Application Deadline: 26 January 2024.
The Chinese Government is offering scholarships for South African students to study at Chinese institutions starting in the 2024/25 academic year. The Department of Higher Education and Training (the Department) is responsible for nominations.
The scholarship is offered for undergraduate (Bachelors) studies in the identified scarce skills, postgraduate (Masters or PhD) or non-degree Chinese language studies. 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).
Eligibility Requirements
- 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 2024;
- Demonstrated interest in China and commitment to the development of South Africa;
- Applications in all fields of study except medicine will be considered;
- Applicants must meet the minimum academic requirements for entry into a similar programme at a South African 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.
Fields of Study
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
- Telecommunication
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.
Benefits
The South African Government provides the following (subject to the availability of funds):
- One return economy airfare;
- Monthly stipend;
- Once-off settlement allowance;
- Research funding (postgraduate only)
- 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.
Application Procedure:
289 Chinese universities are eligible to host scholarship recipients. The Department has identified possible universities for you to apply to, click here http://www.campuschina.org/universities/index.html to get list of universities. Applicants are also allowed to apply to other eligible universities outside this list.
How to Apply
- Complete BOTH the DHET application form and start the Chinese Government online application on
- Submit the DHET application form with supporting documents listed below to chinaapplications@dhet.gov.za by 26 January 2024.
Instructions for Chinese Government Scholarship Information System (CGSIS)
Please carefully read the instructions before applying for the scholarship.
Step 1: Visit “CSC Study in China” website and click “Scholarship Application for Students” at http://www.campuschina.org
Register an account through [CREATE AN ACCOUNT] and login with your account.
Step 2: Input Personal Details. Click “Edit Personal Details” and finish inputting personal details by filling in all the information, verifying and saving the information. After the completion of this section, return to the previous page by clicking “Finish” and start filling in your application information.
Step 3: Select the correct “Program Category”. Please select Program Category “Type A”.
Step 4: Input the correct Agency Number. Your Agency Number is: 7101
Program Category and Agency Number are directly matched, both are mandatory for online application.
After inputting agency number, the matched agency name will automatically show on the page. As Program Category and Agency Number are directly matched, application processing authorities will not receive your online application if the program category or agency number are not correct.
Step 5: Input Application Information
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Chinese Government Scholarship 2024/ 2025