CSC Scholarship 2027: how to find a supervisor in China and apply
A clear guide to the Chinese Government (CSC) Scholarship for 2027: the two application routes, why a supervisor's acceptance letter matters, the documents you usually need, the timeline, and how to email professors in China.
Updated · Requirements change every year, so always confirm details on Campus China (campuschina.org) and your university's international admissions page.
What is the CSC Scholarship?
The CSC Scholarship, officially the Chinese Government Scholarship, is a fully funded scholarship from the Chinese government for international students. It is managed by the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and is offered for bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees, as well as for non-degree study as a general or senior scholar.
A full scholarship usually covers:
- Tuition fees
- On-campus accommodation, or a housing allowance
- A monthly living allowance (the amount depends on your degree level)
- Comprehensive medical insurance in China
Check the current allowance amounts and coverage on the official site, since they are set by the Chinese government and can change.
The two ways to apply
Most applicants use one of two routes. Both are submitted through the CSC online application system, but who nominates you is different.
You apply through the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country, or another designated agency. They select and nominate candidates.
You apply directly to a designated Chinese host university, which nominates you. Each university sets its own deadlines and extra requirements.
Only designated host universities can take CSC scholars. See our list of all 272 CSC host universities.
Why a supervisor's acceptance letter matters
For master's and PhD applicants, many universities ask for, or strongly prefer, a pre-admission letter (also called an acceptance letter) from a professor who agrees to supervise you. Even where it is not required, it shows the university that your research fits their department, and it can make your application much stronger.
You get one by writing to professors whose research matches yours, before you apply. That means finding the right people first, which is usually the slowest part:
- Finding each university's faculty pages and reading professors' research areas one by one
- Checking that the professor still supervises students and that the email address is current
- Writing a personal email to each professor, not one copied message
- Keeping track of who replied and following up politely
Documents you usually need
Exact requirements depend on the university, the route and your degree level. Applicants are commonly asked for:
- The application form from the CSC online system
- A valid passport
- Your highest degree certificate and academic transcripts (often notarised)
- A study plan or research proposal (usually 800 words or more for postgraduate applicants)
- Two recommendation letters from professors or associate professors (for postgraduate study)
- A pre-admission or acceptance letter from a supervisor, if you have one
- A language certificate: HSK for Chinese-taught programmes, or IELTS/TOEFL for English-taught ones, where required
- The Foreigner Physical Examination Form, and sometimes a police clearance certificate
Timeline for the 2027 intake
Dates differ between embassies and universities, so treat this as a typical pattern and check each deadline yourself:
- Autumn 2026Choose your field and shortlist universities. Start contacting professors whose research matches yours.
- Winter 2026 to early 2027Application windows usually open. Collect your documents and ask your referees for letters.
- Early to mid 2027Most deadlines fall in this period. Submit through the CSC system and any university portal.
- Summer 2027Results are usually announced. Successful applicants receive admission documents and a visa form.
- September 2027Most programmes start in September.
How to email professors in China
Professors receive many emails. The ones that get answered are short, personal and specific:
- Write to the right people. Pick professors whose stated research genuinely overlaps with yours. A strong match matters more than a famous name.
- Mention their actual work. Refer to a specific paper or research direction, and connect it to your own thesis or project.
- Keep it short and clear. Introduce yourself, explain the fit, and ask one clear question, for example whether they accept new students for the 2027 intake under the CSC scholarship.
- Use their official email address from the university's faculty page, and attach your CV.
- Send at a sensible local time. China is on China Standard Time (UTC+8). An email that arrives in working hours is more likely to be read.
- Follow up once, politely, if you have no answer after one to two weeks.
ScholarReach reads official faculty pages at CSC host universities, keeps only professors with a published email, ranks them by how well their research fits yours, and writes a personal email to each one in simple English. You approve every email before it is sent from your own Gmail, at the professor's local time.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Sending the same copied email to dozens of professors
- Writing to professors whose research does not match yours
- Using an old or guessed email address instead of the one on the official faculty page
- Leaving professor outreach until the deadline is close
- Missing a university's own deadline, which can be earlier than the CSC system deadline
ScholarReach is an independent tool and is not affiliated with the China Scholarship Council or any university. This guide gives general information only. Always confirm requirements, amounts and deadlines on campuschina.org and the official website of your chosen university.