Fully Funded MBA Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) 2027-2028

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Last Updated: 9 October 2026 · Covers the 2027–2028 cycle
Written by LearnViaHub Editorial Team · Reviewed by Christian Chinonso

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The Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) can fully fund an MBA at some Chinese universities — but not all. Coverage varies by school: Tsinghua requires pre-admission to the MBA before CSC, Tongji requires tuition to still be paid (RMB 129,000/year), and PHBS states a CSC grant “will not fully cover the tuition cost.” A small number of universities (e.g., Chongqing’s Youth of Excellence MBA) offer it as a full-scholarship programme.

Two application channels exist: Type A (through the Chinese embassy) and Type B (direct to a university). Age limit: under 35 for master’s. CSC itself does not require work experience; most top MBA programmes do (2–3+ years).

CSC MBA snapshot

Host country China
Funding type Fully funded at some universities; partial at others (see below)
Monthly stipend RMB 3,000 for master’s students
Accommodation Free university dormitory (or a housing subsidy if the dorm is full — amount varies by university)
Health insurance Comprehensive coverage for the scholarship period
Airfare Type A (Embassy) scholars are eligible for reimbursement. Type B (University) routes typically do not include it.
Work experience Not required by CSC. Most top MBA programmes require 2–3+ years.
Application channels Type A (Embassy) or Type B (University)
Typical deadlines January – April 2027 (varies by channel and university)
Age limit Under 35 for master’s programmes (34 or younger on the deadline)
Post-study obligation None for international students
Official link campuschina.org

What CSC covers — and where it doesn’t

The standard package is tuition waiver, free dormitory, RMB 3,000/month stipend, health insurance, and (for Type A) airfare reimbursement. But tuition coverage specifically varies by university. Three verified examples:

Tongji University — tuition still payable

Tongji’s Full-Time MBA programme page states that even with a CSC or Shanghai Municipal scholarship, admitted students must still pay the programme tuition of RMB 129,000 per academic year.

Peking University HSBC Business School — partial coverage

PHBS’s own admissions page states that a CSC grant “will not fully cover the tuition cost” at PHBS.

Chongqing University — full scholarship

Chongqing’s International MBA is offered as a full-scholarship programme under the CSC Youth of Excellence Scheme.

What to do with this: Before you commit to a university, email its international MBA office and ask directly: “For CSC scholars admitted to the MBA, is tuition fully waived, or is any part payable by the student?” Get the answer in writing. The answer determines whether CSC is a full ride or a partial one for your target programme.

Eligibility

  • Nationality: Non-Chinese citizen in good health. All countries are eligible.
  • Education: Completed bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with a strong academic record.
  • Age: Under 35 at application — meaning 34 or younger on the deadline. This is strictly enforced with no flexibility.
  • Work experience: Not required by CSC. Most top MBA programmes set their own 2–3+ year requirement.
  • Language: For English-taught MBAs, typically IELTS 6.0+ or TOEFL 80+ — but check your target programme’s specific requirement (some ask for IELTS 6.5+). For Chinese-taught programmes, HSK 4 or 5.
  • Physical exam: A Foreigner Physical Examination Form is mandatory.

The work-experience trap

CSC’s funding rules don’t mention work experience. But Tsinghua’s Global MBA, Peking University’s Guanghua MBA, Fudan’s School of Management MBA, and Shanghai Jiao Tong’s Antai MBA all require 2–3+ years of professional experience for admission. Meeting CSC’s criteria does not mean you meet the MBA’s criteria. Confirm the MBA programme’s own requirement before you invest in the CSC application.

Type A vs Type B — how they differ

Two channels, same benefits, different process. You can apply through both at the same time to increase your chances.

Feature Type A (Embassy) Type B (University)
How it works Apply through the Chinese embassy in your country. Embassy reviews and forwards applications. Apply directly to a Chinese university that nominates you. You must meet the university’s admission requirements first.
Agency number Your local embassy’s number The university’s number (see table below)
Typical deadline January – March 2027 (varies by country) December 2026 – April 2027 (varies by university)
Airfare Eligible for reimbursement (process varies by embassy) Typically not included
Best for Applicants without a specific university in mind; those applying to multiple universities at once Applicants with a clear MBA programme preference; those who already have a pre-admission letter

Strategy: apply through both channels simultaneously. Use Type A for a broad reach and Type B for your top-choice MBA. CSC allows applications through multiple channels as long as you use the correct agency numbers.

MBA-eligible universities — with agency numbers and tuition coverage

You need each university’s CSC agency number to complete the application at campuschina.org. Confirm the number on the university’s own admissions page before submitting.

University Agency № MBA programme Language CSC tuition coverage
Tsinghua University 10003 Tsinghua SEM MBA English / Chinese Pre-admission required: must pass MBA interview first; CSC application alone is not accepted
Peking University 10001 Guanghua School of Management MBA English / Chinese Check programme page; PHBS states CSC will not fully cover tuition
Fudan University 10246 School of Management MBA English / Chinese Confirm with Fudan’s international office
Shanghai Jiao Tong University 10248 Antai College MBA English / Chinese Confirm with SJTU’s international office
Tongji University 10247 Full-Time MBA Chinese / English tracks Tuition still payable — RMB 129,000/year even with CSC
Chongqing University 10611 International MBA (Youth of Excellence) English Full scholarship under CSC Youth of Excellence Scheme

Note: agency numbers are set by CSC and can occasionally be updated. Always cross-check on the university’s own admissions page or campuschina.org.

How to apply — both channels

All applications are submitted online at campuschina.org. You can apply through both Type A and Type B at the same time.

Type A (Embassy)

  1. Check your local Chinese embassy website for the CSC call — usually announced November–December 2026. Note the agency number and exact deadline (typically January–March 2027).
  2. Create an account at campuschina.org. Select “Type A” and enter the embassy’s agency number.
  3. Fill in the online form: personal details, education, and up to three university/programme preferences. Confirm each MBA’s own work-experience requirement first.
  4. Upload required documents (see checklist below). The study plan is the most important written component.
  5. Submit online, download the completed form, print, and sign it.
  6. Send the physical package to your embassy if required. Some embassies now accept fully digital submissions.
  7. Results typically announced July–August 2027.

Type B (University)

  1. Contact your target university by October 2026. Confirm the MBA accepts CSC scholars, check its work-experience requirement, and get the university’s agency number.
  2. Apply for MBA admission through the university’s application system. Meet all admission requirements — transcripts, language scores, references, work experience.
  3. Once you have a pre-admission letter, go to campuschina.org, create an account, select “Type B”, and enter the university’s agency number.
  4. Complete the CSC application and upload all documents, including the acceptance letter.
  5. Submit before the university’s CSC deadline — usually December 2026 to April 2027.
  6. The university nominates you to CSC. Results typically announced June–August 2027.

Required documents

Missing or incorrectly formatted files are a common reason for rejection. Prepare these 2–3 months before the deadline.

  • CSC online application form (printed and signed)
  • Highest degree certificate and transcripts, certified and translated into Chinese or English
  • Study plan / research proposal — typically 800–1,000 words for MBA applicants
  • Two letters of recommendation, in Chinese or English, on official letterhead
  • Foreigner Physical Examination Form — mandatory, must use the official CSC template
  • Valid passport bio-data page
  • Language proficiency certificate (IELTS/TOEFL for English-taught; HSK for Chinese-taught)
  • Acceptance letter from a Chinese university (required for Type B, optional but helpful for Type A)
  • Non-criminal record certificate (if required by your embassy)

Study plan — the four things reviewers look for

  1. A specific business or management problem your MBA will help you solve — not a general “I want to grow my career”
  2. Why China specifically — name Chinese companies, industries, or policies relevant to your goal (e.g., Belt and Road, digital economy, green energy)
  3. 2–3 realistic objectives for what you want to learn
  4. Home-country impact — how you’ll apply the knowledge after graduation

Common mistakes

•
Assuming CSC fully covers MBA tuition everywhere. Tongji requires tuition to still be paid (RMB 129,000/year). PHBS states CSC will not fully cover it. Chongqing’s programme is the exception. Confirm with your target university in writing.
•
Applying to Tsinghua without MBA pre-admission. Tsinghua requires you to pass the MBA interview and receive pre-admission before the CSC application can be accepted.
•
Using the wrong agency number. Type A requires your embassy’s number; Type B requires the university’s. Using the wrong one invalidates the application.
•
Missing the age limit. You must be under 35 at application — 34 or younger on the deadline. No flexibility.
•
Forgetting the physical examination form. Mandatory document. Many applicants overlook it.
•
Applying to only one channel. You can apply through both Type A and Type B. Doing so meaningfully increases your chances.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need work experience for a CSC MBA?
CSC itself does not require work experience. Most leading Chinese MBA programmes — including Tsinghua, Peking University, and Fudan — set their own 2–3+ year requirement. Always check the specific university’s MBA admissions page.
Is there an age limit?
Yes — for master’s programmes you must be under 35 at application, meaning 34 or younger on the deadline. No flexibility.
Does the CSC scholarship cover airfare to China?
Type A (Embassy) scholars are eligible for international airfare reimbursement, though the process varies by country. Type B (University) routes typically do not include airfare. Budget for your flight and first month’s costs regardless.
How competitive is the CSC MBA?
Acceptance rates are estimated at roughly 10–30% depending on university and programme. Top schools like Tsinghua and Peking University sit at the lower end. Applying through both channels and having a strong study plan improves your chances.
How does CSC MBA compare with other government schemes?
See the comparison on our MBA scholarships hub, which covers CSC, Chevening, Fulbright, MEXT, and Türkiye in one place.

Official resources

CSC official website campuschina.org
CSC application system studyinchina.csc.edu.cn
LearnViaHub MBA scholarships hub Compare all 8 government schemes

Content written by LearnViaHub team, reviewed by Christian Chinonso.

LearnViaHub is an independent educational platform, not affiliated with the Chinese Government or the CSC. Always verify information on official websites before applying.


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