Fully Funded Scholarships in China for international Students 2025-2026

The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) offers an excellent opportunity for international students to pursue doctoral studies in Hong Kong, China. Launched in 2009 by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC), the program aims to attract top academic talent from around the world to undertake PhD programs at leading universities in Hong Kong.

Under this fellowship, awardees receive a generous annual stipend of HK$325,200 (approximately US$41,690) along with a conference and research travel allowance of HK$13,600 (around US$1,740) per year, for up to three years. For the 2023/24 academic session, a total of 300 PhD fellowships are being awarded to outstanding candidates.

Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: PhD

• Institution(s): See list below

• Study in: Hong Kong

• Opportunity Focus Areas: Eligible PhD Programs offered by participating institutions

• Program Period: Three to four years.

• Deadline: September 01, 2025 – December 1, 2025

The Yenching Academy Scholarship 2025-2026 is a fully funded master’s program in China. Each year, 120 international students are selected to receive full coverage including tuition fees, round-trip airfare, monthly stipend, accommodation, and health insurance.

Located in Beijing, the Yenching Academy of Peking University is a prestigious postgraduate college that runs the globally recognized Yenching Program—a fully funded fellowship aimed at preparing future leaders who contribute to global development and cross-cultural understanding.

This interdisciplinary Master’s in China Studies connects outstanding young scholars worldwide, encouraging innovation, leadership, and cultural exchange. At Yenching, students engage in an intensive academic environment to explore China’s global role—past, present, and future—while gaining the skills to become globally aware citizens.

Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: Master’s

• Institution(s): Peking University

• Study in: China

• Opportunity Focus Areas:

  • China in Transition

  • Field Study

  • Literature and Culture

  • History and Archaeology

  • Philosophy and Religion

  • Law and Society

  • Economics and Management

  • Politics and International Relations

• Program Period: Two years

• Deadline: December 1, 2025 (update in August 2025)

The Shanghai Government Scholarship (SGS) is now open for international students who dream of pursuing higher education in China. Established in 2006, the SGS aims to attract talented individuals from around the world to study at top universities in Shanghai. This fully funded opportunity supports Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs across a wide range of academic fields. From full tuition coverage to monthly living stipends, the scholarship offers everything you need to succeed in one of Asia’s most vibrant cities.

Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: Undergraduate, Masters, PhD

• Institutions(s): Shanghai Universities (Check list below)

• Study in: China

• Courses Offered: Philosophy, economics, law, education, literature, history, management, science, engineering, agriculture, medicine, and art.

• Program Period: Bachelor’s Degree Program: 4 to 5 years, Master’s Degree Programs: 2 to 3 years, Doctoral Degree Programs: 3 to 4 years

• Deadline: Between January to June of each year

The Beijing Government Scholarship offers international students the opportunity to pursue fully funded undergraduate, master’s, or PhD programs at leading universities in Beijing. Backed by the Beijing Municipal Education Commission with an initial fund of 35 million yuan, this scholarship aims to promote the internationalization of higher education in China. The program provides tuition coverage and is categorized based on the level and type of study, with awards reaching up to 40,000 RMB per year. Open to students from around the world (excluding Chinese citizens), the scholarship supports a wide range of academic disciplines and offers durations ranging from one to four years, depending on the program type.

Key Features of the Beijing Government Scholarship

• Open to international students pursuing Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees

• Tuition fee coverage up to 40,000 RMB annually depending on degree level

• Available for various academic fields including science, engineering, arts, and medicine

• Scholarship duration up to 4 years for degree programs and 1 year for others

• Accepted by top universities in Beijing with individual application procedures

• Open to students from all countries (except China) with specific age and qualification criteria

Great news for international students! Applications are now open for the Shandong University Scholarship 2025-2026. In this article, we explain the scholarship benefits, eligibility, and the complete step-by-step application process.

The Shandong University Scholarship is a fully funded award for outstanding international students, covering tuition fees, living allowance, accommodation, and comprehensive medical insurance. It supports undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students in completing their studies successfully at one of China’s leading universities.

Shandong University is a prestigious, comprehensive institution offering a wide range of academic disciplines, including philosophy, economics, law, education, literature, history, science, engineering, agriculture, medicine, management, and fine arts. With 44 doctoral programs, 51 master’s programs, 93 undergraduate programs, and 42 post-doctoral research opportunities, the university fosters a complete talent development system.

Eighteen of its disciplines rank in the top 1% of the ESI Global Ranking for academic influence. Shandong University maintains partnerships with over 200 institutions in more than 30 countries and regions, offering students strong international exposure and opportunities.

Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD

• Host Institution: Shandong University

• Location: China

• Duration: Equivalent to the duration of the study program (as stated in the admission letter)

• Application Deadline: April 1

Exciting news for international students! Applications are now open for the Central South University Scholarships, offering fully funded opportunities for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD programs. This article explains the scholarship benefits, eligibility, and application process in detail.

The CSU Scholarship covers full tuition fees, on-campus accommodation, medical insurance, and a monthly stipend. The university focuses on moral education and high-quality talent cultivation, with more than 55,000 full-time students, including 1,647 international degree students.

CSU has 57 national excellent courses, 8 national teaching teams, and 8 national experimental teaching demonstration centers. It has built partnerships with over 200 universities and research institutes in more than 30 countries, including the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, and Russia, attracting students from over 100 countries.

Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD

• Institution: Central South University (CSU)

• Host Country: China

• Fields of Study: All programs offered by CSU

• Program Duration: Bachelor – 4–5 years, Master – 3 years, Doctorate – 4 years

• Application Deadline: May 31

Great news for international students! Applications are now open for the Yangzhou University (YZU) Scholarships, offering full funding for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD programs.

The Yangzhou University Scholarships 2025-2026 cover full tuition fee waiver, free accommodation, and a monthly stipend of up to 2,500 RMB. These awards aim to attract talented students from around the world to study at one of China’s key comprehensive universities.

Co-sponsored by the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government and the Ministry of Education of China, YZU has a rich academic history dating back to 1902. The university offers strengths in agricultural sciences, humanities, and multidisciplinary integration, hosting over 25,000 undergraduates, 11,000 postgraduates, and 2,000 international students.

Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD

• Institution: Yangzhou University

• Host Country: China

• Fields of Study: All programs offered by YZU

• Program Duration: Based on chosen program

• Application Deadline: May 15

Great news for international students! Applications are now open for the Tianjin Government Scholarships at Nankai University, offering generous financial support for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD programs.

The Tianjin Government Scholarship 2025-2026 is a fully funded program providing up to CNY 2,000 per month. It aims to attract outstanding students from around the world to pursue higher education in China’s top-ranked institutions.

Nankai University, consistently ranked among China’s top 10 universities, offers a wide range of degree programs in English and Chinese. The scholarship is awarded based on the principle of “Enlarging Scale, Raising Level, and Regulating Management” proposed by the Ministry of Education to support international students.

Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD

• Institution: Nankai University, China

• Host Country: China

• Fields of Study: All available programs

• Program Duration: Bachelor – 4–6 years, Master – 2–3 years, Doctorate – 3 years

• Application Deadline: May 31

Great news for postgraduate students! Applications are now open for the Qingdao University President Scholarship, a fully funded opportunity for international students pursuing master’s or PhD degrees.

The Qingdao University Scholarship 2025-2026 provides a monthly allowance of up to 3,500 CNY and aims to attract talented international students to study and conduct research at Qingdao University.

Located in the scenic coastal city of Qingdao, between the Yellow Sea and Mount Fushan, the university blends rich cultural heritage with modern academic excellence. Established in 1909 and expanded through mergers with Qingdao Medical College and Shandong Textile & Engineering College in 1993, Qingdao University is now one of Shandong province’s leading comprehensive universities.

Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: Master’s, PhD

• Institution: Qingdao University

• Host Country: China

• Fields of Study: All master’s and doctoral majors

• Program Duration: Master’s – 2 years; PhD – 3 years

• Number of Awards: PhD – 20; Master’s – 10

• Application Deadline: April 20

Zhejiang Normal University Scholarship 2025-2026 is a fully funded opportunity for international students. It is available for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, covering full tuition, free accommodation, and an annual stipend of up to 31,000 RMB.

The Zhejiang Normal University Outstanding Student Scholarship aims to attract talented learners worldwide, promote a vibrant multicultural campus, strengthen the university’s global recognition, and motivate international students to achieve excellence and holistic growth.

Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: Undergraduate, Masters, PhD

• Institution(s): Zhejiang Normal University

• Study in: China

• Opportunity Focus Areas: Click here to find all the available programs.

• Program Period: Depends on the chosen degree.

• Deadline: July 30, 2025 (Annual)

The Schwarzman Scholars Program 2025-2026 is a fully funded master’s scholarship for international students. Each year, around 200 exceptional candidates are selected for this highly competitive program to pursue a Master’s degree in Global Affairs at Tsinghua University. The scholarship covers tuition fees, room and board, health insurance, and a $4,000 personal stipend.

This one-year master’s and leadership program combines rigorous academic training with cultural immersion. Guided by distinguished faculty and advisers, scholars engage in innovative study of global affairs while experiencing China’s culture, economy, and commerce first-hand.

With China playing an increasingly important role in global business and international relations, the program prepares future leaders who will contribute to building a more peaceful and prosperous world.

Scholars are selected not only for their strong academic records but also for their demonstrated leadership potential and desire to create a meaningful global impact.

Tsinghua University, one of China’s most respected and prestigious institutions, provides the ideal setting for this transformative program. Established in 1911 on the grounds of the Qing Dynasty imperial gardens, the university is recognized as a bridge between China and the world. Its historic campus combines tradition with modern innovation, offering students a world-class environment for growth and collaboration.

As one of China’s most influential universities, Tsinghua has produced many of the nation’s top leaders, including current President Xi Jinping, former President Hu Jintao, former Premier Zhu Rongji, and several other key political figures.

Through the Schwarzman Scholars Program, participants join a global network of changemakers, gaining not just a degree but also lifelong connections and leadership experiences that prepare them to address the challenges of tomorrow.

Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: Masters

• Institution(s): Tsinghua University

• Study in: China

• Opportunity Focus Areas:
  – Global Affairs
  – Leadership
  – Public Policy
  – Economics and Business
  – International Studies
  To know more about the available programs, check this link

• Program Period: One year

• Number of Scholarships: Up to 140.

• Deadline:

  • For USA and global applicants: Application Period: Apr 2025 – Sep 2025

  • For Chinese applicants: Application Period: Jan 2025 – May 2025 (May 20, 2025)