Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) 2027 — Full Guide

Studying in China is one of the most affordable ways for international students to earn a world-class degree and the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) makes it completely free. Every year, thousands of students from across the world receive full tuition waivers, free accommodation, health insurance, and a monthly stipend through this programme. If you're planning to study abroad in 2027, now is the time to start preparing and this guide covers everything you need to know, including a major new requirement that was just introduced.

What Is the CSC Scholarship?

The Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS), commonly known as the CSC Scholarship, is administered by the China Scholarship Council under China's Ministry of Education. It funds full-time undergraduate, master's, and doctoral study including a large number of programmes taught entirely in English at more than 280 universities across China.

The programme exists to build educational and cultural ties between China and the rest of the world, and it is genuinely open to applicants of every nationality, background, and academic field.

Scholarship Categories: Type A, B, and C

Not all CSC scholarships are the same. Understanding the difference matters for your strategy:

Type A: Embassy/Government Channel. The most generous and most competitive. Covers tuition, accommodation in a shared university dorm, basic medical insurance, and a monthly stipend of 2,500–3,500 RMB depending on your study level.

Type B: University Channel. Same coverage as Type A, but without the monthly living allowance. Because it's less attractive to high-demand applicants, it's significantly easier to secure.

Type C: Partial Scholarship. Limited benefits, lowest competition.

Strategy tip: If you can cover your own living costs, applying for Type B or Type C dramatically increases your chances of acceptance compared to the highly competitive Type A.

Important New Rule: The CSCA Exam

Starting with the 2026/2027 academic year, all undergraduate CGS applicants must register for and take the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) before their application deadline and obtain a valid Score Report. Master's and doctoral applicants are not required to take this exam.

From 2026 onward, the CSCA runs five times per year in January, March, April, June, and December.

What this means for you: If you're an undergraduate applicant aiming for the 2027/2028 intake, you must plan to sit the CSCA well before your application deadline don't leave it until the last minute, as the exam is held on fixed dates only a few times a year.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the CSC Scholarship, you must:

Be a non-Chinese citizen in good physical and mental health
Not hold another scholarship funded by the Chinese government simultaneously
Meet the age limits:

Undergraduate: under 25 years
Master's: under 35 years
Doctoral: under 40 years

Hold the required prior qualification:

High school diploma → for undergraduate applicants
Bachelor's degree → for master's applicants
Master's degree → for doctoral applicants

Undergraduate applicants: a valid CSCA Score Report (new requirement)

What's Covered Full Benefits Breakdown

Benefit	Type A	Type B	Type C
Tuition Waiver	✅	✅	Partial
Shared Dorm Accommodation	✅	✅	Limited
Basic Medical Insurance	✅	✅	Limited
Monthly Stipend (2,500–3,500 RMB)	✅	❌	❌

How to Apply

Register on the official CSC portal at campuschina.org or studyinchina.csc.edu.cn
Choose your scholarship type (A, B, or C) and enter the agency number of your chosen embassy, agency, or university
Complete the online application in English or Chinese — you can apply to up to 3 universities with one CSC account
Upload all required documents in PDF format (full list below)
Download your completed CSC application after submission
Check whether your chosen university requires a separate university admission application alongside the CSC form — many do
Send two physical sets of documents by courier directly to your chosen university
Results are announced around mid-July, after which universities begin issuing visa documentation

Required Documents

Completed CSC application form (generated after online registration)
Notarized copy of highest degree certificate and transcripts
Foreigner Physical Examination Form (medical exam, signed and stamped, valid within 6 months)
CV in English or Chinese
Two recommendation letters from professors (English or Chinese)
IELTS/TOEFL certificate, or English proficiency letter if your prior education was in English
Study Plan or Research Proposal (200+ words undergrad, 800+ words postgrad)
Passport copy
CSCA Score Report (undergraduate applicants only — new requirement)
HSK certificate (optional, but improves your chances if your target programme is Chinese-taught)
Pre-admission/acceptance letter from your chosen university (optional but strongly recommended for competitive universities)

Pro Tip: Get a Professor's Acceptance Letter

An acceptance letter from a professor at your target Chinese university significantly strengthens your application especially for master's and PhD applicants. Start early: search the faculty pages of your target university (e.g., search "[University Name] Faculty of [Your Field]"), find professors whose research matches your interests, and email them directly. Personalize every email generic copy-pasted messages are usually ignored.

When Should You Apply?

Embassy deadlines for the 2026/2027 intake fell between February and April 2026 and have now closed. If you're planning ahead for September 2027 enrollment, the realistic preparation timeline looks like this:

Now – November 2026: Prepare documents, contact professors, sit the CSCA if you're an undergraduate applicant
December 2026 – February 2027: Submit applications as embassy/university deadlines open (most fall in this window)
July 2027: Results announced

Starting your preparation now especially the CSCA registration and professor outreach which gives you a major advantage over applicants who rush in January.

Need guidance choosing the right scholarship pathway or preparing your application documents? Mathrone Academy connects students with mentors and resources for international scholarship applications. Explore more scholarships →

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the CSC Scholarship really fully funded?

Type A is fully funded tuition, accommodation, insurance, and a monthly stipend are all covered. Type B covers everything except the stipend. Type C offers partial coverage only.

What is the CSCA and who needs to take it?

The China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) is a new exam required for all undergraduate CSC applicants starting from the 2026/2027 academic year. Master's and PhD applicants are exempt. It is held five times a year January, March, April, June, and December.

Can I apply to more than one Chinese university?

Yes. Through a single CSC online application account, you can apply to up to three universities.

Do I need to speak Chinese to apply?

No. Many programmes, especially at the master's and PhD level, are taught entirely in English. However, holding an HSK certificate can strengthen your application, particularly for Chinese-taught programmes.

What is the monthly stipend amount?

Between 2,500 and 3,500 RMB per month (roughly $350–500 USD), depending on your degree level available only under Type A scholarships.

How competitive is the CSC Scholarship?

Type A is highly competitive due to the stipend. Type B and Type C are significantly less competitive and recommended for applicants who can cover their own living expenses.

When will I find out if I got the scholarship?

Results are typically announced around mid-July, with universities issuing follow-up visa documents shortly after.

Is an acceptance letter from a professor required?

Not always required, but strongly recommended especially for master's, PhD, and high-ranking university applications, where it significantly improves your chances.

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