Let’s be real — studying abroad is expensive. Tuition, accommodation, food, flights, visa fees… it adds up fast. But here’s the thing: China offers some of the most generous scholarships in the world. I’m talking full tuition waivers, free on-campus housing, monthly stipends, and even health insurance. Some programs basically pay you to study.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through 9 fully funded scholarship programs in China for 2026. Each one covers at least tuition plus living costs. I’ll include exact amounts, eligibility requirements, deadlines, and tips from students who actually got these scholarships.
Why China Has So Many Fully Funded Scholarships
China wants to attract international talent. The government invests heavily in scholarship programs because it helps build diplomatic ties and boosts the country’s academic reputation. In 2025 alone, over 70,000 international students received some form of Chinese government scholarship. The numbers keep climbing.
Most fully funded scholarships cover: full tuition (typically ¥20,000–¥50,000 per year depending on the program), free accommodation or a housing allowance, a monthly living stipend, and comprehensive medical insurance. Some even include a one-time settlement fee and airfare reimbursement.
1. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC Scholarship)
The CSC scholarship is the big one. It’s funded by the Chinese Ministry of Education and offered to students at over 280 Chinese universities. There are different types: Bilateral Program (through your home country’s embassy), Chinese University Program (directly through the university), and Great Wall Program (for developing countries).
What you get depends on your degree level:
| Level | Tuition Waiver | Accommodation | Monthly Stipend | Insurance | Total Value/Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s | Full (¥20,000–¥30,000) | Free dorm or ¥700–¥1,000/mo allowance | ¥2,500 | ¥800/year | ~¥60,000–¥80,000 |
| Master’s | Full (¥25,000–¥40,000) | Free dorm or ¥1,000–¥1,500/mo allowance | ¥3,000 | ¥800/year | ~¥85,000–¥110,000 |
| PhD | Full (¥30,000–¥50,000) | Free dorm or ¥1,500–¥2,000/mo allowance | ¥3,500 | ¥800/year | ~¥105,000–¥140,000 |
Application tip: The Bilateral Program route through your home country’s Chinese embassy usually has the highest success rate. Apply at least 6 months before your intended start date. Most deadlines fall between January and April.
2. Confucius Institute Scholarship (CIS)
If you’re studying Chinese language or teaching Chinese, this one’s for you. The Confucius Institute Scholarship covers full tuition, accommodation, a monthly stipend (¥2,500 for one-year study, ¥3,000 for Bachelor’s in TCSOL), and comprehensive insurance.
It pays for: Chinese Language and Culture programs (1 semester to 2 years), Bachelor’s in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (4 years), and Master’s in TCSOL (2 years). The total value ranges from ¥50,000 to ¥120,000 per year depending on the program length.
Real talk: This scholarship is competitive but not impossible. If you have an HSK 3 or above and a recommendation from a Confucius Institute in your home country, your chances go way up.
3. Provincial Government Scholarships
Almost every province in China runs its own scholarship program. These are less known than the CSC but equally generous. The benefits vary by province but generally cover 50%–100% of tuition plus a partial or full stipend.
| Province | Coverage | Monthly Stipend | Participating Universities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing | Full or partial tuition | Up to ¥2,000 | Tsinghua, PKU, BUAA, Renmin, BNU |
| Shanghai | Full tuition + accommodation | ¥1,500–¥2,500 | Fudan, SJTU, Tongji, ECNU |
| Zhejiang | Full tuition + stipend | ¥1,500–¥3,000 | ZJU, ZJUT, HZNU |
| Jiangsu | Up to full coverage | ¥1,000–¥2,500 | NJU, SEU, NUAA, Hohai |
| Guangdong | Full tuition + living allowance | ¥1,200–¥2,000 | SYSU, SCNU, GDPU |
Provincial scholarships are often easier to get than the national CSC because there’s less competition. The catch? You usually need to apply directly through a university in that province, not through an embassy.
4. University-Specific Full Scholarships
Many Chinese universities offer their own full scholarships to attract top international students. These are funded by the university itself rather than the government. The coverage is similar to CSC but the application process is simpler.
Here are some notable ones:
Tsinghua University Scholarship — Covers full tuition, on-campus accommodation, monthly stipend of ¥2,500–¥3,500, and insurance. Open to all degree levels. Deadlines usually align with the regular admission round (December–February for fall intake).
Peking University Scholarship — Full or partial tuition waiver plus monthly living expenses. The Yenching Academy offers a separate, highly prestigious full scholarship for Master’s students in China Studies (¥25,000/month stipend including travel and accommodation).
SJTU Scholarship — Full tuition, ¥1,500–¥3,000 monthly, and accommodation allowance. About 200 international students receive this every year. Apply through SJTU’s international student portal.
Fudan University Scholarship — Covers full tuition plus ¥1,500–¥3,000 monthly. There’s also a separate Shanghai Government Scholarship channel for Fudan applicants.
5. MOFCOM Scholarship
The MOFCOM scholarship is funded by China’s Ministry of Commerce. It’s designed specifically for students from developing countries. This is one of the most complete scholarship packages available.
What’s covered: full tuition, free on-campus accommodation, monthly stipend (¥3,000 for Master’s, ¥3,500 for PhD), one-time settlement fee of ¥3,000, comprehensive medical insurance, round-trip international airfare, and even a one-time textbook fee (¥1,000). Total value per year: around ¥120,000–¥150,000.
The MOFCOM scholarship is only for Master’s and PhD programs, and you must apply through specific Chinese universities that participate in the program. Popular choices include Tsinghua, PKU, UIBE, and Renmin University.
6. Great Wall Scholarship
This one is organized by UNESCO and the Chinese government. It’s targeted at students from developing countries who want to pursue Master’s or PhD degrees in China. The coverage is identical to the CSC full scholarship: full tuition, free accommodation, monthly stipend of ¥3,000 (Master’s) or ¥3,500 (PhD), and insurance.
The Great Wall Scholarship is less well-known, which means fewer applicants and a better shot at getting it. You apply through UNESCO’s national commission in your home country. The deadline is usually around February–March each year.
7. Belt and Road Scholarship
China launched the Belt and Road Scholarship to support students from BRI partner countries. Over 130 countries are eligible. The scholarship covers full tuition, accommodation, a monthly stipend (¥2,500–¥3,500), medical insurance, and sometimes airfare.
Students from Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East are prioritized. Universities like Peking University, Zhejiang University, Xiamen University, and Southwest Jiaotong University run dedicated BRI tracks. If your country is part of the BRI, this is one of the easiest routes to a fully funded education in China.
8. Chinese Embassy / Bilateral Program Scholarship
This is actually a type of CSC scholarship but it flows through your home country. Every year, the Chinese embassy in each country receives a quota of scholarship slots. The embassy handles the selection and nomination.
Coverage is the same as the standard CSC: full tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend (¥2,500 for bachelor’s, ¥3,000 for master’s, ¥3,500 for PhD), and insurance. The key advantage: the application process is simpler because you deal with one local office instead of navigating Chinese university portals.
Check your local Chinese embassy’s website between October and February. Some countries hold written exams, others just review your documents and interview.
9. ASEM DUO Scholarship (Asia-Europe)
If you’re from an ASEM partner country (51 countries including EU member states, ASEAN countries, China, Japan, South Korea, etc.), the ASEM DUO scholarship supports exchange programs between Asia and Europe. It covers travel costs, tuition fees (up to ¥50,000 per semester), accommodation, and a living allowance.
This one’s a bit different because it’s for exchange programs (1–2 semesters) rather than full degree programs. But if you want to study in China temporarily, it’s a fantastic option. The scholarship value ranges from ¥60,000 to ¥100,000 per semester.
Quick Comparison: Which Scholarship Should You Apply For?
| Scholarship | Degree Level | Coverage | Monthly Stipend | Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSC Scholarship | Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD | Full + accommodation | ¥2,500–¥3,500 | Medium | General applicants |
| MOFCOM | Master’s/PhD | Full + airfare + settlement | ¥3,000–¥3,500 | Medium | Developing country students |
| Provincial | Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD | Full or partial + stipend | ¥1,000–¥3,000 | Low–Medium | Province-specific applicants |
| University | Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD | Full or partial + stipend | ¥1,500–¥3,500 | Medium | Top university applicants |
| Confucius Institute | Language/Bachelor’s/Master’s | Full + accommodation | ¥2,500–¥3,000 | Medium | Chinese language/TCSOL students |
| Belt & Road | Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD | Full + accommodation | ¥2,500–¥3,500 | Low | BRI country nationals |
| Great Wall | Master’s/PhD | Full + accommodation | ¥3,000–¥3,500 | Low | Developing country students |
| Bilateral Program | Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD | Full + accommodation | ¥2,500–¥3,500 | Low–Medium | Embassy route applicants |
| ASEM DUO | Exchange | Tuition + travel + living | Varies | Medium | Asia-Europe exchange students |
How Much Money Can You Actually Save with a Full Scholarship?
Let’s break it down with real numbers. A typical international student in China without a scholarship spends roughly ¥60,000–¥120,000 per year on tuition (varies by program and university), plus ¥30,000–¥60,000 per year on accommodation and living expenses in a mid-sized city. That’s ¥90,000–¥180,000 per year out of pocket.
With a full scholarship covering tuition, accommodation, and a ¥3,000 monthly stipend, you’re effectively earning ¥36,000 per year in cash on top of ¥50,000–¥90,000 worth of tuition and housing. Over a 4-year bachelor’s program, that’s a benefit of ¥350,000–¥500,000. Yes, half a million yuan.
Even a partial scholarship (50% tuition waiver plus ¥1,500 monthly) cuts your annual costs from ¥120,000 to roughly ¥40,000–¥50,000. That’s still a massive difference.
Tips to Improve Your Chances of Getting a Scholarship
Apply early. Most scholarship deadlines fall between December and April for fall intake. Late applications almost never get approved, even if you’re a strong candidate.
Apply to multiple programs. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Apply for the CSC, a provincial scholarship, and a university-specific scholarship simultaneously. Many students win at least one out of three.
Get your documents right. A well-written study plan (800–1,200 words) and strong recommendation letters make a huge difference. Generic documents get rejected fast.
Focus on HSK. Even if your program is in English, having HSK 4 or above gives you a real edge. Many scholarship committees prefer students who can adapt to life in China.
Target less popular universities. Everyone applies to Tsinghua and PKU. But universities like Sichuan University, Shandong University, or Dalian University of Technology have equally good programs and much lower competition for scholarships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work while on a scholarship in China?
Yes, but with limits. Student visa holders can work part-time on campus (up to 8 hours per week during term, 16 hours during breaks). Off-campus work requires special permission. Your scholarship won’t be affected by part-time work as long as your grades stay above the minimum.
Do I need to know Chinese to get a scholarship?
Not necessarily. Many scholarships are available for English-taught programs, especially at the Master’s and PhD level. But having HSK certification definitely boosts your application.
What happens if I fail a course?
Most scholarships have a minimum GPA requirement. If you fail courses, you’ll get a warning first. If it happens again, the scholarship can be suspended. It’s not common, but it does happen.
Can I switch universities after getting a scholarship?
Generally no. Most scholarships are tied to a specific university. If you want to transfer, you’d need the scholarship committee’s approval, and that’s rarely granted.
Are scholarship stipends enough to live on?
¥2,500–¥3,500 per month is enough for a comfortable student life outside of Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. In top-tier cities, it covers basics plus some entertainment if you budget well. Many students supplement with part-time tutoring or freelance work.
When will I hear back about my scholarship application?
CSC results usually come out between June and August. University-specific scholarships may announce earlier (April–June). Provincial scholarships vary widely. Check the specific program’s timeline.