Studying Chinese as a general scholar on the Chinese Government Scholarship
A general scholar applying for the Chinese Government Scholarship must be a holder of a high school diploma (or higher) under the age of 45 when applying for a general scholar program (Application Guide for Chinese Government Scholarship, section IV, item 5). For a Chinese-taught general scholar program, item 8 of the same section requires a pass at HSK Level 3 and excludes Chinese language majors from that requirement. See also HSK on this site.
These conditions belong to the Chinese Government Scholarship. This page does not treat them as admission rules for self-funded students.
Programs that name general scholars
Section II, item (I) says Chinese Government Scholarship programs sponsor undergraduates, postgraduates, general and senior scholars. Section I names general scholars in two of its four program types.
| Program type (section I) | What the item says about categories | Where the applicant files |
|---|---|---|
| (I) Bilateral Program | Open to undergraduates, postgraduates, general and senior scholars | The dispatching department of the applicant's home country |
| (II) University Program | Supporting categories are subject to the requirements of each designated university | The Chinese universities undertaking the program |
| (III) Designated Scholarship Programs | Not named in item (III) | The international organizations and institutions concerned |
| (IV) Student Exchange Program | Supports general and senior scholars for a training session of no more than 12 months | The Chinese university and its foreign partner |
Language study
Section II, item (II) says the scholarship covers both major study and Chinese language (preparatory) study. The same item says the language courses last one year.
Eligibility
Section IV, item 1 requires an applicant to be a citizen of a country other than the PRC and in good health, both mentally and physically.
Section IV names general scholars in two items:
- Item 5: a general scholar program applicant must be a holder of a high school diploma (or higher) under the age of 45.
- Item 8: a Chinese-taught general scholar program applicant must have passed the HSK (Level 3). Item 8 excludes Chinese language majors.
This site does not describe HSK test content. The official test site describes the tests.
Stipend
Section III, item 3 gives a monthly stipend line for "Master's students/general scholars": CNY 3,000 per month.
Section III, items 1 to 4 list tuition fees, a free university dormitory or accommodation subsidy, the stipend, and comprehensive medical insurance.
Documents
Section VI lists the application documents. These items apply to a general scholar as follows:
- Item 1: the Application Form for Chinese Government Scholarship, filled in online.
- Item 2: a clear scanned copy of the passport information page. If the passport's validity is less than 12 months, counted from the expected start date of study, renew the passport and use it for the application.
- Item 3: a notarized photocopy of the diploma and certificate of highest education.
- Item 4: academic records. Records in languages other than Chinese or English need notarized translations into Chinese or English.
- Item 5: for general scholar programs taught in Chinese, a valid HSK score report that meets the corresponding Chinese language proficiency requirement. Item 5 does not repeat the exclusion for Chinese language majors printed in section IV, item 8.
- Item 7: a pre-admission document issued by the university applied to. Item 7 applies to all applicants.
- Item 8: a study or research plan in Chinese or English, of no less than 500 words/characters for scholars. Item 8 does not separate general scholars from senior scholars.
- Item 12: an applicant to study in China for more than six months shall submit a photocopy of the Foreigner Physical Examination Form. Medical examination results are valid for six months.
- Item 13: a valid Certificate of Non-Criminal Record (or Police Clearance Certificate), usually issued within six months before the application date.
Item 9 requires two recommendation letters for a postgraduate program or for academic education as a senior scholar. Item 9 names no general scholar.
Application steps
Section V sets out seven steps in this order. Items 1 to 5 say what the applicant or the application receiving agency shall do. Items 6 and 7 say what the China Scholarship Council (CSC) will do. Section V gives no dates.
- Learn about the designated Chinese universities and the majors they offer, on the website or by other means.
- Contact the designated university to get the admission documents.
- Contact an application receiving agency for a recommendation.
- Submit the Application Form for Chinese Government Scholarship online through the Chinese Government Scholarship Information System.
- The application receiving agency shall submit the recommended candidates list and the application documents.
- The CSC organizes designated universities and experts to examine eligibility and academic performance before the short-list is finalized.
- The CSC notifies the admission results to the application receiving agency, which then has the applicant informed.
Item 1 also asks the applicant to identify the preferred scholarship program, designated university and major.
For the current application cycle, check the publisher's website at campuschina.org.
This site is not affiliated with any ministry, embassy, scholarship body, test body or university, and it accepts no applications.
Sources
- Application Guide for Chinese Government Scholarship, China Scholarship Council (Campus China, campuschina.org)
Checked 11 October 2026.
This page is an unofficial summary. It is not legal or immigration advice and is not published by the bodies named. The official text and the instructions of the body handling your case prevail if they differ.