Is It Mandatory?
Officially, no. A pre-admission letter is not required for CSC applications. However, applicants who have one are significantly more likely to be selected, especially for PhD and Master's programmes. For Type B (university route), some universities effectively require it. For Type A (embassy route), it's a strong differentiator.
When It Helps vs When It Backfires
- PhD applications: Having a supervisor who wants you dramatically increases selection odds. The university will rank you higher.
- Type B route: The university nominates you for CSC funding. Having professor support means the university is invested in your application.
- Research alignment: When your research genuinely matches the professor's lab focus, the letter shows a real academic partnership, not just scholarship hunting.
- Top universities: Tsinghua, Peking, Zhejiang — professor endorsement is almost essential for these competitive institutions.
- Mass spam emails: Sending identical copy-paste emails to 50 professors annoys everyone and burns bridges. Professors talk to each other.
- No research alignment: If you can't explain why this specific professor's work matters to your research, the email feels transactional. Professors can tell.
- Bachelor's level: Pre-admission letters are unusual for undergraduate programmes. Contacting professors at this level can seem inappropriate.
- Too late in the cycle: Emailing professors in March for an April deadline gives them no time to evaluate you. Start in October–December.
Cold-Email Strategy That Works
Chinese professors receive hundreds of CSC-related emails. Here's how to stand out.
Research the Professor First
Read their 3 most recent papers on Google Scholar or CNKI. Check their university profile page. Know their current research focus, not just their general field. If they haven't published in 3 years, they might have retired from active research.
Write a Short, Specific Email
Maximum 200 words. Subject line: "CSC PhD Applicant — [Your Research Topic]." Open with one sentence referencing their specific paper. State your research interest in 2 sentences. Mention your qualifications briefly. Attach your CV and a 1-page research summary. Do NOT write your life story.
Use the Right Email Address
University email addresses from Chinese universities often end in .edu.cn. Check the professor's university page for their official email. Some professors also list personal emails on their Google Scholar or ResearchGate profiles. Avoid generic department emails.
Follow Up Once (After 2 Weeks)
If no response after 2 weeks, send ONE follow-up. Keep it shorter — 3 sentences. Reference your original email. If still no response, move on. Do not send 3+ follow-ups; it harms your reputation.
Start Early: October–December
The best time to contact professors is October–December, giving them months to evaluate you before the application opens. January is late but acceptable. February is too late for most professors to process a pre-admission letter.
Response Rate Reality
Set realistic expectations. Professors are busy and receive many requests.
If you contact 10 professors with personalized, research-specific emails, expect 1–2 positive responses. That's enough — you only need one acceptance letter.
What the Letter Should Include
When a professor agrees, they'll need to write (or sign) a pre-admission letter. Here's what it should contain.
Professor's Details
Full name, title, department, university, email, and contact information. Must be on university letterhead.
Your Details
Full name, passport number, intended programme, and start date.
Willingness to Supervise
Clear statement that the professor agrees to serve as your supervisor for the duration of the programme.
Research Description
Brief mention of the research area and how it fits the professor's lab/group.
Signature & Date
Professor's signature, date, and university stamp/seal if possible.
University Letterhead
Must be on official university paper. A plain email confirmation is not sufficient for the application.
Got Your Letter?
Now focus on writing an outstanding study plan and gathering your documents.