Travel to China for your education! Great news: the Confucius Institute Scholarship 2025 is now open for applications. In this guide, we will explain in detail the Confucius Institute Scholarship, including the benefits and a step-by-step application process.
The Confucius Institute Scholarship 2025-2026 is one of the fully funded programs meant for international students who will find it interesting to study more than 150 universities in China on Chinese language and culture.
This scholarship covers tuition, on-campus accommodation, health insurance, and a stipend for monthly personal expenses.
These attracted students from all over the world, which reflects the mission of the Confucius Institute to propagate knowledge of Chinese language and culture all over the world you can take a look here.
Confucius Institute Scholarship Options and Opportunities
Confucius Institute Scholarship 2025 supports any form of educational courses that one needs in the university such as some specific Ph.D. program and research opportunities to attend at international conferences or other learning courses on Chinese language and culture. Further search postgraduate and research focused scholarship can be seen here. You should not miss a chance to apply for scholarships from the Chinese Provincial Government, which provides all their benefits fully funded along with accommodation, health insurance, and a stipend as a monthly expense for their living.
Confucius Institute Scholarship 2025 Benefits
The Confucius Institute scholarship offers:
- Tuition and Accommodation: Shared room in university dormitory.
- Medical Insurance: Basic coverage.
- Monthly Allowance:
- 2,500 Yuan (around 350 USD) monthly for Bachelor’s (BTCSOL) or Chinese language course students.
- 3,000 Yuan (about 420 USD) monthly for Master’s (MTCSOL) students.
In cases where scholarship recipients opt to live off-campus, an additional 700 Yuan is provided monthly for rental assistance.
Renewal Requirements
In case one is awarded a multi-year scholarship, the Confucius Institute requires high grades so that one may renew the funding to stretch into the next year. If one’s mean or lower grades make this possible, students may be trimmed and allowed to incur partial expenses on whatever is covered except for your monthly stipend. Some countries also offer an opportunity whereby the scholarship will help refund one’s ticket to come over to China and go back home.
For further information on obtaining a Chinese student visa, you can check here.
Scholarship Categories and Duration
Types of Scholarships:
- Chinese Language and Culture Studies:
- Academic Year Scholarships: 11-month programs starting in September or March.
- Semester Scholarships: 5-month programs starting in September or March.
- Short-term Courses: One-month programs during winter or summer breaks.
- Teacher Training Programs:
- Master’s in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (MTCSOL): 2-year program.
- Intensive Program: 1-year Chinese language and culture + 2-year MTCSOL.
- Bachelor’s in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (BTCSOL): 4-year course.
- The application form gives you the flexibility of choosing two universities (preferably from the list provided) of your own choice among more than 150 partner universities. You can register online to access information about each university and course.
- For more details on teaching opportunities in China after graduation, click here.
Confucius Institute Scholarship 2025 Application Process
Application procedure at Confucius Institute Scholarship applies as outlined below:
- Deadline: Applications are due 1st May for September intake and November for March intake.
- Application Submission: Contact your Confucius Institute for details. Applications must be submitted online on the official Confucius Institute website, with scanned documents (passport, photo, etc.).
- Paper Documents: Submit certified copies, as they are non-returnable. Confucius Institute staff will forward your documents to Hanban (the Institute’s central office).
- Results: Announced on the official Confucius Institute website by early July for September enrollment and early January for March enrollment.
- Visa Processing: Scholarship recipients receive visa documents within 15 days of result announcements. Be prepared for potential wait times.
There are other scholarship opportunities in China. Some include studying at the University of Jinan, Zhejiang University, among others.
Eligibility Criteria for Confucius Institute Scholarship 2025 Program
To be eligible for this scholarship, students must meet the following requirements:
- Nationality: Non-Chinese citizens are in good health. Students applying for programs longer than six months must submit a completed physical exam form upon arrival in China.
- Age: Applicants must be between 16 and 35, with an extension to 45 for current Chinese language teachers. Undergraduate applicants should not exceed 20 years of age.
- Language Proficiency: Must meet specific HSK (Chinese Proficiency Test) or BCT (Business Chinese Test) scores depending on the scholarship type. For example, an HSK3 score of at least 180 and a minimum oral HSK score of 60 are generally required for language and culture courses.
- Academic Records: MTCSOL applicants must provide their undergraduate degree and academic transcripts. BTCSOL applicants and language course students must provide high school completion proof, with translations if needed.
- Recommendation Letters: BTCSOL and Chinese language course applicants need one recommendation letter, while MTCSOL applicants need two. These must be signed by a Confucius Institute representative.
- Career Plans: MTCSOL applicants who plan to work as Chinese language instructors upon completing their degree are given priority.
For short-term scholarships (semester or four-week), applicants must not have previously studied in China.
Note: During the online application, a brief 300-word motivation letter is required to outline your reasons for applying.
FAQs
What is the Confucius Institute Scholarship, and what does it cover?
The Confucius Institute scholarship is fully funded, particularly for international students who intend to learn the Chinese language and culture in China. Tuition will be provided, including living on the campus itself; a basic medical insurance allowance will also be granted monthly.
Who is eligible to apply for the Confucius Institute Scholarship?
There will be an age limit which starts from 16 up to 35 years, except for native Chinese citizens, who will be at their discretion, but people already teaching the Chinese language may apply till 45. The candidates must score as per specific language abilities and requirements provided for in HSK/BCT marks. Other necessary documents need to be produced for an academic qualification.
How do I apply for the Confucius Institute Scholarship?
Applications can be submitted online at the Confucius Institute Scholarship website; applicants must scan required documents and upload them with originals sent through Confucius Institute, Chinese embassies, and their affiliated organizations.
What types of programs are available under Confucius Institute scholarship?
These scholarships are available in different programs, including short-term Chinese language courses for four weeks, semester and academic year, and degree programs BTCSOL Bachelor’s degree and MTCSOL Master’s degree in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language.