Ministry of Education of P. R. China - Chinese Government Scholarship Program: General scholar

What You Get

The Chinese Government Scholarship – General Scholar program covers your full tuition fees, free university accommodation (or a housing allowance), a monthly living allowance of CNY 3,000, and health insurance of CNY 800 per year. The program lasts up to two academic years.

What Is the General Scholar Program?

This is a non-degree program. That means you go to a Chinese university to deepen knowledge in your existing field — but you do not graduate with a Chinese degree. It is funded by China's Ministry of Education and administered by the China Scholarship Council (CSC).

Who Can Apply?

• Nationality: You must be a citizen of any country other than China.
• Age: You must be under 45 years old.
• Education: You must hold at least a high school diploma (or an equivalent qualification).
• Health: You must be in good health, both physically and mentally.
• Language (Chinese-taught programs): You must have passed HSK Level 3 — a standardised Chinese language test — unless you are applying for a Chinese language major.
• Language (programs taught in other languages): You must meet the language requirements set by your chosen Chinese university (for example, IELTS or TOEFL for English-taught programs).

What Does It Cover?

• Tuition fees: Fully paid
• Accommodation: Free university dormitory room, or a housing allowance
• Monthly allowance: CNY 3,000 (to cover living costs)
• Health insurance: CNY 800 per year (CNY 400 if your program is shorter than 6 months)

How to Apply

Applications are submitted online at www.campuschina.org. The process has several steps:

• Browse Chinese universities and programs on the website and contact your chosen university to get an acceptance or invitation letter.
• Depending on your program route, submit your application through your home country's relevant agency (for example, a government body or Chinese embassy), directly through a Chinese university, or through an international organisation.
• Complete and submit the official online application form on www.campuschina.org.
• The CSC reviews applications and notifies candidates of decisions through the relevant agency.

The application deadline is typically 30 April, but exact dates vary by country and program route. Check with your local Chinese embassy or the campuschina.org website for the deadline that applies to you.

Documents You Will Need

• Application form: Completed online via campuschina.org
• Passport copy: Main page, valid beyond 1 March of the application year
• Highest education certificate: Notarised copy, translated into Chinese or English if needed
• Academic transcripts: Notarised copy with translation if needed
• Language certificate: HSK Level 3 for Chinese-taught programs; IELTS/TOEFL for others
• Pre-admission document: Acceptance or invitation letter from your chosen Chinese university
• Study or research plan: At least 500 words, written in Chinese or English
• Medical examination form: Required for stays longer than 6 months (valid for 6 months)
• Police clearance certificate: Issued by your local authority, usually within 6 months before submission

Subject Areas

There is no restriction on subject area. Participating Chinese universities offer programs across sciences, engineering, medicine, law, economics, arts, humanities, and many other fields. Check www.campuschina.org for the full list of universities and available programs.

Further Information

Visit www.campuschina.org to search for universities, check program availability, and apply online.