Confucius Institute Scholarship 2025 (How to Apply)

Study in China with the Confucius Institute Scholarship! The application process for the 2025-2026 academic year is now open. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Confucius Institute Scholarship, including its benefits and a step-by-step guide on how to apply.

The Confucius Institute Scholarship 2025-2026 is a fully funded opportunity for international students to study Chinese language and culture at over 150 universities across China. The scholarship covers tuition and accommodation fees, medical insurance, and provides a monthly stipend for personal expenses.

These scholarships are highly sought after by students globally. The Confucius Institute, a government initiative, aims to enhance global understanding of Chinese language and culture.

Confucius Institute Scholarships are available for various programs, including specific doctoral studies, research stays, participation in international conferences, and Chinese language and culture courses. If you’re interested in scholarships for postgraduates and researchers, you can find more information here.

Confucius Institute Scholarship 2024 Benefits

The Confucius Institute Scholarship provides comprehensive support for international students studying in China. The benefits include:

Tuition and Accommodation: Coverage for tuition and lodging fees in a university residence (shared room).
Basic Medical Insurance: Includes essential health coverage.
Monthly Allowance: A stipend for personal expenses:
- 2,500 Yuan per month (approximately $350 USD) for BTCSOL students or those enrolled in Chinese language and culture courses.
- 3,000 Yuan per month (approximately $420 USD) for MTCSOL students.

For scholarship recipients who choose to live off-campus, an additional 700 Yuan per month may be provided to assist with rental expenses.

For multi-year scholarships, the Confucius Institute reviews the recipient’s performance annually. To continue receiving full funding, students must achieve outstanding results. If performance is below average, the scholarship may not be renewed or could be partially funded (excluding the monthly personal allowance).

Depending on the student’s country of origin, the Confucius Institute may also cover international flight expenses for arrival and departure to and from China.

Categories and Duration of the Confucius Institute Scholarship

The Confucius Institute Scholarship offers various categories and durations for studying the Chinese language and culture, as well as for future Chinese language teachers:

Chinese Language and Culture Scholarships:

Academic Year Scholarships: Cover 11 months, starting either in September (lasting until July of the following year) or in March (lasting until January of the following year).
Academic Semester Scholarships: Last for 5 months, with options for the semester from September to January (winter) or from March to July (summer).
Four-Week Scholarships: Offered for one-month courses during winter (December-January) or summer (July-August) holidays in China.

Scholarships for Future Chinese Language Teachers:

Master’s in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (MTCSOL): A 2-year program.
One Academic Year of Chinese Language and Culture + 2 Years of MTCSOL: Total of 3 academic years.
Bachelor’s in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (BTCSOL): A 4-year program.

The scholarships for training Chinese language teachers typically begin in September or March. Applications for these scholarships must be submitted online, where you can select up to two universities from the 150 participating institutions across China in order of preference.

How to Apply for the Confucius Institute Scholarship 2024

To apply for the Confucius Institute Scholarship, follow these steps:

Application Deadlines:
- For a September start: Apply by the beginning of May (usually May 1).
- For a March start: Apply by the beginning of November.
Application Process:
- Confucius Institute Students: If you are currently a student at a Confucius Institute, contact the scholarship coordinator at your institute. You must complete the application online through the official Confucius Institute Scholarships website. Ensure all documents, including your passport and a passport-sized photo, are scanned and ready.
- Non-Confucius Institute Students: Apply online and submit the required documents to the nearest Confucius Institute, Chinese embassy or consulate, or affiliated exam centers or educational institutions in your country.
Document Submission:
- Submit all required paper documents, preferably as certified copies, to the scholarship coordinator. They will send these documents by post to Hanban (the central offices of the Confucius Institute in China). Non-Confucius Institute applicants should follow similar submission procedures to the designated offices in their region.
Result Notification:
- For September start: Check the official Confucius Institute Scholarships page for results in early July.
- For March start: Results will be available in early January.
Visa Processing:
- After the results are published, documents necessary for visa processing will be sent by postal mail within 15 days. Be prepared for a possible wait of over a month to receive these documents.

Physical and Mental Condition Requirements for Chinese Residence Permit

When processing your residence permit in China, you will need to provide a completed copy of the official Chinese medical form, also known as the Foreigner Physical Examination Form, once you arrive at your university. This form is not required during the application period but must be submitted later.

Age Requirements:

Applicants must be between 16 and 35 years old. The age limit is extended to 45 years for those who are currently employed as Chinese teachers at the time of application.
For undergraduate scholarships, applicants must be under 20 years old.

Language Proficiency:

Proficiency in Chinese language is required according to the scholarship type. For scholarships focused on studying Chinese language and culture, you need to achieve a minimum of 180 points in the written HSK3 and at least 60 points in the oral HSK. In some cases, BCT and oral BCT scores may also be accepted.

Minimum Qualifications for Confucius Institute Scholarships:

MTCSOL Scholarship: Applicants must provide their undergraduate diploma and academic transcripts. Preference is given to those who can demonstrate that they will be employed as Chinese language teachers after completing their master’s degree studies in China.
BTCSOL Scholarship and Chinese Language Courses: Applicants must show proof of completing their high school education. If documents are not in English or Chinese, a sworn translation into one of these languages is required.
Letters of Recommendation:
- For Chinese language courses and BTCSOL applicants: One letter of recommendation is required.
- For MTCSOL applicants: Two letters of recommendation are required.
- The letters must be signed by the relevant person at the Confucius Institute through which the application is submitted.
Previous Study in China: Applicants for one-semester or four-week scholarships must not have previously studied in China.