Applications are open for International students to apply for UCAS Scholarships to pursue graduate studies at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2026.

Suppose you are a talented young student seeking to pursue your master’s degree or PhD, or want to attend courses, research, or academic visits. In that case, you can apply to the Scholarship offered by the University of Chinese Academy of Science (UCAS). This scholarship program includes full scholarships and partial scholarships, providing significant assistance to students for cover their tuition fees, living expenses, housing, and medical insurance.

Details of UCAS Scholarship

Application Deadline (PhD and Master’s): 31 January 2026 (Beijing Time)

For Senior visiting and Regular visiting programs: no deadline

Location: Beijing, China

Level and duration of study:

• PhD and Master’s degree: up to 3 years (36 months)
• Student on joint program: 6-24 months
• Academic visit: regular and senior visiting students: 6-24 months

Fields of study: various fields of study

Full Scholarship benefits

The scholarship program covers the following costs:

• Tuition fee exemption for (PhD student – RMB 40000/Year, Master student- RMB 30000 / year,  Senior visiting- 3000 RMB/ month, and regular visiting student- 2600 RMB/month )
• Monthly allowance of RMB 2500 for PhD, senior visiting students, and students on joint programs, and RMB 2000 for master’s and regular visiting students.
• Research assistantship by the host supervisor and UCAS faculty
• Accommodation in Beijing
• Health insurance RMB 800/year.
• Application fee exemption of RMB 600.

Are you eligible for a UCAS scholarship?

The applicants for the UCAS Scholarship should fulfill the following requirements and conditions:

• Applicants must not hold Chinese citizenship; a valid foreign passport is required; and they must comply with Chinese laws and UCAS rules.
• Proficient in English or Chinese.
• Age limits:
  • PhD: born on/after 1 Jan 1991
  • Master’s: born on/after 1 Jan 1996
  • Senior visiting students: born on/after 1 Jan 1981
  • Regular visiting students: born on/after 1 Jan 1986
  • Joint programs: no age limit
• Must meet UCAS international student admission criteria.
• Cannot take up other assignments during the scholarship period.
• Current students in China are not eligible for the same level of program.
• Cannot apply under two supervisors simultaneously; doing so leads to disqualification.

Meet the language requirement:

• • Chinese program: pass the new HSK band 5 with a score of more than 200
  • English program: good English proficiency (TOEFL 90, IELTS 6.5, / English native speaker / have a major undergraduate degree instructed in English or Chinese

Other requirements for the joint program:

• Be a current student at a higher institution abroad, having signed an agreement with CAS/UCAS/CAS institute
• Register before November 2020

Similar Opportunities: 

• 2026 Chinese Government Scholarship at UCAS Beijing
• Chinese Government Master’s & Ph.D. Scholarship 2026 at the University of Wuhan
• Global Korea Scholarship at Korea Development Institute (KDI), 2026-2028

How to apply?

Applicants should read the eligibility requirements and find a hot supervisor who agrees to accept you.

Follow the steps below:

• Apply online via the UCAS online application linked below
• Please apply to only one institute
• Apply for one supervisor

After the document screening, the applicants will be required to attend an interview, or interview plus a written test, or be exempted from the interview.

Apply Now

Required documents in English/Chinese:

Required Documents:

• Scanned Passport Information Page – Ordinary passport with at least 1-year validity; proof of cancelled Chinese citizenship if applicable.

• Two-inch Recent Photo – Bareheaded, same as passport photo.

• Complete CV – Include detailed education and research experiences; attach employment certificate if employed.

• Degree Certificates – Bachelor’s for Master’s applicants; Bachelor’s and Master’s for PhD applicants; pre-graduation certificate if expected to graduate before September 2026.

• Academic Transcripts – Complete transcripts from undergraduate (for Master’s) or both undergraduate and Master’s studies (for PhD); interim transcripts accepted if graduation is pending.

• English or Chinese Proficiency Certificates – IELTS/TOEFL for English; HSK Level 5 (≥180) for Chinese-instructed programs.

• Published Papers – First page and abstract of up to 5 published academic papers (if available).

• Motivation Letter – State purpose of study, academic background, study plan, career goals; PhD applicants should include research experience.

• Two Reference Letters – From professors/associate professors familiar with applicant’s academic work (not UCAS supervisor), on official letterhead, signed and dated.

• Supervisor’s Acceptance Form – Optional, if already accepted by a UCAS supervisor.

• Certificate of Financial Support – Proof of funding or self-financing, including bank statement; scholarship applicants follow online procedures.

• Application Fee Receipt – Not required for CAS-ANSO, Chinese Government, or UCAS scholarships; fee is non-refundable.

Evaluation and Admission

UCAS evaluates international applicants based on submitted documents and an entrance examination, which is usually an interview. Some colleges may also require a written test, with details determined by the specific college or institute.

Candidates are selected based on both document review and examination performance, with merit-based ranking determining final admission. Admission results are available through the online application system, and official documents are mailed to successful applicants by their respective college or institute.

For more details, please visit the UCAS website.

Check More Scholarships:

Global Korea Scholarship at Korea Development Institute (KDI), 2026-2028

International Media Studies Scholarship at DW Academy in Germany

University of Detroit Mercy Scholarships 2025-26 for International Students