If you’re planning to study in China on a fully funded scholarship in 2026, understanding eligibility is the first and most important step. Every year, thousands of applicants are rejected—not because they’re weak candidates, but because they miss one eligibility rule.
This guide breaks down the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) 2026 eligibility criteria clearly for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD applicants, so you can quickly check where you stand and apply with confidence.
The Chinese Government Scholarship is administered by the China Scholarship Council, and applies to CSC Type A (Embassy), Type B (University), and other CSC categories unless stated otherwise.
General Eligibility Criteria (Applies to ALL Applicants)
Before degree-specific rules, every CSC applicant must meet these basic conditions:
- You must be a non-Chinese citizen holding a valid foreign passport
- You must be in good physical and mental health
- You must comply with Chinese laws and university regulations
- You must not be receiving any other Chinese government scholarship at the time of application
- You must submit a complete and authentic application (false documents = automatic rejection)
⚠️ Important: Even if you meet academic criteria, failure to meet these general conditions can disqualify you.
Eligibility Criteria for Bachelor’s (BS) Degree – CSC 2026
The Chinese Government Scholarship for Bachelor’s programmes is aimed at outstanding high school graduates who demonstrate both academic readiness and the ability to adapt to China’s higher education system.
| Eligibility Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Target Applicants | Outstanding high school graduates who demonstrate academic readiness and the ability to adapt to China’s higher education system |
| Minimum Qualification | Completion of high school (12 years of formal education) |
| Academic Performance | Strong academic record in secondary school |
| Academic Background Match | High school subjects should align with the chosen undergraduate programme |
| Age Limit | Applicants must be under 25 years old at the time of application |
| Programme Language Options | Chinese-taught programmes or English-taught programmes |
| Chinese-Taught Programmes – Language Requirement | HSK Level 4 or higher (some universities may require HSK Level 5) |
| Chinese Language Preparatory Option | Applicants without sufficient HSK may be required to complete a one-year Chinese language preparatory programme |
| English-Taught Programmes – Language Requirement | IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent English proficiency test |
| English Test Waiver | May be granted if prior education was conducted entirely in English |
| Programme-Specific Prerequisites | Medicine, engineering, and science programmes may have subject-specific academic requirements |
China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) Requirement (2026)
For the 2026 intake, some Chinese universities may require Bachelor’s (BS) applicants to complete the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) as part of their admission or Chinese Government Scholarship evaluation process. The CSCA is designed to assess an applicant’s academic aptitude, logical reasoning ability, and subject readiness for undergraduate study in China.
This requirement mainly applies to Bachelor’s degree applicants and may be administered online or at designated test centres, depending on the applicant’s country and the policies of the selected university. It is important to note that CSCA requirements vary by university and programme, and applicants must carefully review the official admission notices of their chosen institutions. Where the CSCA is mandatory, failure to take or pass the assessment can result in rejection, even if all other eligibility criteria are me
Important: Not all universities require CSCA, but when it is mandatory, failure to take or pass the assessment can result in rejection, even if other eligibility criteria are met.
Additional Notes
Applicants should be aware that certain programmes—particularly in medicine, engineering, and the natural sciences—may impose subject-specific prerequisites based on prior academic preparation. In addition, universities may request supplementary documents during the admission or scholarship evaluation process.
These commonly include a personal statement or study plan, recommendation letters, and a completed physical examination form. Requirements can vary by institution and programme, so applicants are strongly advised to review the specific admission guidelines issued by their chosen university before submitting an application.
Eligibility Criteria for Master’s (MS) Degree on CSC Scholarship 2026
This is the most competitive CSC scholarship category, especially for international applicants but the good news is that this CSC scholarship is being offered at all Chinese Government Universities in 2026. So, lets checks find out eligibility requirements to stand eligible for a MS degree CSC scholarship in 2026:
Academic Requirements
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- Must hold a Bachelor’s degree (or be graduating before enrolment)
- Degree must be relevant to the intended Master’s programme
- Strong academic record (competitive GPAs matter)
Age Limit
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Must be under 35 years old
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Language Requirements
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- Chinese-taught programmes: HSK Level 4 or Level 5 (depending on university and major)
- English-taught programmes: IELTS 6.0–6.5 / TOEFL equivalent, or may be waived if previous education was in English.
Additional Requirements (Common but Not Always Mandatory)
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- Study plan or personal statement
- Recommendation letters (usually 2)
- Some universities require pre-admission letter (especially for CSC Type B).
Eligibility Requisites for PhD Degree on CSC Scholarship 2026
CSC PhD scholarships focus heavily on research potential and academic alignment. Therefore, following set of eligibility requirements are in place in 2026 to grab one of the fully funded PhD-CSC scholarship in China:
Academic Requirements
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- Must hold a Master’s degree
- Degree should be relevant to the proposed research field
- Strong academic and research background preferred
Age Limit
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Must be under 40 years old
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Language Requirements
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- Chinese-taught PhD: HSK Level 5 (or higher)
- English-taught PhD: IELTS / TOEFL or proof of English-medium education.
Research & Supervisor Requirements
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- For research-based programmes, particularly at the doctoral level, a well-developed research proposal is mandatory and critically important to the application. Many universities also require applicants to obtain prior acceptance from a prospective supervisor, which usually involves early communication with faculty members whose research aligns with the applicant’s proposed topic. While not always compulsory, having previous research experience or academic publications is considered a strong advantage and can significantly enhance the competitiveness of an application.
Health & Medical Eligibility for All Candidates (Very Important)
All of the Chinese Government China Scholarship Council (CSC) scholarship applicants must submit a Foreigner Physical Examination Form, which confirms:
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- No serious infectious diseases
- No medical conditions that would prevent study in China
This form must be stamped by a recognized hospital and completed within 6 months of submission.
Who Is NOT Eligible for CSC Scholarship 2026 Cohort?
You may be ineligible if:
- You are a Chinese citizen or dual national with Chinese nationality
- You are already studying in China on a Chinese government scholarship
- Your academic level does not match the degree applied for
- You exceed the age limit
- You submit fake, altered, or incomplete documents.
Full Application Guide: https://daadscholarship.com/list-of-universities-offering-china-government-csc-scholarships-2026-2027-to-everyone/ .