Pursue Your Studies in China with the Confucius Institute Scholarship
Good news! The Confucius Institute Scholarship (CIS) for the academic year 2025-2026 is currently open for international students. This fully funded scholarship offers a unique opportunity to study Chinese language and culture at over 150 Chinese universities. Below, you’ll find detailed information about the scholarship, its benefits, and the application process.
Confucius Institute Scholarship Benefits
The CIS scholarship includes:
- Tuition and Lodging Fees: Accommodation in a university residence, shared with another student.
- Medical Insurance: Basic health coverage.
- Monthly Allowance:
- 2,500 Yuan/month for BTCSOL students or Chinese language and culture courses (~350 USD/month).
- 3,000 Yuan/month for MTCSOL students (~420 USD/month).
- Additional 700 Yuan/month for students opting for off-campus accommodation.
Note: Scholarships exceeding one year are reviewed annually based on academic performance. Outstanding results are required for full renewal, while average results may result in partial funding.
Categories and Duration of CIS
- Chinese Language and Culture Studies:
- Academic Year: 11 months (September to July or March to January).
- Academic Semester: 5 months (September to January or March to July).
- Four Weeks: Winter (December-January) or Summer (July-August) courses.
- Future Teachers of Chinese:
- Master in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (MTCSOL): 2 academic years.
- One Academic Year + MTCSOL: 3 academic years total.
- Bachelor in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (BTCSOL): 4 academic years.
Eligibility Requirements
- Non-Chinese Nationality: Must be in good health and able to provide a physical examination form upon arrival in China.
- Age: Between 16 and 35 years old (extended to 45 for current Chinese teachers); undergraduates must be under 20.
- Language Proficiency: Required HSK (Chinese Proficiency Test) scores vary by scholarship type (e.g., 180 points in HSK3 and 60 points in oral HSK for a full-year course).
- Education: High school diploma for undergraduate courses, bachelor’s degree for master’s courses. All documents must be in English or Chinese or accompanied by a sworn translation.
- Recommendation Letters: One for Chinese language course or BTCSOL applicants, two for MTCSOL applicants.
- Previous Study: Must not have studied in China before for one-semester or four-week scholarships.
Application Process
- Deadlines:
- Start in September: Apply by early May.
- Start in March: Apply by early November.
- Application Submission:
- Contact the person in charge at your Confucius Institute for application guidance.
- Apply online on the Confucius Institute scholarship page, uploading all required documents.
- Submit certified paper copies of documents to the Confucius Institute, a Chinese embassy, or relevant institutions for forwarding to Hanban headquarters in China.
- Result Notification:
- Results published in early July for September start and early January for March start.
- Visa processing documents sent within 15 days after result publication.
Take advantage of this opportunity to immerse yourself in Chinese language and culture while furthering your academic career. Apply for the Confucius Institute Scholarship today and make your dream of studying in China a reality!