The Chinese Government scholarships for South African students to study at Chinese institutions 2024/2025
The Chinese Government scholarships for South African students to study at Chinese institutions 2024/2025
DEADLINE: 26 January, 2024
The Chinese Government scholarships for South African students to study at Chinese institutions 2024/2025
The Chinese Government is offering scholarships for South African students to study at Chinese institutions starting in the 2024/25 academic year. The Department of Higher Education and Training (the Department) is responsible for nominations. For more information about the Chinese Government scholarship please visit the China Scholarship Council website.
The scholarship is offered for undergraduate (Bachelors) studies in the identified scarce skills, postgraduate (Masters or PhD) or 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 4 or above).
289 Chinese universities are eligible to host scholarship recipients. The Department has identified possible universities for you to apply to, click here http://www.campuschina.org/universities/index.html to get list of universities. Applicants are also allowed to apply to other eligible universities outside this list.
Criteria and Eligibility
- South African citizens in good health (medical check will be required for successful applicants);
- Strong academic record with a minimum 65% average in previous studies;
- Availability to study in China from September 2024;
- Demonstrated interest in China and commitment to the development of South Africa;
- Applications in all fields of study except medicine will be considered;
- Applicants must meet the minimum academic requirements for entry into a similar programme at a South African university;
- Bachelor’s 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.
Fields of Study
Preference will be given to postgraduate applicants, previously disadvantaged applicants and applications in the following fields:
- Agriculture
- Biotechnology
- Chinese language studies
- Computer Science
- Environment and Climate change
- Engineering Sciences
- Food Science
- Hydrogeological Engineering
- Maritime Studies
- Natural and Physical Sciences
- Nuclear and Renewable Energy
- Space Science and Technology
- Telecommunication
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 PROGRAM | EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS | AGE (AS OF SEPTEMBER 2024) |
| Chinese language studies (non-degree) | National Senior Certificate (or equivalent) with a university entrance pass (a minimum of 70% average is recommended). Applicants with a post school qualification will be given priority. | Under 35 |
| Bachelor’s degree | National Senior Certificate (or equivalent) with a university entrance pass (a minimum of 70% average is recommended)HSK 4 (or higher ) certificate | Under 25 |
| Master’s degree | Bachelor’s degree (honours) or NQF 8 qualification (a minimum of 65% average is recommended) | Under 35 |
| Doctoral degree | Master’s degree (a minimum of 65% average is recommended) | 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 4 or higher.
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.
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 PROGRAM | DURATION OF PROGRAM | 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 PROGRAM | 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 South African Government provides the following (subject to the availability of funds):
- One return economy airfare;
- Monthly 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
- Submit the DHET application form with supporting documents listed below to [email protected] by 26 January 2024.
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 “Program Category”. Please select Program Category “Type A”.
Step 4: Input the correct Agency Number. Your Agency Number is: 7101
Program 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 Program Category and Agency Number are directly matched, application processing authorities will not receive your online application if the program 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 DOCUMENTS:
- 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
Use the subject line: Chinese Scholarship Application, [Your surname]
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, 2024 | 3. Copy of Passport Home Page: Applicant shall submit a clear scanned copy of his/her ordinary passport with validity later than March 1, 2024 | 3. Copy of Passport Home Page: Applicant shall submit a clear scanned copy of his/her ordinary passport with validity later than March 1, 2024 | |
| 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 programs 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 programs 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 programs 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 70% 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 | 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 65% 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 65% average is required for the Master’s degree. | |
| 6. Official transcripts of all previous university studies. | 6. 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 documentsinclude 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 documentsinclude 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.9. | 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.12. | 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.12. | |
| 10. 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 | 13. 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 | 13. 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). | |||
All applications received by the DHET will be acknowledged by email after the closing date. Please follow up if you do not receive an email acknowledgement only after 26 January 2024. Applications received on or after 15 December 2023 will be acknowledged after 5 January 2024 due closure of the Department. The DHET is unable to consider any applications that are not received 26 January 2024 or are incomplete.
Please note that nominations are based on competitive process due to the limited number of available scholarships. Institutions in the host country may also require online or telephone interviews. You will be advised accordingly.
Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email. Unfortunately, individual explanations cannot be provided to unsuccessful applicants.
Successful candidates will be informed by 31 July 2024 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 [email protected] alternatively refer to Frequently Asked Questions.
Download and Links
- China Scholarship Council website
- List of programmes and participating universities
- DHET Application form
- Application Instructions
- Printable guide for South African Applicants
- Foreigner Physical Examination Form
THE END
ALSO CHECK: RAND REFINERY BURSARY 2024 FOR YOUNG SOUTH AFRICAN CITIZENS
ALSO CHECK: Call for entries of the 2024 SADC Tertiary Institution Essay Competition
ALSO CHECK: BANK BETTER CHAMPIONS VARIOUS VACANCIES AT CAPITEC BANK: APPLY NOW!
