Chinese Government Scholarships 2026/2027 in China | How to Apply
The Chinese Government Scholarships 2026/2027 are open exclusively to South African citizens who want to pursue fully funded undergraduate, postgraduate, or non-degree Chinese language studies at Chinese universities, starting in September 2026. The scholarship is jointly funded by the Chinese Government and the South African Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), with each party covering different components of the award.
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The Chinese Government covers tuition fees, on-campus accommodation, a monthly stipend, and medical insurance. The South African Government through DHET covers return economy airfare, midterm airfare for long programmes, an additional monthly stipend, a once-off settlement allowance, visa costs, a pre-departure orientation, and psychosocial and research support throughout your studies. Bachelor’s programmes are taught in Chinese — no prior knowledge of Chinese is required — while Master’s and PhD programmes are taught in English.
The application deadline for Stage 1 of this process is 30 September 2025, and this is a two-stage process: you first submit your documents to DHET for screening, and shortlisted candidates are then invited to complete the online Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC) application in November 2025. All applicants must have a minimum 60% average in their most recent academic qualification and must be available to study in China from September 2026. Upon completing their studies, all successful applicants must return to South Africa — a contract to this effect must be signed as a condition of receiving the award. Priority fields include agriculture, biotechnology, engineering, computer science, nuclear and renewable energy, space science and technology, telecommunications, and environment and climate change, among others.
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Summary of the Chinese Government Scholarships 2026/2027
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | Chinese Government Scholarship (South Africa — DHET) |
| Host Country ⇒ | China |
| Study Level ⇒ | Undergraduate Scholarships | Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships | PhD Scholarships| |
| Benefits ⇒ | Fully Funded — Tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend, medical insurance (Chinese Government) + airfare, settlement allowance, visa costs, orientation (DHET) |
| Funded By ⇒ | Chinese Government and South African Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | South Africa only |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | 30 September 2025 (Stage 1 — DHET submission) |
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About the Chinese Government Scholarships
The Chinese Government Scholarship is a bilateral scholarship programme run between the Government of China and partner governments worldwide. In South Africa, the programme is administered by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), which acts as the nominating agency responsible for screening, shortlisting, and nominating South African candidates to the Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC) — the body that makes final award decisions on the Chinese side.
The scholarship is part of the broader China-South Africa bilateral education partnership and is designed to support South African students in gaining advanced qualifications in fields that align with both countries’ development priorities. Priority fields include agriculture, biotechnology, Chinese language studies, computer science, engineering, environment and climate change, food science, hydrogeological engineering, maritime studies, nuclear and renewable energy, natural and physical sciences, space science and technology, and telecommunications. Applicants from all fields may still apply, but those in priority areas are given preference during the DHET screening stage.
The application process runs in two stages. Stage 1 is the DHET screening — you submit your application form and supporting documents directly to DHET before 30 September 2025. Only shortlisted candidates from Stage 1 are invited to complete the online CSC application on the Chinese Government portal in November 2025. Applicants who are not shortlisted at Stage 1 will not proceed to the CSC portal.
It is each applicant’s responsibility to research and select their preferred Chinese universities and programmes before applying, and to ensure that qualifications obtained in China will be recognised in South Africa on their return.
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What the Chinese Government Scholarships 2026/2027 Cover
The scholarship is funded from two sources. Here is a full breakdown:
Covered by the Chinese Government:
- Full tuition fees at your chosen Chinese university for the duration of your programme
- On-campus accommodation for the duration of your studies
- A monthly stipend to cover living expenses — verify the current stipend amount for your level of study on the official DHET scholarship page, as figures are confirmed each cycle
- Comprehensive medical insurance for the duration of your studies in China
Covered by the South African Government (DHET):
- Return economy class airfare from South Africa to China at the start and end of your studies
- Midterm economy airfare for long-duration programmes
- An additional monthly stipend
- A once-off settlement allowance paid on arrival in China
- Visa application costs
- A pre-departure orientation programme in South Africa before you leave
- Psychosocial and research support throughout your studies
One critical condition: all successful applicants must sign a contract committing to return to South Africa after completing their studies. This is a non-negotiable requirement of the DHET nomination. Failure to return may have implications for your contract obligations.
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Eligibility Requirements for the Chinese Government Scholarships 2026/2027
You must meet all of the following general requirements to apply:
- You must be a South African citizen in good health — a medical examination will be required if you are selected
- You must have a minimum 60% average in your most recent academic qualification
- You must be available to begin full-time studies in China from September 2026
- You must demonstrate a clear interest in China and a commitment to contributing to South Africa’s development after completing your studies
In addition, each level of study has its own specific education and age requirements:
Non-degree Chinese Language Studies:
- Minimum requirement: National Senior Certificate (NSC) or equivalent with at least 60%
- Age limit: Under 35 years old
Bachelor’s Degree:
- Minimum requirement: NSC or equivalent with a recommended 60% average
- Language: Programmes are taught in Chinese — no prior knowledge required but you will learn Chinese on arrival
- Age limit: Under 25 years old
Master’s Degree:
- Minimum requirement: Bachelor’s degree or NQF Level 7 qualification with at least 60% average
- Language: Programmes are taught in English
- Age limit: Under 35 years old
Doctoral Degree (PhD):
- Minimum requirement: Master’s degree with at least 60% average
- Language: Programmes are taught in English
- Age limit: Under 40 years old
Check the official DHET scholarship page for any additional level-specific document requirements beyond the general requirements listed below.
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Required Documents for the Chinese Government Scholarships 2026/2027
All documents must be submitted in PDF format. Name every file using this exact format: SurnameNameDocumentName — for example, MokoenaThaboID.pdf. Files not named in this format may cause processing delays.
General requirements for all applicants:
- Completed DHET application form — download the application form from the official DHET page
- Copy of your South African ID document
- Copy of your valid passport — must be valid until at least 1 December 2026
- Non-criminal record certificate issued within the last six months
- Completed medical examination form
- Motivational letter — maximum one page
- Two reference letters from teachers or supervisors, signed and on official letterhead with full contact information
Check the official DHET scholarship website for any additional documents specific to your chosen level of study, as requirements vary between undergraduate, postgraduate, and non-degree applicants.
One practical warning: your passport must be valid until at least 1 December 2026. If your passport expires before this date, renew it before applying — an expired or short-validity passport will disqualify your application at the document screening stage regardless of your academic record. Passport renewals in South Africa can take several weeks, so start this process immediately if needed.
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How to Apply for the Chinese Government Scholarships 2026/2027
This is a two-stage process. Stage 1 is the DHET screening. Stage 2 is the CSC online application, which is only available to shortlisted candidates.
Stage 1 — DHET Application (deadline: 30 September 2025):
- Research and select your preferred Chinese universities and study programmes before starting your application. This is your responsibility — DHET does not assign universities.
- Download and complete the DHET Application Form from the official DHET scholarship page.
- Gather all required supporting documents — ID copy, valid passport copy, non-criminal record certificate, medical form, motivational letter, and two reference letters — all saved as PDF files named in the format SurnameNameDocumentName.
- Email your completed application form and all supporting documents to [email protected] with the subject line: Chinese Scholarship Application, [Your Surname].
- Wait for feedback from DHET. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Stage 2 — CSC Online Application (November 2025, shortlisted candidates only):
- If shortlisted, you will receive an invitation from DHET to complete the online application on the Chinese Government CSC portal in November 2025.
- Complete the CSC online application as directed in your invitation. All further steps at this stage will be communicated directly by DHET.
For questions or clarification at any stage of the process, contact DHET directly at [email protected].
Application Deadline
The Stage 1 DHET application deadline is 30 September 2025. Your complete application — form and all supporting documents — must be emailed to [email protected] before this date. Late or incomplete applications are not considered. Shortlisted candidates are invited to the Stage 2 CSC portal application in November 2025.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Chinese Government Scholarship fully funded?
Yes. Between the Chinese Government and DHET, the scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend, medical insurance, return airfare, midterm airfare for long programmes, settlement allowance, visa costs, pre-departure orientation, and psychosocial support. It is one of the most complete bilateral scholarship packages available to South African students.
Do I need to speak Chinese to apply?
Not for postgraduate programmes. Master’s and PhD programmes are taught in English. For undergraduate programmes, the medium of instruction is Chinese, but no prior knowledge of Chinese is required — you will receive Chinese language training on arrival in China.
Do I need to apply to a Chinese university separately?
It is your responsibility to research and select preferred Chinese universities and programmes before applying. You should be clear on your institution and programme preferences when completing your DHET application. Ensure that any qualification you plan to obtain in China will be recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) on your return.
What happens after I submit to DHET?
Only shortlisted candidates are contacted. If you are shortlisted, you will receive an invitation to complete the Stage 2 CSC online application on the Chinese Government portal in November 2025. Final award decisions are made by the Chinese Scholarship Council after reviewing all nominated candidates.
Must I return to South Africa after completing my studies?
Yes. All successful DHET nominees must sign a contract committing to return to South Africa after completing their studies in China. This is a condition of the DHET component of the scholarship.
Who do I contact if I have questions?
Contact DHET directly at [email protected] for any questions about eligibility, the application form, required documents, or the process.
Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, award values, and eligibility criteria were verified from the official South African Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) Chinese Government Scholarship page 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.
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