Most students know about the CSC (Chinese Government Scholarship) — but fewer know that there are actually 4 types of scholarships available for international students in China. Applying to all relevant scholarships simultaneously, as Globlearn Education advises, significantly increases your chance of receiving funding.
The 4 Types of Scholarships Compared
| Scholarship | Covers | Stipend | Competition Level | Who Should Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSC (Chinese Government) | Full tuition + accommodation | ¥2,500–¥3,500/month | Very high | Strong academic students with GPA 3.0+ |
| University-level | 50–100% tuition waiver | Sometimes ¥1,000–¥2,000/month | Medium | Good academic students — apply at your target university |
| Provincial Government | Full or partial tuition | ¥1,000–¥2,500/month | Medium | Students applying to universities in scholarship-active provinces |
| Self-Sponsored | N/A | N/A | N/A | Students who prefer flexibility or do not meet scholarship criteria |
CSC (Chinese Government Scholarship)
- Administered by the China Scholarship Council (CSC)
- Covers full tuition, university dormitory, and monthly living stipend
- Available for Bachelor's (4 years), Master's (2–3 years), PhD (3–5 years), and language programs
- Requires strong academic record, compelling study plan, and professor recommendation
- Application opens January–March each year for September intake
- Result announced April–July
University-Level Scholarships
- Each 985 and 211 university has its own international student scholarship fund
- Typically covers 50%, 75%, or 100% of tuition
- Some universities (Tsinghua, PKU, ZJU) also include a monthly stipend
- Applied for directly with the university at the time of admission application
- Less competitive than CSC — good students with GPA 3.0+ usually qualify
- Can be combined with provincial scholarships (but NOT with CSC)
Provincial Government Scholarships
- Offered by individual Chinese provinces (Jiangsu, Shandong, Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan, etc.)
- Covers full or partial tuition + sometimes accommodation
- Applied for through universities located in the relevant province
- Less well-known than CSC but significant numbers of international students receive these awards
- Jiangsu, Shandong, and Hubei provinces have among the most generous provincial programs
Tip
Globlearn Education's approach: We apply to CSC + University + Provincial scholarships simultaneously on your behalf, maximising your chances. If you receive CSC, the others are declined. If CSC is unsuccessful, you may still receive university or provincial funding. You should never apply to only one scholarship type.
Which Scholarship is Right for You?
- GPA 3.5+ with strong research background → Target CSC as primary, university as backup
- GPA 3.0–3.5 with good references → Target university scholarship as primary, provincial as backup
- GPA below 3.0 or fresh diploma → Self-sponsored with provincial/university applications as opportunistic
- MBBS students → CSC MBBS quota is very competitive; apply early through your national selection authority
Ready to Apply?
Talk to a Globlearn Education Advisor
Our advisors help with university selection, scholarship applications, and visa guidance — no upfront fees until you are admitted.