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CSC Alternatives – Other China Scholarships

Didn't get CSC? There are other ways to study in China with funding: language-teacher, provincial, university and science scholarships you should know about.

ScholarshipUnion Editorial 2 min read Updated Oct 5, 2026

Agency scam warning

Many agencies advertise "guaranteed" scholarship placement for $500–2,000. These are scams. All scholarships listed below are FREE to apply for. Some agencies submit fraudulent documents, getting applicants permanently blacklisted. Apply directly through official channels only.

International Chinese Language Teachers (Confucius Institute) Scholarship

For students interested in Chinese language and culture. Formerly known as the Confucius Institute Scholarship, it is now run as the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship. Apply through your local Confucius Institute or another recommending institution on chinese.cn. In 2026 the application window ran from 1 March to 15 May.

What it covers

Full tuition waiver
Monthly stipend (similar to CSC)
Accommodation
Medical insurance

Requirements

Apply through a local Confucius Institute or recommending institution
HSK score appropriate to your level
Non-Chinese citizen, aged 16–35 on 1 September (up to 45 for in-service Chinese teachers)
Generally less competitive than CSC

Provincial Government Scholarships

Many provinces offer their own scholarships independent of CSC. They are often less competitive and a great backup.

Beijing Government Scholarship

Partial or full tuition waiver for students at Beijing universities. Apply through the university international office.

Shanghai Government Scholarship

Full scholarship (Type A) or tuition only (Type B/C). Covers Shanghai universities. Apply through the university or the Shanghai Education Commission.

Jiangsu Jasmine Scholarship

Full or partial funding at Jiangsu province universities (Nanjing, Suzhou). Apply through the university international office.

ANSO Scholarship

The Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO) scholarship is for master's and PhD students in science and technology fields. It covers tuition, a living stipend, accommodation and insurance. PhD scholars receive CNY 6,000–7,000 a month (the higher rate after passing the qualifying exam) — more generous than CSC! It focuses on STEM fields; you apply through ANSO member institutes, primarily the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and its University of Chinese Academy of Sciences.