Chinese government - Chinese Government Scholarship-EU Program - Doctorate

Chinese Government Scholarship - EU Window (Doctorate)

You will receive a scholarship of full scholarship to undertake a PhD at a Chinese university. It covers all tuition fees, free on-campus accommodation, health insurance and a monthly living allowance of about 450 EUR (CNY 3,500). The scholarship is valid for the duration of your PhD programme, which is usually 3 to 4 years. It may last for up to 6 years if you first complete a preparatory Chinese language course lasting 1 to 2 years. Funding is provided by the Chinese Ministry of Education and administered by the China Scholarship Council as part of a cooperation programme between China and the EU. Please note that travel costs to and from China are not covered.

Who can apply

• Degree: You already hold a Master’s degree.
• Age: When applying, you are subject to 40.
• Nationality: You are a national of an EU Member State.
• Field of study: All degree programmes offered by the Chinese universities listed, ranging from natural sciences, engineering and medicine to law, economics, education, the arts and the humanities.
• Language: To undertake a PhD programme in Chinese, you will need to have achieved HSK level 4, a standardised test to assess your proficiency in Chinese. To enrol on an English-taught degree programme, you must provide evidence of your English language proficiency, for example through IELTS or TOEFL, or by having previously completed a degree programme taught in English.
• Health: You are in good physical and mental health.
• University acceptance: A Chinese university has confirmed that it wishes to admit you. Acceptable proof includes a certificate of admission, a letter of provisional admission or an invitation from a supervisor.

How to apply

First, choose a degree programme and contact a Chinese higher education institution via campuschina.org to obtain provisional admission or confirmation from your academic supervisor. Then register on the CSC’s online application system (programme category Type A, agency number 00006) and apply by 8 February 2026 for the 2026/2027 academic year. The Chinese Mission to the EU assesses and recommends candidates, the CSC verifies eligibility, and the host university makes the final decision. The results will be announced in July or August.

How realistic are your chances?

The scholarship is open exclusively to EU citizens under the age of 40 who hold a Master’s degree and have already found a Chinese university willing to accept them. The pool of applicants is therefore smaller than for open scholarships. The biggest hurdle is of a practical nature: you need to have secured a supervisor or a letter of acceptance before you apply. If you sort this out early on and meet the age and language requirements, your chances are good.