CHINA: Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China (MOFCOM) Academic Education Programmes for 2025 (Second Round Now Open)

The Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China (MOFCOM) is inviting high-level business officials and senior managerial personnel from recipient countries to pursue postgraduate education in China under the MOFCOM Scholarship-CSC Programme, commencing in September 2025.

The second round features additional participating universities and a broader range of academic majors.

The scholarship programme aims to enhance communication and cooperation between China and other countries while fostering talent development in developing nations.

These programmes are conducted in English and target professionals working in applied fields such as government, trade, foreign affairs, agriculture, technology, education, culture, and health. The initiative is designed to build intellectual capacity and support the economic and social development of recipient countries.

For further information on the various programmes offered, please visit the MOFCOM website.

Degree Level

• Master’s Degree (1-2 years)
• PhD Degree (3 years)

Deadline

6 June 2025

Applicants seeking a recommendation letter must submit their materials via email by 31 May 2025.

Who can apply?

Applicants must:

• Be a citizen of a developing country (excluding the People’s Republic of China);
• Be under 45 years of age;
• Be physically and mentally healthy (with a physical examination report issued by a local public hospital and not having any of the following conditions):
  • Diseases prohibited by Chinese Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Laws.
  • Severe chronic diseases (e.g., high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes), psychological conditions, or other infectious diseases posing a public health risk.
  • Recovery period after major surgery or acute illness.
  • Severe physical disabilities.
  • Pregnancy.
• Have at least three years of working experience;
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree (for Master’s applicants) or a Master’s degree (for Doctoral applicants);
• Possess relevant educational background or work experience related to the chosen programme;
• Be a public official, senior management staff in organizations or enterprises, or an academic advisor at universities and research institutions;
• Be proficient in English;
• Demonstrate potential for career development and a commitment to promoting cooperation between their home country and China;
• Not be studying in China or have been accepted for other Chinese scholarship programmes.

Fields of Study

A wide range of majors and programmes is available at designated Chinese universities.
Please refer to the updated brochures for full details.

What the Scholarship offers

• Full tuition waiver;
• Teaching material fees;
• Research and survey fees (for group field trips);
• English-taught programme allowance;
• Dissertation guidance fees;
• Once-off resettlement fee: 3000 RMB per person;
• Monthly stipend:
  • 36,000 RMB per year for Master’s students
  • 42,000 RMB per year for PhD students
• Free on campus accommodation;
• Medical insurance;
• One-time round-trip international airfare and annual return airfare for home visits (at the end of each academic year).

Application process

• University Application

Refer to the admission requirements for each participating university.

• Scholarship Application:
  • Visit CSC Online Application System or Campus China and complete the online form.
  • Select Programme Category: Type A and enter Agency Number: 00010 (the agency name will automatically appear).
  • Complete and submit the online form.

IMPORTANT:

• All applications must be copied (CC’d) to chinaaidhr@gmail.com when submitted to the respective Chinese universities.
• Only applicants recommended by the Chinese Aid Office will be considered for admission.
• Please allow 1–2 working days for the recommendation process.
• To obtain a recommendation letter, submit a complete application set to the Chinese Embassy in South Africa by 31 May 2025. The letter will be sent directly to the university.

Please note:

• Degree verification is not required at the application stage but may strengthen your application. You may proceed while awaiting verification.
• When submitting your documents, please indicate whether degree verification is complete.

Required Documents

Applicants must submit a scanned copy of the following documents (in the specified order) as a single PDF file:

• Completed MOFCOM Scholarship Application Form;
• Copies of Bachelor’s/Master’s degree certificates and academic transcripts;
• Study Plan or Research Proposal and a resume outlining educational background and work experience;
• Two recommendation letters (one from the applicant’s current employer and one from an academic perspective) with contact details of referees;
• Foreigner Physical Examination Form;
• English proficiency certificate;
• Copy of passport;
• Non-criminal record (or an affidavit if the report is delayed).

Downloads and Links 

Note

Please note that this opportunity 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 by contacting the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and the relevant professional bodies. If there are any discrepancies in the details provided, the information given by the sponsor supersedes the details provided above. No additional financial support will be provided by the Department of Higher Education and Training.