China Scholarship Council Research - China Scholarship Council Research Excellence Scholarship

China Scholarship Council Research Excellence Scholarship

At the University of Nottingham in the UK, you will receive a fully funded PhD. The university will cover 100% of your tuition fees. The China Scholarship Council (CSC), a Chinese government agency, pays a monthly living allowance of approximately 1,110 EUR, as well as your health insurance and return flights between China and the UK. The exact amount is determined by the CSC and is subject to change; please therefore check the current terms and conditions. The funding covers the entire duration of your PhD programme: three academic years plus an additional year for writing your thesis, making a total of up to 4 years.

Who can apply

• Nationality: You are a Chinese national.
• Degree level: You will be starting a full-time PhD programme with a start date between 1 October 2026 and 1 February 2027.
• Where you study: You have been offered a place to study at the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom and are classified as an ‘international’ student for the purposes of tuition fees.
• Field of study: Any subject.
• Your offer: You have been granted unconditional admission. Conditional admission is also possible, but only if you have already met all the English language requirements (such as IELTS or TOEFL).
• CSC rules: You meet the requirements of the China Scholarship Council and can name a CSC-approved organisation to process your scholarship application.

How to apply

First, obtain a PhD offer via the NottinghamHub system. Once you have received the offer and met all the English language requirements, apply for the scholarship via the same system by 18 February 2026 (UK time). If the university shortlists you, you must then submit a separate application to the China Scholarship Council. You will only be awarded the scholarship if both the university and the CSC approve your application.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding scheme has strict eligibility criteria: you must be a Chinese national and have received a PhD offer from a specific UK university, meaning that the pool of eligible applicants is small. However, it is a full scholarship for a PhD, which goes through a two-stage selection process – first by the University of Nottingham and then by the CSC – which raises the bar. If you already have a firm offer of admission and meet both requirements, your chances are good. Apply early and ensure you secure your CSC-authorised institution in good time.