ForsaEdu Logo
ForsaEdu

Study in China

China is one of Asia’s largest destinations for international students, with world-class universities such as Peking, Tsinghua, Fudan, Shanghai Jiao Tong and Zhejiang. The best-known route to free study is the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC), which covers tuition, housing, a monthly stipend and health insurance, alongside university and provincial scholarships and programmes such as ANSO, Schwarzman and Yenching. Self-funded study is moderately priced, usually RMB 20,000–35,000 a year for a bachelor’s at a public university. Most programmes are taught in Chinese, with a growing number in English.

12
universities listed
11
scholarships & discounts
5
government programmes
Chinese, English
teaching languages
September
academic year starts

Government scholarships & national programmes

Scholarships funded by the state or its official bodies for international students.

Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO)

Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO)

Fully Funded1 scholarship

The Alliance of International Science Organizations is a non-profit organization based in Beijing, China. It is committed to catalyzing and implementing innovative international science initiatives with member countries and partners. The organization offers international students and researchers various programs, scholarships, and fellowships.

Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC)

Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC)

Fully Funded1 scholarship

The Center for Language Education and Cooperation is a government institution in China dedicated to promoting Chinese language education and international cultural exchange. It offers various programs and scholarships for international students wishing to study the Chinese language and culture.

Chinese Government

Chinese Government

Fully Funded1 scholarship

The Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) is administered by the China Scholarship Council and open to international students for bachelor's, master's, PhD and visiting-scholar programs at hundreds of Chinese universities. A full scholarship usually covers tuition, on-campus accommodation, health insurance and a monthly stipend. Applications go through the Chinese embassy in your country or directly to participating universities via the Campus China platform.

Huawei (ICT Competition)

Huawei (ICT Competition)

Fully Funded1 scholarship

Huawei runs an annual ICT competition for university students with national, regional and global final stages in China, in cloud, network and computing tracks.

Schwarzman Scholarship

Schwarzman Scholarship

Check Scholarship Link1 scholarship

Schwarzman Scholars is a prestigious international program that funds a one-year master's degree in Global Affairs at Tsinghua University in Beijing, aiming to prepare future leaders with a deep understanding of China. The scholarship typically covers tuition, room and board, travel and a personal stipend. Scholars are selected for leadership and academic excellence through an online application and interviews.

Universities (12)

Fees for international students and the highest discount or scholarship available, from each university’s official sources.

Fudan University

Fudan University

جامعة فودان

ShanghaiState university

CN¥23,000 – CN¥42,000 per year

1 scholarshipDetails
Peking University

Peking University

جامعة بكين

BeijingState university

CN¥26,000 – CN¥30,000 per year

1 scholarshipDetails
Shandong University

Shandong University

جامعة شاندونغ

JinanState university

CN¥18,000 – CN¥29,000 per year

1 scholarshipDetails
Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Shanghai Jiao Tong University

جامعة شنغهاي جياو تونغ

ShanghaiState university

CN¥24,800 per year

1 scholarshipDetails
Tsinghua University

Tsinghua University

جامعة تسينغهوا

BeijingState university

CN¥26,000 – CN¥40,000 per year

1 scholarshipDetails
Zhejiang University

Zhejiang University

جامعة تشجيانغ

HangzhouState university

CN¥19,800 – CN¥29,800 per year

1 scholarshipDetails
Wuhan University

Wuhan University

جامعة ووهان

WuhanState university
1 scholarshipDetails
Harbin Institute of Technology

Harbin Institute of Technology

معهد هاربين للتكنولوجيا

HarbinState university

CN¥20,000 – CN¥26,000 per year

Details
Nanjing University

Nanjing University

جامعة نانجينغ

NanjingState university

CN¥21,000 – CN¥42,000 per year

Details
Sun Yat-sen University

Sun Yat-sen University

جامعة صن يات-سن

GuangzhouState university

CN¥26,000 – CN¥48,000 per year

Details
Tongji University

Tongji University

جامعة تونغجي

ShanghaiState university

CN¥20,000 – CN¥28,700 per year

Details
Xi'an Jiaotong University

Xi'an Jiaotong University

جامعة شيآن جياوتونغ

Xi'anState university

CN¥20,000 – CN¥22,000 per year

Details

All scholarships & discounts (11)

Filter by funding type and study level.

Study guide

The study system

• Bachelor’s: usually 4 years; 5–6 years for medicine and architecture. • Master’s: 2–3 years; doctorate: 3–4 years. • Language: Chinese in most programmes, with English-taught programmes in engineering, business, medicine and some other fields. • If your Chinese is not sufficient, a preparatory language year can be added before the programme (covered by the CSC scholarship for bachelor’s and master’s). • The academic year starts in September, and most application windows run from December to April. • Public universities are the majority; there are also Sino-foreign joint universities such as Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool, with higher fees.

How to get admitted

1) Choose a university and programme and apply through the university’s online portal for international students, or through campuschina.org if you are applying for the Chinese Government Scholarship (via the Chinese embassy in your country – Type A, or directly through the university – Type B). 2) The new CSCA test: the China Scholastic Competency Assessment has been mandatory for bachelor’s applicants to the Chinese Government Scholarship since 2026, and many universities require it for all bachelor’s applicants (mathematics is compulsory; physics and chemistry depend on the programme; “professional Chinese” for Chinese-taught programmes). 3) Language: Chinese-taught programmes usually require HSK 4 or higher (some universities ask for HSK 5 with 180 points); English-taught programmes require IELTS, TOEFL or equivalent. 4) Chinese Government Scholarship age limits: under 25 for bachelor’s, under 35 for master’s and under 40 for doctorate. 5) Usual documents: valid passport, attested diplomas and transcripts, study or research plan, two recommendation letters for graduate study, the Foreigner Physical Examination Form and a police clearance certificate. 6) The application fee is usually RMB 400–800 and non-refundable.

Fees and living costs

The full Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) includes: • Full tuition waiver. • Free university housing or a housing allowance. • A monthly stipend: RMB 2,500 for bachelor’s, 3,000 for master’s and 3,500 for doctorate. • Comprehensive health insurance (RMB 800 a year). Self-funded study (annual bachelor’s tuition from official websites): • Shandong: RMB 18,000–29,000; Zhejiang: 19,800–29,800; Harbin Institute of Technology: 20,000–26,000; Shanghai Jiao Tong: 24,800; Fudan: 23,000–42,000; Peking: 26,000–30,000; Tsinghua: 26,000–40,000; Sun Yat-sen: 26,000–48,000 (medicine is usually the highest). • University housing costs roughly RMB 800–1,600 a month depending on the city and room type; mandatory insurance is RMB 800 a year, the medical check about RMB 500 and the residence permit RMB 400–800.

Visa, residence permit and health insurance

To study for more than 180 days you need an X1 visa, issued by the Chinese embassy or consulate on the basis of the university’s admission notice and the JW202 form (JW201 for scholarship students), together with the Foreigner Physical Examination Form. Study of less than 180 days uses an X2 visa. After arrival you must apply for a student residence permit at the city’s exit-entry office within 30 days, after a local medical check, and renew it each year until you graduate.

Working while studying

China’s Ministry of Education rules allow international students to take part-time work or internships on or off campus, subject to: • University approval, followed by a “work-study” annotation on the residence permit from the exit-entry office. • At least one year of study at the university, and a residence permit valid for more than 6 months. • A maximum of 8 hours a week and 40 hours a month during term, and 16 hours a week and 80 hours a month during holidays. • Work only within the same city. Working without this approval is a violation that can lead to deportation.

Information last verified: October 13, 2026Official source

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Key questions and answers regarding eligibility, documents, and application steps for 2026 / 2027.

The full scholarship covers tuition, free university housing or a housing allowance, a monthly stipend (RMB 2,500 for bachelor’s, 3,000 for master’s, 3,500 for doctorate) and comprehensive health insurance.

Type A is applied for through the Chinese embassy or the nominating agency in your country; Type B is applied for directly to a participating Chinese university. In both cases the form is completed on campuschina.org.