Facts about the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
It’s that time of year again — the application season for the 2026 Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) is approaching. For international students, this scholarship is a vital opportunity to study and conduct research in China. Below are some key facts you should know before applying.
Fact 1: Programs Available
Since the Chinese Government offers a limited number of CSC scholarships each year, applicants are strongly encouraged to focus on priority disciplines such as:
• Civil Engineering
• Agriculture
• Animal Sciences
• Computer Science
• Applied Economics
• Light Industry Technology and Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Physics
• Public Administration
• Ecology
• Marine Sciences
• Biology
• Chemical Engineering
• Material Sciences
• International Chinese Education
In addition to these, applicants may apply for any other majors available at Chinese universities. You can find the full list of programs and colleges on each university’s official website.
If you plan to contact potential supervisors before applying, that is highly recommended — it significantly improves your chances of securing the scholarship. You can find faculty contact lists and research profiles on university websites.
Fact 2: How to Win the Scholarship
That’s a big question — but there are smart steps to follow.
First, understand the basics of the CSC Scholarship:
• Who sponsors it?
• What’s the purpose of the program?
• What are the types and categories?
• When do applications open?
• What are the required materials?
All this information is clearly stated on the official CSC website: www.campuschina.org.
Some applicants ask very basic questions without doing any background reading. It’s fine to inquire, but failing to research first may leave a poor impression. It suggests carelessness and lack of initiative — traits that can weaken your chances.
Rule of thumb: Learn before you ask, and ask only after you’ve done your homework.
Caution: Beware of scammers pretending to “help” you secure the scholarship. You do not need to pay any fees to apply. All official applications are free of charge.
Fact 3: Language Requirements
Language proficiency is one of the most critical factors influencing selection.
At most Chinese universities:
• Undergraduate programs are taught in Chinese.
• Most master’s programs are also in Chinese, though some offer English-taught options.
• Many Ph.D. programs can be taught in either Chinese or English, depending on the supervisor and department.
For Chinese-taught programs:
• HSK 4 (Level 4) is required for undergraduate admission.
• HSK 5 (Level 5) is required for postgraduate programs.
For English-taught programs:
• You must provide valid English proficiency certificates such as IELTS (minimum 6.0) or TOEFL (minimum 80).
If you have not taken any language test, you may still apply, but your application will be less competitive. Taking the required test significantly improves your chances.
Applicants for Type B scholarships are generally not eligible for the one-year Chinese language preparatory program.
Fact 4: Pre-admission or Acceptance Letter
Some CSC categories — for example, Type B — require a pre-admission letter from the host university.
To obtain one:
1. Apply on the CSC online portal.
2. Apply on the university’s official application system.
3. After review, the university may issue a pre-admission letter to qualified candidates.
Applicants may also contact prospective supervisors directly and sign an acceptance letter, although it is not a mandatory requirement.
Please note:
A pre-admission or acceptance letter does not guarantee the scholarship. Final decisions are made by the China Scholarship Council (CSC).
