The University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) has announced its call for the 2025 UCAS-Chinese Government Scholarship, inviting applications from international students for master’s and doctoral programs.
This scholarship, supported by the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, is designed to strengthen international academic cooperation, cultural exchange, and mutual understanding. UCAS, a prestigious institution known for its cutting-edge research and strong academic programs, provides comprehensive support for exceptional students from around the world who wish to pursue graduate studies in China.
Funding Package of the UCAS Chinese Government Scholarship
The scholarship offers an impressive funding package that ensures students can focus on their studies without financial burden. PhD recipients will benefit from full tuition coverage, valued at RMB 40,000 per year, while master’s students will receive tuition coverage of RMB 30,000 per year. Additionally, successful candidates are exempt from the standard application fee of RMB 600.
PhD students awarded the scholarship will receive a monthly stipend of RMB 5,000, with RMB 1,500 provided by their supervisor or the affiliated CAS institute. Master’s students will receive a monthly stipend of RMB 3,500, with RMB 500 contributed by their supervisor or institute.
Housing is another benefit; students may stay for free on the UCAS Beijing campus or receive an off-campus accommodation subsidy of up to RMB 700 per month for master’s students and RMB 1,000 for PhD students. Comprehensive medical insurance, valued at RMB 800 per person, is also included, ensuring that students have health coverage during their stay.
The sponsorship period for master’s programs extends up to 36 months with no extension, while PhD programs last for 36 months with a possible 12-month extension if needed.
Eligibility Checkmarks of UCAS-CSC Scholarship 2025-2026
To qualify for this prestigious scholarship, applicants must meet several key criteria. Candidates should be non-Chinese citizens with a valid passport, demonstrate a friendly attitude toward China, and comply with the laws and regulations of both China and UCAS. Proficiency in English or Mandarin is mandatory.
Educational background requirements include holding a degree equivalent to a Chinese bachelor’s degree for master’s applicants, with an age limit of 35 years, and a degree equivalent to a Chinese master’s degree for PhD applicants, with an age limit of 40 years. Additionally, applicants must fulfill UCAS’s general admission requirements for international students as outlined in the 2025 enrollment guide.
Importantly, candidates must not be beneficiaries of any other sponsorship at the time of application and cannot accept another sponsorship during their studies at UCAS. This scholarship requires full-time study, so students cannot engage in any employment during their academic period. Those currently pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree at any university in China are ineligible for application at the same academic level, and any violation will lead to disqualification.
UCAS Scholarship 2025 Application Process and Required Documents
The application process involves several key steps. First, applicants should log in to the CSC Online Application System (https://studyinchina.csc.edu.cn/#/login) and fill out the CSC application form as Category-B. After submission, the system will generate a CSC application form, which needs to include UCAS’s agency number: 80001.
Next, applicants should complete their online application via the UCAS Online Admission System at UCAS Admissions (https://is.ucas.ac.cn/#/login), ensuring that the same information is submitted in both systems. The following documents are required for a complete application:
- Completed CSC application form
- UCAS application form
- Acceptance Letter (Optional)
- Degree certificates and transcripts
- Passport copy
- Proof of language proficiency (English or Mandarin)
- Study plan or research proposal
- Recommendation letters from two professors or associate professors
- Health certificate (medical examination report)
- Other documents as specified in the enrollment guide
Deadline for Application
The application deadline for the 2025 UCAS China Government Scholarship is February 15, 2025 (Beijing Time).