China is becoming a fast-rising star in the field of education. It’s obvious in the influx of students, with more than 490,000 foreigners studying in the ‘Red Dragon’.

And why not? China’s best universities promise quality education. In fact, it has 6 institutions in the top 100 brackets of the World University Rankings.

More importantly, Chinese universities offer education at a price cheaper than more popular options. Students only have to pay a minimum of USD 2,500 a year – so that’s only USD 10,000 for a 4-year course.

Even with this affordable price, some students find it hard to afford. Good thing the Chinese government, universities, and other entities offer scholarships for international students. Let’s look at some of the China scholarships that are available for international students.

Top Scholarships in China for International Students

1. Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS) Type A

  • Scholarship Page
  • Scholarship Amount: Partial to the full tuition amount
  • Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.

The CGS program is the best scholarship in China for international students and is offered by the Ministry of Education through the China Scholarship Council.

It offers many types of scholarships, one of which is Type A. Also known as the Bilateral program, covers the tuition for a Chinese or English-taught program – as well as the preparatory year.

The scholarship also includes free university accommodation (or subsidy), a stipend, and comprehensive medical insurance.

Through this scholarship, students may apply to 2 Chinese universities via the Chinese embassy in their home countries.

The requirements for a Type A scholarship include:

Applicants also need to submit a study plan/research proposal, two recommendation letters, and a personal statement form.

2. Chinese Government Scholarship Type B

  • Scholarship Page
  • Scholarship Amount: Partial to the full tuition amount
  • Eligible Degree/s: Master’s, Ph.D.

Also known as the Chinese University program, this China scholarship is limited to foreign graduate students who wish to enroll in certain institutions.

The CGS type B program covers any Chinese or English-taught graduate program, as well as the preparatory year needed by the student.

As with all CGS programs, the Type B scholarship provides a stipend, free board/accommodation subsidy, and medical insurance.

Compared to the Type A scholarship, applications for the Type B program may be filed directly with the university. The requirements stated above also apply, though arts students will need to submit a compilation of their works.

CGS awardees are subject to an annual review. This is done before the funding release for the next school year.

3. Beijing Government Scholarship (BGS)

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  • Scholarship Amount: Full tuition (1-year Bachelor’s and Master’s), full tuition (3-year Ph.D.)
  • Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.

Much like the Chinese government, Beijing also funds foreign students through its Beijing Government Scholarship program.

Open to undergraduate and graduate students, BGS covers the full tuition amount for 1 year (Bachelor’s & Master’s) to 3 years (Ph.D.)

Those who have received another type of scholarship will not be eligible for the BGS.

For their scholarship to be renewed, Ph.D. students who are funded by the BGS are subject to a comprehensive annual evaluation every April.

The Beijing Government leaves the responsibility of receiving, reviewing, and approving applications to the receiving university.

4. Shanghai Government Scholarship

  • Scholarship Page
  • Scholarship Amount: Type A: RMB 59,200 ($9,155) per year, Type B: RMB 20,800 ($3,215) per year
  • Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.

Like Beijing, the Shanghai Government offers fully-funded scholarships in China to foreigners who study in Shanghainese institutions.

The scholarship is divided into 2 types. Type A is recommended for undergraduate and graduate students since it covers the full tuition amount. It also shoulders living & accommodation expenses and the cost of medical insurance.

The Type B scholarship, on the other hand, only covers the partial tuition amount. That said, it is open for both undergraduate and graduate applicants.

To apply, students must meet the following age brackets: no more than 25 for undergraduate applicants, no more than 35 for Master’s students, and no more than 40 for Ph.D. applicants.

An HSK level of 4 is also required to qualify for the Shanghai government scholarship.

5. Fujian Government Scholarship

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  • Scholarship Amount: RMB 30,000 ($4,640) to RMB 60,000 ($9,280) per person per year
  • Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.

Fujian, a southeastern Chinese state, offers fully-funded scholarships to foreign students who wish to study in its institutions.

The Fujian Government Scholarship is classified into various types, namely:

  • Government Special Scholarship Program – RMB 60,000 ($9,280) per person per year
  • Study in Fujian Program – RMB 30,000 ($4,640) per person per year
  • Trainees Program – RMB 30,000 ($4,640) per person per year
  • Fujian University recruitment programs – RMB 30,000 ($4,640) to RMB 50,000 ($7,730) per person per year

To apply for any of these scholarship programs, students need to submit a completed application form, a photocopy of the highest diploma (notarized), a study or research plan, and a portfolio of artworks (for arts students).

As with most Chinese scholarship programs for international students, applicants need to follow a certain age bracket: no more than 30 years for undergraduates, and 40 for Masters. An age limit of 50 applies to potential scholars with the title of associate professor.

6. Ph.D. in China Fellowship

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  • Scholarship Amount: Full tuition subsidy for 3 years
  • Eligible Degree/s: Ph.D.

The Ph.D. in China Fellowship is open to foreign students – with master’s degrees – who want to take up a doctoral course in a Chinese university.

The scholarship will fund 3 years of studies, as well as a living/research allowance, medical/accident insurance, and annual traveling expenses (economy class only).

To apply for this China scholarship, students need to submit an application form, a notarized copy of the highest academic certificate, a transcript of records, a master’s thesis abstract (or other research works), and a research proposal for the desired doctoral degree.

Applicants also have to submit a personal statement, 2 recommendation letters, and a statement of guarantee.

These should be submitted through the Confucius China Studies Program website.

7. Joint Research Ph.D. Fellowship

  • Scholarship Page
  • Scholarship Amount: Full tuition subsidy for 1 semester to 2 years
  • Eligible Degree/s: Ph.D.

The Joint Research Ph.D. program is an opportunity given to foreigners studying in universities abroad. The scholarship aims to fund the applicant to study, conduct research, and complete his/her dissertation in a Chinese university.

Apart from tuition, this fellowship in China for international students will shoulder the awardee’s lodging & living stipend, round-trip airfare, life/medical insurance, research fund, and costs of the supervisor’s visit to China.

To be eligible, the student should have an HSK transcript test score of 3 or higher.

Other application requirements include a Ph.D. study certificate, 2 letters of recommendation, an abstract of master’s thesis & other research projects, and a research plan for the intended study in China.

The necessary documents may be submitted to the Confucius Institute Headquarters in the applicant’s current study country.

8. Peking University Scholarship (PKUS)

  • Scholarship Page
  • Scholarship Amount: Partial to full tuition subsidy for 4-5 years (Bachelor’s), 2-3 years (Master’s), 5 years (Master’s to Ph.D.), or 4 years (Ph.D.)
  • Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.

Peking University, which is ranked second in China, offers fully-funded scholarships for outstanding foreign students. A condition of the scholarship, however, is that the student should not be taking a Joint degree or English-taught program.

Apart from covering the partial or full tuition amount, the PKUS also includes a living stipend, accommodation subsidies, and medical insurance.

PKUS awardees are subject to an annual evaluation before the scholarship is renewed.

9. Silk Road Muduo Scholarship

  • Scholarship Page
  • Scholarship Amount: Full tuition subsidy for the duration of the study
  • Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.

BNU’s Silk Road Muduo Scholarship is open to students from the ‘One Belt and One Road’ countries. This China scholarship program covers full tuition subsidies, accommodation allowances/living stipends, and medical insurance.

Undergraduate students are chosen according to their entrance exam scores and other test results.

Master’s and Ph.D. awardees, on the other hand, are chosen according to their performance in their previous degrees. Their capacity for research & innovation is cons