Scholarships in China for international students

How much will I pay?

China offers 14,712 programs with tuition rates that depend on your choice of school and subject. Fees start as low as CNY 8 (approx. USD 1) and reach CNY 499,000 (approx. USD 69,158) for specialized degrees. On average, you will pay CNY 5,407 (approx. USD 749) per year. Some programs even offer free tuition to qualified students.

What is the real monthly cost of living?

Living costs in China are roughly 56% lower than in the United States. A budget of CNY 4,000 to CNY 4,500 per month is realistic for a single student. Your main costs will include:

• Rent: On-campus dormitories cost between CNY 300 and CNY 2,500 per month. Sharing an off-campus apartment averages CNY 2,800.
• Food: Meals at university canteens are cheap, usually costing between CNY 6 and CNY 15.
• Transport: Local bus or metro trips cost CNY 2 to CNY 6. A monthly pass is about CNY 150.
• Communication: Monthly phone plans with data cost roughly CNY 61.

Can I work while studying?

You can legally work part-time while you study for a degree. Rules allow students to take on-campus jobs or off-campus internships with university permission. Fixed on-campus positions typically allow up to 40 hours of work per month. Your pay will meet local standards. In Shanghai, the monthly minimum wage is CNY 2,740. In Beijing, the minimum hourly rate for temporary work is CNY 27.70.

Where do I find scholarships?

Many funding options exist to help with your costs. The Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) is a major source of support. This award covers your full tuition and medical insurance. It also provides free housing and a monthly stipend for living expenses. Undergraduates receive CNY 2,500 per month. Master's students receive CNY 3,000. Doctoral students receive CNY 3,500. You can also find scholarships from provincial governments, specific universities, and partner institutions.

Bottom line: Is China affordable?

China is much cheaper than the US, UK, or Australia. Rent is 74.9% lower than in the United States on average. Low tuition and cheap public transport make it a practical choice for international students. Use our search tool to find programs in China that offer free tuition today.

China offers a robust network of financial aid for international students. You can find options that cover your full tuition, housing, and monthly living costs. These awards help you access programs across 932 universities. While tuition fees range from CNY 8 to CNY 499,000, many students pay nothing out of pocket.

Government & National Scholarships

• Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) – Bilateral Program
  Provider: Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China
  Value: Full tuition waiver, free on-campus dorms, medical insurance, and a monthly stipend. Undergraduates receive CNY 2,500, master's students receive CNY 3,000, and PhD students receive CNY 3,500 per month.
  Eligibility: You must be a non-Chinese citizen in good health. Academic requirements vary by degree level. You usually apply through the Chinese Embassy in your home country.
  URL: http://www.campuschina.org/
• International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship
  Provider: Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC)
  Value: Full tuition, accommodation, and a monthly allowance of CNY 2,500 for most students.
  Eligibility: You must be between 16 and 35 years old. This award is for students who want to study Chinese language or teach it to others. You need valid HSK scores.
  URL: http://cis.chinese.cn/account/login

University-Level Scholarships

• Westlake University PhD Fellowship
  Coverage: This is a fully funded program for doctoral students. It covers your tuition and provides a generous living stipend to cover daily expenses.
  Details: The university focuses on research in science and engineering. Your stipend often totals around CNY 60,000 per year.
  URL: https://en.westlake.edu.cn/admissions/financial_aid/
• Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) Entry Scholarship
  Coverage: Partial tuition waiver.
  Value: You can receive a discount of up to 50% on your tuition. For a standard program, this could save you CNY 44,000 per year.
  Eligibility: This award is merit-based. The university looks at your previous grades and English proficiency scores.
  URL: https://en.westlake.edu.cn/admissions/financial_aid/
• Tsinghua University Tuition Scholarship
  Coverage: Full or partial tuition waiver.
  Details: Tsinghua offers these awards to top-ranking international students. You can apply for this alongside the CSC scholarship. It helps cover the costs of one academic year at a time.
  URL: https://www.tsinghua.edu.cn/en/Admissions/Scholarships.htm
• Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) Entrance Scholarship
  Coverage: Cash awards for new students.
  Value: Amounts vary based on your entry scores. High achievers may receive up to CNY 74,000 (approximate conversion from HKD).
  URL: https://www.hkmu.edu.hk/sao/scholarships-and-awards/

External & Foundation Scholarships

• Schwarzman Scholars
  Provider: Schwarzman Trust
  Value: Fully funded. This includes tuition, fees, room and board, travel to and from Beijing, an in-country study tour, and a personal stipend of CNY 30,000 (approximate).
  Eligibility: You must be between 18 and 28 years old. You must hold an undergraduate degree. This program is hosted at Tsinghua University.
  URL: https://www.schwarzmanscholars.org/
• ANSO Scholarship for Young Talents
  Provider: Alliance of International Science Organizations
  Value: Full tuition waiver and a monthly stipend. Master's students get CNY 3,000 while PhD students get CNY 6,000 or more.
  Eligibility: Non-Chinese citizens pursuing master's or PhD degrees at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) or the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC).
  URL: http://www.anso.org.cn/programmes/talent/scholarship/

Our Partner Scholarships

You can apply for specific funding through our partner network. Westlake University offers full support for researchers. At XJTLU, you can secure a 50% tuition reduction before you even arrive on campus. Taishan Medical University (TSMU) also provides provincial government awards for medical students that cover tuition and accommodation.

Application Tips

Start your search early. Most deadlines fall between January and April for a September start. You must gather several documents to succeed. Prepare your academic transcripts and two letters of recommendation from professors. You will also need a Foreigner Physical Examination Form from a doctor. If you apply for a Chinese-taught program, you need an HSK certificate. For English programs, provide your IELTS or TOEFL scores. Always check if the university requires a pre-admission letter before you submit your final scholarship application to the government.