Complete Guide to 2026 Scholarships for Studying in China: National, Local, University, and Special Programs

As interest in studying in China continues to rise, China has established a scholarship system for international students that provides layered coverage and complementary forms of support. From fully funded national programs to special subsidies established independently by universities, applicants from different backgrounds and at different academic stages can find suitable application pathways. For prospective applicants, understanding the purpose, funding level, and application rules of scholarships at each level is a core step in reducing study costs and improving the chances of success. Based on the latest official policies for the 2026–2027 academic year, this article systematically reviews the full structure and application priorities of the four-level scholarship system, helping applicants build a clear “reach–match–safety” application pathway.

1. National Level: Chinese Government Scholarship—High Funding and High Recognition

The Chinese Government Scholarship is the highest-level official full scholarship program for studying in China, with the most comprehensive benefits system. It is established by the Ministry of Education of China, with the China Scholarship Council entrusted to coordinate admissions and management. It covers undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, and various types of visiting or non-degree students across all academic stages, making it the primary reach option for the vast majority of outstanding applicants.

The scholarship fully covers tuition, on-campus accommodation, and comprehensive medical insurance for international students in China during the standard period of study, while also providing a monthly living stipend. The standard stipend is RMB 2,500 per month for undergraduate students, RMB 3,000 per month for master’s students, and RMB 3,500 per month for doctoral students. Some programs may also provide funding for Chinese-language preparatory study. Applications are divided into two independent channels: first, the country-specific bilateral channel, under which applicants submit applications to their home country’s education authority or the Chinese embassy or consulate abroad. This channel is evaluated based on country quotas, the applicant pool is relatively concentrated, and the application period is usually from January to April each year. Second, the university independent admissions channel, under which applicants submit materials directly to Chinese universities authorized to enroll scholarship students. This channel is open to students worldwide without country quota restrictions, and the application window is usually from December each year to April of the following year. The two channels are independent and cannot be used for duplicate applications. Violations will result in disqualification for the entire year.

2. Local Government Level: Region-Specific Support Suitable as a Safety Option

Local government scholarships are established independently by provinces and cities and are open to international students studying at universities within their jurisdictions. They aim to attract international talent and promote the internationalization of local higher education. Compared with national scholarships, they have lower application thresholds and more flexible evaluation processes. Both new and current students may apply, making them a stable safety option for most applicants.

Major study-abroad cities in China have established corresponding programs, with different forms and levels of funding: the Beijing Government Scholarship mainly provides tuition waivers in full and half-award tiers and does not provide a separate living allowance; the Tianjin Government Scholarship offers full and half awards, with a maximum annual subsidy of RMB 38,000 covering tuition, accommodation, and a basic allowance; the Jiangsu Jasmine Scholarship is an all-inclusive award covering tuition, accommodation, and insurance, with an additional monthly living allowance of RMB 1,500; the Chongqing Mayor Scholarship is a unified award providing an annual subsidy of RMB 25,000 and is not restricted by academic stage; in Shanghai, Guangdong, Zhejiang, and other regions, universities independently set award tiers, with subsidies ranging from 50% tuition waivers to full funding. It is important to note that the vast majority of regions stipulate that national and local government scholarships cannot be held at the same time, so applicants must choose one of the two.

3. University Level: Flexible Requirements and the Widest Coverage

University-level scholarships are established and evaluated independently by each admitting university. They are the most widely available type of subsidy and have the most flexible application requirements. From Double First-Class universities to regular undergraduate institutions, almost all schools offer special scholarships for international students. Evaluation authority rests with the university’s international student administration office, and competition is limited to applicants to the same university, making these scholarships suitable for the safety-level application needs of the vast majority of students.

Funding tiers and evaluation standards vary by institution: leading universities represented by Shanghai Jiao Tong University divide scholarships into A, B, and C tiers, corresponding to tuition waivers of 100%, 75%, and 50% respectively; Zhejiang University evaluates awards based on academic GPA and research achievements, with annual awards ranging from RMB 20,000 to RMB 50,000; universities such as Xiamen University and Wuhan University may grant full tuition exemptions directly to outstanding new students. The core advantage of university-level scholarships is that some institutions allow them to be combined with local government scholarships, and dual subsidies can further reduce the cost of studying abroad.

4. Special Featured Programs: Less Competition in Targeted Tracks and Higher Chances of Success

Special featured scholarships are niche funding programs established for specific countries, specific majors, or specific cooperation projects. Because they are less widely known and highly targeted, overall competition is much lower than for general scholarships, making them a cost-effective pathway for applicants who meet the requirements.

These programs are numerous and have different focuses: the Belt and Road Special Scholarship added in 2026 is open specifically to students from participating countries and covers all academic levels; region-specific programs such as the Silk Road Special Scholarship and the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Scholarship often focus on engineering, agriculture, and Chinese-language majors; there are also industry-specific talent scholarships that support talent development for particular industries. In addition, credit student programs and short-term research exchange programs established under China–foreign inter-university exchange agreements also fall within the scope of special funding. They are open to visiting students and young scholars, with funding periods generally lasting no more than 12 months.

5. Key Scholarship Application Considerations

First, follow the principle of tiered applications. It is recommended that applicants first pursue the university channel of the Chinese Government Scholarship, simultaneously apply for university-level scholarships at one or two institutions, and use local government scholarships as a safety option to maximize the probability of receiving an award.

Second, keep track of application timelines. Application periods for scholarships at different levels are spread throughout the year, and April is the concentrated deadline for the vast majority of programs. Material preparation should begin 6–12 months in advance to allow time for notarization and translation.

Third, maintain application integrity. Applicants are prohibited from applying for multiple national scholarships at the same time and may not submit duplicate applications for the same program through different channels. Once verified, violations will result in disqualification and a three-year ban on reapplying.

Fourth, master’s and doctoral applicants can make good use of the pre-admission mechanism. Contacting a prospective supervisor at the target university in advance to obtain a pre-admission intention can significantly improve the probability of passing scholarship evaluation.