The Great Britain-China Educational Trust - Chinese Language Awards

Chinese Language Awards

You will receive a one-off grant of up to £3,000 (about 3,500 EUR) to help you learn Chinese as part of your postgraduate studies or research. The grant is provided by the Great Britain-China Educational Trust, a British charity founded in 1975. The money will be used to fund language courses. These may form part of your degree programme or be a separate course that supports your research – for example, if, as a PhD student, you need to learn Chinese to give presentations at conferences or to carry out fieldwork in China. Lessons may take place in the United Kingdom, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong or Singapore. The grant is not renewable, but if your application is rejected, you may reapply after a one-year waiting period.

Who can apply

• Degree level: You are a postgraduate student, for example on a Master’s or PhD programme. Undergraduates and postdoctoral researchers are not eligible to apply.
• Field of study: Every subject, as long as you need financial support to learn Chinese.
• Where you study: You are enrolled at a UK university and have already started your degree. British nationals enrolled at a university in mainland China, Hong Kong or Taiwan may also apply; however, priority will be given to students at UK universities.
• Nationality and residence: You are a British national and are normally resident in the United Kingdom.
• Prior Chinese: Not required. You can apply even if you are a complete beginner.
• Not eligible: Was Chinese already a key part of your bachelor’s degree, or are you simply looking for private tuition or an informal language exchange?

How to apply

Applications should be submitted by email to the Trust. Please send your application form along with at least one reference from a line manager or teacher who knows you well. The Board of Trustees makes its decision twice a year: the autumn application deadline is 11 October, and the spring deadline is 11 April.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding is very narrowly defined: you must be a British PhD student at a British university who genuinely needs to learn Chinese for your studies or research, so the pool of eligible applicants is small. If you meet these criteria and can set out a clear reason for undertaking language training, your chances are good. A convincing letter of recommendation from your supervisor and a concrete plan showing how Chinese fits into your work will strengthen your application.