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Fully Funded Scholarships in China 2027: Complete Guide for International Students

Fully Funded Scholarships in China 2027 offer international students complete financial support to study at leading Chinese universities. Programs cover tuition, accommodation, health insurance, and monthly living allowances for undergraduate, master's, PhD, and Chinese language studies.

October 13, 2026

Quick Overview

Host CountryChina
University/OrgMultiple including Tsinghua University, Peking University, Fudan University, Zhejiang University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Nanjing University
Degree LevelUndergraduate, Masters, PhD
Funding TypeFully Funded
Fields of StudyAll Fields, China Studies, Chinese Language and Culture, Interdisciplinary Studies

Scholarship Overview

Overview: Why Study in China on a Scholarship?

China has become one of the world’s top destinations for international students seeking quality education with comprehensive financial support. The Fully Funded Scholarships in China 2027 provide opportunities to study at prestigious institutions including Tsinghua University, Peking University, Fudan University, Zhejiang University, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University without bearing the cost of tuition, accommodation, or living expenses.

These scholarships are particularly valuable for students from Zimbabwe and SADC countries, as many programs specifically target applicants from developing nations. With monthly stipends reaching up to CNY 3,500 (approximately USD 480), health insurance coverage, and free university housing, recipients can focus entirely on their academic pursuits.

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Major National Scholarship Programs

Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)

The Chinese Government Scholarship represents the largest fully funded program available to international students. It operates across more than 290 Chinese universities and provides comprehensive support including full tuition, accommodation, medical insurance, and monthly allowances up to CNY 3,500.

  • Level of Study: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD
  • Institutions: 290+ participating Chinese universities
  • Key Benefit: Monthly stipend up to CNY 3,500

MOFCOM Scholarship

Designed specifically for students from developing countries, the MOFCOM Scholarship offers exceptional support for master’s and doctoral candidates. Beyond standard benefits, it includes international airfare coverage.

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  • Master’s students: CNY 36,000 per year
  • PhD students: CNY 42,000 per year
  • Additional benefit: International airfare included

Yenching Academy of Peking University

This highly selective program admits approximately 120 students annually for an interdisciplinary China Studies master’s degree. Funding covers tuition, accommodation, airfare, health insurance, and a monthly stipend.

Schwarzman Scholars at Tsinghua University

A prestigious graduate scholarship providing tuition, room and board, travel, health insurance, course materials, study tours, and a USD 4,000 stipend for personal expenses.

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Regional and Provincial Government Scholarships

Multiple Chinese provinces and municipalities offer dedicated scholarship programs for international students:

  • Shanghai Government Scholarship (Type A): Full funding with monthly living expenses up to CNY 3,500
  • Beijing Government Scholarship: Awards up to CNY 40,000 depending on category
  • Tianjin Government Scholarship: Includes settlement allowance plus monthly living expenses up to CNY 2,000
  • Hubei Government Scholarship: Doctoral funding up to CNY 20,000 per year
  • Chinese Provincial Government Scholarships: Available across multiple provinces with varying benefit levels

Leading University-Specific Scholarships

Peking University Scholarships

Options include the Chinese Government Scholarship, Peking University Scholarship, and Beijing Government Scholarship. Full awards cover tuition, accommodation, medical insurance, and living expenses for master’s and PhD students.

Tsinghua University Scholarships

Outstanding international master’s and PhD students can access Chinese Government Scholarships or Beijing-funded awards with full coverage of tuition, accommodation, medical insurance, and living expenses.

Fudan University Scholarships

Through Chinese Government and Shanghai Government Scholarships, Fudan offers monthly stipends of CNY 3,000 for master’s students and CNY 3,500 for PhD students, plus housing subsidies or accommodation.

Zhejiang University Scholarships

Multiple pathways including Chinese Government Scholarship, Youth of Excellence Scheme, and Zhejiang Government Scholarship. Top awards include monthly stipends up to CNY 3,500.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University Scholarships

Available for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD levels with full scholarships covering tuition, accommodation, medical insurance, and monthly living expenses up to CNY 3,500.

Nanjing University Scholarships

Options include Chinese Government Scholarship, International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship, and Nanjing Municipal Scholarship with stipends up to CNY 3,500 monthly.

Additional Notable Programs

  • Central South University Scholarship: CNY 3,000 (master’s) or CNY 3,500 (PhD) monthly stipends
  • Shandong University Scholarship: Full and partial options available
  • Qingdao University Scholarship: Graduate program funding for master’s and PhD students
  • Yangzhou University Scholarships: Undergraduate tuition and accommodation waivers; graduate allowances up to CNY 2,500 monthly
  • Zhejiang Normal University Scholarship: Tuition waiver and on-campus accommodation
  • Confucius Institute Scholarship / International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship: 150+ universities, monthly allowances CNY 2,500–3,000

Application Considerations for African Applicants

Students from Zimbabwe and SADC region should note several strategic advantages:

  • The MOFCOM Scholarship specifically targets developing countries, making African applicants competitive candidates
  • Many programs do not require Chinese language proficiency for English-taught programs
  • Some scholarships include preparatory Chinese language courses
  • Medical insurance coverage addresses healthcare access concerns for international students

Application Process Overview

While specific deadlines vary by program, the general application pathway involves:

  1. Identify target scholarships and verify eligibility criteria
  2. Secure admission or pre-admission from a participating Chinese university
  3. Prepare required documentation including academic transcripts, recommendation letters, study plan, and health certificates
  4. Submit application through the Chinese Government Scholarship portal or directly to the university
  5. Complete any additional requirements such as interviews or supplementary materials

Applicants should monitor official university and scholarship websites closely, as deadlines typically fall between December and April for programs beginning the following September.

Funding Coverage

Full tuition fees, accommodation, medical insurance, monthly living allowance up to CNY 3,500, international airfare (select programs), settlement allowance (select programs)

Eligibility Criteria

International students from all countries; developing country applicants prioritized for MOFCOM Scholarship; academic excellence required; health standards must be met

Required Documents

Academic transcripts and certificates, valid passport, study plan or research proposal, recommendation letters, physical examination form, language proficiency proof (Chinese or English depending on program), non-criminal record certificate

Application Process

1) Research and select appropriate scholarship program, 2) Apply for admission to participating Chinese university, 3) Obtain pre-admission letter if required, 4) Complete online scholarship application through CSC portal or university system, 5) Submit all required documents before deadline, 6) Await selection results and visa processing
Apply Now — Official Website

You will be redirected to the official scholarship application page.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Many programs offer English-taught courses, particularly at the graduate level. However, some scholarships include preparatory Chinese language training. For Chinese-taught programs, HSK certification is typically required. Check specific program requirements as they vary by university and field of study.
CNY 3,500 equals approximately USD 480–500 depending on exchange rates. This amount is generally sufficient to cover food, local transportation, and personal expenses in most Chinese cities. Living costs in Beijing and Shanghai are higher than in provincial cities, but the scholarship accommodation benefit typically covers housing separately.
Specific deadlines are not published in the available research. Typically, Chinese Government Scholarship applications open in December and close in April for September intake. Individual university scholarships may have different timelines. You should check the official Campus China website (www.campuschina.org) and your target university's international admissions page for confirmed dates.
Yes, you can apply to multiple programs, but you can only hold one scholarship at a time. The Chinese Government Scholarship generally does not allow concurrent awards. If you receive multiple offers, you must decline others and accept only one. Strategic applicants often apply to both national programs (CSC, MOFCOM) and university-specific scholarships to maximize opportunities.
The study plan or research proposal carries significant weight—demonstrate clear academic goals and relevance to your home country's development. Strong recommendation letters from professors who know your work well are essential. Academic transcripts showing consistent excellence, proof of language proficiency, and a well-structured CV highlighting leadership and community involvement strengthen your candidacy. For MOFCOM specifically, emphasize your developing country background and commitment to returning home.
Competition is substantial but African applicants are actively sought, particularly for the MOFCOM Scholarship which prioritizes developing countries. The Chinese Government Scholarship receives many applications globally, but strong academic records and well-prepared documentation significantly improve chances. University-specific scholarships at less internationally famous institutions (beyond Tsinghua/Peking) often have better acceptance rates while maintaining excellent academic standards.