Chinese Government (CSC) Scholarship: Complete Application Guide

Last updated: 18 October 2026 · Sources: China Scholarship Council, Campus China, HEC Pakistan

The Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS), run by the China Scholarship Council (CSC), is one of the largest fully funded scholarships for international students. It funds bachelor’s, master’s and PhD study at more than 280 Chinese universities. This guide explains the application routes, how to choose a university, the documents you need and the mistakes that get applications rejected.

What the scholarship covers

• Tuition — waived in full.
• Accommodation — free on-campus housing, or a monthly housing allowance in some universities.
• Monthly stipend — set by the CSC per level (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD); check the current call for amounts.
• Comprehensive medical insurance for international students in China.
• Not covered: international flights, visa costs, the physical examination and document attestation in your home country.

The application routes — Type A and Type B

You apply through one “dispatching” route. The route decides who reviews your application first.

• Type A — through your government or the Chinese embassy. In Pakistan this is the Higher Education Commission (HEC). HEC announces the call, shortlists applicants and nominates them to the CSC. Seats are limited (last cycle: 75 seats — 35 bachelor’s, 25 master’s and 15 PhD).
• Type B — directly through a Chinese university. Many universities have their own CSC quota. You apply to the university, which nominates you to the CSC. Each university publishes its own deadline and “agency number”.
• Other routes: provincial and city scholarships (e.g. Shanghai, Beijing, Jiangsu), university scholarships and the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship are separate programs with their own rules.

You can usually apply through more than one route, but you can only accept one CSC award. Read each university’s rules — some do not allow double applications.

Step-by-step

1. Check eligibility. Non-Chinese citizen in good health. Bachelor’s: completed higher-secondary school (e.g. FSc / A-levels), usually under 25. Master’s: bachelor’s degree, usually under 35. PhD: master’s degree, usually under 40.
2. Undergraduates: register for the CSCA. The China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) is now mandatory for all undergraduate CSC applicants, including Type A and Type B. Register early at csca.cn.
3. Choose universities and programs. Check the list of universities accepting CSC students on campuschina.org. Prefer programs taught in English unless you have HSK. Match your previous degree closely — unrelated subjects are a common rejection reason.
4. Master’s and PhD: contact supervisors. A pre-admission (acceptance) letter from a professor greatly improves your chances, especially for Type B. Send a short email with your CV, a one-page research idea and why you chose their lab.
5. Prepare and notarise documents (see the list below). Translations must be in Chinese or English.
6. Fill in the CSC online application on the CSC “Study in China” platform and print the form if your route asks for it. Enter the correct agency number (Type A: the one given by HEC; Type B: the university’s number).
7. Submit to your route. Type A: HEC Scholarship Portal by HEC’s deadline (last cycle: 5 January, 4:00 pm PKT). Type B: the university’s online system by its deadline (usually January–April).
8. Interview and results. Some universities interview online. Results usually arrive between June and August, followed by the admission letter and the JW201 visa form.

Documents checklist

• CSC online application form (printed copy if required).
• Notarised highest diploma and transcripts (Pakistan: attested by HEC / IBCC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as your route requires).
• Study plan or research proposal — at least 800 words for master’s and PhD.
• Two recommendation letters from professors or associate professors (master’s and PhD).
• Foreigner Physical Examination Form, completed by a hospital, valid for six months.
• Passport copy, valid beyond the start of your program.
• Language certificate: HSK for Chinese-taught programs; IELTS / TOEFL or an English-medium certificate for English-taught programs (if the university asks).
• Pre-admission letter from a supervisor (recommended, sometimes required).
• Police character certificate / non-criminal record, if the call asks for it.
• CSCA result — bachelor’s applicants.

Common mistakes

• Wrong agency number — your application goes to the wrong reviewer.
• A generic study plan copied from the internet. Reviewers see hundreds; write about your own background and the specific program.
• Physical examination form missing a stamp, photo or blood test result.
• Paying an “agent” for a CSC seat. The scholarship is free to apply for; no one can sell you a guaranteed seat.
• Waiting for HEC’s call before preparing documents — attestation takes weeks.

Official links

• Campus China (CSC information portal)
• CSCA — China Scholastic Competency Assessment
• HEC — Chinese Government Scholarship Program (Type A, Pakistan)

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