Study in China on a grant or scholarship
The Chinese state and its universities actively award scholarships — CSC, university and provincial grants — that can cover tuition, housing, and part of your living costs.
CSC — China Scholarship Council
The Chinese government's state scholarship. The most prestigious and comprehensive program: often covers tuition, housing, and a monthly living stipend.
University scholarships
Individual universities' own scholarship programs — partial or full tuition coverage for strong applicants.
Provincial grants
Regional governments in individual Chinese provinces offer their own scholarships to attract international students to their universities specifically.
Tuition
Full or partial tuition coverage — anywhere from 30% to 100%, depending on the program and university.
Housing
Many grants cover on-campus housing in full, or provide a stipend toward renting an apartment.
Monthly stipend
CSC and some university programs provide a monthly living allowance — roughly ¥2,500/month for bachelor's, ¥3,000/month for master's, and ¥3,500/month for PhD students (the exact amount depends on the university and province).
Medical insurance
State-level programs typically include mandatory medical insurance for the full duration of your studies.
Full scholarship (Type A)
Covers tuition, campus housing, medical insurance and a monthly living allowance. Awarded directly by China's national Scholarship Council (CSC).
What to check
Even with a full scholarship, confirm covered expenses and renewal conditions in the rules of the specific programme and university.
Partial scholarship (Type B)
Covers part of the cost — for example, tuition only or housing only. Awarded by the university itself, usually with less competition than the full scholarship.
What to check
The scope of coverage varies: a programme may cover selected cost categories or part of tuition. Compare terms and deadlines for each option.
September – December
Applications open for most programs starting the following fall. The best time to start preparing documents.
January – March
Peak application season for CSC and university scholarships — most programs' deadlines fall in this window.
April – June
Universities review applications and announce results. Some programs still accept late applications.
July – August
Visa processing, medical exams and departure prep for students admitted for the fall semester.
Applying for a CSC scholarship? You'll need CSCA from 2026
Starting in 2026, the CSCA exam is mandatory for bachelor's applicants seeking a CSC government scholarship — we prepare you on both language and subject sections, in two formats: 15 or 30 hours.
- Your GPA or diploma average, plus results from relevant entrance exams if applicable
- Your Chinese (HSK) or English level, depending on the program's language of instruction
- How strong your motivation letter is and how well it fits your chosen major
- Letters of recommendation from teachers or employers
- Portfolio and extracurricular activity — especially important for creative and research-focused programs
"Grants for studying in China" service
Get a list of up to 5 current grants for studying in China that fit you specifically, plus a step-by-step filing strategy — from the document list to deadlines.
$119Grant matching is already included in our plans
All 4 China admissions plans include matching to suitable grant programs — from 3 to 7 options depending on the plan. See the full breakdown on the pricing page.
PricingDoes a CSC grant fully cover the cost of studying?⌄
The CSC scholarship comes in two types. Type A is full coverage: tuition, campus housing, medical insurance and a monthly stipend. Type B is partial — for example, tuition only or housing only. Which type is realistically available to you depends on the competition and the university — we'll advise on this during the strategy stage.
Do I need a high level of Chinese for a grant?⌄
For English-taught programs a high HSK score isn't required, but knowing Chinese noticeably strengthens your application even for English-taught programs. Chinese-taught programs usually require HSK 4–5 or higher.
Can I apply for a grant again if I already applied and wasn't admitted?⌄
Yes, there's no restriction on reapplying. A second attempt is often stronger than the first — we review what could be improved before you apply again.
Is the CSCA exam mandatory for a CSC grant?⌄
CSCA requirements vary by the target university, programme and admission year. Check the official requirements for the exact bachelor's programme and scholarship route you plan to apply to.
What if the grant isn't approved — can I still enroll as a paying student?⌄
Yes, the grant application and a self-funded application are separate processes that often run in parallel. We always prepare a backup self-funded plan so you're never left without options.
When will I find out the grant result?⌄
Results are typically announced in April–June for programs starting that fall — exact timing depends on the university and is posted in the applicant's account on the official portal.
Get in touch to get started
Tell us about yourself and what you're specifically interested in — our specialists will help you find the right format.