Beijing Government Scholarship 2027 | Study in China with Funding

Key facts:

• Organisation: Beijing Municipal Government
• Category: Scholarship
• Country / region: China (Beijing)
• Deadline: Not specified – varies by host institution
• Open to nationalities (optional): International students from countries outside China.

• Funding: Depending on the scholarship category, support may cover tuition, accommodation, living expenses and comprehensive medical insurance.
• Study level: Undergraduate, Master's, PhD, preparatory, visiting student and research scholar programmes.
• Field of study: Depends on the programme and host institution.
• Duration: Not specified in the announcement; determined by the host institution and programme.
• Host institution: Participating universities and research institutes in Beijing.
• Language requirement: Chinese or English proficiency, depending on the language of instruction and scholarship category.

About the programme

The Beijing Government Scholarship was established to help outstanding international students pursue higher education or research in Beijing, China.

The programme is open to both new applicants and international students who are already studying at participating institutions.

Applications are submitted through the intended host institution. Each institution is responsible for reviewing applications, assessing candidates and deciding who receives the scholarship.

Who can apply

Applicants must:

• Be non-Chinese citizens.
• Be friendly towards China and in good physical and mental health.
• Meet the academic, age and language requirements for their intended programme.
• Pass the admission assessment or entrance examination required by their host institution.
• Meet the academic and other requirements of the admitting institution.
• Not be receiving another scholarship from Chinese government bodies, social organisations or the admitting institution at the same time. One-time awards are excluded from this restriction.

Age and academic qualifications

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Bachelor's degree: Completed senior secondary education or equivalent and be no older than 25 at enrolment.
• Master's degree: Hold a Bachelor's degree or equivalent and be no older than 35 at enrolment.
• Doctoral degree: Hold a Master's degree or equivalent and be no older than 40 at enrolment.
• Undergraduate preparatory programme: Completed senior secondary education, hold a pre-admission letter from the admitting institution and be no older than 24.
• Visiting students: Hold qualifications equivalent to a Bachelor's degree or currently be enrolled as an undergraduate or Master's student, and be no older than 45.
• Research scholars: Hold a Master's degree or above, or have an academic title of associate professor or above, and be no older than 50.

Language requirements

Requirements depend on the language of instruction.

For programmes taught in Chinese:

• Preparatory and visiting programmes: HSK Level 3 or above.
• Degree programmes: HSK Level 4 or above.

For programmes taught in other languages:

• Applicants must demonstrate strong proficiency in the language of instruction.
• A valid and widely recognised language certificate is required.

For English-taught programmes under Category A:
Non-native English speakers must provide one of the following:

• TOEFL score of at least 85.
• IELTS score of at least 6.5.
• Another equivalent proof of English proficiency.

Academic performance requirements

The academic requirements depend on the scholarship category.

Category A:

• Applicants should normally have graduated from a university ranked among the top 500 in the QS World University Rankings, or from a key senior secondary school in their home country.
• Applicants should have an average score of at least 85 or a GPA of at least 3.6.
• Currently enrolled students should have achieved an average score of at least 85 in the previous academic year.

Categories B and C:

• Applicants should normally have graduated from a key university, research institute or key senior secondary school in their home country.
• Applicants should have an average score of at least 80 or a GPA of at least 3.0.
• Currently enrolled students should have achieved an average score of at least 80 in the previous academic year.

Research scholars:
Applicants should normally come from a university ranked among the top 500 in the QS World University Rankings.

Applicants who do not meet these academic conditions may still be considered in exceptional circumstances if they provide other documents showing their academic or research ability. The host institution makes the final decision.

Master's, PhD and research scholar applicants must also submit two recommendation letters written in Chinese or English. The referees must be associate professors or hold higher academic titles in relevant fields.

What you get

The Beijing Government Scholarship has three categories. The benefits depend on the category awarded.

• Category A: Covers tuition fees, accommodation fees, living expenses and comprehensive medical insurance premiums.
• Category B: Covers tuition fees, accommodation fees and comprehensive medical insurance premiums.
• Category C: Covers tuition fees and comprehensive medical insurance premiums.

How the benefits are provided

• Tuition fees: Successful recipients are exempt from tuition fees.
• Accommodation: Recipients are exempt from on-campus accommodation fees. Students approved to live off campus may receive an accommodation allowance according to the applicable standards.
• Living expenses: Paid regularly by the host institution for Category A recipients.
• Medical insurance: The host institution either pays the insurance costs to the recipient or purchases the insurance on their behalf.

How to apply

Applications are submitted directly to participating universities or research institutions in Beijing.

Follow these steps:

1. Visit the Studying in Beijing portal.
2. Search for institutions offering the Beijing Government Scholarship and identify programmes that match your qualifications.
3. Contact your preferred institution to confirm available programmes, scholarship categories, admission requirements and application documents.
4. Submit your admission and scholarship applications directly to the institution.
5. Complete any required entrance examinations or admission assessments.
6. Wait for the institution to review your application and communicate its decision.

Each host institution sets its own application deadline. Applicants must submit all required documents before the deadline published by their chosen institution.

Documents required

The announcement does not provide one complete document checklist for all applicants. Requirements may differ between institutions and programmes.

However, the following documents are specifically mentioned or required for certain applicant categories:

• Academic certificates or proof of previous qualifications.
• Academic transcripts showing grades or GPA.
• Valid Chinese or English language proficiency certificates, depending on the programme.
• Two recommendation letters for Master's, PhD and research scholar applicants. These must be written by two referees who are associate professors or hold higher academic titles in relevant fields.
• Other supporting documents demonstrating academic or research ability, where applicable.
• Any additional documents requested by the admitting institution.

Applicants should contact their intended host institution for its complete document checklist.

Selection and scholarship renewal

Host institutions are responsible for evaluating applications. They may review academic records, overall performance and future potential, and may conduct examinations or other assessments before selecting recipients.

Scholarship recipients must also undergo an annual review organised by their host institution.

The review considers:

• Academic performance.
• Attitude towards study.
• Attendance.
• General conduct.

Students who fail the annual review may have their scholarship suspended or withdrawn for the following academic year. Institutions may also change a recipient's scholarship category based on the review results.

Important dates

• 2027 intake: Scholarship applications are associated with the 2027 academic year.
• Application deadline: Not specified centrally.
• Closing date: Each participating institution sets and publishes its own deadline.

Check the official Beijing international student portal and contact your preferred university for the correct application dates.