Chongqing University CSC Scholarship in China 2026

Quick snapshot (what you need to know right now)

• Scholarship name: Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) — Type B (University-applied) and occasionally Type A/B variants like Bilateral & Silk Road programs at Chongqing University. (CQU Study)
• Where to apply: Two systems are involved — the CSC online application (Study in China / CGSIS) and Chongqing University’s own online application portal. Agency number for Chongqing University: 10611 (used in the CSC system). (CQU Study)
• Typical coverage: Full scholarships usually include tuition waiver, on-campus accommodation (or subsidy), a living allowance (monthly stipend), and comprehensive medical insurance. Exact stipend levels can vary by degree level and program. (CQU Study)
• Application fee: Chongqing University’s portal historically charges an application fee (example: 400 RMB non-refundable) — check the portal for the current amount. (CQU Study)
• When to prepare: CSC cycles and university deadlines commonly fall between December and April for the next academic year. For 2026 entry, you should begin preparing materials by November–December 2025 and aim to submit by the university’s stated deadline (often early spring). Never wait until the last minute. (Chinese Scholarship 2025)

Why Chongqing University (CQU) + CSC is an excellent choice

1. Research and industry links: CQU is a key national university with strong engineering, materials science, civil engineering, and environmental science programs — fields often prioritized for CSC funding. Its position in Chongqing connects students to industry and infrastructure projects in the rapidly developing interior of China. (CQU Study)
2. Fully-funded pathway: CSC scholarships (Type B/University) often cover the essentials — freeing you to focus on coursework and research without immediate financial stress. That’s huge for students from lower-resource backgrounds. (CQU Study)
3. Language and cultural experience: Chongqing offers immersive Mandarin practice and a chance to experience the unique culture and cuisine of Southwest China — valuable for both personal growth and future regional expertise.

Who is eligible? (typical requirements)

• Citizenship: Non-Chinese citizens (international applicants). (CQU Study)
• Academic background:
• • Master’s applicants: Bachelor’s degree and usually under ~35 years (age limits sometimes applied).
  • PhD applicants: Master’s degree and often under ~40 years.
  • GPA: Competitive GPA (often 3.0+/4.0 or equivalent) — strong transcripts matter. (The Global Scholarship)
• Language: English-taught programs sometimes accept applicants without IELTS/TOEFL if the program language is English, but many programs prefer a language certificate or proof of instruction language. Chinese proficiency is helpful for daily life and research in Chinese labs. (CSC Guide Official)
• Health & legal requirements: Applicants must meet medical and visa requirements (medical exam often required after admission). (CQU Study)

Practical note: Check the degree-specific page at CQU for particular majors (e.g., Engineering vs. Social Sciences) because some departments have additional requirements, interviews, or language prerequisites. (CQU Study)

What the CSC scholarship typically covers (details)

• Tuition waiver — full tuition coverage for the normal duration of the program. (CQU Study)
• Accommodation — free on-campus accommodation or an allowance for housing. (Exact room types and amounts vary.) (CQU Study)
• Monthly living stipend — set stipend for master’s and PhD recipients (amounts vary; some public pages list approx. levels, but confirm for 2026). (CSC Guide Official)
• Comprehensive medical insurance — mandatory for scholarship students. (CQU Study)

Step-by-step application guide (actionable checklist)

Step 0 — Preparation (1–2 months before you start applying)

• Choose 2–3 CQU departments/programs that match your profile and CV. Find potential supervisors (for research degrees) and email them with a short, tailored message and a one-page research summary. Supervisors’ support can make or break your application. (CQU Study)
• Prepare scanned certified copies of degree certificates and transcripts (translated into English or Chinese if necessary).
• Write and refine your SOP / Research Proposal and CV. See the later section for writing strategies.

Step 1 — CSC online application (Study in China / CGSIS)

• Register and fill the CSC online form: https://studyinchina.csc.edu.cn/ (choose the correct scholarship type; Type B is the “university application” route). Use the university agency number 10611 when required. (CQU Study)

Step 2 — Chongqing University online portal

• Complete CQU’s own application at their portal (example system: https://cqu.17gz.org/lxsgl/login.do — follow the CQU admission pages) and upload required documents. Some programs require an application fee (archive shows ~400 RMB). Pay attention to required document formats. (CQU Study)

Step 3 — Submit supporting documents

• Typical documents: passport copy, degree certificates and transcripts, two recommendation letters, language certificates (if required), research proposal (for MPhil/PhD), health declaration, and any required bank statements (if applying for some programs). Always follow the checklist on CQU’s scholarship page. (CQU Study)

Step 4 — University review & pre-admission

• CQU reviews applications and conducts interviews (if applicable). If pre-admitted, the university will issue an admission letter and a scholarship recommendation to CSC. (CQU Study)

Step 5 — CSC final decision and visa process

• The CSC administers final scholarship awards. Once the scholarship is approved, you’ll receive official documents required for a visa (usually the JW202/JW201 form for scholarship students) and instructions for the residence permit and arrival. (Chinese Scholarship 2025)

Realistic timeline for 2026 applicants (recommended)

• November–December 2025 — finalize program choices, identify supervisors, prepare drafts of SOP and research proposal.
• December 2025 – February 2026 — open CSC application window usually begins in December; submit CSC & university applications early in this window. Different scholarship types and programs may have different deadlines (some universities accept into February–April). (Chinese Scholarship 2025)
• February–April 2026 — university review, interviews, pre-admission letters, and scholarship nomination sent to CSC. (Some specialized programs may close earlier.) (CQU Study)
• April–June 2026 — final CSC decisions. Prize winners receive award letters and visa paperwork.
• July–September 2026 — visa processing (Chinese embassy), travel arrangements, arrival, and registration.

Strong opinion: Don’t rely on exact dates from third-party blogs — treat the university’s official admission/scholarship page and CSC system as primary sources. Bookmark and check them weekly during the application window. (CQU Study)

How to write the SOP / Research Proposal that stands out

Structure for a master’s SOP (practical)

1. Hook (1 paragraph): brief story or specific motivation tied to a research problem or career aim.
2. Academic & professional background (1–2 paragraphs): concrete achievements — project titles, methodologies you know, key results (with numbers if possible).
3. Why Chongqing University & this supervisor (1 paragraph): cite a recent paper, lab, or research line and explain how it fits your goals. Mention specific faculty names (if you contacted them).
4. Study/research plan & outcomes (1–2 paragraphs): what you will do during the master’s and how it will lead to a publication or application. Include feasible timelines and methods.
5. Conclusion: reiterate your commitment and readiness.

Structure for a PhD research proposal (practical)

• Abstract (150–200 words) — what, why, and expected contribution.
• Background & literature gap — 2–3 paragraphs with references to current work.
• Research questions & objectives — clear, testable objectives.
• Methodology — methods, datasets, lab work, field work, analytical tools.
• Timeline & expected outcomes — 3–4 year timeline with milestones.
• References — cite key papers (3–5).

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Missing the CSC agency number or applying for the wrong scholarship type. Always use the correct agency number (CQU: 10611) when applying through the CSC portal. (CQU Study)
• Late or incomplete uploads — documents must be clear, certified if required, and in the formats demanded by both CSC and the university.
• Generic SOPs — don’t use one SOP for every school. Personalize to CQU and to the supervisor/program.
• Weak references — choose referees who know your academic work well and can comment on research potential. Provide them a short brief about the program and deadlines.
• Assuming the scholarship covers dependents/partners — CSC scholarships typically do not cover family members. Plan financially if you expect family to accompany you.

Sample email template to contact a potential supervisor

Subject: Prospective PhD student interested in [Supervisor’s Lab/Research Topic] — CSC scholarship applicant

Dear Professor [Last Name],

My name is [Your Name], and I hold a [Your Degree] in [Field] from [University]. I am preparing to apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) to pursue a [Master’s/PhD] in [Program] at Chongqing University, and I would be honored to work under your supervision. I am particularly interested in your recent paper “[Paper Title, Year]” and its approach to [specific method or result].

I have attached a brief CV and a 1-page summary of my proposed research. If you are accepting new students for 2026, I would appreciate any advice on aligning my proposal with your group’s priorities.

Thank you for your time. I look forward to any suggestions you might have.

Best regards,
[Your name] — [Email] — [Phone] — [Link to portfolio/GitHub if relevant]

Practical checklist (download and tick these off)

• Read CQU’s official CSC scholarship page and your program page. (CQU Study)
• Create accounts: CSC portal and CQU application portal. (CQU Study)
• Collect certified transcripts and degree certificates (translated).
• Request 2–3 strong letters of recommendation — give referees deadlines and a packet of info.
• Finalize SOP / Research proposal and CV.
• Pay the application fee on the CQU portal (if required). (CQU Study)
• Apply early and confirm receipt.
• If pre-admitted, follow the CQU & CSC steps for visa paperwork (JW form). (Chinese Scholarship 2025)

Frequently Asked Questions (short answers)

Final thoughts — a bit of tough love and encouragement

Useful official links (bookmark these)

• Chongqing University — Admissions & Scholarships (official): https://study.cqu.edu.cn/ — university scholarship overview and application guides. (CQU Study)
• CSC online application portal (Study in China / CGSIS): https://studyinchina.csc.edu.cn/ — apply here for the CSC scholarship; choose Type B for university applications. (Chinese Scholarship 2025)