Study in China: Scholarships, Language and How to Apply

Do you want to study in China with a scholarship, or pay your own way? Either way, the first questions are the same: which teaching language, which scholarship and which deadlines. This guide covers the Chinese Government Scholarship (the “CSC scholarship”) for undergraduates. It also explains the HSK, the new CSCA test, the timeline and the X1 visa. We checked Chinese embassy, consulate and university notices in October 2026. However, the rules change every year, so always read the latest notice from your Chinese embassy.

English-taught or Chinese-taught: how will you study in China?

Your first decision is the teaching language, because it decides which test you need. In its 2026/2027 notice, the Chinese embassy in Indonesia asks English-taught applicants for IELTS or TOEFL, as each university requires. For Chinese-taught programmes, you need the HSK, the official Chinese test.

The Chinese consulate in Montreal asks scholarship applicants for at least HSK 3 for Chinese-taught undergraduate programmes. For Chinese-taught master’s or doctoral programmes, it then asks for HSK 4. Students who come only to learn Chinese are exempt. However, a university may ask for a higher level than the scholarship minimum, so check the programme page too.

A note on HSK 3.0

The official HSK site, chinesetest.cn, has a section on HSK 3.0, the new version of the test. Sources disagree on when it replaces the current test, so ask your test centre.

The CSC scholarship for undergraduates

The Chinese Government Scholarship is the best-known funding route. According to the 2026/2027 embassy notices, an undergraduate applicant must not be a Chinese citizen and must be in good health. In addition, the applicant must be “a high school graduate under the age of 25 when applying”.

What it covers

University pages describe the full scholarship like this:

• Tuition.
• Accommodation: a free dormitory, or a monthly subsidy if you live off campus (RMB 700 for undergraduates, per Tongji University).
• Comprehensive medical insurance.
• A monthly living allowance, which university pages state is RMB 2,500 for undergraduates.

International travel is not included. The Melbourne consulate notice says the scholarship “doesn’t cover international travel expenses”.

Two routes to study in China on a scholarship

Most applicants go through the Chinese embassy in their home country, often called the Type A route. In addition, some universities run their own programme route, for example Tongji University’s Silk Road Program. Embassy applicants then apply online at campuschina.org, with the agency number of their embassy.

New from 2026/27: the CSCA test

The 2026/2027 round added a new test for bachelor’s applicants: the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA). Applicants must take it and “upload a valid score report”. For September 2026 entry, the test dates were 21 December 2025 and 25 January 2026. The official site is csca.cn.

According to China University of Mining and Technology, the CSCA covers Professional Chinese, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry:

• Mathematics is required for everyone.
• Professional Chinese is required for Chinese-taught programmes.
• Science and engineering applicants choose Physics or Chemistry.

The 2027 test dates, the fee and whether self-funded students must also take it were not confirmed when we checked. So check csca.cn and your university early, because last time the test came before most embassy deadlines.

When to apply to study in China with a scholarship

For 2026/2027, embassy notices appeared in late October and November 2025. Then the embassy deadlines fell in February 2026: 8 February in Indonesia and Melbourne, and 22 February in Montreal. Central South University says Type A applications run “between early January and early April”. However, the sending authority sets the exact deadline. The university route can differ. For example, Tongji’s Silk Road Program for autumn 2026 ran from 10 January to 20 March 2026. It also charged its own non-refundable application fee of RMB 600.

For September 2027 entry, we expect embassy notices from about October or November 2026. We then expect deadlines roughly between January and April 2027. This is our estimate, not an official date, so check your own embassy’s notice.

Documents for the scholarship

The Indonesia embassy notice lists these documents:

• The application form.
• A passport valid for at least 12 months.
• Notarized diploma and transcripts.
• A language certificate.
• The CSCA score report.
• A pre-admission letter from at least one university.
• Study plan of at least 200 words.
• Guardian documents if you are under 18.
• The Foreigner Physical Examination Form, valid for 6 months.
• A non-criminal record.

X1 visa, JW201/JW202 and the residence permit

When a university admits you, it sends an Admission Notice and a visa form, JW201 or JW202. Its full name is the “Visa Application Form for Study in China”. You need both documents for the visa. According to Central South University, scholarship holders receive the JW201 form. Universities such as XJTLU, on the other hand, issue the JW202 to self-funded students on full-time degree programmes. Pages differ, so confirm the form with your university.

Next, apply for the right visa. The X1 visa is for “long-term study in Mainland China (more than 180 days)”. The X2, however, covers 180 days or less. Finally, mark one date in your calendar. According to Tsinghua University, X1 holders “must apply within 30 days after entry for a residence permit”. Article 30 of China’s Exit and Entry Administration Law also sets this rule. Missing it counts as unlawful residence. Our student visa guide covers the general checks.

Planning your budget to study in China

Even a full scholarship leaves some costs, such as flights, the visa, tests and personal spending. Self-funded students also pay tuition, housing and insurance, and these differ by university, so read each university’s fee page. Use our family budget plan for studying abroad to list every cost. Then compare China with other destinations in our guide to the cheapest countries to study abroad. For other funding options, our fully funded scholarships guide explains how to judge a scholarship and avoid scams.

How ILEAP helps you study in China

ILEAP works with more than 200 universities in Türkiye, Germany, Spain, Malaysia, the UK, China and Malta. In ILEAP partner schools, university awareness sessions explain majors, university systems, admission requirements and costs before students apply. Optional International University Open Days also bring university representatives to the school. As a result, students who want to study in China can ask directly about teaching languages, scholarships and timelines. Learn about university awareness or see our international universities. Then plan every step with our study abroad after high school checklist.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need Chinese to study in China?

Not always. English-taught programmes ask for IELTS or TOEFL, according to each university’s rules. For a Chinese-taught undergraduate programme, the scholarship asks for at least HSK 3, and the university may ask for more.

What is the age limit for the CSC undergraduate scholarship?

The 2026/2027 notices say applicants must be high school graduates under the age of 25 when they apply. Check each new notice, because rules can change.

Does the CSC scholarship pay for flights?

No. The Melbourne consulate notice says the scholarship does not cover international travel, so budget for your flights yourself.