The Chinese Government Scholarship, run by the China Scholarship Council (CSC), is offered to South Africans under a bilateral agreement managed by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). It funds bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees at Chinese universities in full, and DHET adds flights, a settlement allowance and a living supplement, making it one of the most complete study-abroad packages open to South Africans.
About the Chinese Government Scholarship
- Levels: bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees at Chinese universities, with many programmes taught in English.
- China covers: full tuition, free dormitory accommodation or a housing subsidy, medical insurance and a monthly stipend of RMB 2 500 (undergraduate), RMB 3 000 (master’s) or RMB 3 500 (doctoral).
- DHET covers: return international airfare and mid-term travel, a once-off settlement allowance, visa fees and a monthly living supplement.
- Fields: almost any discipline, with priority for engineering, science, technology, agriculture, health sciences and other scarce skills.
CSC Scholarship eligibility requirements
- South African citizen with a passport valid for the whole period of study.
- At least 60% in the most recent qualification, and the entry requirements of the chosen Chinese university.
- For Chinese-taught programmes, HSK level 3 (undergraduate) or level 4 (postgraduate); bachelor’s applicants may need CSCA scores.
- Usual CSC age limits: under 25 for bachelor’s, under 35 for master’s and under 40 for doctoral study, in good health.
How to apply for the CSC Scholarship
- Choose a programme and university on campuschina.org and complete the CSC online application, using the agency number for South Africa given in the DHET call.
- Compile one PDF with the CSC form, certified academic transcripts and certificates, your passport, a study plan or motivation letter, a police clearance certificate, the CSC physical examination form and, for postgraduates, two reference letters.
- Email the PDF to DHET at chinaapplications@dhet.gov.za before the closing date. DHET screens and nominates candidates to the CSC, and universities confirm admissions between April and July.
CSC Scholarship closing date
5 January 2026 for 2026/27 (closed). Expect a similar window, October 2026 to January 2027, for the 2027/28 academic year.
Contact details
- DHET international scholarships: chinaapplications@dhet.gov.za, 012 312 5393
- Portal: internationalscholarships.dhet.gov.za
Other DHET-managed scholarships include the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship and the Chevening scholarship; see also the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships.
FAQs
1. When does the Chinese Government Scholarship close for 2027? +
The 2026/27 round for South Africans closed on 5 January 2026 through DHET, after an earlier September 2025 call. Expect the 2027/28 round on the DHET international scholarships portal between October 2026 and January 2027, with the Chinese CSC portal opening in parallel.
2. What is the Chinese Government Scholarship? +
A fully funded scholarship from the China Scholarship Council (CSC), offered to South Africans under a bilateral agreement managed by the Department of Higher Education and Training, for bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees at Chinese universities, with DHET topping up travel and living costs.
3. What does it cover? +
China pays full tuition, free dormitory accommodation or a housing subsidy, medical insurance and a monthly stipend of RMB 2 500 for undergraduates, RMB 3 000 for master's and RMB 3 500 for doctoral students. DHET adds return airfares, a settlement allowance, visa fees and a monthly living supplement.
4. Who qualifies? +
South African citizens with at least 60% in their most recent qualification, meeting the Chinese university's entry requirements and, for Chinese-taught programmes, HSK level 3 (undergraduate) or level 4 (postgraduate). Many programmes are taught in English. Bachelor's applicants may need CSCA scores, and the usual age limits are under 25 for bachelor's, 35 for master's and 40 for doctoral study.
5. How do I apply? +
Apply on the CSC portal at campuschina.org and email the full application as one PDF to DHET at chinaapplications@dhet.gov.za, with certified transcripts, a passport valid for the whole stay, a study plan or motivation, a police clearance, the CSC physical examination form and, for postgraduates, two reference letters.
6. Which fields? +
Almost any discipline, with DHET prioritising engineering, science, technology, agriculture, health sciences and other scarce skills.
Update note (checked September 2026): the 2026/27 round for South Africans closed on 5 January 2026 through DHET, after an earlier September 2025 call. The 2027/28 round had not opened when we checked. Expect it on the DHET international scholarships portal between October 2026 and January 2027, with the CSC portal opening in parallel. The details below are from the 2026/27 call.
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