Chinese Government Scholarship Recipient, Iqra Tariq from Pakistan, Shares Her Journey of Pursuing a Master’s in Journalism and Communication at Wuhan University, China

My name is Iqra Tariq, and I am originally from Pakistan, currently residing in Finland. I am a doctoral researcher in Digital Marketing and Analytics at the University of Eastern Finland.

Chinese Government Scholarship Details

I received the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) to pursue my Master’s degree in Journalism and Communication at Wuhan University, China. The CSC scholarship was a fully funded scholarship, covering tuition fees, on-campus accommodation, health insurance, and a monthly living stipend of 3000RMB.

Were You Offered any Other Scholarships? After completing my Master’s degree, I actively searched for further academic opportunities and dedicated approximately 2–3 months to preparing scholarship applications and interviews. As a result, I received multiple offers at both the Master’s and PhD levels.

For Master’s programs, I was offered admission to:

• Erasmus Mundus Journalism (Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Program)
• Euroculture (Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Program)
• King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (Master’s program)
• In addition, I secured offers for PhD programs, including:
• A fully funded PhD position at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
• A PhD acceptance at Charles Sturt University, Australia
• A PhD position at the University of Eastern Finland, Finland (which I ultimately decided to join).

Educational Background

I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies in Pakistan with a CGPA of 3.46. During my undergraduate studies, my primary interests were print media and broadcast communication. I regularly wrote radio scripts and worked as a Radio Jockey (RJ), which strengthened my practical understanding of traditional media.

I later pursued my Master’s degree at Wuhan University, China, where I achieved a CGPA of 3.95. During my Master’s studies, I specialized in social media marketing, which marked a shift in my academic focus toward digital platforms. Since then, I have been actively working on digital marketing strategies and consumer behavior in online shopping environments, which also form the foundation of my current research interests.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Wuhan University?

How Did You Find Information About the Chinese Government Scholarship and Wuhan University?

I primarily found information about scholarships and universities through various Facebook groups dedicated to international scholarships and higher education opportunities. Whenever I saw someone asking questions about a specific scholarship or institution, I conducted in-depth independent research to verify details and understand the requirements. To stay organized, I created multiple Excel sheets where I systematically recorded information such as the scholarship name, field of study, eligibility criteria, required documents, application deadlines, and interview timelines. This structured approach helped me prepare well in advance, track multiple opportunities simultaneously, and submit strong applications on time.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

I did not take any standardized language test when I secured the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) for my Master’s degree. However, for my PhD applications, I appeared in the Pearson Test of English (PTE) to meet the English language requirements.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Chinese Government Scholarship?

I prepared my scholarship applications by writing my Letter of Motivation (LOM) and Statement of Purpose (SOP) with great attention to detail. I conducted thorough research on the faculty members, their research interests, and ongoing projects, and clearly mentioned the specific topics I wanted to work on. I also explained why I was a good fit by highlighting how my academic background and skills aligned with their research profiles. Overall, I treated scholarship applications as a way of presenting and marketing my academic potential, clearly demonstrating my strengths, research interests, and long-term goals.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe my application(s) stood out because I always gave a personalized and well-structured touch to each application. I wrote motivation letters specific to each scholarship and prepared different SOPs tailored to the requirements and focus of each program. I also updated my CV according to the program I was applying for, highlighting the most relevant academic and professional experiences. In addition, I carefully organized all documents by adding clear first-page labels such as “Research Proposal,” “Letter of Motivation,” “Statement of Purpose,” “Degree Certificate,” and “Academic Transcript,” allowing reviewers to immediately understand the content of each document. I believe this level of personalization and presentation played an important role in strengthening my applications.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

If I were going through the process again, I would start preparing even earlier and seek more feedback from mentors and peers on my application materials. While my approach was well-organized, earlier preparation would have allowed more time to refine my motivation letters, research plans, etc.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

I would advise applicants to start their preparation early and stay organized throughout the process. Thoroughly research the scholarship, institution, and faculty, and tailor your application materials specifically to each opportunity. Avoid using generic motivation letters or SOPs, and instead clearly explain why you are a good fit.