China offers international students a wide range of universities, degree programs, and scholarship opportunities. Tuition fees and scholarship coverage vary by institution, program, and intake. Applicants should confirm the latest terms on the official university or government page before applying. For a starting point, see China’s best universities.
Below is a guide to scholarships for international students in China. Scholarship terms are updated periodically, so applicants should use the linked official pages and current admissions notices when preparing an application.
Top Scholarships in China for International Students
| Scholarship Name | Scholarship Type | Eligible Degrees | Scholarship Value |
|---|
| Chinese Government Scholarship | Chinese Government | Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D., and research programs | Full or partial scholarship; full awards generally cover tuition, accommodation or an accommodation subsidy, a stipend, and medical insurance |
| Schwarzman Scholarships | Schwarzman Scholars at Tsinghua University | Master’s | Fully funded one-year Master of Global Affairs program |
| Beijing Government Scholarship | Beijing Government | Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D., and other eligible programs | Types A, B, and C; coverage varies by category and host university |
| Shanghai Government Scholarship | Shanghai Government | Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. | Type A and Type B awards; coverage depends on the host university and program |
| Fujian Government Scholarship | Fujian Provincial Government | Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. | At Xiamen University for 2026: RMB 30,000 per year for bachelor’s, RMB 40,000 for master’s, and RMB 50,000 for Ph.D.; awarded for one year |
| Ph.D. in China Fellowship | Confucius China Studies Program | Ph.D. | Check the current official application notice for coverage and duration |
| Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship | Confucius China Studies Program | Ph.D. research | Tuition, living expenses, international travel expenses, and other support for one semester to a maximum of two academic years |
| Peking University Scholarship | Peking University | Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. | Full or partial tuition waiver, living stipend, and medical insurance; duration depends on the degree level |
| Silk Road Muduo Scholarship | Beijing Normal University | Eligible degree programs | Tuition waiver, living stipend, and comprehensive medical insurance; check the current BNU notice for program-specific terms |
| Jiangsu Jasmine Scholarship | Jiangsu Provincial Government | Varies by university and program | Check the current host-university notice; award standards vary by institution and intake |
| Hubei Provincial Scholarship | Hubei Provincial Government | Varies by university and program | Check the current host-university notice before applying |
| ANSO Scholarship | CAS-ANSO | Master’s and Ph.D. | Check the current CAS-ANSO call for the applicable funding package |
| USTC Fellowship | University of Science and Technology of China | Bachelor’s | Tuition, insurance, RMB 2,500 monthly stipend, and accommodation subsidy under the current undergraduate guide |
| HIT International Students Scholarship | Harbin Institute of Technology | Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. | Elite: 100% tuition waiver; First: 50%; Second: 30%; Third: 20% |
| Nanjing Municipal Scholarship | Nanjing Municipal Government | Varies by host university; commonly bachelor’s and master’s | Check the current host-university notice; published university examples include RMB 10,000 for bachelor’s and RMB 20,000 for master’s students |
| Nankai University Scholarship | Nankai University | Varies by award | Check the current official admissions notice for the applicable award and amount |
| Dalian Government Scholarship | Dalian Government | Check the current host-university notice | Dalian Maritime University currently describes it as a partial scholarship and states that details are coming soon |
| NPU President Scholarship | Northwestern Polytechnical University | Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. | Three levels: tuition, accommodation, and stipend at the first level; tuition waiver at the second level; 50% tuition waiver at the third level |
| Zhengzhou University President Scholarship | Zhengzhou University | Ph.D. | Full scholarship for the applicable doctoral intake; check the current notice for coverage, duration, and deadline |
| University Scholarship | Central South University | Master’s and Ph.D. under the current graduate guide | Full scholarship: tuition, on-campus accommodation, and monthly stipend; partial scholarship: tuition |
1. Chinese Government Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Full or partial scholarship; full awards generally include tuition, accommodation or an accommodation subsidy, a stipend, and medical insurance
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D., and research programs
- Meet the Chinese Government Scholars: Explore scholarship journeys including Anees Ahmad from Pakistan and Eric Tianto from Indonesia
The Chinese Government Scholarship, administered through the China Scholarship Council, includes multiple programs and application routes. Coverage depends on the program. For example, the official scholarship page at Northwestern Polytechnical University states that a full award covers tuition, dormitory fees or an accommodation subsidy, a monthly stipend, and medical insurance. Applicants should check the current official notice for the relevant university and application route.
Here is what Chinese Government Scholarship Scholars Say:
“This scholarship, administered by Chongqing University, provides full tuition coverage, comprehensive medical insurance, accommodation, and a monthly living stipend, allowing me to focus entirely on my research and academic growth.”
Anees Ahmad
“In 2021, I was honored to receive the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC), one of the most prestigious and competitive scholarships awarded by the Chinese government.”
Md Rabbi Al Islam
“If you are accepted, you’ll receive an email to proceed with the interview. After the interview, they will recommend you for the Chinese Government Scholarship. The entire selection process takes about four months after you send in the hard copy of your application.”
Hendri Wibowo
“Since I chose an English-taught program for my master’s studies, the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) Test, also known as the ‘Mandarin Level Exam,’ was not required. However, I needed to submit an English Proficiency Certificate, verified by my previous university, confirming that my undergraduate courses were conducted in English.”
Chhoeurm Phearun
2. Schwarzman Scholarships
The Schwarzman Scholars program is a fully funded, one-year Master of Global Affairs program at Tsinghua University. Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree and meet the program’s English-language requirements. Candidates must be at least 18 years old and must not have reached their 29th birthday by August 1 of the year they enroll. Applicants should consult the official admissions page for the current application instructions.
Here is what Schwarzman Scholars Say:
“The scholarship covers tuition and all aspects of living, ranging from flight tickets and semi-annual living stipend to housing and food support.”
Selena Guo
“Schwarzman Scholars is quite competitive, and the acceptance rate is between 3 and 4%.”
Pallavi Sareen
“Schwarzman Scholars has high standards for academic excellence, but a strong GPA alone won’t be enough to make you stand out.”
Michael Gallo
“For the first stage, the majority of my focus was on the essays. I started a month prior to the deadline and went through 3 iterations for each essay.”
Noel Therattil
3. Beijing Government Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Types A, B, and C; coverage varies by category and host university
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D., and other eligible programs
The Beijing Government Scholarship supports eligible international students studying at participating institutions in Beijing. Current university instructions describe three categories. Type A can include tuition, accommodation, a living allowance, and comprehensive medical insurance. Type B can include tuition, accommodation, and medical insurance. Type C can include tuition and medical insurance. Applicants should check the current host-university notice because the available categories, eligibility rules, and application process depend on the institution and program.
4. Shanghai Government Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Type A and Type B awards; check the host-university notice for the current coverage
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D.
The Shanghai Government Scholarship is available through participating institutions in Shanghai. Coverage depends on the university and program. For example, the 2026 undergraduate instructions for Shanghai University of Engineering Science state that Type A covers tuition, comprehensive insurance, and a living allowance for the standard program duration. Type B covers tuition and comprehensive insurance. Those instructions also state that awards are subject to annual assessment. Language requirements should be checked on the relevant program page rather than treated as a universal rule for every Shanghai scholarship applicant.
5. Fujian Government Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: At Xiamen University for 2026, RMB 30,000 per year for bachelor’s, RMB 40,000 for master’s, and RMB 50,000 for Ph.D.
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D.
The Fujian Provincial Government Scholarship supports eligible international students studying in Fujian. The current amount and application process should be checked with the intended university. For example, Xiamen University’s 2026 guide lists RMB 30,000 per year for bachelor’s programs, RMB 40,000 for master’s programs, and RMB 50,000 for doctoral programs. At Xiamen University, the award duration is one year, and selected students may be considered again for the following year.
Xiamen University’s 2026 guide requires applicants to be non-Chinese citizens in good health. Its age limits are under 30 for bachelor’s applicants, under 35 for master’s applicants, and under 40 for doctoral applicants. Requirements can differ at other institutions, so applicants should follow the current notice for their intended university.
6. Ph.D. in China Fellowship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Check the current official application notice for the applicable coverage and duration
- Eligible Degree/s: Ph.D.
The Ph.D. in China Fellowship is intended for eligible overseas applicants with master’s degrees who wish to pursue doctoral studies in China. Applicants should confirm the current funding package, duration, required documents, and submission process on the official application page before applying.
Applicants preparing their materials may find these guides to writing a personal statement and obtaining recommendation letters useful. However, the official fellowship notice controls the required application materials.
7. Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Tuition, living expenses, international travel expenses, and other support for one semester to a maximum of two academic years
- Eligible Degree/s: Ph.D. research
The Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship supports eligible overseas doctoral students who are registered at universities outside China and wish to conduct research or work on their dissertations in China. The official page states that the research period can be one semester or up to two academic years.
Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens, be registered doctoral students at overseas universities, and meet the current application requirements. The official page also states that applicants need an HSK Level 3 score or higher. Applicants should review the official notice for the complete document list and submission procedure.
8. Peking University Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Full or partial tuition waiver, living stipend, and medical insurance
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D.
Peking University offers scholarships for eligible international students. Under the university’s 2026 graduate scholarship notice, the Peking University Scholarship can provide a full or partial tuition waiver, a living stipend, and medical insurance. The notice states a duration of two to three years for master’s students and four years for doctoral students. Applicants should use the notice for their degree level and intake because undergraduate and graduate procedures may differ.
9. Silk Road Muduo Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Tuition waiver, living stipend, and comprehensive medical insurance
- Eligible Degree/s: Check the current Beijing Normal University notice for eligible programs
Beijing Normal University’s Silk Road Muduo Scholarship supports eligible international students. The university’s current scholarship information states that the award includes a tuition waiver, a living stipend, and comprehensive medical insurance. Applicants should check the current BNU brochure for eligible programs, applicant categories, duration, and assessment requirements.
10. Jiangsu Jasmine Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Check the current host-university notice
- Eligible Degree/s: Varies by university and program
The Jiangsu Jasmine Scholarship, also described by some institutions as a Study in Jiangsu provincial scholarship, supports eligible international students studying in Jiangsu Province. The current amount and application procedure should be confirmed with the intended university because award standards can vary by institution and intake. For example, the 2026 undergraduate guide from Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine lists a Study in Jiangsu provincial award of RMB 18,000 per person.
11. Hubei Provincial Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Check the current host-university notice
- Eligible Degree/s: Varies by university and program
The Hubei Provincial Scholarship supports eligible international students studying in Hubei Province. The provincial portal publishes application information, including document requirements. Because the available provincial page is not a current annual call, applicants should confirm the latest award amount, degree eligibility, and submission procedure with the intended university before applying.
12. ANSO Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount for Master’s and Ph.D.: Check the current official CAS-ANSO call for the applicable funding package
- Meet the ANSO Scholars: Explore scholarship journeys including Muhammad Umar Nadeem and Md Rabbi Al Islam
The Alliance of International Science Organizations Scholarship supports international students through degree and non-degree programs. The official CAS-ANSO program page states that its degree program supports master’s and Ph.D. students. Applicants should check the current official call for the available universities, funding package, eligibility rules, and application timeline.
Here is what ANSO Scholarship Scholars Say:
“ANSO Scholarship includes a tuition waiver (30000 RMB/year), free on-campus accommodation/off-campus accommodation subsidy (8400 RMB/year), health insurance (800 RMB/year), and a monthly stipend of 3000 RMB.”
Omer Tariq
13. USTC Scholarship – Chinese University Program
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Tuition, insurance, RMB 2,500 monthly stipend, and accommodation subsidy
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s
The current undergraduate admissions information from the University of Science and Technology of China uses the name USTC Fellowship for the relevant undergraduate award. It states that excellent applicants may apply for support covering tuition, insurance, a monthly stipend of RMB 2,500, and an accommodation subsidy.
The fellowship is for students applying to USTC. The previous description of partner universities and round-trip airfare has been removed because those details are not stated in the current USTC undergraduate guide.
14. HIT Outstanding Enrolled International Students Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Elite: 100% tuition waiver; First: 50%; Second: 30%; Third: 20%
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D.
The current official name is the HIT International Students Scholarship. It supports outstanding international students who pursue studies at the Harbin Institute of Technology. The official page lists four tuition-waiver levels: Elite at 100%, First at 50%, Second at 30%, and Third at 20%.
The scholarship is available for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. Applicants should review the official page for current eligibility rules, language requirements, application deadlines, and restrictions on receiving multiple scholarships.
15. Nanjing Municipal Scholarship
The Nanjing Municipal Scholarship supports eligible international students studying at participating universities in Nanjing. Applicants should check the current host-university notice because the amount, eligible degrees, application window, and award conditions can vary. For example, Nanjing University’s published guide describes a RMB 10,000 one-time reward for undergraduate students and a RMB 20,000 one-time reward for master’s students. A 2026 undergraduate guide from Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine lists RMB 10,000 per person for undergraduate students.
Here is what Nanjing Municipal Government Scholarship Scholars Say:
“Coverage: Full tuition waiver + free on-campus accommodation (no living allowance)”
Ana T. Paredes
“I took the TOEFL for NJUST and the IELTS for KAIST.”
Ana T. Paredes
16. Nankai University Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Check the current official admissions notice
- Eligible Degree/s: Varies by award
Nankai University publishes information about multiple scholarships for international students, including university and government awards. The university’s available English-language scholarship page includes older intake-specific information. Applicants should verify the current award name, amount, eligibility criteria, and duration with Nankai University before applying. For general university comparisons, see this guide to top-ranking universities in China.
17. Dalian Government Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Dalian Maritime University describes this as a partial scholarship and states that details are coming soon
- Eligible Degree/s: Check the current host-university notice
The Dalian Government Scholarship is available through participating institutions in Dalian. The current Dalian Maritime University page describes it as a partial scholarship and states that further details are coming soon. Applicants should not rely on fixed award amounts or eligibility rules until the intended university publishes its current application notice.
18. NPU President Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Three levels: tuition, accommodation, and stipend at the first level; tuition waiver at the second level; 50% tuition waiver at the third level
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D.
The Northwestern Polytechnical University President Scholarship has three levels. First-level winners receive a tuition waiver, an accommodation-fee waiver, and a living allowance. The official page lists monthly living allowances of RMB 1,500 for undergraduate students, RMB 2,000 for master’s students, and RMB 3,500 for doctoral students. Second-level winners receive a tuition waiver. Third-level winners receive a 50% tuition waiver.
The scholarship is not limited to undergraduate applicants. Students should check the official page for the current eligible majors, age limits, academic requirements, and application process.
19. Zhengzhou University President Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Full scholarship for the applicable doctoral intake; check the current notice for the complete funding package
- Eligible Degree/s: Ph.D.
The Zhengzhou University President Scholarship supports eligible international doctoral students at Zhengzhou University. The university’s official scholarship information describes a full scholarship covering tuition, accommodation, a living allowance, and medical care. The official March 2026 doctoral-intake notice states a four-year scholarship duration. Applicants should use the current intake notice to confirm the available programs, application deadline, required documents, and funding package.
20. University Scholarship at Central South University
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount for Master’s and Ph.D.: Full scholarship covers tuition, on-campus accommodation, and a monthly stipend; partial scholarship covers tuition
- Meet the Central South University Scholars: Explore scholarship journeys including Md Rabbi Al Islam from Bangladesh
The University Scholarship at Central South University supports eligible international graduate students. Under the 2026 graduate scholarship guide, the full scholarship covers tuition, on-campus accommodation, and a monthly stipend. The partial scholarship covers tuition. The university publishes separate information for other programs, so applicants should use the guide for their degree level and intake.
Here is what Central South University Scholarship Scholars Say:
“…the Central South University (CSU) Scholarship for a Master’s in Computer Science and Technology, which provided a monthly allowance of 2,500 RMB.”
Md Rabbi Al Islam
We hope that this article on scholarships in China for international students was helpful. If you’re interested in studying abroad, make sure to check out the Available Programs for International Students!
