Study in China with the Confucius Institute Scholarship

If you’re passionate about Chinese language and culture studies, or are interested in teaching Chinese as a foreign language, consider applying for Confucius Institute Scholarship! This scholarship can help you study Chinese in China with full financial support.

What is the Confucius Institute Scholarship?

The Confucius Institute Scholarship is a program created by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC). This center once went by the name Hanban and belongs to China’s Ministry of Education. Its goal is to:

• Support the global teaching and learning of the Chinese language.
• Promote cross-cultural understanding.
• Provide high quality Chinese language teachers training.

This scholarship targets excellent students and Chinese language teachers. It is available at about 150 of the best Chinese language universities.

CLEC Scholarship Programs in China

Several types of Confucius Scholarships are available, depending on the applicant’s background and goals:

1. Master’s Degree in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (MTCSOL degree in China)

• Duration: 2 years
• Requirements: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, HSK Level 5 (Minimum score of 180), HSKK test intermediate level (≥50)
• Ideal for: Aspiring professional of teaching Chinese as a foreign language degree

2. Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (BTCSOL undergraduate program)

• Duration: 4 years
• Requirements: High school diploma, HSK Level 4 (Minimum score of 210), HSKK test intermediate level (≥60)
• Ideal for: High school graduates interested in Chinese education or linguistics

3. Scholarship for One-Academic-Year and Scholarship for One-Semester Programs

• Duration: 5–11 months
• Requirements: HSK Level 3–4 depending on the program, plus HSKK scores
• Ideal for: Students seeking cultural immersion and Chinese proficiency improvement

4. Four-Week Short-Term Programs

• Duration: 4 weeks
• Designed for: Groups of Confucius Institute students or cultural exchange participants
• Focus: Chinese language and culture experience

5. Online Study Scholarships

• Duration: One semester or one year
• Requirements: HSK Level 3 or above (for most programs)
• Ideal for: Foreign students unable to travel to China but eager to study Chinese from Chinese universities.

Scholarship Coverage

One of the biggest advantages of the Confucius Institute Scholarship is its comprehensive financial coverage. Scholarship recipients enjoy:

• Full tuition fee waiver — covering courses, textbooks, and cultural activities
• Free on-campus dorms (or a monthly housing allowance for off-campus living)
• Monthly living allowance — RMB 2,500 for undergraduate and non-degree students, RMB 3,000 for master’s students
• Comprehensive medical insurance

This full package allows students to focus entirely on their studies and cultural exploration while in China.

How to Apply For Confucius Scholarship

Applicants must:

• Be non-Chinese citizens aged between 16 and 35 (up to 45 for in-service teachers)
• Be in good physical and mental health, with good academic standing
• Demonstrate interest in Chinese language teaching or cultural exchange, or in Chinese language and literature
• Have valid HSK and HSKK scores (for most categories)
• Receive a recommendation from a Confucius Institute, Chinese embassy/consulate, or other approved recommending body

Steps:

1. Register and complete the online application form.
2. Upload required documents (passport, transcripts, HSK/HSKK reports, recommendation letters from professors or associate professors, etc.).
3. Select your preferred host university and program.
4. Submit applications via online registration at http://cis.chinese.cn.
5. Wait for evaluation by CLEC and the university.

Application deadline:

• April–May for programs starting in July or September
• September–November for December or March intakes

They typically announce results around three months before classes begin.

Annual Evaluation and Renewal

For degree programs such as MTCSOL or BTCSOL, scholarship students must undergo annual performance assessments. To keep the scholarship, you need to have academic performance. You also must take part in Chinese language and culture programs.

Why Apply

The Confucius Institute Scholarship isn’t just financial support, it’s an investment in your future as a language teacher. Beyond academic training, students gain:

• Real-world teaching experience in multicultural classrooms
• Deep cultural immersion through campus life and community engagement
• Global networking opportunities with educators, students, and professionals from around the world

If you dream of connecting China and the world through language and culture, this scholarship is a great start.

University List for Confucius Scholarship

1. Anhui University
2. Anhui Normal University
3. Beihua University
4. Peking University
5. Beijing International Studies University
6. Beijing University of Technology
7. Beihang University
8. Beijing Jiaotong University
9. Beijing Institute of Education
10. Beijing Union University
11. Beijing Normal University
12. Beijing Sport University
13. Beijing Foreign Studies University
14. Beijing Language and Culture University
15. Bohai University
16. Dalian University of Technology
17. Dalian University of Foreign Languages
18. Dongbei University of Finance and Economics
19. Northeast Normal University
20. Southeast University
21. University of International Business and Economics
22. Fujian Normal University
23. Fudan University
24. Gannan Normal University
25. Guangdong University of Foreign Studies
26. Guangxi University
27. Guangxi University for Nationalities
28. Guangxi Normal University
29. Guizhou University of Finance and Economics
30. Guizhou University
31. The Open University of China
32. Harbin Engineering University
33. Harbin Normal University
34. Hainan University
35. Hainan Normal University
36. Hangzhou Normal University
37. Hebei University
38. Hebei University of Economics and Business
39. Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology
40. Hebei Normal University
41. Hebei Vocational College of Foreign Languages
42. Henan University
43. Heihe University
44. Heilongjiang University
45. Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine
46. Hubei University
47. Hunan University
48. Hunan Normal University
49. North China Electric Power University
50. East China Normal University
51. South China University of Technology
52. South China Normal University
53. Huaqiao University
54. Huazhong University of Science and Technology
55. Central China Normal University
56. Jilin University
57. University of Jinan
58. Jinan University
59. Jiangsu University
60. Jiangxi Normal University
61. Jiujiang University
62. Kunming University of Science and Technology
63. Lanzhou University
64. Liaoning University
65. Liaoning Normal University
66. Liaocheng University
67. Ludong University
68. Nanchang University
69. Nanjing University
70. Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology
71. Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
72. Nankai University
73. Inner Mongolia University
74. Ningbo University
75. Ningxia University
76. Qingdao University
77. Tsinghua University
78. Qufu Normal University
79. Xiamen University
80. Shandong University
81. Shanxi University
82. Shaanxi Normal University
83. Shanghai University of Finance and Economics
84. Shanghai University
85. Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade
86. Shanghai Jiao Tong University
87. Shanghai Normal University
88. Shanghai International Studies University
89. Shenyang Ligong University
90. Shenyang Normal University
91. Shihezi University
92. Capital University of Economics and Business
93. Capital Normal University
94. Sichuan University
95. Sichuan Normal University
96. Sichuan International Studies University
97. Suzhou University
98. Taiyuan University of Technology
99. Tianjin University
100. Tianjin University of Technology
101. Tianjin Normal University
102. Tianjin Foreign Studies University
103. Tianjin University of Technology and Education
104. Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
105. Tongji University
106. China Foreign Affairs University
107. Wenzhou University
108. Wenzhou Medical University
109. Xi’an Jiaotong University
110. Xi’an International Studies University
111. Northwest University
112. Northwest Normal University
113. Southwest University
114. Southwest Jiaotong University
115. Southwest Forestry University
116. Xinjiang University of Finance and Economics
117. Xinjiang University
118. Xinjiang Normal University
119. Yanbian University
120. Yanshan University
121. Yangzhou University
122. Yunnan Normal University
123. Changchun University
124. Changchun University of Science and Technology
125. Changchun Normal University
126. Changsha University of Science and Technology
127. Zhejiang University
128. Zhejiang University of Technology
129. Zhejiang University of Science and Technology
130. Zhejiang Normal University
131. Zhengzhou University
132. Communication University of China
133. Ocean University of China
134. Renmin University of China
135. China University of Petroleum (Beijing)
136. Zhongnan University of Economics and Law
137. South-Central University for Nationalities
138. Sun Yat-sen University
139. Minzu University of China
140. Chongqing University
141. Chongqing Jiaotong University
142. Chongqing Normal University

Start Your Journey to Study in China Today

Choosing to study in China is a life-changing decision that opens the door to world-class education, cultural diversity, and exciting global opportunities. Whether you’re researching top China universities or preparing your China university application, having a trusted partner can make all the difference.

At ApplyForChina, we make the process simple and stress-free. From finding the right university to submitting your application, we’re here to support you every step of the way