culture. It provides a monthly allowance, and basic health insurance, and covers tuition and housing in university residences. For students in BTCSOL or Chinese language and culture courses, the allowance is RMB 2,500 (about 350 USD), and for MTCSOL students, it’s RMB 3,000 (about 420 USD). Recipients can also choose to live off-campus, and the institute gives an additional RMB 700 monthly for housing costs. This makes it one of the top scholarships in China for international students.
6. Beijing Government Scholarship
The application period is from January to June. Eligible applicants must be non-Chinese citizens, in good health, and meet the age requirements for their study level.
This scholarship is for undergraduate students who will receive RMB 20,000/year; postgraduate students get RMB 30,000/year; doctorate students get RMB 40,000/year. It is a scholarship funded by the government.
You can start your educational journey in Beijing, China, with the Beijing Government scholarships for international students. These scholarships are available for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs in various fields like philosophy, economics, law, science, and engineering. The Beijing Municipal Education Commission set up the scholarship with an initial fund of 35 million yuan. It offers three levels of assistance, with the highest award being RMB 40,000 per winner. This makes it one of the top scholarships in China for international students.
7. Biomedical Science Scholarships
Application period for the Biomedical Science Scholarships is spring intake (Mid-February) and Autumn intake (May to June). Applicants need a current passport, passport photo, English language test certificate, high school transcript, and diploma for this scholarship.
This scholarship covers full or partial tuition fees and living allowances up to RMB 17,000.
This is a university-specific scholarship. Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh (ZJE) offers Biomedical Science Scholarships for international students seeking a bachelor’s degree in the field. These scholarships cover all or part of tuition, room and board, and health insurance for international students. The program lasts four years and is taught in English. Before receiving the admission letter, a tuition fee of RMB 200,000 must be paid to the university.
8. Guanxi Government Scholarship for ASEAN Students
We also have a Guanxi Government Scholarship, specifically for ASEAN Students. This full scholarship application starts in June while outstanding student award applications start in March. Eligible applicants must be non-Chinese citizens, in good health, and meet the age requirements for their study level.
The scholarship award is RMB 5,000 per student for one year. This is a government funded scholarship. This scholarship has two parts: a full scholarship and an outstanding student award. This full scholarship is for ASEAN students planning to pursue a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD in Guangxi. The scholarship is given out once a year in April to 200 students (unused slots carry over to the next year). Each award is RMB 5,000. Students can apply once a year.
9. Schwarzman Scholars Program
We also have the Schwarzman Scholars Program. The application period is April to September. Applicants must be aged 18-29, with an undergraduate degree, English proficiency, and good academic records. The scholarship award covers tuition, room and board, travel to and from Beijing, a study tour in China, course materials cost, health insurance, and a $4,000 stipend for personal expenses.
Tsinghua University, the host of the Schwarzman Scholars Program, was established in 1911 as “Tsinghua College.” The program offers a comprehensive scholarship that includes tuition, room, and board on campus, travel expenses to and from Beijing at the beginning and end of the academic year, an in-country study tour, course materials, health insurance, and a $4,000 stipend for personal expenses. It’s considered one of the top scholarships in China for international students.
10. British Council China Scholarship
Finally, we have the British Council China Scholarship. The application period depends on the university. Eligibility is for UK and Irish passport holders, at least 18 years old, recent graduates, or currently enrolled in a UK university. This scholarship award covers tuition up to RMB 30,000.
The British Council China Scholarship is an opportunity for British and Northern Irish citizens to study in China. It’s part of Generation UK and is open to fifteen students. It offers various English-taught courses at 37 universities in China. Students can join any non-degree program they choose, and the scholarship will cover tuition costs up to RMB 30,000.
Reasons to Study in China
Here are a couple of reasons why studying in China is a good idea:
- China is Cheap – Studying in China is cheaper compared to many Western countries. Work After School even featured China as the cheapest country to study in Asia. With scholarships, it gets even cheaper.
- High Quality of Education – China is doing really well in education, focusing on research and new ideas. Many of its universities, offering a variety of courses, are some of the best globally. Tsinghua University, for example, ranks 12th in the world, according to Times Higher Education.
- High Employment Rate – Students graduating in China find many opportunities due to the country’s growing industries and economy. China has a lot of jobs and is always looking for skilled people in various fields.
Conclusion
So, there you go with the simple application steps and available scholarship opportunities to explore. Now, you know just how to get a scholarship in China. China takes age seriously, so you have to be at least 18 years old to apply, otherwise, you will have to meet other age-based requirements, which we have already talked about in this article.
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