Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) at PKU
The Chinese Government Scholarship, administered by the China Scholarship Council, is the most comprehensive funding option available for international students at Peking University. This scholarship provides full coverage of tuition fees for the entire duration of your academic program, free on-campus accommodation in the PKU international student dormitories, a generous monthly living stipend to cover food and daily expenses, and comprehensive medical insurance. The monthly stipend amounts are set at 3,000 RMB for undergraduate students and 3,500 RMB for both master and PhD students. These stipends are designed to cover the cost of living comfortably on campus, including meals at the university canteens which cost between 10 and 25 RMB per meal, local transportation, and personal expenses.
The CSC scholarship is available through three main application channels. The first is through bilateral agreements between China and your home country, where the Chinese embassy in your country selects candidates for nomination. The second channel is direct application through the Chinese embassy in your home country. The third is through PKU itself, where the university nominates outstanding applicants to the CSC. The application period opens in November and closes by the end of March each year. All applicants must submit their applications through both the official CSC portal at campuschina.org and the PKU international student admissions portal at studyatpku.com. Required documents include academic transcripts, degree certificates, a detailed study plan of approximately 800 words, two letters of recommendation from professors, and valid language proficiency test scores. The CSC scholarship is very competitive, with acceptance rates varying significantly by country and program, but it remains the best option for international students seeking full financial support to study at PKU.
PKU University Scholarship
Peking University offers its own scholarship program for outstanding international students who demonstrate exceptional academic merit. One of the best features of this scholarship is that no separate application is required. The selection committee automatically evaluates all applicants based on their admission materials, including high school or university GPA, language test scores, recommendation letters, and the quality of the study plan. The PKU Scholarship covers full or partial tuition depending on the strength of your application profile. The university typically awards scholarships to the top 20 to 30 percent of admitted international students each year. Once awarded, the scholarship is renewable annually as long as you maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 and complete the required number of credit hours each semester. Students who achieve strong academic results can continue receiving the scholarship for the entire duration of their degree program.
Beijing Government Scholarship
The Beijing Government Scholarship is available for international students studying at any university located in Beijing, including Peking University. This scholarship provides partial to full tuition coverage, with the exact amount determined by the selection committee based on your academic performance and financial need. The application deadline is typically in April, and applications are submitted through the PKU admissions portal. This scholarship is particularly valuable for international students who have strong academic records but do not qualify for the highly competitive CSC scholarship. Students from developing countries are given priority consideration. The Beijing Government Scholarship covers between 25 and 100 percent of tuition depending on the applicant profile and the availability of funds for that academic year.
Other Funding Sources
International students at PKU can also explore the Confucius Institute Scholarship for Chinese language and culture students, which covers tuition, accommodation, and a living allowance for language programs lasting from one semester to two years. The Belt and Road Scholarship provides funding for students from participating countries. Many students also combine partial scholarships with part-time work on campus, which is permitted for up to 40 hours per month. On-campus jobs typically pay 30 to 60 RMB per hour for teaching assistant, research assistant, or administrative support roles. The PKU International Students Division provides guidance on all available scholarship options and application procedures.
| Scholarship | Coverage | Monthly Stipend | Deadline |
| CSC | Full tuition + housing + insurance | 3,000-3,500 RMB | Feb-Mar |
| PKU Scholarship | Full/partial tuition | – | Mar-May |
| Beijing Gov | 25-100% tuition | – | April |
Tips for Scholarship Success
Start preparing your application materials early, ideally in October or November before the deadline. Ensure every document is complete, as missing recommendation letters or incomplete transcripts are the most common reasons for rejection. Write a study plan that is specific to PKU and mentions particular professors, research centers, or programs that interest you. Generic plans that could apply to any university do not impress selection committees. Check whether your home government has a bilateral educational agreement with China, as this can provide a direct pathway to the CSC scholarship. Finally, apply to multiple scholarship programs simultaneously to maximize your chances of receiving financial support for your studies at Peking University.
How to Strengthen Your Scholarship Application
To maximize your chances of receiving a scholarship at Peking University, start preparing your application materials at least three months before the deadline. Ensure every document is complete and properly notarized as incomplete applications are the most common reason for scholarship rejection. Your study plan should be specific to PKU, mentioning particular programs, research centers, or professors that interest you. Generic study plans that could apply to any university do not impress selection committees. Obtain strong recommendation letters from professors who know your academic work well and can speak specifically about your potential for success in your chosen field. If applying through the Chinese embassy route for the CSC scholarship, contact the embassy early to learn their specific requirements and country-specific deadlines. Apply to multiple scholarship programs simultaneously to maximize your chances of receiving some form of financial support for your studies at PKU.
Scholarship Application Checklist
To ensure a complete scholarship application to Peking University, use this checklist. Prepare your academic transcripts and degree certificates with notarized translations well in advance. Write a compelling study plan of approximately 800 words that specifically mentions PKU programs, professors, or research centers that interest you. Request recommendation letters from professors at least one month before the deadline. Take language proficiency tests early enough to receive scores before the application deadline. Complete the online CSC application at campuschina.org and the PKU application at studyatpku.com. Upload all documents in the required format and size. Review your application for completeness before submitting. Keep copies of all submitted documents and note your application numbers for future reference. Apply to multiple scholarship programs to maximize your chances of receiving funding.
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