17 Best Scholarships in China for International Students (with Real-Life Examples)

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

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

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.

Muhammad Shoaib’s path to the Chinese Government Scholarship: Muhammad Shoaib researched programs and potential supervisors, applied to multiple universities, and received acceptance confirmations from about five or six professors before choosing Xi’an Jiaotong University. He then completed the CSC’s two-step application—submitting through the scholarship portal first and then the university portal—and says matching his program closely to his academic and professional background was central to his approach. With a BBA, an MBA, and banking and other professional experience behind him, he used the Chinese Government Scholarship for an MS in Applied Economics at Xi’an Jiaotong University. View More Chinese Government Scholarship recipients →

Recent recipient outcomes include: Sohaib Bin Altaf Khattak, whose PhD was followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Prince Sultan University; Zahid Iqbal, who became a postdoctoral researcher at Harbin Institute of Technology after completing his PhD; and Enes Karakaya, who continued to a master’s in East Asian Studies in Europe and moved into an international business career.

2. Schwarzman Scholarships

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Amount: Fully funded
• Eligible Degree/s: Master’s

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.

One scholar’s journey: Noel Therattil began his Schwarzman Scholars application about a month before the deadline, went through three iterations of each essay, and prepared for the interview by following international developments and listening to podcasts on unfamiliar regions and topics. He says he kept the application straightforward, including both achievements and failures, while connecting his work in law and government to what he hoped to learn from living in China. With a legal background that included a master’s in Space and Telecommunications Law, he went on to study Global Affairs at Tsinghua University. View More Schwarzman Scholars Program recipients →

Recent recipient outcomes include: Nick Peoples, whose path after Schwarzman ultimately led him to train in emergency medicine at Harvard and become a resident physician in Boston; and Sachi Pilapitiya, who continued into a PhD at The Ohio State University in international political economy and international development.

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, while Type C can include tuition and medical insurance.

Since the scholarship is offered through participating universities, choosing where to apply is an important part of the process. International students can consider institutions such as Peking University, Tsinghua University, and Beijing Normal University, among others. You can also explore our guide to the best universities in China for more options. Applicants should check the latest scholarship notice from their chosen university, as available scholarship categories, eligibility requirements, and application procedures can vary by institution and program.

4. Shanghai Municipal Government Scholarship for Foreign Students

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Value: Category A covers tuition, accommodation, living expenses, and comprehensive medical insurance; Category B covers tuition and comprehensive medical insurance
• Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D.; Category A also supports undergraduate preparatory programs

The Shanghai Municipal Government Scholarship for Foreign Students was established by the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government to support outstanding foreign nationals studying at participating higher education institutions in Shanghai. Applicants must be in good health and have an excellent academic record. Bachelor’s applicants should generally be 25 or younger, master’s applicants 35 or younger, and doctoral applicants 40 or younger.

Category A provides full support for tuition, accommodation, living expenses, and comprehensive medical insurance, while Category B covers tuition and comprehensive medical insurance. Applicants should generally have HSK Level 4 or above and must satisfy the language requirements of their chosen institution and program. Applications are generally accepted from February to April, although individual universities set their own dates and procedures. Scholarship holders undergo an annual evaluation, and continued funding depends on passing this assessment.

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 (Beijing Normal University)

• 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 in Beijing Normal University 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. ANSO Scholarship

• Scholarship Link
• Scholarship Amount for Master’s and Ph.D.: Check the current official CAS-ANSO call for the applicable funding package
• Eligible Degree/s: Master’s, and Ph.D.

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.

One scholar’s journey: Muhammad Umar Nadeem built his applications around a focused research plan, a strong academic record, publications, and relevant projects and conferences; looking back, he says he would have contacted current scholars and sought feedback on his proposal earlier. With bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Agricultural Engineering, he was awarded the CAS-ANSO Scholarship for doctoral study in China, alongside a MEXT offer that he ultimately chose for his PhD in Climate Change and Water Resources Management in Japan. His experience suggests that a defined research direction and evidence of sustained research activity can help make a graduate scholarship application more competitive. View More ANSO Scholarship recipients →

12. USTC Fellowship – Chinese University Program

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Amount: Tuition, insurance, RMB 2,500 monthly stipend, and accommodation subsidy
• Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s

The University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) offers the USTC Fellowship to outstanding international students pursuing undergraduate studies at the university. Designed to reduce the financial burden of studying abroad, the fellowship provides comprehensive support that can cover tuition fees and medical insurance, along with a monthly stipend of RMB 2,500 to help with everyday living expenses. Recipients may also receive an accommodation subsidy, making the award a valuable funding opportunity for international students planning to complete their bachelor’s degree in China.

Students interested in the USTC Fellowship should review the university’s latest undergraduate admissions and scholarship information before applying. Eligibility requirements, application procedures, and available funding may be updated for each admission cycle, so applicants should confirm the current details and deadlines directly with USTC.

13. 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.

14. Nanjing Municipal Scholarship

• Scholarship Link
• Scholarship Amount: Check the current host-university notice; published university examples include RMB 10,000 for bachelor’s and RMB 20,000 for master’s students

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.

One scholar’s journey: Ana T. Paredes researched university rankings, programs, deadlines, and funding options before choosing Nanjing University of Science and Technology, and she took the TOEFL as part of her preparation; she also emphasizes careful personal statements and contacting universities directly to understand what they are looking for. The Peruvian scholar received the Nanjing Municipal Government & NJUST Joint Scholarship for her bachelor’s in Materials Science and Engineering, which became her first experience studying abroad. After graduating, she worked in R&D engineering, later completed an MBA at KAIST, moved into consulting and international development work, and eventually founded Vetabiz to support SMEs in Latin America. View More Nanjing University scholarship recipients →

15. Tianjin Government Scholarship (Tianjin Municipal Government)

• Scholarship Page
• Scholarship Value: First Prize covers one year of tuition, comprehensive medical insurance, and a monthly stipend for 10 months; Second Prize covers one year of tuition
• Eligible Degree/s: General Scholar, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D.

The Tianjin Government Scholarship is funded by the Tianjin Municipal Government to encourage international students to pursue academic studies at universities in Tianjin. Current 2026 guidelines from Tianjin Foreign Studies University confirm eligibility for non-Chinese citizens applying as general scholars or for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, with degree- and age-specific requirements.

At Tianjin Foreign Studies University, the 2026 First Prize Scholarship covers tuition and comprehensive medical insurance for the first year plus a 10-month stipend of RMB 1,400 per month for general scholars and bachelor’s students, RMB 1,700 for master’s students, and RMB 2,000 for doctoral students. The Second Prize Scholarship covers one year of tuition. Applicants cannot hold another scholarship in the same year, and candidates who pass the initial application review must complete a university-organized examination and interview.

16. 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.

17. 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

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.

We hope that this article on scholarships in China for international students was helpful. If you are interested, explore Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for International Students!