Zhengzhou University President Scholarship 2026 in China | Fully Funded
Zhengzhou University President Scholarship funds PhD students from any non-Chinese nationality for up to four years, covering full tuition, an accommodation allowance, and a monthly stipend. Both of its 2026 intake windows have now closed — the March intake deadline was December 15, 2025, and the September intake window ran March 1 through June 15, 2026. That closes out this scholarship’s window for anyone hoping to start a PhD this cycle, but it doesn’t mean the opportunity is gone for good: ZZU runs this on a recurring two-intake schedule every year, so understanding exactly what closed, what it covered, and what it required puts you ahead of the next round rather than scrambling once dates are announced again.
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This is one of the more generous China-based PhD scholarships available to international applicants, combining a fully waived tuition bill with CNY 4,500 a month in combined stipend and accommodation support, open to Master’s degree holders under 40 from any country. This post covers what the scholarship actually pays, who qualified, and what to prepare for the next intake cycle.
Zhengzhou University President Scholarship Summary
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | Islamic University of Madinah Scholarship |
| Host Country ⇒ | China |
| Study Level ⇒ | Postgraduate Scholarships | PhD Scholarships |
| Benefits ⇒ | Fully Funded — 100% tuition waiver, CNY 1,000/month accommodation allowance, CNY 3,500/month stipend, for up to 4 years |
| Funded By ⇒ | Zhengzhou University (ZZU) |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | All non-Chinese citizens |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | Both 2026 intakes closed — March Intake: December 15, 2025; September Intake: March 1–June 15, 2026 |
Intake Dates
This is worth reading first, since the source information covers two separate intakes and it’s easy to assume one might still be open:
- March Intake: deadline was December 15, 2025 — closed
- September Intake: application window ran March 1 to June 15, 2026 — also closed
Zhengzhou University runs two intakes a year on this recurring pattern, so based on this structure, the next March intake deadline would likely fall around December 2026, with the next September intake window opening around March 2027 — confirm exact dates directly with ZZU’s International Student Portal once announced, since exact dates can shift year to year.
Funding Breakdown
The scholarship covers, for up to four years:
- Tuition: 100% waived for the full PhD program
- Accommodation allowance: CNY 1,000 per month
- Monthly living stipend: CNY 3,500 per month
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Combined, that’s CNY 4,500 a month on top of a fully waived tuition bill, meant to let PhD students focus on research rather than covering costs alongside their studies.
Zhengzhou University President Scholarship Qualifying Criteria
You needed to:
- Be a non-Chinese citizen in good physical health, with no criminal record
- Comply with Chinese law and Zhengzhou University’s regulations
- Show strong academic ability, research potential, and a positive attitude toward study
- Not be enrolled as a PhD student at any other Chinese university at the time of application
- Hold a Master’s degree or equivalent qualification — Pakistani applicants specifically needed an 18-year Master’s degree
- Be under 40 years old
Language requirements depended on your programme’s language of instruction: HSK Level 5 with a score of 210 or above for Chinese-taught programmes, or IELTS 6.5 or higher for English-taught programmes if you’re from a non-English-speaking country.
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What You’d Need to Submit
- A completed scholarship application form
- A CV and a valid passport, with at least one more year of validity remaining
- Degree certificates and academic transcripts from both undergraduate and postgraduate study, original or notarised
- Certified translations for any documents not already in English or Chinese
- A Statement of Research Interest and Research Proposal of at least 2,000 words, covering your motivation, background, objectives, and proposed methodology
- Two recommendation letters from professors familiar with your academic or research work, including their contact details
- Proof of language proficiency — HSK, IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent
- A Physical Examination Record and blood test report, valid for 6 months
- A No Criminal Record Certificate, original or notarised
- Any additional supporting materials, such as publications, awards, or professional certifications
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Applicants were strongly advised to contact potential supervisors directly before finalising their research proposals — this matters more here than in many PhD applications, since your proposal needs to genuinely fit an available supervisor’s research area.
The Application Steps for the Zhengzhou University President Scholarship
- Check the official website for available PhD programmes and confirm your target supervisor and language of instruction.
- Gather and scan every required document listed above.
- Complete the online application through Zhengzhou University’s International Student Portal.
- Submit before your intake’s deadline.
- Wait for results, published 4 to 6 weeks after the submission deadline.
- Receive your admission notice and visa documents, including what you need for a Chinese X1 student visa, if successful.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I still apply for the 2026 intake?
No. Both the March intake (deadline December 15, 2025) and the September intake (window closed June 15, 2026) have passed. There’s no late submission process described for either window.
Do I need to already have a specific supervisor lined up before applying?
Not strictly required, but strongly advised. Since your research proposal needs to genuinely align with a supervisor’s area of expertise, contacting potential supervisors before finalising your proposal significantly strengthens your application.
Is this scholarship open to Nigerian and other African applicants?
Yes. Eligibility is based on being a non-Chinese citizen, with no regional restriction, so Nigerian and other African applicants holding a qualifying Master’s degree are eligible to apply.
What happens if my documents aren’t in English or Chinese?
You need certified translations submitted alongside your original documents. Uncertified translations aren’t accepted, so factor in the time this takes when preparing your application ahead of a deadline.
Can I apply if I’m already a PhD student at a different Chinese university?
No. One of the eligibility conditions specifically excludes applicants currently enrolled as a PhD student at any other Chinese university at the time of application.
Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, award values, and eligibility criteria in this post reflect the official Zhengzhou University President Scholarship guidelines as published. Information is subject to change without notice. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with Zhengzhou University.
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