Document checklist for a Chinese language student or general scholar

A non-degree applicant on the Chinese Government Scholarship sends the section VI items that fit a general scholar. For Chinese-taught study the set is the online application form, a passport copy, the highest-education diploma, academic records, an HSK Level 3 certificate, a pre-admission document, a 500-word study plan, and — if the stay exceeds six months — a physical examination form. Open the document checklist to print the items that match your study level, scholarship status, teaching language and stay length.

Application form and passport

• Application Form for Chinese Government Scholarship (filled in online). Source: Application Guide for Chinese Government Scholarship, section VI, item 1.
• Clear scanned copy of the information page of your ordinary passport. If the passport validity is less than 12 months from the expected start date of study, renew it and use it for the application. An applicant who cannot apply for a passport due to objective reasons may submit valid documentation carrying full English name, gender, nationality and date of birth, with the approval of the application receiving agency. Source: section VI, item 2.

Education documents

• Diploma and certificate of highest education (notarized photocopy). A current university student submits the certificate of expected graduation or student status from the university. Source: section VI, item 3.
• Academic records. Records in languages other than Chinese or English need notarized Chinese or English translations attached. Source: section VI, item 4.

Language certificate

• A Chinese-taught general scholar program requires a valid HSK score report meeting the proficiency requirement. Eligibility IV, item 8 states the applicant must have passed HSK (Level 3) when applying for a Chinese-taught general scholar program, excluding Chinese language majors. Source: section VI, item 5 and eligibility IV, item 8, Application Guide for Chinese Government Scholarship.
• A program taught in a language other than Chinese requires relevant language proficiency certificates such as IELTS or TOEFL, per each university's requirements. Source: section VI, item 5.

Pre-admission document

• All applicants must provide a pre-admission document issued by the applying universities: a pre-admission notice from the international students' admission department, or an invitation letter from the schools or professors. Source: section VI, item 7.

Study or research plan

• A study or research plan written in Chinese or English. For scholars it must be no less than 500 words/characters. Source: section VI, item 8.

Physical examination form

• An applicant studying in China for more than six months submits a photocopy of the Foreigner Physical Examination Form. The original, printed by Chinese quarantine authorities, is filled in English and kept by the applicant. The examination must cover all listed items; records without the attending physician's signature, the hospital's official stamp, or a sealed photograph are invalid. Medical examination results are valid for only six months. Source: section VI, item 12.

Non-criminal record

• A valid Certificate of Non-Criminal Record (or Police Clearance Certificate) issued by local public security, usually issued within six months prior to the application submission date. Source: section VI, item 13.

Items a general scholar does not send

• CSCA Score Report: section VI, item 6 requires it only of bachelor's degree applicants who must register for and take the CSCA before the application deadline. A general scholar is not in this group.
• Recommendation letters: section VI, item 9 requires two recommendation letters from professors or associate professors from an applicant for a postgraduate program or for academic education as a senior scholar. A general scholar is in neither group.

Conditional items

• An applicant under 18 submits the legal documents of his or her legal guardian(s) in China. Source: section VI, item 11.
• An applicant to an arts or design program provides own works such as videos and paintings. Source: section VI, item 10.

Questions people ask

Does a Chinese language major need HSK Level 3 as a general scholar?

Eligibility IV, item 8 requires HSK (Level 3) for a Chinese-taught general scholar program but excludes Chinese language majors; eligibility IV, item 8 does not state a substitute requirement for those majors.

How long is the physical examination valid?

The medical examination results are valid for only six months, per section VI, item 12.

Does the checklist tool submit my documents?

The document checklist tool does not check, store or submit documents. The body that receives the application and the university may ask for more.

Sources

• Application Guide for Chinese Government Scholarship — China Scholarship Council (Campus China)

Checked 10 October 2026. This page is an unofficial summary, is not legal or immigration advice, is not published by the bodies named, and the official text and the instructions of the body handling your application prevail if they differ.