China Scholarship Council

The China Scholarship Council (CSC) predominantly funds Chinese university students to study overseas for PhD degrees in the fields of science and technology, but will also consider disciplines in the humanities.

Cardiff University is offering tuition fee scholarships to successful China Scholarship Council students who are not currently enrolled in a PhD programme.

CSC awards typically cover airfares and living costs for up to four years.

Applications for 2025 entry are now closed.

How to apply

This cycle of applications relates to start dates in the academic year 2025-2026. Applications should be made in accordance with CSC guidance.

There are four steps to applying.

1. Apply for your PhD

Apply to Cardiff University by 28 November 2024 to study for your chosen PhD, ideally for an October 2025 start.

The School of Social Sciences is not participting in the scheme. Clinical programmes are not eligible for the scheme.

Please complete the standard online Cardiff University PhD application process, noting the additional requirements listed below. We advise you to apply in advance of the deadline.

In addition to the standard application form, applicants should also:

• attach an academic CV. Further guidance on academic CVs can be found on the Vitae website
• ensure the personal statement (part of the university application form) provides a clear explanation of the research interest, preparation undertaken, and an understanding of the significance of the research. Further guidance can be found on the Vitae website
• select ‘No, I am not self-funding my research’ when prompted on the university application form
• enter the ‘Cardiff University China Scholarship Council’ when asked to give the name of funding you are applying for’

2. Shortlisting

Your school will shortlist applicants to nominate to the university panel. Schools can only nominate candidates who hold an offer to study which is unconditional or conditional on academic award qualifications only. You must have met the English Language requirements to be nominated.

Schools will need to make their nominations by 15 January 2025.

3. Scholarship application

If you are awarded a tuition-fee-only scholarship by the university panel, you will be issued a tuition-fee-only scholarship letter. If you accept the offer, you then need to apply to the China Scholarship Council (CSC) via the Cardiff University partnership portal. This will open around March.

4. Scholarship award

Cardiff University will send a list of those who have accepted the tuition-only scholarships to the CSC, who will match this with applications received via the partnership portal. The CSC panel will then award scholarships. The tuition fee only scholarship is only valid if you also receive the CSC scholarship.

If you have any queries about the China Scholarship Council fund, contact the Doctoral Academy.