This article is a comprehensive guide on the self-funded and scholarship application process for Chinese universities(Common Application Documents to Apply for Chinese Universities). Although scholarship application requires a lot of thought beforehand, I think it's an opportunity that is worth a lot. In most cases, Chinese Scholarships will cover not only tuition and accommodation fees during your study period, but you will also benefit from a monthly amount for your expenses (4 Steps to Help You Get Scholarship for International Students).

Self-funded Application Process

China welcomes international students to study in China as self-financed students. There are 400 institutions of higher education qualified to accept international students in China (Top 10 Chinese Universities with Most International Students).

Apply through the website of the Chinese University

1. You need to find Google's official website on your phone or computer.

2. Search for the name of the university you want to apply to and find its official English website (【Top 39】List of Best Chinese Universities in Project 985).

3. Find the application entry for international students on the official website of the university.

Generally, the location of the university has an international student under the admission directory. Click to enter and there is an online application.

4. Submit your application

l Online application system

First, fill in the application form online, then upload the attachments (some application materials need to be notarized(Guide to International Student Document Notarization and Consular Legalization), please refer to the material guide for details), and finally pay the application fee (usually US$0-150).

l  No online application system

 View the university's admissions prospectus, download and fill in the application form, prepare the application materials(some application materials need to be notarized(Guide to International Student Document Notarization and Consular Legalization), please refer to the material guide for details), and pay the application fee (usually $0-150), finally, send the materials and application fee payment receipts to the university.

5. Participate in relevant interviews or exams (some universities)

The interview language is usually English or Chinese, depending on the language of study you applied for.

You need to prepare for the technical aspects of your applied major and be well conversant with your study plan. A stable internet connection, a quiet environment, and dress in a presentable manner are also needed. The most important advice is that be sure and know your motivation to apply for a specific program as this usually ties into most of the interview points.

6. Follow up on application results

Generally, universities will inform the results by email, please keep checking your mailbox for new emails every day. If rejected, then proceed to apply to other universities; If accepted, go to the next step.

7. Make relevant prepayments (some universities)

8. Follow up on the admission notice and JW202 form

During the epidemic, there is generally only the electronic version of the notice and no JW202 form.

9. Go to the local embassy to apply for an X1 or X2 student visa.

X1: course longer than 180 days); X2: course shorter than 180 days) student visa.

10. Buy air tickets to China (online classes during the epidemic)

11. Register at school and start class.

Apply through the local company

1. Consult with local companies, they will recommend you and choose a suitable Chinese university.

2. Pay company fees (usually $100 – $3000)

3. After you pay, the company is responsible for all services.

Apply through the network company-such as CUCAS

1. Online telephone and video consultation to choose a Chinese university(600+ Chinese universities to choose from)

2. Pay the CUCAS fee (usually $0 – $150)

3. Complete the online self-service application (about 20 minutes) or contact a consultant for 1-on-1 help and apply offline.

4. CUCAS is responsible for all services.

Students keep in touch with CUCAS, they can receive reminders in the form of text messages, etc. The remaining services are generally handled by CUCAS, including document translation, accommodation reservation, airport pick-up reservation, Money Transfer, and other services.

Scholarship Application Process

Apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship

Chinese Government Scholarship, also known as CSC(stands for "China Scholarship Council") scholarship, is provided by the Chinese government aims to help more international students to study in China and improve the cultural exchange between China and the world (How to Apply for CSC Scholarship: Coronavirus Influence for Chinese Government Scholarship in 2020).

Step 1: Check the list of universities where you can apply for Chinese government scholarships.

Step 2: Register on the official website of the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC official website) and complete the online application. (How to complete the online application)

When you fill online application, you will need to choose from Type A, B, and C

(Differences between categories type A, type B, and Type C).

Type A: In scholarship programs, you need to apply to agencies other than Chinese universities directly. For example, in the Bilateral Program(How to get a pre-admission letter when you apply for Chinese Government Bilateral Scholarship programs), you need to apply to the Chinese embassy in your country.
Type B: For the Chinese University Program. You need to choose the university you want to apply to by filling in different agency numbers. (Check Chinese Universities Agency Number List: Complete List for Applying for Chinese Government Scholarship)
Type C: Scholarship for students based on their performance.

Note: The system will bind the passport number, and each student can submit a maximum of 3 applications, so you cannot change accounts in the middle

Step 3: Download the completed scholarship application form from CSC in PDF format.

Note: All applications need to be submitted before downloading

Step 4: Go to the official website of the Chinese university of your choice (you can google it, usually ending with edu.cn)

Step 5: Find the application portal for international students.

Generally, the location of the application portal is at the international or international student under the admission directory.

Step 6: Submit the application

1) Online application system

First, fill in the application form online, then upload the attachments (Chinese Scholarship Application Requirement Materials and Proceedings), some application materials need to be notarized, please refer to the material guide for details, and finally, pay the application fee (usually US$0-150).

2) No online application system

 View the university's admissions prospectus, download and fill in the application form, prepare the application materials(some application materials need to be notarized, please refer to the material guide for details), and pay the application fee (usually $0-150), finally, send the materials and application fee payment receipts to the university.

Step 7: Participate in relevant interviews or exams (some universities)

The interview language is usually English or Chinese, depending on the language of study you applied for.

You need to prepare for the technical aspects of your applied major and be well conversant with your study plan. A stable internet connection, a quiet environment, and dress in a presentable manner are also needed. The most important advice is that be sure and know your motivation to apply for a specific program as this usually ties into most of the interview points.

Step 8: Mail the paper application materials to Chinese universities, usually need to print 2 copies for notarization.

Step 9: Follow up on application results

Generally, universities will inform the results by email, please keep checking your mailbox for new emails every day. If rejected, then proceed to apply to other universities; If accepted, go to the next step.

Step 10: Make relevant prepayments (some universities)

Step 11: Follow up on the admission notice and JW202 form

During the epidemic, there is generally only the electronic version of the notice and no JW202 form.

Step 12: Go to the local embassy to apply for an X1 or X2 student visa.

X1: course longer than 180 days; X2: course shorter than 180 days.

Step 13: Buy air tickets to China (online classes during the epidemic)

Step 14: Register at school and start class.

Apply for other types of scholarships

More and more universities in China start providing university scholarships to encourage international students to study in China (How to get a scholarship for studying in China). University scholarships are more flexible than government scholarships, usually, the procedure is easier and you can longer period for applying. And some universities' scholarships are very good as well.

1. You need to find Google's official website on your phone or computer

2. Find the official website of the university or local government scholarship

3. Submit your application

l  Online application system

First, fill in the application form online, then upload the attachments (some application materials need to be notarized(Guide to International StudentDocument Notarization and Consular Legalization), please refer to the material guide for details), and finally pay the application fee (usually US$0-150).

l  No online application system

 View the university's admissions prospectus, download and fill in the application form, prepare the application materials(some application materials need to be notarized(Guide to International StudentDocument Notarization and Consular Legalization), please refer to the material guide for details), and pay the application fee (usually $0-150), finally, send the materials and application fee payment receipts to the university.

4. Participate in relevant interviews or exams (some universities)

The interview language is usually English or Chinese, depending on the language of study you applied for.

You need to prepare for the technical aspects of your applied major and be well conversant with your study plan. A stable internet connection, a quiet environment, and dress in a presentable manner are also needed. The most important advice is that be sure and know your motivation to apply for a specific program as this usually ties into most of the interview points.

5. Follow up on application results

Generally, universities will inform the results by email, please keep checking your mailbox for new emails every day. If rejected, then proceed to apply to other universities; If accepted, go to the next step.

6. Make relevant prepayments (some universities)

7. Follow up on the admission notice and JW202 form

During the epidemic, there is generally only the electronic version of the notice and no JW202 form.

8. Go to the local embassy to apply for an X1 or X2 student visa.

X1: course longer than 180 days; X2: course shorter than 180 days.

9. Buy air tickets to China (online classes during the epidemic)

10. Register at school and start class.

Apply through local companies for different types of scholarships

1. Consult with local companies, they will recommend you and choose a suitable Chinese university.

2. Pay company fees (usually $500 – $5000)

3. After you pay, the company is responsible for all services.

Note: Do not trust any "Scholarship Guarantee"

Network companies - such as CUCAS

1. Online telephone and video consultation to choose a Chinese university (optional for 100+Chinese university scholarships)

2. The largest information platform for different types of scholarships, easy to view, get better and more detailed scholarship information

3. Pay the CUCAS fee (usually $200 – $500)

4. Complete the online self-application (about 20 minutes) or contact the consultant for 1-on-1 help and apply offline

5. CUCAS is responsible for all services.

Students keep in touch with CUCAS, they can receive reminders in the form of text messages, etc. The rest of the services are generally handled by CUCAS, including document translation, accommodation reservation, airport pick-up reservation, Money Transfer, and other services.

I hope that this article will help you to know how to apply to Chinese universities and guide you when choosing which scholarship is the best for you (5 Types of China Scholarships for International Students). It may seem very complicated, but there are thousands of students from all over the world who benefit from these grants every year. In a word, welcome every international student to apply to Chinese universities through the self-funded application and scholarship application (List of Chinese Universities in Project 211).