Document checklist for master's and PhD applicants to the Chinese Government Scholarship
Unofficial summary · Sources checked
A master's or doctoral applicant to the Chinese Government Scholarship sends the documents in section VI of the Application Guide for Chinese Government Scholarship: the online application form, a passport copy, the diploma of highest education, academic records, a language qualification certificate, a pre-admission document, a study or research plan of no less than 1,000 words, two recommendation letters, and a certificate of non-criminal record. The degree held and the age limit differ between the two levels.
The document checklist prints the section VI items that match your study level, programme language and tick-box answers, each with its item number; you can copy or print the result.
Documents both levels send
Every item below is from the Application Guide for Chinese Government Scholarship (China Scholarship Council), cited by section and item.
- Application Form for Chinese Government Scholarship, filled in online — Application Guide, section VI, item 1.
- A clear scanned copy of the information page of your ordinary passport. If the passport is valid for less than 12 months from the expected study start date, renew it for the application — Application Guide, section VI, item 2.
- Diploma and certificate of highest education, notarized photocopy. A current university student submits the certificate of expected graduation or student status from the university — Application Guide, section VI, item 3.
- Academic records. Records in a language other than Chinese or English need notarized translations in Chinese or English — Application Guide, section VI, item 4.
- Language qualification certificate: - Chinese-taught master's or doctoral programme: a valid HSK score report at Level 4 meeting the proficiency requirement — Application Guide, section IV, item 10 and section VI, item 5. - Programme taught in another language: a relevant certificate such as IELTS or TOEFL, as required by the university — Application Guide, section VI, item 5 and section IV, item 11.
- Pre-admission document issued by the applying university: a pre-admission notice from the international students' admission department, or an invitation letter from a school or professor — Application Guide, section VI, item 7.
- Study or research plan in Chinese or English, no less than 1,000 words — Application Guide, section VI, item 8.
- Two recommendation letters in Chinese or English from professors or associate professors — Application Guide, section VI, item 9.
- Certificate of Non-Criminal Record issued by the local public security, usually issued within six months before the application submission date — Application Guide, section VI, item 13.
The one difference between master's and PhD
The Application Guide for Chinese Government Scholarship sets the degree held and the age limit in section IV.
| Level | Degree held | Age limit |
|---|---|---|
| Master's | Bachelor's degree or its equivalent — Application Guide, section IV, item 3 | under 35 — Application Guide, section IV, item 3 |
| Doctoral | Master's degree or its equivalent — Application Guide, section IV, item 4 | under 40 — Application Guide, section IV, item 4 |
Application Guide, section IV, item 1 requires every applicant to be a citizen of a country other than the PRC and in good mental and physical health.
CSCA Score Report: bachelor's applicants only
Application Guide, section VI, item 6 (CSCA Score Report) names the CSCA for applicants seeking a bachelor's degree; it does not name master's or doctoral applicants. Because section VI, item 6 names only applicants seeking a bachelor's degree, the CSCA Score Report is not part of the master's or doctoral document list.
Conditional items
These section VI items apply only on the stated condition.
- Arts or design programme: your own works such as videos and paintings — Application Guide, section VI, item 10.
- Under 18: legal documents of your legal guardian(s) in China — Application Guide, section VI, item 11.
- Study in China for more than six months: a photocopy of the Foreigner Physical Examination Form, with every listed item completed, signed by the attending physician, stamped by the hospital and bearing a sealed photograph; results are valid for six months — Application Guide, section VI, item 12.
Questions people ask
Do master's and PhD applicants need the same documents?
Section VI lists the same documents for master's and doctoral applicants. Section IV, items 3 and 4 differ only on the degree held and the age limit. Application Guide, section VI, item 6 (CSCA Score Report) applies to bachelor's applicants only.
Is HSK Level 4 required for an English-taught programme?
Application Guide, section IV, item 10 requires HSK Level 4 for Chinese-taught master's or doctoral programmes. Section IV, item 11 states that a programme taught in another language must meet the university's admission requirements for language proficiency; section VI, item 5 points to certificates such as IELTS or TOEFL as set by each university.
Sources
- Application Guide for Chinese Government Scholarship — China Scholarship Council (Campus China)
Checked 10 October 2026 and 11 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.