Xiamen University Scholarships 2027 Early Preparation Guide (Step by Step)

Xiamen University is expected to begin announcing its 2027–2028 scholarships from late 2026, potentially giving international students several separate routes to fund bachelor’s, master’s, PhD and selected non-degree studies in China. However, the official 2027–2028 scholarship guides and deadlines had not been published when this report was verified on September 22, 2026. Based on Xiamen University’s latest application cycle, the first university-managed scholarship window may open around December 1, 2026. Applicants should treat this as a preparation forecast—not a confirmed opening date—and use the remaining time to obtain language certificates, academic references and other time-sensitive documents.

Which Xiamen University Scholarships Could Return for 2027–2028?

International applicants should not mistake “Xiamen University Scholarship” for one universal award. XMU hosts several funding programs, each with its own nationality rules, study levels, benefits, application channel and deadline.

• Chinese Government Scholarship – University Program: The CSC Type B route administered through XMU, primarily covering approved bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs.
• Chinese Government Scholarship – Bilateral Program: A CSC Type A route normally handled by the Chinese embassy or another authorized agency in the applicant’s country.
• Fujian Provincial Government Scholarship: A one-year award previously worth RMB 30,000 for bachelor’s, RMB 40,000 for master’s and RMB 50,000 for doctoral students.
• Xiamen University New International Students Scholarship: XMU’s own tuition and postgraduate stipend scholarship for new international degree students.
• Sustainable Coastal Development Scholarship: A full scholarship for eligible ASEAN nationals entering specified marine and coastal master’s or doctoral programs.
• International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship: Funding for eligible applicants pursuing Chinese-language education degrees or shorter Chinese-language study programs.
• China Studies Program PhD Fellowships: Support for China-related doctoral study or joint doctoral research in the humanities and social sciences.

Other routes to monitor include the MOFCOM Scholarship, Marine Scholarship of China, ASEAN-China Young Leaders Scholarship and program-specific Youth of Excellence Scheme of China awards. Eligibility under these schemes may depend on nationality, professional experience, subject area or nomination by an authorized government body. The Xiamen Tan Kah Kee Scholarship should not currently be counted as an active opportunity. XMU’s official scholarship directory continues to identify this program as suspended. Applicants should include it in their plans only if the university formally announces its return for 2027–2028.

How Much Funding Could Applicants Receive?

The most comprehensive XMU scholarship packages can cover tuition, accommodation, a monthly stipend and medical insurance. Partial awards may cover only tuition or provide a fixed annual contribution.

• Chinese Government Scholarship: The previous package covered tuition, university accommodation or an accommodation subsidy, medical insurance and monthly stipends of RMB 2,500 for bachelor’s, RMB 3,000 for master’s and RMB 3,500 for PhD students.
• XMU Scholarship: Bachelor’s recipients received tuition coverage. Selected master’s recipients received tuition plus RMB 3,000 per month, while selected PhD recipients received tuition plus RMB 3,500 per month. Other postgraduate awards covered tuition only.
• Fujian Provincial Government Scholarship: The latest award provided RMB 30,000 for bachelor’s, RMB 40,000 for master’s and RMB 50,000 for doctoral study for one academic year.
• Sustainable Coastal Development Scholarship: The previous full scholarship included tuition, on-campus accommodation, medical insurance and monthly support of RMB 3,000 for master’s or RMB 3,500 for doctoral students.

Travel costs, physical examinations, accommodation deposits, utilities and study materials may remain the student’s responsibility unless the final 2027 scholarship guide expressly includes them.

Who Should Prepare for the 2027–2028 Intake?

International students targeting XMU admission should first identify the scholarship whose age, nationality and academic rules match their profile. The age limits below come from the latest available cycle and may change for 2027–2028.

• CSC University Program: Under 25 for bachelor’s, under 35 for master’s and under 40 for PhD study.
• Xiamen University Scholarship: Under 25 for bachelor’s, under 40 for master’s and under 45 for PhD study.
• Fujian Provincial Government Scholarship: Under 30 for bachelor’s, under 35 for master’s and under 40 for PhD study.
• Sustainable Coastal Development Scholarship: ASEAN nationals under 40 for master’s or under 45 for doctoral study.

Is IELTS Required for Xiamen University Scholarships?

IELTS is accepted for English-medium programs, but it is not the only way to prove English proficiency. Under the latest XMU degree-admission guides, applicants could provide one of the following:

• IELTS Academic with an overall score of at least 6.0;
• TOEFL iBT with an overall score of at least 80;
• An English-medium-of-instruction certificate from the previous school or university;
• Another equivalent English certificate recognized by XMU; or
• Proof of nationality from a country where English is an official language.

Applicants for Chinese-medium programs normally need HSK evidence. Humanities, economics, management, law and arts programs generally required HSK 5 with at least 210, while science, engineering, medicine and physical education programs generally required HSK 4 with at least 210. The International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship and China Studies Program apply separate HSK and HSKK thresholds. Applicants for those programs must follow their scholarship-specific language requirements rather than relying only on XMU’s general admission rules.

What Should Applicants Prepare Before December 2026?

The safest approach is to complete the main application file before the expected scholarship season begins. Applicants should start preparing the following documents:

• A valid ordinary passport;
• Degree certificates and complete academic transcripts;
• Notarized translations where documents are not in Chinese or English;
• IELTS, TOEFL, HSK, HSKK or an eligible medium-of-instruction certificate;
• Academic recommendation letters;
• A personal statement or study plan tailored to the selected program;
• A research proposal and updated CV for research-based postgraduate programs;
• Research publications, awards or other academic evidence, where available;
• A Foreigner Physical Examination Form and its supporting test reports;
• A valid no-criminal-record certificate; and
• A Financial Support Guarantee Statement with the required supporting evidence.

Do not obtain the medical and police documents too early. The latest XMU rules required the physical examination and no-criminal-record report to remain within their specified validity periods at the time of application.

What Is the New Requirement for Bachelor’s Applicants?

Bachelor’s candidates should prepare for the China Scholastic Competency Assessment, commonly called the CSCA. XMU’s latest undergraduate guide required a CSCA score report as part of the admission file.

• Mathematics: Compulsory.
• Professional Chinese: Required for most Chinese-medium programs, subject to the stated exemption.
• Physics or Chemistry: One or both may be required for science, engineering, agriculture and medical categories.

The assessment language should normally correspond to the chosen program’s medium of instruction. Bachelor’s applicants should therefore check both the 2027 XMU undergraduate guide and the scholarship guide before registering for tests.

Should Master’s and PhD Applicants Contact a Supervisor?

Postgraduate applicants—especially CSC and PhD candidates—should begin contacting suitable XMU supervisors before applications open. In the latest CSC University Program, postgraduate applicants were instructed to obtain a pre-acceptance letter signed by the prospective supervisor and stamped by the relevant XMU college. XMU’s general doctoral admission guide described the pre-acceptance letter as optional but stated that applicants holding one would receive priority in admission. Candidates should send a concise academic email containing their CV, research interests, proposed topic and explanation of why the professor’s work matches their intended project.

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How Will Applicants Apply for Xiamen University Scholarships 2027-28?

The application channel will depend on the selected scholarship. Most university-managed candidates must first submit their international admission application through the XMU Online Application System.

• CSC University Program: Apply through both the CSC system and XMU system. The previous XMU agency number was 10384.
• CSC Bilateral Program: Apply through the Chinese embassy or authorized dispatching authority in the applicant’s country.
• XMU and Fujian scholarships: Complete the XMU admission application and upload the applicable scholarship form.
• Sustainable Coastal Development Scholarship: Complete the XMU application and follow the additional scholarship-form and email instructions.
• Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship: Use the designated CLEC scholarship platform and obtain a recommendation from an eligible institution.
• China Studies Program: Complete applications through both the program system and XMU system when required by the new guide.

Applicants should not submit one generic study plan for every funding route. The personal statement, research proposal, supervisor contact and supporting evidence should explain why the applicant fits the selected scholarship’s purpose.

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Expected Xiamen University Scholarship Deadlines for 2027–2028

If XMU follows its previous schedule, the CSC University Program may accept applications from approximately December 1, 2026 to February 15, 2027. The Xiamen University Scholarship, Fujian Provincial Government Scholarship and Sustainable Coastal Development Scholarship may run from approximately December 1, 2026 to April 10, 2027. Embassy-managed, MOFCOM, Chinese-language and other specialist scholarships may follow different schedules. These dates are planning estimates based on the previous admission cycle and must not be presented as official 2027 deadlines. Applicants should monitor the official Xiamen University scholarship information page and apply only after reading the newly issued 2027–2028 guide for their selected scholarship.