Chinese Government Scholarship CSC 2027/2028 | Complete Guide to Type A, Type B & Type C

hinese Government Scholarship CSC 2027/2028

The Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) is one of the major scholarship programs available to international students wishing to study at Chinese universities.

It can support Bachelor's, Master's, PhD and selected non-degree or research programs.

Although the 2027/2028 application cycle is not yet broadly open across all universities and countries, preparations have already begun. Tianjin Foreign Studies University published a notice on September 3, 2026 concerning the configuration of Chinese Government Scholarship programs for the 2027/2028 academic year.

This makes the current period an excellent time for students to prepare their documents and understand the different CSC application routes.

📋 Scholarship Overview

What Are Type A, Type B and Type C?

The three categories primarily indicate the application-processing route, rather than three completely separate scholarships.

Type A

Type A generally refers to Chinese Government Scholarship programs administered by authorities other than Chinese universities.

These can include:

• Chinese embassies.
• Ministries of Education.
• National scholarship authorities.
• Other officially designated dispatching authorities.

Official CSC application instructions identify embassy-managed applications as a typical Type A route.

Deadlines vary considerably between countries.

For example, the Chinese Embassy in Belgium set February 20, 2026 as its deadline for the 2026/2027 cycle, while other countries used different dates.

Type B

Type B generally refers to Chinese Government Scholarship programs administered directly through participating Chinese universities.

Applicants usually:

1. Select an eligible Chinese university.
2. Check its CSC scholarship announcement.
3. Obtain the university's Agency Number.
4. Register in the CSC system.
5. Select Type B.
6. Enter the Agency Number.
7. Upload the required documents.
8. Complete the university's separate application if required.

Official CSC guidance defines Type B as the route normally handled by Chinese universities.

Programs such as the High Level Postgraduate Program are commonly offered under this route.

Type C

Type C requires more careful explanation.

It does not simply mean "apply through the Chinese embassy," nor does it always mean applying directly through a university.

CSC application guidance describes Type C as being generally associated with certain appraisal or designated scholarship programs, for which applicants receive the relevant Agency Number through specific instructions.

However, some official program instructions show that applicants whose applications are handled through a Chinese embassy or another national dispatching authority may be instructed to select:

Type A or Type C, depending on the specific program.

For example, China University of Geosciences advises applicants under certain bilateral/external scholarship arrangements to select Type A or Type C depending on the program, and to obtain the Agency Number from the Chinese embassy or dispatching authority.

Therefore:

Applicants should select Type C only when the responsible embassy, institution or scholarship announcement specifically instructs them to do so.

Historically, Type C has also been used for certain scholarships for outstanding international students already studying in China, further demonstrating that Type C is not one universal application route.

Simple Summary

Type A: usually embassy/government authority route.
Type B: Chinese university route.
Type C: specific or designated scholarship route; the responsible authority may vary.

💰 Scholarship Coverage

A fully funded Chinese Government Scholarship commonly includes:

• Full tuition waiver.
• Free university accommodation or an accommodation subsidy.
• Monthly living allowance.
• Comprehensive medical insurance.

Current standard monthly allowances commonly used by CSC programs are:

Does CSC Cover Airfare?

Not automatically.

Some bilateral scholarship programs include international travel, while other CSC programs do not. Applicants should therefore check the funding package of the exact scholarship they are applying for.

🎓 Study Levels and Majors

Depending on the scholarship route and university, CSC opportunities may include:

• Bachelor's degrees.
• Master's degrees.
• PhD programs.
• General Scholar programs.
• Senior Scholar programs.
• Selected research and exchange programs.

Available fields can include engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence, business, economics, sciences, agriculture, education, languages, law, humanities and many other disciplines.

Applicants must check whether their specific program is eligible for CSC funding in the 2027/2028 cycle.

✅ General Eligibility

The final 2027/2028 rules have not yet been fully published, so the current 2026/2027 requirements provide the best reference for early preparation.

Current general requirements include:

• Being a non-Chinese citizen.
• Meeting applicable health requirements.
• Meeting the academic and language requirements of the selected university.

Applicants should check again once the official 2027/2028 requirements are released.

🌐 Language Requirements

Language requirements vary by university and program.

For Chinese-taught programs, current CSC rules include requirements such as:

• HSK Level 3 for certain scholar programs.
• HSK Level 4 or above for many Chinese-taught Master's and PhD programs.

Universities may set higher standards.

English-taught programs may accept:

• IELTS.
• TOEFL.
• Previous English-medium education.
• Other accepted proof of English proficiency.

There is no single IELTS or TOEFL score applicable to every CSC university.

⚠️ Important for Bachelor's Applicants: CSCA

Beginning with the 2026/2027 academic year, Chinese Government Scholarship applicants seeking a Bachelor's degree are required to take the:

China Scholastic Competency Assessment – CSCA

and submit a valid score report.

Multiple Chinese embassy announcements confirm that the CSCA score is now required as part of the undergraduate admission review process.

Students preparing for 2027/2028 should monitor the new CSCA examination schedule and ask their target university which subjects are required.

📄 Required Documents

Requirements vary between programs, but applicants should generally prepare:

• Valid passport.
• CSC Application Form.
• Highest academic qualification.
• Academic transcripts.
• Chinese or English translations where required.
• Language certificate.
• CSCA score for Bachelor's applications where applicable.
• Study Plan or Research Proposal.
• CV/Resume where requested.
• Recommendation letters for postgraduate programs.
• Pre-admission document where required.
• Foreigner Physical Examination Form.
• Police clearance / non-criminal record.
• Portfolio for relevant art/design programs.
• Any university-specific supporting documents.

Official 2026/2027 scholarship calls confirm many of these core document requirements.

📅 When Will CSC 2027/2028 Open?

There is no single worldwide application opening date.

Type A: determined by the embassy or dispatching authority in each country.

Type B: determined by individual Chinese universities.

Type C: determined by the specific scholarship program.

During the previous cycle, some universities began publishing Type B opportunities around October, with deadlines extending into the following months.

Current Status – September 22, 2026

The 2027/2028 cycle is not yet broadly open across all CSC universities.

However, preparations have begun. Tianjin Foreign Studies University published a formal notice related to configuring its 2027/2028 Chinese Government Scholarship programs on September 3, 2026.

Fursaty will update this guide as universities and embassies publish their new application calls.

🚀 What Should You Prepare Now?

Students planning to apply can begin preparing:

• Passport.
• Academic certificates.
• Transcripts.
• Certified translations.
• HSK / IELTS / TOEFL.
• CSCA preparation for Bachelor's applicants.
• CV.
• Study Plan.
• Research Proposal.
• Recommendation letters.
• A shortlist of suitable Chinese universities.

Preparing early can make the application process much easier once the relevant scholarship window opens.

📝 How to Apply – Type A

1. Monitor the Chinese embassy or official scholarship authority in your country.
2. Read the specific scholarship announcement.
3. Obtain the correct Program Category and Agency Number.
4. Register on the CSC application system.
5. Select Type A when instructed.
6. Complete the application.
7. Upload the required documents.
8. Select available universities according to the program.
9. Submit the application.
10. Complete any additional procedure required by the responsible authority.

📝 How to Apply – Type B

1. Select a participating Chinese university.
2. Check whether its 2027/2028 CSC program is open.
3. Review the available majors and eligibility requirements.
4. Obtain the university's Agency Number.
5. Register on the CSC system.
6. Select Type B.
7. Enter the university Agency Number.
8. Upload your documents.
9. Submit the separate university application if required.
10. Monitor your application status.

📝 How to Apply – Type C

There is no universal Type C application procedure.

If an embassy, university or scholarship body specifically tells you to apply under Type C:

1. Follow that program's official instructions.
2. Obtain the designated Agency Number.
3. Select Type C in the CSC system.
4. Complete and upload the requested information.
5. Submit the application through the route specified by the responsible authority.

Applicants should always verify the correct Program Category and Agency Number before submitting.

🔗 Official Links

Campus China – Official Chinese Government Scholarship Website

Chinese Government Scholarship Online Application System

CSCA Official Website

💡 Need Help Preparing for CSC 2027/2028?

Fursaty can support students preparing for the Chinese Government Scholarship with:

• Academic profile assessment.
• University and program selection.
• Application-document preparation.
• Professional CV preparation.
• Study Plan and Motivation Letter preparation.
• Research Proposal support.
• Application review.
• Monitoring new 2027/2028 university opportunities.

📲 Contact Fursaty via WhatsApp to start preparing your application early.

Fursaty provides application-support and document-preparation services and is not an official representative of the China Scholarship Council. Official applications must be submitted through the authorized CSC channels. CSC itself warns applicants to submit through official scholarship authorities.