MOFCOM SCHOLARSHIP-CSC Program（Enrollment Guide）

The full-time degree programs funded by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China are dedicated to cultivating high-caliber diplomatic, business and administrative talents for beneficiary nations. The program offers one-year and two-year Master’s tracks as well as three-year Doctoral tracks, focusing on training interdisciplinary elite professionals for government governance, international trade, foreign affairs, agriculture, technological innovation, education, cultural communication and public health sectors. By empowering local human resources, the initiative effectively boosts the socioeconomic progress of recipient countries. Open to serving government administrators, professional researchers and enterprise senior executives, all postgraduate courses under this scholarship are delivered entirely in English. Given the intensive and rigorous curriculum design, applicants are required to hold a bachelor’s degree or above, possess relevant professional experience and maintain sound physical fitness. Currently, this flagship scholarship has become a key driver of pragmatic economic and trade cooperation between China and participating countries, garnering high recognition and extensive attention from governmental authorities worldwide.

Launched by China’s Ministry of Commerce, the MOFCOM Scholarship-CSC Program aims to strengthen bilateral and multilateral diplomatic and economic partnerships while supporting talent development in developing countries. Since 2015, the program has focused on sponsoring outstanding young and middle-aged professionals from beneficiary countries to pursue advanced postgraduate studies in China. The overall administration and daily operation of the scholarship is entrusted to the China Scholarship Council (CSC).

I. Sponsored Programs, Study Duration and Teaching Language

This scholarship supports two categories of full-time postgraduate programs: 2 to 3-year Master’s degree programs and 3-year Doctoral degree programs. All scholarship recipients are required to enroll in English-medium academic programs throughout their study period.

II. Application Channels and Timetable

All application submissions are administered by the Economic and Commercial Counselor’s Office (ECCO) of the Chinese Embassy in the applicant’s home country. Candidates are advised to consult the local receiving authority for the exact annual application deadline.

III. Application Eligibility

Qualified applicants must meet all the criteria listed below:

• Hold citizenship of a developing country (excluding the People’s Republic of China) and be aged 45 or below;
• Maintain good physical and mental health, with a valid physical examination certificate issued by a local public hospital. Candidates must not be affected by any of the following conditions: a) Illnesses restricted by China’s entry-exit inspection and quarantine regulations; b) Severe chronic conditions including hypertension, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes, mental disorders, and other communicable diseases that may threaten public health; c) Recovering from major surgery or acute illness; d) Severe physical disabilities; e) Pregnancy status.
• Accumulate no less than three years of professional work experience. Master’s program applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree, while Doctoral program applicants must hold a master’s degree;
• Priority is given to in-service practitioners whose academic background and professional expertise are closely aligned with their intended study fields;
• Belong to one of the following professional groups: division-level or equivalent government officials, senior management personnel of public institutions and enterprises, or core academic researchers and administrators from universities and research institutes;
• Possess competent English proficiency to adapt to English-taught academic studies, equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.0 or a TOEFL iBT score of 80 and above;
• Demonstrate solid career development potential and a sincere willingness to promote friendly bilateral exchanges and practical cooperation between their home country and China;
• Not currently pursuing any studies in China and not a recipient of any other Chinese government scholarship funding.

IV. Scholarship Benefits and Coverage

1. Full exemption of all academic fees, including tuition fees, textbook fees, research and investigation fees, English teaching subsidies, and thesis supervision fees;

2. Complimentary on-campus student accommodation throughout the study period;

3. Monthly living stipend (issued annually): Master’s students: RMB 36,000 per academic year Doctoral students: RMB 42,000 per academic year

4. A one-time settlement allowance of RMB 3,000 for each scholarship awardee;

5. Comprehensive medical insurance coverage designed for international students in China;

6. Round-trip international air ticket subsidies: one full round-trip ticket for initial enrollment in China and one for final graduation return. Additionally, students are entitled to a maximum of “n-1” home visit round-trip tickets (n refers to the official study length upon admission, capped at 3 years), with one visit available at the end of each academic year;

7. All scholarship recipients are required to participate in the mandatory annual academic review. Only candidates who pass the evaluation can continue to enjoy full scholarship benefits for the subsequent academic year;

8. Other public welfare funds are centrally managed and allocated by the Ministry of Commerce and host universities without direct distribution to individuals. Scholarship financial support is only valid within the standard academic duration. No continued funding will be provided for students who apply for or encounter delayed graduation.