Funded by the China Scholarship Council (CSC) under the Ministry of Education, this comprehensive scholarship is available to students from around the world for undergraduate, Master's, PhD, or language study at Chinese universities. Awards are available through two main channels: Embassy (Bilateral) — you apply through the Chinese embassy in your home country, competing nationally for allocated slots — and University (Chinese University Program) — you apply directly to Chinese universities, which have their own CSC quota to recommend students. All academic fields are covered except some restrictions (e.g., MBBS programs). Competition varies by country; some nations have many bilateral slots (e.g., Pakistan, ASEAN countries). Apply through both channels to maximize your chances.

China has special scholarships under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) framework, including the Silk Road Scholarship for students from Central Asian and other BRI partner countries. These are often handled via CSC or provincial universities and are earmarked for applicants from specific regions. They carry the same generous benefits as the standard CSC scholarship and are designed to build educational ties across the BRI network.

Now rebranded as the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship, this program is specifically for students who want to study Chinese language or pursue a degree in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language. It funds language immersion or degree study in China, and is particularly useful if you aim to become a Chinese language teacher or want to build Chinese proficiency before pursuing another degree in China.

Often dubbed 'China's Rhodes Scholarship', Schwarzman Scholars is a fully funded one-year Master's in Global Affairs at Tsinghua University, taught in English. It is designed to build future global leaders who understand China and its role in the world. The program selects approximately 150 scholars per year from around the world. Selection is highly competitive, looking for outstanding leadership and academic excellence in youth aged 18–28. Scholars live together in a dedicated college and engage with top Chinese and international leaders.

A fully funded Master's program in China Studies (with tracks in humanities, social sciences, and philosophy) at Peking University, one of China's top universities. About 120 students worldwide are selected each year. The aim is to groom experts on China with deep interdisciplinary knowledge. Similar to Schwarzman Scholars in setup but focusing on humanities and social sciences related to China rather than leadership in global affairs.

Various city and provincial governments — including Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Hubei, and Heilongjiang — fund scholarships for foreign students studying in their region. Coverage ranges from full scholarships (tuition + stipend) to partial scholarships (tuition only). These are typically applied for via the specific university in that province and can supplement or replace the national CSC scholarship.