Chinese Government Scholarship-Silk Road Program 2026/2027 at Tianjin University — Fully Funded
The Chinese Government Scholarship-Silk Road Program 2026/2027 is open to students from ten Belt and Road partner countries, including Nigeria, and the application deadline is May 18, 2026. If you are a Nigerian student ready to pursue a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degree at Tianjin University, this scholarship covers your full tuition fees, provides free on-campus accommodation, pays a monthly living stipend, and includes comprehensive medical insurance for the entire duration of your study.
Check Out: Sheffield Hallam University Transform Together Scholarships in UK | How to Apply
This scholarship is worth paying close attention to because of how it is structured behind the scenes. The Silk Road Program is established by China’s Ministry of Education, but the actual award is processed through the China Scholarship Council (CSC) — meaning your application does not end once Tianjin University reviews it. If you are nominated, you must then complete a separate CSC application under a specific category and agency number tied to Tianjin University. Many applicants assume the university application is the final step and are caught off guard when a second formal application stage follows.
Understanding this two-stage structure from the outset will save you from missing a step that could cost you the scholarship entirely. The programme also runs across all three degree levels, with funding durations and stipend amounts that scale by study level, so the exact value of what you receive depends on whether you are applying for a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral programme.
Also Read: SIIT Graduate Scholarship | Fully Funded
Chinese Government Scholarship-Silk Road Program Summary
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | Chinese Government Silk Road Program |
| Host Country ⇒ | China |
| Study Level ⇒ | Undergraduate | Masters | PhD |
| Benefits ⇒ | Fully Funded — Full tuition waiver + free accommodation + monthly stipend + medical insurance |
| Funded By ⇒ | Ministry of Education, People’s Republic of China (via Tianjin University) |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia, Morocco, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | May 18, 2026 |
Scholarship Categories to Explore on ScholarWaka— Here are some key scholarship opportunities you should check out on ScholarWaka:
- Study Abroad: Study in USA | Study in Canada | Study in UK | Study in Europe | Study in Asia | Study in Australia | Study in Africa
- Scholarship Category: Undergraduate Scholarships | Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships | PhD Scholarships | Diploma Scholarships | Competitions | High School Scholarships | Internships Scholarships | Training | Fellowships
About the Chinese Government Scholarship-Silk Road Program
Tianjin University is one of China’s oldest and most established higher education institutions, with a strong reputation across engineering, science, and applied research disciplines. The Silk Road Program scholarship was established by China’s Ministry of Education to deepen educational cooperation between China and selected Belt and Road partner countries, training skilled professionals across academic and research fields while building long-term cultural and institutional ties.
The scholarship supports three degree levels, each with its own funding duration:
- Bachelor’s Degree: 5 years
- Master’s Degree (Chinese-taught): 2.5 to 4 years
- Master’s Degree (English-taught): 2 to 3 years
- PhD Degree: 3 to 5 years
The award is fully funded across all levels, covering tuition, accommodation, a monthly stipend, and medical insurance. Selection is competitive and runs through two stages — first a university-level review by Tianjin University, then a final review by the China Scholarship Council before any offer becomes official.
Also Apply: University of Edinburgh Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships in UK | Fully Funded
What the Chinese Government Scholarship-Silk Road Program Covers
Successful applicants receive the following:
- Full tuition fee waiver for the entire approved duration of their programme
- Free on-campus accommodation at Tianjin University
- Monthly living stipend, which varies by study level:
| Study Level | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s | 2,500 RMB |
| Master’s | 3,000 RMB |
| PhD | 3,500 RMB |
- Comprehensive medical insurance covering the full duration of the scholarship period
Because the stipend amount and funding duration both depend on your degree level, calculate roughly what your total support will look like across your full programme before you commit — a PhD candidate, for example, will receive a meaningfully larger cumulative stipend over 3 to 5 years than an undergraduate receiving a lower monthly amount over a comparable period.
Must-Read: Commonwealth Scholarship | Fully Funded
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for this scholarship, you must meet all of the following requirements:
- You must be a citizen of one of the eligible countries: Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia, Morocco, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, or Nepal. Citizenship from a country outside this list, even within the broader Belt and Road network, does not qualify you for this specific Tianjin University round.
- You must be physically and mentally healthy, as confirmed through the required medical examination documentation later in the process.
- You must hold the academic qualification required for your chosen programme — a senior secondary certificate for undergraduate applicants, a bachelor’s degree for master’s applicants, and a master’s degree for PhD applicants.
- You must meet the age requirement for your chosen study level:
- Undergraduate applicants must be under 25 years old
- Master’s applicants must be under 35 years old
- PhD applicants must be under 40 years old
- You must meet the language proficiency requirement that applies to your chosen programme:
- For Chinese-taught programmes: an HSK5 certificate with a minimum score of 180
- For English-taught programmes: an IELTS score of at least 6.0, or a TOEFL score of at least 80
Meeting the minimum academic qualification and age requirement does not guarantee admission — selection remains competitive, and the university and CSC both assess applications against the full pool of eligible candidates from all ten partner countries.
Must Check: Karsh International Scholarship at Duke University | How to Apply
Required Documents
Prepare all of the following well in advance of the deadline, as several of these documents — particularly the physical examination form and non-criminal record certificate — can take time to obtain:
- Academic certificates and transcripts — covering your most recently completed qualification, relevant to the degree level you are applying for
- Valid international passport — ensure it has sufficient validity remaining to cover your intended study period in China
- Language proficiency certificate — HSK5 (minimum score 180) for Chinese-taught programmes, or IELTS (minimum 6.0) / TOEFL (minimum 80) for English-taught programmes
- Study plan or research proposal — outlining your academic objectives and, for postgraduate applicants, your intended area of research
- Curriculum Vitae / Resume — detailing your academic background and any relevant work or research experience
- Recommendation letters — typically required from academic referees who can speak to your academic ability and readiness for study in China
- Foreigner Physical Examination Form — a specific medical form that must be completed by a licensed physician confirming you meet the health requirements for international study in China. This form has a defined validity period, so do not complete it too early in your application timeline.
- Non-criminal record certificate — an official document confirming you have no criminal record, typically issued by a relevant government authority in your home country. This can take several weeks to process, depending on your location, so request it early.
- Passport photograph — meeting the specific size and format requirements typically set out by the Chinese visa and scholarship authorities
- Visa copy — required only if you are already physically present in China at the time of application
Additional documents may be requested depending on your specific study level or programme, so check the official Tianjin University application portal for any supplementary requirements tied to your chosen degree.
Apply For: Macquarie University Road to Research Scholarship in Australia | How to Apply
How to Apply
This scholarship involves two distinct stages — a university application and, if nominated, a separate CSC application. Follow both stages in full to avoid losing your place after an initial successful review.
1. Visit the official Tianjin University application portal.
Review the specific requirements for your chosen degree level before starting.
2. Complete the online application form in full,
Ensuring all personal, academic, and programme details are entered accurately.
3. Upload all required documents
Academic certificates, passport, language certificate, study plan or research proposal, CV, recommendation letters, physical examination form, non-criminal record certificate, and passport photograph. Double-check that each document meets the format and validity requirements before uploading.
4. Submit your application before May 18, 2026.
Late submissions are not accepted, and given the number of supporting documents required, leaving this until the final days significantly increases your risk of missing something.
5. Wait for interview and review notifications from the university.
Check your email regularly during this period, including your spam folder, as universities have strict notification windows and may not extend deadlines for missed communications.
6. If nominated by Tianjin University, complete the CSC scholarship application
The second and final stage of the process. You will need:
- Program Category: Type B
- Agency Number: 10056
Complete the full selection process, which includes university review, an interview and/or written examination, final review by the China Scholarship Council, and an official admission notification once everything is confirmed.
Must Check: Human Rights Scholarship in Australia | Fully Funded
Application Deadline
The deadline for the Chinese Government Scholarship-Silk Road Program 2026/2027 at Tianjin University is May 18, 2026.
Apply For: Cranfield International Scholarships in UK | How to Apply
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Chinese Government Scholarship-Silk Road Program fully funded?
Yes. The scholarship covers full tuition fees, free on-campus accommodation, a monthly stipend ranging from 2,500 to 3,500 RMB depending on your study level, and comprehensive medical insurance for the full duration of your programme.
Can Nigerian students apply for the Silk Road Program at Tianjin University?
Yes. Nigeria is one of the ten eligible countries for this specific scholarship round, alongside Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia, Morocco, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Nepal. You must still meet the age, academic, and language requirements that apply to your chosen study level.
What is the difference between the university application and the CSC application?
The university application through Tianjin University is the first stage, where the institution reviews and selects candidates for nomination. If you are nominated, you must then complete a separate application through the China Scholarship Council portal, using Program Category Type B and Agency Number 10056. Both stages must be completed — nomination by the university alone does not guarantee final scholarship approval.
Do I need to know Chinese to apply for this scholarship?
Not necessarily. If you apply for an English-taught programme, you need an IELTS score of at least 6.0 or a TOEFL score of at least 80, or an English instruction certificate if your previous degree was taught in English. Chinese-taught programmes require an HSK5 certificate with a minimum score of 180 instead.
What happens if I exceed the age limit for my chosen degree level?
You will not be eligible to apply. The age limits are strict: under 25 for undergraduate applicants, under 35 for master’s applicants, and under 40 for PhD applicants. Confirm your exact age against the application deadline of May 18, 2026 before preparing your documents.
Check Out: High Fliers Undergraduate Scholarships at the University of Birmingham | Apply Now
Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, award values, and eligibility criteria were verified from the official Tianjin University and China Scholarship Council sources as of June 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official source before submitting your application.
Official Application Portal
Join ScholarWaka Community
Get the latest scholarship updates and study abroad opportunities before anyone else.
