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China’s September 2026 intake is a major annual opportunity for international students to begin full-degree programs.  Every year, hundreds of scholarships are offered by the Chinese government, universities, and provincial/municipal bodies to attract global talent .  These awards – many fully funded – make studying in China affordable by covering tuition, housing, stipends and insurance.  The September intake marks the start of the 2026–27 academic year, so planning now is key. By applying early, ambitious students can secure funding and join China’s world-class universities on English-taught Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD programs.

Major Scholarship Opportunities

The most popular scholarships include government and institutional programs. Chinese Government Scholarships (CSC) are flagship awards administered by the China Scholarship Council; they support undergraduate, Master’s and PhD studies in China.  CSC scholarships typically cover full tuition, accommodation and a monthly living stipend (approximately RMB 2,500 for undergraduates, 3,000 for Master’s and 3,500 for PhD candidates) .  The CSC application cycle usually runs December through April for the September intake .

Other major programs include:

• CAS-ANSO Scholarship (Chinese Academy of Sciences) – A science-focused program (formerly ANSO Scholarship).  It funds ~100–200 Master’s students and ~300 PhD students each year to study at USTC, UCAS or CAS institutes .  It is fully funded: tuition waiver, monthly stipend, health insurance, application fee waiver, and even travel/visa allowances are provided .  (There is also a special CAS-ANSO-TWAS/UNESCO category for certain PhD applicants .)  Applicants must be non-Chinese and meet age criteria (Master’s born ≥1995; PhD ≥1990) ; application deadlines are typically in early 2025 .
• Schwarzman Scholars (Tsinghua University) – A fully-funded one-year Master’s in Global Affairs (English) at Tsinghua.  Open to international candidates aged 18–28 , it attracts future leaders.  Awardees receive 100% funding: tuition and fees, on-campus room/board, required books, travel to/from Beijing, in-country study tours, a laptop, health insurance and a personal stipend .  The application for Class of 2026–27 (starting Aug 2026) runs April–Sept 2025 .
• Yenching Academy Scholarship (Peking University) – A 2-year interdisciplinary MA in China Studies (English).  This prestigious scholarship covers full tuition, campus housing, related fees, a monthly stipend, and one-time travel and field-study support .  It typically requires a completed BA and is open to global applicants.  Deadlines are usually late fall (e.g. Dec/Jan) before the intake year.
• MOFCOM Scholarship (Ministry of Commerce) – For students from developing countries.  Supports 2–3 year Master’s or 3-year PhD programs taught in English .  Benefits include tuition and fee waivers, free on-campus accommodation, annual stipend (approx. RMB 36,000 for Masters, 42,000 for PhDs) , plus a one-time settlement allowance, health insurance and airfare reimbursements for initial arrival, return home, and annual home visits .  Applicants must apply via the local Chinese embassy’s economic-commercial office.
• Shanghai Government Scholarship (SGS) – City-level funding for international students in Shanghai.  SGS offers full and partial scholarships.  The full SGS covers tuition and provides housing subsidies (about RMB 700–1,000/month) plus a living stipend.  For example, at Shanghai University the full scholarship includes a monthly stipend of RMB 2,500 (Bachelor’s), 3,000 (Master’s) or 3,500 (PhD) and free accommodation .  Partial SGS covers tuition only.  Both include basic medical insurance.  (Application period for fall intake is typically Nov–May .)
• Beijing Government Scholarship (BGS) – Funded by Beijing municipality for studies in Beijing.  BGS has categories; notably the “First Class” award pays 95% of tuition (student pays only CNY5,000/year) and the “Second Class” pays 50% of tuition .  No separate stipend or accommodation allowance is usually provided, so it primarily reduces the tuition cost.  Eligible students must meet degree/age requirements (e.g. undergraduates ≤30 years, Master’s ≤35, PhD ≤40 ).
• Jiangsu Provincial Scholarship – A generous provincial program.  It covers full tuition, free on-campus housing, an annual stipend (approx. RMB 15,000 for Bachelor’s, 25,000 for Master’s, 30,000 for PhD) and medical insurance .  Applicants must be academically excellent and fall within age limits (e.g. 18–25 for undergraduates, under 35 for Master’s, under 40 for PhDs) .  The application window is usually January–April .

These scholarships exemplify the fully funded options (covering everything from tuition to living costs) and the partial awards available.  Many Chinese universities also offer their own merit scholarships.  Together, these programs open doors to study in China with minimal financial burden.

Coverage: What Scholarships Include

Most of the above awards are fully funded, meaning they cover the bulk of your expenses. Common benefits include:

• Tuition Waiver:  Almost every full scholarship covers 100% of tuition costs.
• Accommodation:  Many scholarships provide free or subsidized on-campus housing (or a housing allowance) .
• Stipend:  Monthly living stipends typically range from ¥2,500–3,500 for Master’s students (undergrads slightly lower) .  For example, CSC awards RMB 3,000/month for Master’s and 3,500 for PhDs .
• Insurance:  Basic medical/health insurance is usually included for scholarship students.
• Other Allowances:  Select scholarships (CAS-ANSO, Schwarzman, MOFCOM) also cover one-time travel and visa fees .

Some programs offer partial funding.  For example, partial Shanghai scholarships waive tuition but do not include a stipend or housing. Beijing’s program similarly only reduces tuition.  It’s important to check each scholarship’s details, but in most cases a full scholarship will leave you with virtually no school-related expenses.

Eligibility and Requirements

Eligibility varies by scholarship, but general rules include:

• Nationality/Status: Must be a non-Chinese citizen in good health .
• Academic Level:
  • For Bachelor’s programs: high school diploma (or equivalent) and ages typically up to 25–30 (e.g. ≤25 for Shanghai, ≤30 for Beijing) .
  • For Master’s: a recognized Bachelor’s degree and usually age under ~35 .
  • For PhD: a Master’s degree and often age under 40 .
• Language:  Programs taught in English require proof of English ability (TOEFL/IELTS/PTE scores).  Some scholarships or universities may exempt native English speakers or those who already earned a degree in English.  Chinese-taught programs require HSK certificates (often HSK5 or 6) .
• Other Conditions:  MOFCOM scholarship, for example, is only open to students from developing countries .  Many scholarships also require strong academic records, research proposals (for graduate programs), and recommendation letters.

Applicants should review each scholarship’s criteria carefully.  Common age/degree requirements from representative programs are:

Shanghai SGS – Bachelor’s applicants <25, Master’s <35, PhDs <40 ;

Jiangsu scholarship – Bachelor’s 18–25, Master’s <35, PhD <40 .

Application Process and Required Documents

Applying usually involves two parts: submitting documents and using the correct portal.

• Documentation: Common required documents include: current résumé/CV, copy of passport, highest degree certificate and full transcripts (with official translations if not in English/Chinese), a study plan or research proposal, two academic recommendation letters, and a Foreigner Physical Examination Form (health check). An English proficiency certificate (IELTS/TOEFL) or evidence of English instruction is needed for English programs, while HSK is required for Chinese programs .  Some scholarships also require a pre-admission or supervisor’s letter (for graduate programs) and notarized copies of all certificates.  Polio vaccination proof may also be asked for certain programs .
• How to Apply:  Government scholarships (CSC, MOFCOM) require online applications via the official portals or through Chinese embassies.  CSC-regular programs use the Study in China portal (campuschina.org) , while MOFCOM applications go through the Chinese embassy’s economic section . University-specific scholarships (like Schwarzman or Yenching) use their own application systems (Schwarzman has its portal; Yenching via Peking University admissions). Provincial scholarships typically require endorsement by a supervising professor and submission through the host university’s admission office.
• Timelines: Application windows vary by program but for the September 2026 intake most deadlines fall in late 2025 or early 2026.  For instance, Shanghai’s scholarships run roughly Nov 2024–May 2025 for the 2025 intake , Jiangsu opens Jan–Apr , and CAS-ANSO closes around mid-February 2025 .  Always check each scholarship’s official announcement for exact deadlines.

In summary, start early: research programs, prepare documents (translated and notarized), and apply before the deadlines. Missing paperwork or late submissions will disqualify the application.

Reach Out to DreamPath for Support

Embarking on this journey is exciting, and you don’t have to go it alone. DreamPath is committed to guiding international students through every step of the Chinese scholarship application process.  Our experienced advisors can help you identify the best scholarship fits for your goals, prepare winning application materials, and meet all requirements on time.

Your future in China starts now. Apply with confidence, and let DreamPath help you realize your academic dreams!

Ready to take the next step? Contact DreamPath today at dreampathedu@outlook.com for personalized guidance. We can review your profile, suggest suitable programs, and answer all your questions.The 2026 September intake is a golden opportunity – let DreamPath light your way to success.