University
University scholarships (president’s and international student awards)
Almost every university that enrols international students runs its own awards, usually assessed automatically with the admission application. It is the most underrated category: rarely the biggest sum, but by far the most widely awarded.
What it covers
- Full: tuition + accommodation + insurance + a monthly allowance (often CNY 500–2,000)
- Partial: full or half tuition waiver, with housing and living costs on you
- Single-component: housing waiver, insurance, free Chinese courses, one-off settling-in grant
Amounts and standards
| Full (equivalent) | About CNY 30,000–60,000 a year depending on subject and city |
|---|---|
| Partial (equivalent) | About CNY 15,000–30,000 a year |
| Monthly allowance | CNY 500–2,000, higher for doctoral and STEM students |
| One-off awards | CNY 2,000–10,000 for entry or academic excellence |
Who is eligible
- Admitted international students; most need no extra paperwork
- Some president’s awards require a separate form or a departmental nomination, with an earlier deadline
- Renewal depends on GPA and attendance — a failed course usually stops payment
How to apply
- 1
Tick the box in the portal
Select the scholarship option; plenty of universities will not review you otherwise.
- 2
Ask about departmental quota
Supervisors and faculties hold their own allocations — ask directly when you make contact.
- 3
Announced with the offer
Most universities state the level and value in the admission letter.
- 4
Renew each year
Submit transcripts in May–June; renewal is automatic above the GPA threshold.
Deadline and timing
Alongside admission, usually December to May; president’s awards often close one or two months earlier.
The acceptance rate is best at provincial and mid-western universities and in newly launched English-taught programmes. Five applications will usually produce at least one funded offer.
Source: campuschina.org · Last verified 2026-10-19