China is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for Pakistani students. With its world-class universities, rich cultural heritage, and diverse scholarship packages, studying in China is not only affordable but highly rewarding. In 2025, several fully-funded scholarships are open to Pakistani nationals—covering undergraduate, master’s, and PhD programs. This article walks you through the key scholarship options, eligibility requirements, and how to apply effectively.
1. Top Scholarship Programs for Pakistani Students
1.1 Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) via HEC
The Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) is the premier fully-funded offering, made available to Pakistani students through nominations by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan. It supports undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs across hundreds of Chinese universities
- Covers full tuition, accommodation (usually on campus), monthly stipend (typically between CNY 2,500–3,500), and health insurance
- For 2025–26, the HEC portal lists the application deadline as December 9, 2024, with program start in September 2025
CSC scholarships include two categories:
- Bilateral Program (Category A) – Apply through HEC as dispatching authority.
- University Program (Category B) – Direct application to Chinese institutions for scholarships not requiring nomination
1.2 University-Specific CSC Scholarships
Top Chinese universities offer CSC-funded scholarships, often listed separately but under CSC umbrella. These include:
- Southwestern University of Finance and Economics (SWUFE) – Fully-funded for Master’s and PhD, open to international students, with deadline defaulted to February 20, 2025
- University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC) – Fully-funded Master’s and PhD programs for international applicants. Deadline: March 1, 2025
- China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) – Master’s and PhD fully-funded programs, deadline February 15, 2025
- University of Science & Technology of China (USTC) – Scholarships available across Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD levels. Master’s/PhD deadline: February 15, 2025; Bachelor’s: March 31, 2025
- Donghua University – Fully-funded CSC scholarships for all levels, deadline February 15, 2025 .
1.3 Regional Government & University Scholarships
Several regional programs specifically available to Pakistani students:
- Shanghai Government Scholarship (SGS) – Fully funded across Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs at institution like Fudan, Tongji, and SJTU. Includes tuition, accommodation, health insurance, and monthly stipend up to CNY 3,500
- Beijing Government Scholarship – Offers tuition coverage and a stipend (up to RMB 40,000 per year) for undergraduate to doctoral studies. Duration can extend up to four years depending on program
- Yenching Academy (Peking University) – Offers Master’s-level Yenching Scholarship, covering tuition, accommodation, stipend, travel, and more under a one-year China Studies program
- Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme – Open to international students, provides HK$325,200 annual stipend plus travel allowance (HK$13,600) for PhD study at top universities in Hong Kong
2. Step-by-Step Application Guide
Step 1: Explore and Choose Scholarships
- Identify compatible programs based on your academic level (BS / MS / PhD), field of study, and preferred location (Mainland China, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong).
- Note deadlines: CSC (HEC) – early Dec 2024; SWUFE – Feb; UESTC – Mar; others vary
Step 2: Check Eligibility and Requirements
CSC HEC-led scholarships generally require strong academics, English/Chinese proficiency, and Pakistani nationality.
For China-taught programs, undergraduate applicants need HSK 3, while postgraduate students need HSK 4. Preparatory Chinese language programs are often offered
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
Common requirements include:
- Passport copy
- Academic transcripts and diploma (with English/Chinese translations)
- Study plan or research proposal (200 words for undergrads; 500 words for graduate; 800 for postgraduate)
- Letters of recommendation for postgraduate applications.
- Physical examination form if required
Step 4: Submit Application
- For CSC (HEC): Apply for nomination via HEC portal, then complete the CSC online application via campuschina.org or csc.edu.cn under correct agency number
- Submit hard copies to HEC HRD as per guidelines
- For University-specific CSC programs: Apply directly on university portals but linked via CSC structure
- For Regional Scholarships: Apply via respective university or government scholarship portals (e.g., Shanghai, Beijing, Yenching).
Step 5: Wait for Results & Visa Processing
Successful candidates receive “Admission Letter” and JW201 (or JW202) form via HEC after CSC places them These are required for visa application at the Chinese Embassy.
Step 6: Travel & Enroll
Once visa is granted, travel arrangements can be made. Prepare for orientation programs, enroll accordingly, and begin your studies in China.
3. Real-World Experiences
Students on r/VHTC have shared helpful updates, such as:
“University: Southwestern University of Finance and Economics… Fully Funded… Last Date: 20 February 2025”
“USTC International Scholarship… Fully Funded… Deadline: 31 March 2025 (BS), 15 Feb 2025 (MS & PhD)”
4. Summary Table – Quick Overview
| Scholarship | Level | Benefits | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSC (HEC Nomination) | All levels | Tuition, accommodation, stipend, insurance | Dec 9, 2024 (HEC portal) |
| SWUFE CSC | Master’s/PhD | Fully funded | Feb 20, 2025 |
| UESTC CSC | Master’s/PhD | Fully funded | Mar 1, 2025 |
| CUG Wuhan CSC | Master’s/PhD | Fully funded | Feb 15, 2025 |
| USTC CSC | Bachelor to PhD | Fully funded | BS: Mar 31 / MS/PhD: Feb 15 |
| Donghua University CSC | All levels | Fully funded | Feb 15, 2025 |
| Shanghai Government Scholarship | All levels | Full tuition, stipend, insurance | Varies |
| Beijing Government Scholarship | All levels | Tuition + stipend | Varies |
| Yenching Academy Scholarship | Master’s | Full package + travel | Varies |
| HK PhD Fellowship | PhD (Hong Kong) | Tuition, stipend, airfare | Varies |
Final Recommendations
- Start early—gather documents well in advance.
- Apply through multiple channels (CSC and universities) to diversify your options.
- Pay close attention to HSK requirements and language of instruction.
- Prepare a compelling study/research statement and secure strong recommendation letters.
- Follow official channels only—avoid intermediaries or unofficial sources