Fully Funded China Scholarships for International Students 2026

Fully funded China scholarships for 2026 provide complete financial support for international students at all degree levels. These awards cover the total cost of tuition, on-campus housing, and comprehensive medical insurance. The Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) is the primary funding vehicle, supporting thousands of students from over 180 countries annually.

The Chinese government distributes these scholarships through 2 main programs: the Embassy Track (Type A) and the University Track (Type B). Type A applications go through the Chinese Embassy in your home country, while Type B applications involve direct nomination by a Chinese university. You increase your success rate by securing a pre-admission letter from a host institution before the final deadline.

The 2026 scholarship cycle introduces new academic requirements for undergraduate applicants. Candidates must now take the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) to qualify for bachelor’s degree funding. You strengthen your application by demonstrating 3 assets: academic excellence, research potential, and a commitment to cultural exchange.

Also apply for China CSC Scholarships 2025-2026 | Fully Funded, China.

Scholarship Summary

Level of Study: Undergraduate (Bachelor’s), Postgraduate (Master’s and PhD), and Visiting Scholar
Location: China
Institution(s): Over 280 designated Chinese universities (e.g., Tsinghua, Peking, Fudan)
Program Period: 2 to 7 years (including language prep)
Course offered: All major disciplines (Science, Engineering, Medicine, Arts, Economics, etc.)
Deadline: February 20 to April 2026 (Varies by track and embassy)

Scholarship Coverage

Fully funded China scholarships offer 4 distinct financial benefits: full tuition waiver, free on-campus dormitory, monthly living stipend, and medical insurance. The monthly stipend varies based on your degree level:

Undergraduate Students: CNY 2,500 per month.
Master’s Students: CNY 3,000 per month.
Doctoral Students: CNY 3,500 per month. The program also covers the cost of 1 year of Chinese language preparatory courses, if you choose a Chinese-taught program. You must pay for your own international airfare, unless your specific bilateral agreement includes travel costs.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must satisfy 3 core requirements to be eligible for the 2026/2027 academic year: non-Chinese citizenship, good physical and mental health, and specific age limits.

Educational Background: You must hold a high school diploma for Bachelor’s, a Bachelor’s degree for Master’s, and a Master’s degree for PhD programs.
Age Limits: Applicants must be under 25 for Bachelor’s, under 35 for Master’s, and under 40 for PhD studies.
Language Proficiency: You require an HSK Level 4 for Chinese-taught postgraduate programs or an IELTS 6.5/TOEFL 80 for English-taught programs.
Assessment: Undergraduate applicants must take the CSCA exam on December 21, 2025, or January 25, 2026.

Application Process

The application process involves 4 detailed stages: finding a host university, registering on the CSC portal, submitting documents, and the annual review.

Select Your Track: Choose Type A (Embassy) or Type B (University). You must obtain the correct Agency Number for your chosen path.
Portal Registration: Create an account on the CSC Information System and fill out the online form.
Document Upload: You must upload 3 essential sets of documents: notarized academic transcripts, a detailed study plan (800+ words for postgraduates), and two recommendation letters.
Physical & Criminal Checks: You must upload a Foreigner Physical Examination Form and a Non-Criminal Record Report issued within the last 6 months.
Submission: Submit the application digitally; most universities no longer require hard copies. You must maintain a passing grade in the Annual Review, if you wish to keep your funding for the following year.

Deadline

The application window for 2026 intake generally opens in November 2025.

Embassy Track (Type A): Most deadlines fall between January 31 and February 15, 2026.
University Track (Type B): Deadlines typically fall between March 31 and April 30, 2026. Check your local Chinese embassy or the specific university’s international office for exact dates.