Chinese Government Scholarship 2026/2027 for South Africans (Fully-funded)

STUDY PROGRAMME

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

STUDY PROGRAMME

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

AGE (AS OF SEPTEMBER 2026)

Chinese language studies (non-degree)

National Senior Certificate (or equivalent) with a minimum of 60%. Applicants with a post-school qualification will be given priority

Under 35

Bachelor’s degree

National Senior Certificate (or equivalent) with a minimum of 60% average is recommended)

Under 25

Master’s degree

Bachelor’s degree or NQF 7 qualification (a minimum of 60% average.Please note that you do not need an Honours degree to apply for a Master’s programme

Under 35

Doctoral degree

Master’s degree (a minimum of 60% average)

Under 40

STUDY PROGRAMME

DURATION OF PROGRAMME

DURATION OF PREPARATORY CHINESE LANGUAGE COURSE

DURATION OF SCHOLARSHIP(Years)

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

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 Dec  1, 2026

3.       Copy of Passport Home Page: Applicant shall submit a clear scanned copy of his/her ordinary passport with validity later than Dec  1, 2026

3.       Copy of Passport Home Page: Applicant shall submit a clear scanned copy of his/her ordinary passport with validity later than Dec  1, 2026

4.       Copy of a South African National Senior Certificate (NSC) with average of 60% OR a certificate of equivalence (from the Matriculation Board) if a school leaving certificate other than the NSC was obtained. 

A minimum of a 60% average is required, excluding Life Orientation. 

Marks of pre-requisite subjects for chosen field of study (e.g. for Engineering applicants, NSC Maths and Physics marks OR for social sciences, NSC English marks) will be reviewed separately

4.       Copy of degree certificate(s), which must be a minimum of a Bachelor’s or a full qualification equivalent to South African National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Should be level 7

SAQA verification for any degrees obtained outside South Africa is required.

A minimum of 60% average is required.

4.       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 60% average is required.

5.       Official transcripts of all previous university studies.

5.       Official transcripts of all previous university studies.

6.       To apply for Master’s or Doctoral degrees or as general/senior scholars, applicants must provide admission documents issued by the chosen universities. Admission documents include admission notices, pre-admission letters, invitations from professors, etc. Applicants with admission documents will obtain priority in being nominated for the Chinese Government Scholarship.

6.       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 documents include admission notices, pre-admission letters, invitations from professors, etc. Applicants with admission documents will obtain priority in being nominated for the Chinese Government Scholarship.

7.       A maximum 1-page letter of motivation for the scholarship AND personal reasons for choosing the field of study.

7.       A maximum 1-page letter of motivation for the scholarship AND personal reasons for choosing the field of study.

8.       A Research Proposal in Chinese or English. (A minimum of 1000 words for non-degree students, and 1000 words for postgraduates.)

5.       A maximum 1-page letter of motivation for the scholarship AND their choice of field of study.

6.       Two reference letters signed and on an official letterhead, with a contact number and email address.

At least one reference must be from a schoolteacher. The second letter can be from either a teacher or a work supervisor.

The letters must provide a substantiated assessment of the applicant’s reliability, integrity, academic excellence, and overall suitability for an international scholarship.

8.       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 a work supervisor.

The letters must provide a substantiated assessment of the applicant’s reliability, integrity, academic excellence, and overall suitability for an international scholarship.

9.       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 a work supervisor.

The letters must provide a substantiated assessment of the applicant’s reliability, integrity, academic excellence, and overall suitability for an international scholarship.

7.       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 before the submission date of the application

9.       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 before the submission date of the application

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 before the submission date of the application

All documents uploaded must be clear and in PDF format (no photographs of documents will be accepted).