General scholar programme: the non-degree route under the Chinese Government Scholarship

The Application Guide for Chinese Government Scholarship, published by the China Scholarship Council (Campus China), sets the conditions for applying to a general scholar programme. Section IV item 5 requires a high school diploma (or higher) and an age under 45 when applying. Section IV item 8 adds HSK Level 3 for a Chinese-taught general scholar programme, excluding Chinese language majors.

These conditions belong to the Chinese Government Scholarship. This article does not present them as admission rules for self-funded students, and the guide's wording is quoted as it stands.

Eligibility

Section IV, "To be eligible, an applicant must", lists these provisions that bear on a general scholar:

• Item 1: be "a citizen of a country other than the PRC and in good health both mentally and physically".
• Item 5: be "a holder of a high school diploma (or higher) under the age of 45 when applying for a general scholar program".
• Item 8: "have passed the HSK (Level 3) when applying for a Chinese-taught general scholar program (excluding Chinese language majors)".

Section IV item 5 does not state how age is counted. Item 11 covers a program taught in a language other than Chinese and refers to the admission requirements of the university of preference. Item 11 sets no HSK level.

Which programme types are open to general scholars

Section II(I) states that Chinese Government Scholarship programs sponsor "undergraduates, postgraduates, general and senior scholars". Section I then describes four programme types:

Section I(II) does not name general scholars as a category. Section I(III) names none.

Funding and insurance

Section III lists the coverage:

1. Tuition fees. Section III item 1 gives no amount.
2. A free university dormitory or accommodation subsidy. Section III item 2 gives no amount.
3. Stipend. Section III item 3 groups "Master's students/general scholars" on one line at CNY 3,000 per month. Undergraduates receive CNY 2,500 per month, and doctoral students and senior scholars receive CNY 3,500 per month.
4. Comprehensive medical insurance. Section III item 4 gives CNY 800 per person per year, and CNY 400 per person "for programs lasting less than six months".

Documents

Section VI lists the application documents. The items that bear on a general scholar application are these:

• Item 1: the Application Form for Chinese Government Scholarship, filled in online.
• Item 2: a clear scanned copy of the information page of the ordinary passport. If the passport's validity is "less than 12 months (calculated from the expected start date of study)", the applicant must renew it before applying.
• Item 3: the diploma and certificate of highest education, as a notarized photocopy. A current university student must submit the certificate of expected graduation or student status.
• Item 4: academic records. Records in a language other than Chinese or English must carry "notarized translations in Chinese or English".
• Item 5: for "general scholar" programs "taught in Chinese", a valid HSK score report that meets the corresponding requirement.
• Item 7: "All applicants must provide a pre-admission document issued by the universities applying."
• Item 8: a study or research plan of "no less than 500 words/characters for scholars". Item 8 does not separate general scholars from senior scholars.
• Item 12: for study in China "for more than six months", a photocopy of the Foreigner Physical Examination Form. Medical examination results "are valid for only six months".
• Item 13: a Certificate of Non-Criminal Record, "usually issued within six months prior to the submission date of the application".

Section VI item 6 applies to applicants seeking a bachelor's degree. Item 9 names postgraduate applicants and senior scholars seeking academic education. It does not name general scholars.

Language study

Section II(II) states that the scholarship "covers both major study and Chinese language (preparatory) study". It also states that "the language courses last one year". Section IV names no separate eligibility for language study. Section IV item 8 applies to a Chinese-taught general scholar programme and excludes Chinese language majors.

Application steps

Section V sets out seven steps in this order:

1. An applicant shall learn about designated Chinese universities and majors they offer by visiting campuschina.org or other means, and identify the preferred scholarship program, designated university and major.
2. An applicant shall reach the designated university for admission documents.
3. An applicant shall reach an application receiving agency for a recommendation.
4. An applicant shall fill in and submit the Application Form for Chinese Government Scholarship online via the Chinese Government Scholarship Information System.
5. The application receiving agency shall submit the recommended candidates list and their application documents.
6. The CSC will organize designated universities and experts concerned to examine applicants' eligibility and academic performance before finalizing the short-list candidates.
7. The CSC will notify the admission results to the application receiving agency that will subsequently have the applicant informed.

Steps 1 to 4 are the applicant's steps. Steps 5 to 7 describe what the application receiving agency and the CSC do.

Sources

• Application Guide for Chinese Government Scholarship, China Scholarship Council (Campus China)

Checked 11 October 2026

This page is an unofficial summary. It is not published by or affiliated with the Ministry of Education, the China Scholarship Council or any university, and it is not legal advice. If the official text differs from this page, the official text and the current notice of the university or authority handling your case prevail.