Average grades? You can still be funded

The main government scholarship for international students, administered by the China Scholarship Council. Applications go through a university or through the Chinese embassy, and competition is genuinely strong.

What it covers

• Tuition fees
• Campus accommodation, or an accommodation allowance
• A monthly living stipend
• Comprehensive medical insurance

Who can apply

• Not a Chinese citizen, and in good health
• Meets the age and qualification limits for the degree level you are applying to
• Strong academic record — this is a competitive award

Application windows usually open between January and April for the September intake, and differ by university and embassy. Ask us for this year's dates.

A scholarship stream aimed at students from Belt and Road partner countries, Pakistan among them. It sits within the Chinese Government Scholarship programme and is awarded through participating universities.

What it covers

• Tuition fees, in full or in part depending on the award
• Accommodation in some cases
• A living stipend in some cases

Who can apply

• Nationality of a Belt and Road partner country
• Meets the entry requirements of the programme you are applying to

Set by each participating university, generally alongside the main CSC round. Ask us which universities are open this year.

A scholarship aimed at students of Chinese language and teaching, rather than at degrees in other subjects. It is the usual route for someone who wants to study Chinese seriously, or to qualify as a Chinese language teacher.

What it covers

• Tuition fees
• Accommodation, on most award levels
• A monthly living stipend
• Comprehensive medical insurance

Who can apply

• Not a Chinese citizen, and in good health
• Applying for Chinese language study or Chinese language teaching
• An HSK result is normally required, with the level depending on the award

Application rounds usually run from spring for an autumn start, and vary by host institution. Ask us which institutions are open this year.

Individual provinces fund their own scholarships to attract international students. Jiangxi province, where Yichun University sits, runs one of these. Awards are smaller than CSC but competition is lighter.

What it covers

• A contribution towards tuition, varying by province and award level
• Sometimes accommodation or a stipend

Who can apply

• Enrolled at, or applying to, a university in that province
• Meets the academic standard the province sets

Varies by province and usually follows the university's own admission timetable.

Most partner universities run their own awards, some on entry marks and some on performance once you are studying. Shanxi Medical University's performance scholarship is worth up to ¥15,000, and some of our nursing and bachelor places are funded in full.

What it covers

• A reduction in tuition, or full tuition in the funded places
• Occasionally hostel fees
• Performance awards paid during the programme

Who can apply

• Set by each university — usually a minimum mark on entry, or results during the degree

Applied for alongside your admission. Tell us your marks and we will say which awards are realistic.