CSC Scholarship – Frequently Asked Questions

For English-taught programmes, no Chinese is required for academics. But daily life (bus stops, restaurants, hospitals) requires basic Chinese. For Chinese-taught programmes, the 2026/27 embassy notices asked for HSK 3 (bachelor's, general and senior scholars) or HSK 4 (master's and PhD), and some universities set higher levels. See our Chinese language guide.

Type A deadlines usually fall in February and Type B windows run from December to March or April. Results are typically announced in late July or early August. Some embassies announce shortlists earlier. The wait is roughly 5–6 months from submission.

Type A: you list up to 3 preferences. CSC may assign you to any of them (or, rarely, a different one). Type B: you apply to one specific university. No reassignment.

Yes. HIV, syphilis, tuberculosis, hepatitis B, ECG, X-ray, blood work, ultrasound. It must be done at a government hospital, and you will repeat a check in China. Failure means scholarship termination. See our medical exam guide.

NO. The application is 100% free through campuschina.org. Agencies charging $500–2,000 are scams. Some agencies submit fraudulent documents, resulting in permanent blacklisting. Apply directly. The "agency number" on the portal is just the free code of your embassy or university.

CSC publishes no official rate. Estimates put it at about 20% overall (65,000 selected from 300,000+ applicants), 10–15% at top universities and 25–30% at mid-tier ones. Your country quota (Type A) significantly affects your personal odds.

A full Chinese Government Scholarship, on either Type A (embassy) or Type B (university), covers tuition, the monthly stipend (CNY 2,500/3,000/3,500 by level), accommodation and comprehensive medical insurance. Airfare is not covered, and some universities also offer partial awards, so check what your offer includes.

Yes, you can apply to CSC alongside other scholarships (DAAD, Chevening, MEXT, etc.). If accepted to more than one, choose one. You cannot hold two Chinese government scholarships simultaneously.

In Tier 3 cities: yes, comfortably. In Tier 2: tight but manageable. In Tier 1 (Beijing/Shanghai): it barely covers the basics. If living off campus in Tier 1, you will need additional funds. See our living costs guide.

Usually October or November (1–2 months after arrival in September). Bring enough cash or savings to cover the first 2–3 months. The first payment may include back-pay for September.

Not freely. An X1 visa and study residence permit carry no general work authorization, and unauthorized work (including informal English tutoring) can jeopardize your scholarship. Off-campus work-study or internships are only allowed with your university's approval and an annotation on your residence permit from the Exit-Entry Administration.

CSC does not fund dependents. Your spouse or children would need their own visas (S1/S2) and you would need to support them financially. On a CNY 2,500–3,500 stipend, this is extremely difficult in Tier 1 cities.

Yes. Google, WhatsApp, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter are all blocked. You MUST install a VPN before arriving. See our Great Firewall guide.

Extremely difficult. CSC scholarships are tied to the specific university. Transfer requests require approval from both universities and CSC, and most are denied. Choose your university carefully.

One failed course can usually be retaken. Repeated failures may result in academic probation or scholarship termination. CSC requires satisfactory academic progress, reviewed annually.