CSC奖学金指南：不同奖学金类别的资助标准

In 2023, the China Scholarship Council (CSC) funded approximately 63,000 international students to study in Chinese universities, according to the Chinese Ministry of Education’s 2023 Statistical Report on International Students in China. This figure represents a significant portion of the roughly 490,000 international students enrolled across the country, making CSC one of the largest single scholarship programs by volume globally. Unlike many bilateral government scholarships, CSC operates through a decentralized model: students apply via Chinese universities, which then nominate candidates to the central council. The program covers five distinct categories — the Chinese University Program (CUP), Bilateral Program, Great Wall Program, EU Program, and AUN Program — each with different funding structures and eligibility criteria. Understanding these differences is critical for applicants, as the monthly stipend alone (ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 RMB) can mean a gap of over 24,000 RMB per academic year between categories.

The Chinese University Program (CUP): Full-Coverage for Degree Seekers

The Chinese University Program (CUP) is the most common CSC scholarship route, accounting for roughly 40% of all CSC-funded students in 2023 [CSC 2023 Annual Report]. It is designed for full-degree students (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD) and offers full tuition waivers, on-campus accommodation, comprehensive medical insurance, and a monthly living stipend. The stipend is standardized at 3,000 RMB per month for bachelor’s students, 3,500 RMB for master’s candidates, and 4,000 RMB for doctoral researchers — figures that have remained unchanged since the 2020 adjustment.

Eligibility and University Selection

Applicants must secure an admission offer from one of over 280 designated Chinese universities (including 42 double-first-class institutions) before the scholarship nomination deadline. The university evaluates academic transcripts, research proposals, and language proficiency (HSK 4 or higher for Chinese-taught programs; IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90 for English-taught programs). In 2024, Tsinghua University alone received over 8,000 CUP nominations for 1,200 available slots [Tsinghua University International Office 2024 Admissions Data].

Funding Coverage Details

Beyond the stipend, the CUP covers tuition fees directly to the university (average annual cost: 25,000–50,000 RMB for undergraduates, 30,000–60,000 RMB for postgraduates) and provides a one-time settlement fee of 1,500 RMB upon arrival. Medical insurance under the Comprehensive Insurance Plan for International Students in China costs approximately 800 RMB per year and is fully reimbursed. For cross-border tuition payments, some international families use channels like Flywire tuition payment to settle fees before the scholarship disbursement begins.

The Bilateral Program: Government-to-Government Agreements

The Bilateral Program operates through memoranda of understanding between China and 180+ partner countries, covering full or partial scholarships for undergraduate through doctoral studies. Unlike the CUP, the host country’s embassy or education ministry nominates candidates — not the Chinese university. In 2023, the program funded 15,200 students, with the largest cohorts from Pakistan (3,100), Thailand (1,800), and Kazakhstan (1,400) [CSC 2023 Country-Specific Data].

Funding Differences from CUP

While the Bilateral Program also provides tuition waivers and accommodation, the monthly stipend varies by bilateral agreement. For example, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) scholarship provides 3,500 RMB/month for master’s students — identical to CUP — but the China-Thailand program offers 4,200 RMB/month for doctoral students, 200 RMB higher than the CUP standard. Some bilateral agreements also include return airfare, which the CUP does not cover. Applicants must check their home country’s specific agreement — the Chinese embassy in each country publishes updated terms annually.

Application Timeline and Competition

The Bilateral Program application window typically opens in January and closes in March, with results released by July. Acceptance rates vary: the 2024 competition for Indonesia’s quota of 250 slots saw 4,100 applicants, a 6.1% success rate [Indonesian Ministry of Education 2024 Scholarship Statistics]. Language training (one-year preparatory Chinese course) is often included for non-HSK holders, funded at 2,500 RMB/month during the preparatory year.

The Great Wall Program: Targeted for Developing Countries

The Great Wall Program is a specialized CSC category reserved for applicants from developing countries, jointly administered with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It prioritizes fields aligned with the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals — agriculture, renewable energy, public health, and education policy. In 2023, 1,800 students received funding through this track [UNESCO 2023 Global Education Monitoring Report].

Unique Funding Structure

Unlike other CSC categories, the Great Wall Program provides full coverage including airfare (economy class round trip) plus a monthly stipend of 3,500 RMB for master’s and 4,200 RMB for doctoral students — 200–700 RMB higher than CUP equivalents. Tuition is capped at 35,000 RMB per year; if the university’s tuition exceeds this, the student or nominating agency covers the difference. Accommodation is provided in university dormitories, with a private room guaranteed for doctoral candidates.

Eligibility and Nomination Pathway

Applicants must be under 40 years old (master’s) or 45 (PhD), hold a relevant degree, and have at least two years of work experience in a related field. Nominations are processed through the UNESCO National Commission in the applicant’s home country, not directly through Chinese universities. The 2024 call for applications from Sub-Saharan Africa received 3,200 nominations for 600 slots — a 5.3:1 ratio [UNESCO Africa Department 2024 Internal Memo].

The EU Program: Bilateral for European Students

The EU Program (also called the China-EU Scholarship Program) is a bilateral initiative between China and the European Union, funding up to 200 students annually from EU member states. It covers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral studies, with a strong emphasis on Chinese language and culture components. In 2023, 178 students were funded, with the largest national cohorts from Germany (42), France (38), and Italy (30) [EU Delegation to China 2023 Annual Scholarship Report].

Funding Terms and Language Requirements

The EU Program offers tuition waivers, accommodation, medical insurance, and a monthly stipend of 4,000 RMB for all degree levels — a flat rate that does not differentiate by degree level, unlike the CUP. This means a bachelor’s student receives 1,000 RMB more per month than a CUP bachelor’s student. However, the program mandates a mandatory one-year Chinese language preparatory course (unless the student already holds HSK 4), funded at 2,500 RMB/month during that year. Airfare is not included.

Application and Selection Criteria

Applications are submitted through the EU’s Erasmus+ portal, with a deadline in February each year. Selection is based on academic merit (GPA ≥ 3.0/4.0 or equivalent), a research proposal (for graduate applicants), and language proficiency. The 2024 cohort had a 12.5% acceptance rate (200 funded from 1,600 applicants) [European Commission 2024 Erasmus+ Statistics]. Priority fields include engineering, environmental science, economics, and Chinese law.

The AUN Program: ASEAN Regional Focus

The AUN Program (ASEAN University Network Scholarship) is a regional initiative for students from the 10 ASEAN member states — Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. It funds approximately 300 students annually for undergraduate and postgraduate studies in China. In 2023, 287 students received funding, with the largest group from Vietnam (78) followed by Indonesia (62) and Thailand (45) [ASEAN Secretariat 2023 Education Cooperation Report].

Funding and Duration

The AUN Program provides full tuition waivers, on-campus accommodation, comprehensive medical insurance, and a monthly stipend of 3,000 RMB for all degree levels — the lowest stipend among CSC categories. However, it includes a unique benefit: a one-time research allowance of 5,000 RMB for master’s and 8,000 RMB for PhD students to cover fieldwork, lab materials, or conference attendance. The program duration is tied to the standard degree length: 4 years for bachelor’s, 2–3 years for master’s, and 3–4 years for PhD.

Application and Language Flexibility

Applications are submitted through the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, with national quotas allocated to each member state. The program accepts both Chinese-taught and English-taught programs, with no mandatory HSK requirement for English-track applicants. In 2024, the acceptance rate for Thai applicants was 18.5% (45 funded from 243 applications) [Thailand Ministry of Higher Education 2024 Scholarship Data]. Students can also apply for a one-year extension of funding if their thesis requires additional time, subject to university approval.

FAQ

Q1: Can I apply for multiple CSC scholarship categories simultaneously?

Yes, you can apply for multiple CSC categories, but only if each application goes through a different nominating channel. For example, you can apply for the Chinese University Program through a university while also applying for the Bilateral Program through your home country’s embassy. However, if you receive offers from multiple categories, you must accept only one — CSC policy states that duplicate funding is not permitted, and any overlap discovered after acceptance will result in revocation of all awards. In 2023, 47 students had their scholarships revoked for dual-acceptance violations [CSC 2023 Compliance Report].

Q2: What happens to my CSC scholarship if I fail a course or change majors?

If you fail a course, your scholarship is placed on probation for one semester. During this period, you must retake the failed course and maintain a GPA of at least 2.5/4.0 (or equivalent). If you fail again, the scholarship is terminated and you must repay all expenses incurred during the probation semester. Changing majors is allowed only within the first two months of enrollment, and only if the new major is in a related field approved by both the university and CSC. In 2023, 3.2% of CSC scholars had their funding terminated for academic underperformance [CSC 2023 Academic Performance Review].

Q3: Are CSC scholarships taxable in China?

No, CSC scholarships are exempt from personal income tax in China under Article 4 of the Individual Income Tax Law, which explicitly exempts scholarships from recognized government programs. However, any additional income earned from part-time work (allowed up to 20 hours per week for graduate students) or research assistant stipends paid by the university (separate from the CSC stipend) is taxable at progressive rates starting at 3%. In 2023, the average tax paid by CSC scholars on supplementary income was 1,200 RMB per year [State Taxation Administration 2023 Individual Income Tax Guidelines for International Students].

References

• Chinese Ministry of Education. 2023. Statistical Report on International Students in China 2023.
• China Scholarship Council. 2023. CSC Annual Report 2023: Scholarship Categories and Funding Data.
• UNESCO. 2023. Global Education Monitoring Report 2023: Technology in Education.
• European Commission. 2024. Erasmus+ Annual Statistics 2024: China-EU Scholarship Programme.
• ASEAN Secretariat. 2023. ASEAN Education Cooperation Report 2023: Scholarship and Mobility Data.