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Shanghai Government Scholarship 2026: Full & Partial Funding for International Students

The Shanghai Government Scholarship funds outstanding international students to study at universities in Shanghai since 2006. It offers full scholarships covering tuition, accommodation, living allowance and medical insurance, plus partial scholarships covering tuition and insurance.

October 2, 2026

Quick Overview

Host CountryChina
University/OrgMultiple Shanghai universities
Degree LevelUndergraduate, Masters, PhD
Funding TypeFully Funded, Partial Funding
Fields of StudyAll Fields

Scholarship Overview

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You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships

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What Is the Shanghai Government Scholarship?

The Shanghai Government Scholarship (SGS) is a funding programme established by the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government to attract outstanding international students and promote international cooperation in higher education. Since 2006, the scholarship has supported thousands of students from across the world, including Africa, to pursue undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees at leading universities in Shanghai.

The programme is administered through Shanghai universities and the official Study in Shanghai website. It offers two categories of award: Type A (full scholarship) and Type B (partial scholarship).

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Scholarship Benefits

Type A: Full Scholarship

  • Full tuition coverage for the study period
  • Accommodation expenses
  • Monthly living allowance: CNY 3,500 for PhD students, CNY 3,000 for master’s students, CNY 2,500 for undergraduate students
  • Medical insurance during the corresponding study period

Type B: Partial Scholarship

  • Tuition coverage for the study period
  • Medical insurance during the corresponding study period

Universities generally offer accommodation to SGS recipients in their first year of study and provide guidance on visa applications, registration and other procedures.

Eligible Degree Levels

The scholarship supports:

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  • Undergraduate (Bachelor’s) programmes
  • Master’s programmes
  • Doctoral (PhD) programmes
  • Pre-college programmes (with specific conditions)

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Shanghai Government Scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a non-Chinese citizen in good health
  • Meet age limits: no more than 25 years old for undergraduate programmes; no more than 35 for master’s; no more than 40 for PhD programmes
  • Hold the required academic qualification: high school degree or above for undergraduate; bachelor’s degree or above for master’s; master’s degree with research ability for PhD
  • For pre-college programmes: high school degree under age 23 with a letter of pre-admission for undergraduate study from a Shanghai university
  • Demonstrate outstanding academic performance
  • Generally achieve Chinese language level HSK4 and meet the language requirements of the applied university and programme
  • Meet all entry requirements of the selected university and programme
  • Not be receiving any other scholarship from the Chinese government or organizations

Required Documents

Applicants must prepare:

  • Completed scholarship application form
  • Academic transcripts
  • Highest educational certificate or diploma
  • Passport copy
  • Health examination documentation
  • Relevant language certificates (typically HSK4 or equivalent)
  • Other documents required by the selected university

Participating Universities

The scholarship is available at over 30 universities in Shanghai, including:

  • Fudan University
  • Shanghai Jiao Tong University
  • Tongji University
  • East China Normal University
  • East China University of Science and Technology
  • Shanghai University of Finance and Economics
  • Donghua University
  • Shanghai International Studies University
  • Shanghai University
  • Shanghai University of International Business and Economics
  • Shanghai Maritime University
  • Shanghai Normal University
  • Shanghai Ocean University
  • Shanghai University of Sport
  • Shanghai Theatre Academy
  • Shanghai Conservatory of Music
  • Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
  • University of Shanghai for Science and Technology
  • Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine
  • And additional institutions listed on the official website

How to Apply

Follow these steps to apply for the Shanghai Government Scholarship:

  1. Visit the official Study in Shanghai website at https://www.study-shanghai.cn/
  2. Review information on participating universities, available courses, and specific requirements
  3. Complete the scholarship application through the website
  4. Submit all required documents to your selected university
  5. Monitor your application status and respond to any university requests

Application periods generally run from February to April each year. Exact dates vary by university, so check the official websites of your target institutions for specific deadlines.

Management and Continuation

Universities manage scholarship recipients by:

  • Guiding visa applications and registration procedures
  • Providing accommodation in the first year of study
  • Conducting annual evaluations of academic performance, attendance and conduct

Continued scholarship support depends on passing these annual evaluations.

Tips for African and SADC Applicants

For applicants from Zimbabwe and the SADC region, consider these practical points:

  • Begin HSK Chinese language preparation early, as HSK4 is generally required
  • Contact your target university’s international office to confirm programme-specific language requirements
  • Ensure your educational certificates are properly notarized and translated
  • Apply to multiple universities to increase your chances of admission and scholarship award
  • Prepare a clear research proposal if applying for PhD programmes

Related scholarships

Official scholarship page: https://www.study-shanghai.cn/

Apply on the official site →

You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships

Funding Coverage

Type A (Full): tuition, accommodation, living allowance (CNY 2,500-3,500/month), medical insurance. Type B (Partial): tuition and medical insurance only.

Eligibility Criteria

Non-Chinese citizens in good health; age limits apply (25 for undergraduate, 35 for masters, 40 for PhD); HSK4 Chinese level generally required; cannot hold other Chinese government scholarships

Required Documents

Completed application form, academic transcripts, highest educational certificate, passport copy, health examination, language certificates, university-specific documents

Application Process

1. Visit study-shanghai.cn, 2. Review university and course information, 3. Complete online application, 4. Submit documents to selected university, 5. Await evaluation and decision
Apply Now — Official Website

You will be redirected to the official scholarship application page.

Frequently Asked Questions

The application period is generally from February to April each year. Exact deadlines vary by university, so you must check the official Study in Shanghai website and your target university's admissions page for specific dates.
Yes, applicants generally need to achieve HSK4 Chinese language proficiency and meet the specific language requirements of your chosen university and programme. Some programmes may offer English-taught courses with different requirements, but you must confirm this directly with the university.
No. Applicants who have received any other scholarships offered by the Chinese government or organizations are not entitled to apply for the Shanghai Government Scholarship.
The official programme does not publish selection rates. Type A full scholarships are typically more competitive and awarded based on outstanding academic performance. Type B partial scholarships are also limited. Your best strategy is to apply to multiple universities, exceed the minimum requirements, and submit a complete, well-prepared application.
You must submit your highest educational certificate or diploma and academic transcripts. For African applicants, ensure these documents are properly notarized and translated into Chinese or English as required by your target university. Contact the university's international admissions office for specific authentication requirements.
The scholarship covers the corresponding study period (tuition, and for Type A, accommodation and living allowance) subject to annual evaluations. Universities conduct annual reviews of academic performance, attendance and conduct. Continued funding depends on passing these evaluations each year.

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