The Chinese Government is offering scholarships for South African students to study at Chinese institutions starting in the 2021/22 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), non-degree Chinese language studies or non-degree senior / general scholars. 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
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 2021;
- Demonstrated interest in China and commitment to the development of South Africa;
- Applications in all fields of study except medicine will be considered;
- 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
- Telecommunications
- Applicants must meet the minimum academic requirements for entry into a similar programme at a South African university as well as the entry requirements of the identified Chinese 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.
Important: The scholarship does not support any medical degrees and preference will be given to applications for postgraduate studies.
Education requirements and age limits:
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STUDY PROGRAM |
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS |
AGE (AS OF SEPTEMBER 2020) |
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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 |
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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 |
|
Non-degree general or senior scholars |
Bachelor’s degree (honours) or NQF 8 qualification (a minimum of 65% average is recommended) |
Check requirements for specific programme |
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 a potential supervisor in advance.
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 |
|
General / Senior scholars |
1 |
1 |
1-2 |
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 / General scholars |
25000-34000 |
8400 |
36000 |
800 |
|
Doctoral degree / senior scholars |
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 may provide the following (subject to the availability of funds):
- One return economy airfare;
- Contribution towards monthly stipend;
- Once-off settlement allowance;
- 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 and start the Chinese Government online application on campuschina.org.
- On the CSC website please select Type A under Programme Category.
- Agency number is 7101.
- Submit the DHET application form with supporting documents listed below to
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 28 January 2021. - Applicants MUST apply to a Chinese university and submit proof of university application with their scholarship application.
- All PhD applicants must identify and make contact with a supervisor at their university of choice and submit proof of this engagement with the application form.
- Applicants are not required to do a health examination at this stage of the application, but will be requested to do a medical test (at their own cost) if they are nominated.
- Applicants may also be required to submit a police clearance certificate (at their own cost), only nominated candidates will be requested to do this.
Supporting Documents Checklist:
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Applications for Bachelor’s or Chinese Language programmes |
Applications for Master’s / General Scholars programmes |
Applications for PhD / Senior scholars programmes |
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1. Completed DHET application form |
1. Completed DHET application form |
1. Completed DHET application form |
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2. Copy of South African passport |
2. Copy of South African passport |
2. Copy of South African passport |
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3. 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
|
3. 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. |
3. 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. |
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4. Official transcripts of all previous university studies. |
4. Transcripts of all previous university studies.
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5. A maximum 1 page letter of motivation for the scholarship AND personal reasons for choosing the field of study. |
5. A maximum 1 page letter of motivation for the scholarship AND personal reasons for choosing the field of study. |
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6. Research proposal issuing following headings: Title Objectives Rationale Methodology Relevance of study (plus any other scholarship requirements) References |
6. Research proposal issuing following headings: Title Objectives Rationale Methodology Relevance of study (plus any other scholarship requirements) References |
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4. A maximum 1 page letter of motivation for the scholarship AND their choice of field of study. |
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5. 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.
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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 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. |
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 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. |
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All documents uploaded must be clear and in PDF format (no photographs of documents will be accepted). |
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DEADLINE: 28 January 2021
Use the subject line: Chinese Scholarship Application, [Your surname]
All applications received by the DHET will be acknowledged by email within 2 working days except for applications received between 15 December 2020 and 2 January 2021. Please follow up if you do not receive an email acknowledgement. Applications received on or after 13 December will be acknowledged after 4 January 2020 due closure of the Department. The DHET is unable to consider any applications that are not received by 28 January 2021 or are incomplete.
Review process
Applications will be assessed by the South African Department of Higher Education and Training as follows:
Stage one: All applications will be screened based on meeting the minimum requirements for eligibility for the scholarship.
Stage two: Applications will be ranked according to academic performance and a limited number of applications will move forward to Stage three.
Stage three: Applicants who pass the second stage will be invited to attend an interview. This is likely to be conducted online, and candidates are required to make the necessary arrangements to access the interview. No interviews will be done telephonically. Candidates who cannot be contacted on the phone number provided in the application or who do not respond to emails will be disqualified, candidates who do not arrive for their scheduled and confirmed interview will be disqualified.
Stage four: A limited number of PhD / Senior scholar applicants will be reviewed by two academics.
Stage five: (i) Bachelor’s, Master’s and general scholar applicants will be nominated based on the outcome of the interview and reference check
(ii) PhD applicants will be nominated based on the combined outcome of the interview, questionnaire, reference check and the academic review.
Stage six: Nominated candidates will be informed that they have been nominated for the scholarship and requested to finalise their Chinese online application as well as undertake a medical test and police clearance. Their documents will then be reviewed in China, where the final decision will be made regarding the award of the scholarship.
Please note that nominations are based on competitive process due to the limited number of available scholarships.
Nominated candidates may be given a limited amount of time to submit further documents. These documents include medical tests, and/or academic assessments or a police clearance. 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 2021 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. Studies normally begin at the end of August or in September, depending on the specific institution or programme’s timetable.
Contact
All queries should be forwarded to
Download and Links
- China Scholarship Council website
- list of programmes and participating universities
- Frequently Asked Questions
Note
Please note this scholarship is not offered by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Applicants are required to undertake their own research into programmes and institutions and are responsible for ensuring that the qualifications will be recognised in South Africa. If there are any discrepancies in the details provided regarding the scholarship, the information given by the sponsor supersedes the details provided above. Financial support provided by the Department of Higher Education and Training is not guaranteed.
