CHINA: Scholarships for South African Students 2025/26

The Chinese Government is offering scholarships for South African students to study at Chinese institutions starting in the 2025/26 academic year. The Department of Higher Education and Training (the Department) is responsible for nominations for the Chinese Government scholarship programme.

For more information about the Chinese Government scholarship please visit the China Scholarship Council website.

CHINA: Scholarships for South African Students 2025/26

The scholarship is offered for undergraduate (Bachelors) and postgraduate (Masters or PhD) programmes in the identified scarce skills, as well as non-degree Chinese language studies. Bachelor’s degree scholarships are taught in Chinese and will only be awarded to applicants who already have the required level of Chinese proficiency (HSK 3 or above).

 

Deadline of applications

24 January 2025

 

Field of study

Applications in all fields of study except medicine will be considered.

 

Criteria and Eligibility

• South African citizens in good health (medical check will be required for successful applicants);
• Strong academic record with a minimum 60% average in previous studies;
• Availability to study in China from September 2025;
• Demonstrated interest in China and commitment to the development of South Africa;
• Applicants must meet the minimum academic requirements for entry into the programme of choice.
• Bachelor’s applicants must have HSK 3 level language certificate and be willing to study in Chinese, applications without a HSK level 3 language certificate will be automatically disqualified.
• Master’s and doctoral applicants must have HSK 4 level language certificate and be willing to study in Chinese, applications without a HSK level 4 language certificate will be automatically disqualified.

Important: The scholarship does not support any medical degrees and preference will be given to applications for postgraduate studies.

 

Education requirements and age limits:

STUDY PROGRAMME	EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS	AGE (AS OF SEPTEMBER 2025)
Chinese language studies (non-degree)	National Senior Certificate (or equivalent) with a university entrance pass (a minimum of 60% average is recommended). Applicants with a post school qualification will be given priority.	Under 25
Bachelor’s degree	National Senior Certificate (or equivalent) with a university entrance pass (a minimum of 60% average is recommended) HSK 3 (or higher ) certificate	Under 25
Master’s degree	Bachelor’s degree (honours) or NQF 8 qualification (a minimum of 60% average is recommended). HSK 4 is required when applying for Chinese taught programmes	Under 35
Doctoral degree	Master’s degree (a minimum of 60% average is recommended) HSK 4 is required when applying for Chinese taught programmes	Under 40

Language of Instruction

According to the regulations of the Chinese Ministry of Education, all undergraduate programmes for scholarship students are taught in the Chinese language. Bachelor’s degree applicants interested in pursuing a Bachelor’s degree must have at least an HSK Level 3 certificate.

At Master’s and PhD level, programmes taught in both English and Chinese are eligible for the scholarship. Check the language of instruction available for the identified programme, as not all courses are available in English.  The HSK 4 is required when applying for Chinese taught programmes.

 

Institutions and Programmes

Scholarship applicants are required to apply directly to the institution of their choice prior to applying for the scholarship. Evidence of the submitted application must be provided.

NB: Applicants are advised to submit applications for admission to at least three universities to increase their chances of admission, the scholarship will not be awarded without proof of a university application having been submitted.

It is the responsibility of each candidate to do research into available programmes, institutions, language of instruction and programme-specific entrance criteria. PhD applicants must engage with the university of choice and secure potential supervisors.

Please refer to the list of programmes and participating universities.

Approximate duration (years) of scholarships

STUDY PROGRAMME	DURATION OF PROGRAMME	DURATION OF PREPARATORY CHINESE LANGUAGE COURSE	DURATION OF SCHOLARSHIP
Chinese language studies	1	None	Up to 2
Bachelor’s degree	4-5	1-2	4-7
Master’s degree	2-3	1-2	2-5
Doctoral degree	3-4	1-2	3-6

Studies must be completed within the duration of the scholarship, as specified in the Admission Notice.

 

What the scholarship offers

The Chinese Government provides the following:

STUDY PROGRAMME	Tuition (RMB per year)*	Accommodation (RMB per year)	Stipend (RMB per year)	Medical Insurance (RMB per year)
Chinese language studies	20000-27000	8400	30000	800
Bachelor’s degree	20000-27000	8400	30000	800
Master’s degree	25000-34000	8400	36000	800
Doctoral degree	33000-45000	12000	42000	800

*Should tuition fees for the identified programme exceed the above stated amounts, the Scholarship Recipient will be responsible for paying the difference.

 

The Department of Higher Education and Training provides the following (subject to the availability of funds):

• One return economy airfare;
• Monthly top-up stipend;
• Once-off settlement allowance;
• Research funding (postgraduate only)
• Visa costs;
• Compulsory orientation programme before departure.

Successful scholarship applicants will be required to sign a contract and return to South Africa upon completion of studies.

 

How to Apply

• Complete BOTH the DHET application form and start the Chinese Government online application on http://www.campuschina.org.
• Submit the DHET application form with supporting documents listed below to chinaapplications@dhet.gov.za by 24 January 2025. Use the subject line: Chinese Scholarship Application, [Your surname].

 

Instructions for Chinese Government Scholarship Information System (CGSIS)

Please carefully read the instructions before applying for the scholarship.

Step 1: Visit “CSC Study in China” website and click “Scholarship Application for Students” at http://www.campuschina.org

Register an account through [CREATE AN ACCOUNT] and login with your account.

Step 2: Input Personal Details. Click “Edit Personal Details” and finish inputting personal details by filling in all the information, verifying and saving the information. After the completion of this section, return to the previous page by clicking “Finish” and start filling in your application information.

Step 3: Select the correct “Programme Category”.

Please select Programme Category “Type A”.

Step 4: Input the correct Agency Number. Your Agency Number is: 7101

Programme Category and Agency Number are directly matched, both are mandatory for online application.

After inputting agency number, the matched agency name will automatically show on the page. As Programme Category and Agency Number are directly matched, application processing authorities will not receive your online application if the programme category or agency number are not correct.

Step 5: Input Application Information

Next, please move on to the section of “Language Proficiency and Study Plan” and upload “Supporting Documents” as requested, then click “Submit” to complete the application.

Check each part of your application carefully before submission. Please make sure that all the information and uploaded documents are valid and accurate.

When applicants of “Type A” application choose the “Preferences of Institutes”, system will automatically match the available universities according to the selected “Student Category, Preferred teaching language”. With any inquiry concerning the available majors of each university, please visit the following website.

http://www.campuschina.org/universities/index.html

“Catalog of Discipline Field, First-level Discipline, Specialty” is available from the “Help”, applicants could download the file to identify the relation between Discipline and Major.

Step 6: Once submitted, amendment cannot be made on “Personal Details” and “Application Information”.

Before the application being processed by the processing authorities, applicant can revoke the submitted application by clicking “Withdraw” and edit the application.

After revoking the application, applicant must submit at second time after re-editing, or the application will not be processed. Once the application is processed, application cannot be revoked.

Step 7: Click” Print the Application Form” and download the form.

Step 8: Submit scholarship application under the requirements of the dispatching authorities (or application processing agency) China Scholarship Council never entrust any individual or intermediary agent to process Chinese government scholarship applications.

Kindly remind that all applicants to directly submit your scholarship applications through official dispatching authorities, avoiding being deceived. The website below is the only official website that China Scholarship Council publishing Study in China information, please do not trust information from any other portals or sources.

http://www.campuschina.org/

Notes: Application with incorrect Agency Number will not be processed.

Please use Firefox or Internet Explorer (11.0).

For applicants using Internet Explorer, please close the “compatible view mode” function ahead of editing.

Please fill in all application information in Chinese or English.

PLEASE ENSURE YOU SUBMIT THE BELOW DOCUMENTATION WITH YOUR APPLICATION:

• Application Form
• Passport Home Page
• Language Qualifications Certificate
• National Senior Certificate with Bachelor’s Pass
• Bachelor’s Degree Certificate
• Honour’s Degree Certificate
• Master’s Degree Certificate
• Two reference letters from a teacher, professor or lecturer
• Study Plan or Research Proposal in Chinese or English. (See criteria below)
• Police Clearance Certificate
• Foreigner Physical Examination Form

 

Supporting Documents Checklist:

Applications for Bachelor’s or Chinese Language programmes	Applications for Master’s programmes	Applications for PhD’s programmes
1. Completed DHET application form	1. Completed DHET application form	1. Completed DHET application form
2. Copy of a South African ID	2. Copy of a South African ID	2. Copy of a South African ID
3. Copy of Passport Home Page: Applicant shall submit a clear scanned copy of his/her ordinary passport with validity later than March 1, 2026	3. Copy of Passport Home Page: Applicant shall submit a clear scanned copy of his/her ordinary passport with validity later than March 1, 2026	3. Copy of Passport Home Page: Applicant shall submit a clear scanned copy of his/her ordinary passport with validity later than March 1, 2026
4. Language qualification certificates. Applicants for Chinese-taught programs must submit valid HSK reports in accordance with the corresponding Chinese proficiency requirements. Applicants for other language-taught programmes shall provide relevant language proficiency certificates according to the universities’ requirements, like IELTS or TOFEL report.	4. Language qualification certificates. Applicants for Chinese-taught programs must submit valid HSK reports in accordance with the corresponding Chinese proficiency requirements. Applicants for other language-taught programmes shall provide relevant language proficiency certificates according to the universities’ requirements, like IELTS or TOFEL report.	4. Language qualification certificates. Applicants for Chinese-taught programs must submit valid HSK reports in accordance with the corresponding Chinese proficiency requirements. Applicants for other language-taught programmes shall provide relevant language proficiency certificates according to the universities’ requirements, like IELTS or TOFEL report.
5. Copy of a South African National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a Bachelor’s pass OR a certificate of equivalence (from the Matriculation Board) if a school leaving certificate other than the NSC was obtained.   A minimum of 60% average is required, excluding Life Orientation.   Marks of pre-requisite subjects for chosen field of study (eg for Engineering applicants, NSC Maths and Physics marks OR for social sciences, NSC English marks) will be reviewed separately   Bachelor’s applicants shall provide admission documents issued by the applied universities. Admission documents include admission notice and pre-admission.	5.       Copy of degree certificate(s), which must be a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree with Honours, or a full qualification equivalent to South African National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8. SAQA verification for any degrees obtained outside South Africa is required.  A minimum of 60% average is required.	5.       Copy of degree certificates, which must include a Master’s degree, or full qualification equivalent to South African National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 9. SAQA verification for any degrees obtained outside South Africa is required.  A minimum of 60% average is required for the Master’s degree.
	6. Official transcripts of all previous university studies.	6. Official transcripts of all previous university studies.
	7. To apply for master’s and doctoral degree or as general and senior scholars, applicants shall provide admission documents issued by the applied universities. Admission documents include admission notice, pre-admission letter, invitation from professors and etc. Applicants with admission documents will obtain the priority in winning the Chinese Government Scholarship.	7. To apply for master’s and doctoral degree or as general and senior scholars, applicants shall provide admission documents issued by the applied universities. Admission documents include admission notice, pre-admission letter, invitation from professors and etc. Applicants with admission documents will obtain the priority in winning the Chinese Government Scholarship.
	8. A maximum 1 page letter of motivation for the scholarship AND personal reasons for choosing the field of study.	8. A maximum 1 page letter of motivation for the scholarship AND personal reasons for choosing the field of study.
	9. A Study Plan or Research Proposal in Chinese or English. (A minimum of 200 words for undergraduates, 500 words for non-degree students, and 800 words for postgraduates.	9. A Study Plan or Research Proposal in Chinese or English. (A minimum of 200 words for undergraduates, 500 words for non-degree students, and 800 words for postgraduates.)
6. A maximum 1 page letter of motivation for the scholarship AND their choice of field of study.
7.  Two reference letters, signed and on an official letterhead, with a contact number and email address. At least one reference must be from a school teacher. The second letter can be from either a teacher or work supervisor. The letters must attest to the following: reliability, integrity, academic excellence and suitability for an international scholarship.	10.   Two reference letters, signed and on an official letterhead, with a contact number and email address.   At least one reference must be from a lecturer or professor. The second letter can be from either a lecturer or work supervisor.   The letters must attest to the following: reliability, integrity, academic excellence and suitability for an international scholarship.	10.   Two reference letters, signed and on an official letterhead, with a contact number and email address.   At least one reference must be from a lecturer or professor. The second letter can be from either a lecturer or work supervisor.   The letters must attest to the following: reliability, integrity, academic excellence and suitability for an international scholarship.
8. Foreigner Physical Examination Form completed in English (the original copy should be kept by the applicant. The form is designed by the Chinese quarantine authority and can be obtained from the dispatching authority. The physical examinations must cover all the items listed in the Foreigner Physical Examination Form. Incomplete records or those without the signature of the attending physician, the official stamp of the hospital or a sealed photograph of the applicants are invalid. Please select the appropriate time to take physical examination as the result is valid for only 6 months.	11. Foreigner Physical Examination Form completed in English (the original copy should be kept by the applicant. The form is designed by the Chinese quarantine authority and can be obtained from the dispatching authority. The physical examinations must cover all the items listed in the Foreigner Physical Examination Form. Incomplete records or those without the signature of the attending physician, the official stamp of the hospital or a sealed photograph of the applicants are invalid. Please select the appropriate time to take physical examination as the result is valid for only 6 months.	11. Foreigner Physical Examination Form completed in English (the original copy should be kept by the applicant. The form is designed by the Chinese quarantine authority and can be obtained from the dispatching authority. The physical examinations must cover all the items listed in the Foreigner Physical Examination Form. Incomplete records or those without the signature of the attending physician, the official stamp of the hospital or a sealed photograph of the applicants are invalid. Please select the appropriate time to take physical examination as the result is valid for only 6 months.
9.   Non-criminal record report. The applicant shall submit a valid certificate of Non-Criminal Record issued by the local public security authority, usually issued within 6 months prior to the submission date of the application	12.   Non-criminal record report. The applicant shall submit a valid certificate of Non-Criminal Record issued by the local public security authority, usually issued within 6 months prior to the submission date of the application	12.   Non-criminal record report. The applicant shall submit a valid certificate of Non-Criminal Record issued by the local public security authority, usually issued within 6 months prior to the submission date of the application
All documents uploaded must be clear and in PDF format (no photographs of documents will be accepted).

NB: Institutions in the host country may also require online or telephone interviews. You will be advised accordingly.

All applications received by the DHET will be acknowledged by email after the closing date. The DHET is unable to consider any applications that are not received by 24 January 2025 or incomplete applications.

Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email. Unfortunately, individual explanations cannot be provided to unsuccessful applicants.

Successful candidates will be informed by 31 July 2025 and all students who accept the scholarship will be required to attend an orientation in Pretoria before departure. Orientation is meant to assist successful candidates with preparation for departure and provide necessary information.

Contact

All queries should be forwarded to chinaapplications@dhet.gov.za alternatively refer to Frequently Asked Questions.

Download and Links

China Scholarship Council website

List of programmes and participating universities

DHET Application form

Printable guide for South African Applicants

Note

Please note that this opportunity is not offered by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Applicants are required to undertake their own research into programmes and institutions and are responsible for ensuring that the qualifications will be recognised in South Africa by contacting the South African Qualifications Authority and the relevant professional bodies. If there are any discrepancies in the details provided, the information given by the sponsor supersedes the details provided above. No additional financial support will be provided by the Department of Higher Education and Training.