Bachelor, Master, PhDFully Funded

Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)

Last verified 8 May 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

The Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) is a fully funded award covering bachelor, master and PhD study at 280+ Chinese universities — tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend and comprehensive insurance for international students from Africa.

Provider: China Scholarship Council (CSC) / Ministry of Education of China
Host country: China
Deadline: 2027 calls not yet published — university (Type B) deadlines usually fall between December and April; embassy/Ministry of Education rounds vary
Region: Asia

Official source Track this application

Topics

Applying from your country? See your edition: Kenya · Nigeria · Ghana · Ethiopia · Uganda · Tanzania · Rwanda · Angola · Mozambique · Senegal · Cameroon · Ivory Coast · Benin · Togo

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Review the recorded eligibility, funding and deadline information below. Confirm the current award conditions on the provider's official source.

Who can apply: International students; non-Chinese citizens in good health; meet age and academic requirements for the chosen degree level.
Funding: Fully Funded
Study level: Bachelor, Master, PhD
Deadline: 2027 calls not yet published — university (Type B) deadlines usually fall between December and April; embassy/Ministry of Education rounds vary

Key eligibility criteria

International students; non-Chinese citizens in good health; meet age and academic requirements for the chosen degree level.

Recorded funding information

Fully Funded

About the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) (2026)

The Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) — formally the Chinese Scholarship Council programme — is the headline fully funded route for African students who want to pursue a bachelor, master or PhD degree in China. Administered by the Ministry of Education, it funds study at more than 280 designated Chinese universities, including Tsinghua, Peking, Fudan, Zhejiang, Wuhan and Shanghai Jiao Tong. ## Why this scholarship matters for African applicants China has become one of the largest single destinations for African degree-seeking students, with strong programmes in engineering, medicine (MBBS), AI, agriculture, traditional Chinese medicine, international relations and Chinese language. The CSC removes the cost barrier and pairs it with an existing diplomatic pipeline through Chinese embassies in every African country. ## What the award covers Full tuition at the host university, free on-campus accommodation (or housing subsidy), comprehensive medical insurance, and a monthly living stipend of approximately CNY 2,500 (undergraduate), CNY 3,000 (master) or CNY 3,500 (PhD). Some host universities top up with additional research or living allowances. ## How the selection process works There are three application channels — Type A through the Chinese embassy in your country, Type B directly through a Chinese university, and Type C through provincial governments. Most African applicants use Type A or Type B. Selection looks at academic record, the strength of your study plan, recommendation letters, and (for research degrees) a pre-acceptance letter from a supervisor. ## Application tips that move the needle Reach out to a prospective supervisor 3–4 months early for postgraduate degrees — a strong pre-acceptance letter is the single biggest selection factor. Translate transcripts and the diploma through a notary, prepare a 1,500–2,000 word study plan tied to the supervisor's lab, and apply through both Type A and Type B where allowed (you can hold offers in parallel until acceptance). ## Deadlines and intake windows Intake opens in late October and most embassy and university deadlines fall between late February and mid-April for the September intake. Confirm your specific embassy's cut-off date because Type A windows close earlier than Type B. ## Useful internal reading - Browse open scholarships: https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/scholarships - How to write a winning scholarship essay: https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/blog/how-to-write-winning-scholarship-essay - Scholarship interview questions for African students: https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/blog/scholarship-interview-questions-african-students Always confirm the live intake on the sponsor's official site before you build a timeline around it.

Funding information

The funding information below is recorded in this listing; it does not establish additional covered components. Check amounts, caps, exclusions and conditions on the official source.

Fully Funded

Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) eligibility

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

International students; non-Chinese citizens in good health; meet age and academic requirements for the chosen degree level.

Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) document information

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the materials the provider requests.

How to apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) 2026

Follow the provider's stated process. The checks below are guidance, not additional application requirements. Any original editorial instructions remain in the description above.

1
Check the provider's process
Consult https://www.campuschina.org/scholarships/index.html to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there.
2
Check eligibility and any requested materials
Listed eligibility: International students; non-Chinese citizens in good health; meet age and academic requirements for the chosen degree level.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist.
3
Check dates and next steps
Listed deadline information: 2027 calls not yet published — university (Type B) deadlines usually fall between December and April; embassy/Ministry of Education rounds vary. Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) deadline & application timeline

Provider deadline information: 2027 calls not yet published — university (Type B) deadlines usually fall between December and April; embassy/Ministry of Education rounds vary. This text cannot be safely converted to a countdown; check the official source for its meaning. The earlier milestones are optional planning suggestions only.

Planning suggestion: 12 months out
Check the current call and decide whether this opportunity fits your plans.
Planning suggestion: 6 months out
If the provider requires tests or documents that take time, plan for them using its published instructions.
Planning suggestion: 3 months out
If an application is required, review the provider's process and prepare only the materials it requests.
Planning suggestion: 1 month out
If submission is required, allow time to check your materials and any stated cutoff.
Provider deadline
2027 calls not yet published — university (Type B) deadlines usually fall between December and April; embassy/Ministry of Education rounds vary
Provider deadline information: 2027 calls not yet published — university (Type B) deadlines usually fall between December and April; embassy/Ministry of Education rounds vary. Confirm the current instructions and any cutoff or time zone on the official source; no additional time is assumed here.

Ready to apply?

Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

Visit official site

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Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)?+

International students; non-Chinese citizens in good health; meet age and academic requirements for the chosen degree level.

What funding does the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) offer?+

Listed funding: Fully Funded. Confirm amounts, exclusions and conditions on the official source. This label does not establish any additional benefit components.

When is the application deadline?+

Provider deadline information: 2027 calls not yet published — university (Type B) deadlines usually fall between December and April; embassy/Ministry of Education rounds vary. Confirm the current cutoff and any time zone on the official source; no additional cutoff or late-submission policy is assumed here.

What documents do I need to apply?+

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the documents requested by the provider; requirements may differ from admission requirements.

How do I check the application process?+

Consult https://www.campuschina.org/scholarships/index.html to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there. Listed eligibility: International students; non-Chinese citizens in good health; meet age and academic requirements for the chosen degree level.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist. Listed deadline information: 2027 calls not yet published — university (Type B) deadlines usually fall between December and April; embassy/Ministry of Education rounds vary. Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

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