Regional & organisational
Great Wall Scholarship (UNESCO programme)
A full Chinese government award channelled through UNESCO. It funds only general and senior visiting scholars — no bachelor, master’s or doctoral places — and exists for students, teachers and researchers from developing countries with a defined research or teaching project.
What it covers
- Tuition waived in full for the courses taken
- Free on-campus housing or the equivalent allowance
- Stipend: CNY 3,000/month (general scholar), 3,500/month (senior scholar)
- Comprehensive medical insurance: CNY 800 a year
Amounts and standards
| General scholar | About CNY 70,000 a year equivalent (tuition + housing + 36,000 stipend + insurance) |
|---|---|
| Senior scholar | About CNY 88,000 a year equivalent (tuition + housing + 42,000 stipend + insurance) |
| Duration | Up to one academic year, extendable to two |
Who is eligible
- Nationals of developing countries recognised by their UNESCO National Commission
- General scholar: bachelor’s degree or above, under 45
- Senior scholar: master’s degree or above, or associate professor and above, under 50
- A research or training plan tied to the intended discipline is required; pure language study is not funded
How to apply
- 1
Contact your UNESCO National Commission
It is the only entry point and publishes the annual quota and thematic priorities. You cannot apply to UNESCO or CSC directly.
- 2
Write the research plan
State the topic, host university or supervisor, expected output and how you will use it at home — around 1,500 words, with two references.
- 3
The Commission nominates to UNESCO
Shortlisted candidates are nominated as a national slate; UNESCO then liaises with the Chinese mission.
- 4
CSC places you at a university
CSC matches the discipline to a host institution; decisions usually arrive May–July for September or March entry.
Deadline and timing
Announced annually by each national commission, typically in the first half of the year. The global quota is tiny — a few dozen places.
Not a route for fresh graduates: it assumes an existing research direction or teaching post. If you want a degree, use the bilateral or university programme instead.
Source: campuschina.org · Last verified 2026-10-19
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