Types of Scholarships to Study in China (With How to Apply for Each)

September 20, 2026 · CSCA Gateway Team

Types of Scholarships to Study in China & How to Apply

There are many scholarship pathways for studying in China, and most people only know one or two names (usually "CSC"). But there are several other pathways that are often less competitive. This article rounds up all the main types, plus concrete steps for how to apply to each.

Important: CSCA Is Now a Scholarship Requirement

Starting with the 2026/2027 cycle, Indonesian applicants to the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) at the bachelor's level are required to submit a CSCA score report as part of their application documents. This is a significant change — a strong CSCA score now matters not just for university admission, but as a direct requirement for China's national scholarship.

1. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) — The Flagship

What CSC Covers

Tuition
Full waiver
Accommodation
Free on-campus housing
Monthly stipend
¥2,500 (bachelor’s), ¥3,000 (master’s), ¥3,500 (PhD)
Insurance
Covered (~¥800/year)

General eligibility: non-Chinese citizen, in good health, passport valid at least 12 months from study start. Age limits: under 25 for bachelor’s, under 35 for master’s, under 40 for PhD. Language: HSK 3 for general track, HSK 4 for master’s/PhD (Chinese-medium programs); IELTS/TOEFL per the university’s standard for English-medium programs. And now, bachelor’s applicants must submit a CSCA score.

How to Apply for CSC

  • Type A route (via Embassy) — register online at campuschina.org, then submit physical documents to the Chinese Embassy in Jakarta. This is the official bilateral-quota channel between Indonesia and China.
  • Type B route (directly to a university) — apply directly to your target university, which will nominate you to CSC. Batch schedules vary per university (e.g. batch 1 November–February, batch 2 March–April).
  • It’s recommended to apply through BOTH routes simultaneously to maximize your chances.
  • 2026/2027 cycle timeline: online registration + Embassy submission closes February 8; results out July–August; classes start September.

2. Provincial Government Scholarships

Separate from CSC, funded by a specific provincial government (e.g. Jiangsu, Shandong), awarded through partner universities in that province. Generally less competitive since the applicant pool is smaller (limited to that province). Examples: Jiangsu Government Scholarship (nicknamed the "Jasmine Scholarship") around ¥20,000/year for bachelor’s; Shandong Government Scholarship also around ¥20,000/year for bachelor’s (under age 24), open January–June.

How to Apply for Provincial Scholarships

  • Find out which universities in that province are partners for the provincial scholarship program (not every university in the province automatically participates).
  • Apply directly to your target university (not through the Embassy) — the university handles the nomination to the provincial government.
  • Check the target university’s "International Admissions" page for specific document requirements and deadlines, since they vary by university.

3. University-Specific (Presidential/Institutional) Scholarships

Every university typically has its own scholarship, separate from CSC — the system varies enormously between universities. Common pattern: "Type A" (free tuition + stipend + insurance) and "Type B" (free tuition + insurance, no stipend). Some universities only offer a partial tuition discount rather than a full waiver — always check the details on the university’s official page rather than assuming they’re all the same.

How to Apply for University Scholarships

  • Open the "International Students Admission" or "Study in China" page on your target university’s official site.
  • Look for a dedicated scholarship section (usually separate from the general application form) — sometimes requires an additional form.
  • Apply as part of your regular admission application — you’re usually automatically considered for the scholarship if you check that option on the application form.

4. Belt and Road Scholarship

This isn’t one centralized program, but rather a general label used by many universities/provinces/cities for scholarships targeting students from Belt and Road Initiative partner countries — Indonesia is included. Its coverage is similar to university/provincial scholarships, just themed around "Belt and Road."

How to Apply for the Belt and Road Scholarship

  • There’s no central portal — search directly with the keywords "[university name] + Belt and Road Scholarship" on Google.
  • Once found, the application process works the same as a regular university scholarship (Type B) — apply directly to the university, no Embassy step needed.

5. Chinese Language Scholarship (Confucius Institute / International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship)

Different from the others — this is NOT for a bachelor’s/master’s/PhD degree, but specifically for studying Chinese language (a semester up to 1 year). A good stepping stone before applying for a full degree scholarship. Coverage: free tuition + accommodation, ¥2,500/month stipend (¥3,000 for the MTCSOL teacher-training track), insurance ~¥800/year. HSK requirements vary — from HSK 3 for general classes up to HSK 5/6 for teacher-training tracks.

How to Apply for the Chinese Language Scholarship

  • Apply directly to a university offering this program (usually one with a Confucius Institute or Chinese language center).
  • Deadlines are typically later than CSC — around mid-May for a September start.

A Note for Indonesian Applicants

Beyond the pathways above, LPDP (Indonesia’s own government scholarship) can also fund study in China, since LPDP isn’t tied to a specific destination country — this can be an additional option outside of China-side scholarships. Check directly with LPDP for its specific requirements.

Application Timeline Summary

  • CSC (Type A/B): opens around October–November, closes February–April, results June–August
  • Provincial Scholarships: opens January, closes around June
  • University Scholarships: varies, generally February–April
  • Belt and Road: no fixed pattern, depends on the university
  • Chinese Language Scholarship: closes around mid-May (for a September start)

The general pattern: classes start in September, so most scholarship applications open around November–March of the prior year. CSC has the earliest and most document-heavy deadline, while the Chinese language scholarship has the latest.

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