Every year, hundreds of Nepali students study in China on fully funded scholarships — and most people in Nepal still don't know this is possible, let alone how straightforward the application process actually is. The Chinese Government Scholarship (formally called the CSC Scholarship, run by the China Scholarship Council) is one of the most generous international scholarship programs in the world for Nepali students, and it covers far more than just tuition.

Nepal receives approximately 50–80 CSC scholarship slots annually through the embassy channel alone — and that number grows significantly when you include the university channel. If you are a Nepali student considering graduate study abroad and you haven't seriously looked at China, this guide is worth reading in full.

What Is the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)?

The Chinese Government Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship program administered by the China Scholarship Council (CSC), the Chinese government body responsible for international student funding. It supports international students from partner countries — including Nepal — to study at Chinese universities at the undergraduate, master's, doctoral, and language training levels.

Nepal and China share not just a border but a growing educational partnership. The Nepal-China bilateral relationship includes educational cooperation as a priority area, which means Nepali students benefit from steady scholarship allocations each year through both the embassy channel and direct university agreements.

What the Chinese Government Scholarship covers:

Full tuition waiver and registration fees
On-campus accommodation or a living subsidy
Monthly living stipend — CNY 3,000 for master's students, CNY 3,500 for doctoral students
Comprehensive medical insurance
One-time round-trip international airfare

This is a genuine, fully funded scholarship—not a partial award. A Nepali student selected for the CSC scholarship pays nothing for their degree in China.

Chinese Government Scholarship — Types Available for Nepali Students

There are several types of Chinese government scholarships that Nepali students can apply for. The most relevant are the following:

1. Chinese Government Scholarship — Regular Program (CSC) The main scholarship program. Open for bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs at designated Chinese universities. This is what most people mean when they say "Chinese Government Scholarship."

2. YES-China (Youth of Excellence Scheme of China) A specialized track targeting working professionals and future leaders for master's degrees in governance, public administration, and related fields. The Chinese Embassy in Nepal specifically announced this program for Nepali professionals, with applications closing March 31, 2026. The YES-China program covers the same comprehensive benefits as the standard CSC.

3. Belt and Road Initiative Scholarships Nepal benefits from Belt and Road Initiative scholarships and South Asian cooperation programs. Southwest China universities — particularly Sichuan University and Yunnan University — have strong Nepali student programs under the BRI frameworks.

4. Provincial Government Scholarships. Many Chinese provincial governments offer their own scholarships for international students in addition to the central government CSC. Yunnan Province, bordering Nepal, actively recruits Nepali students through provincial scholarship programs.

Chinese Government Scholarship Eligibility for Nepali Students

To apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship, Nepali students must meet these requirements:

Nationality and health:

Must be a non-Chinese citizen—Nepali passport holders fully qualify
Must be in good health (medical examination required)

Age limits:

Bachelor's programs: Below 25 years old
Master's programs: Below 35 years old
Doctoral programs: Below 40 years old

Academic qualifications:

Bachelor's programs: Completed high school (+2 equivalent) with strong grades
Master's programs: Completed bachelor's degree
Doctoral programs: Completed master's degree

Language requirements:

Chinese-taught programs: HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) — the Chinese language proficiency test. The required level depends on the program; most master's programs require HSK Level 4 or above
English-taught programs: IELTS or TOEFL. However, a medium-of-instruction letter from your university is widely accepted as an alternative. Some competitive universities may still require IELTS—check specific requirements

Key note for Nepali applicants: You do not necessarily need IELTS if you're applying for an English-taught program at a Chinese university. Many programs accept a letter confirming your bachelor's education was in English. This is a significant practical advantage compared to other study abroad destinations.

Two Application Channels — Type A and Type B

This is the most important structural detail about the Chinese Government Scholarship that most Nepali students don't know. There are two separate application pathways:

Type A — Embassy Channel (Bilateral Program) Apply through the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu (or Nepal's Ministry of Education in some years). Nepal receives approximately 50–80 slots annually through this channel. The embassy coordinates a review process and forwards recommended candidates to CSC headquarters in Beijing for final selection.

Type B — University Channel Apply directly to Chinese universities that are authorized by CSC to independently select scholarship recipients. This channel is entirely separate from the embassy quota—meaning you can apply for both Type A and Type B simultaneously, doubling your chances.

The smart strategy: Apply through both channels. The embassy channel has a fixed country quota, but the university channel opens additional opportunities beyond that limit. Students who apply to both consistently have higher success rates than those who apply through only one pathway.

Read the Type A vs Type B detailed comparison →

How to Apply for Chinese Government Scholarship — Step by Step

Here is the complete, verified application process for Nepali students applying for the Chinese Government Scholarship 2026:

Step 1—Choose your program and universities. Select Chinese universities offering your academic field that are officially listed under CSC. You can choose up to three universities on the application form. For master's and Ph.D. applicants, securing a supervisor's acceptance letter from your target university significantly improves your chances—it's not mandatory, but strongly recommended.

Consider universities in southwestern China. Universities in Yunnan, Sichuan, and Chongqing have strong ties to Nepal, are familiar with Nepali students, and offer a more temperate climate than northern China.

Step 2 — Register on the CSC Online Application System. Go to studyinchina.csc.edu.cn — the official CSC application portal. Register an account and begin your application.

Select the correct category: Type A (Chinese Embassy or government agency nomination) or Type B (direct university application). You will need the relevant agency number from the official CampusChina website.

Step 3 — Upload required documents. The standard document set for the CSC scholarship application includes:

Valid passport (non-Chinese citizen)
Academic transcripts from all completed levels
Degree certificates (for master's and PhD applicants)
Study plan or research proposal (for master's and PhD)
Foreigner Physical Examination Form (completed at an approved medical center)
Police clearance report from Nepal Police
Language certificate (HSK for Chinese-taught; IELTS/medium of instruction letter for English-taught)
Two recommendation letters (academic or professional)
Supervisor's acceptance letter (strongly recommended for master's and PhD)

Police clearance note: Request your Nepal Police clearance report well in advance. Processing times in Nepal can be unpredictable—applicants who leave this to the last week regularly miss deadlines.

Step 4 — Submit before the deadline

CSC scholarship 2026 deadlines vary by channel:

Type A (Embassy): Typically March–April. For YES-China specifically, the deadline was March 31, 2026. Check the Chinese Embassy in Nepal's official announcements for Type A deadlines each year.
Type B (University): Deadlines are typically earlier than embassy deadlines — some universities close applications in December or January. Always verify directly with your target university's International Student Office.

Step 5 — Selection and admission process

After submission, universities or the Chinese Embassy evaluate applications and forward recommended candidates to CSC headquarters in Beijing for final selection. Selected students receive:

An Admission Notice
JW201 form

These two documents are essential for the next step — the China Student Visa.

Step 6 — Apply for the China Student Visa (X1 Visa) Apply at the Chinese Visa Application Center (CVASC) in Kathmandu with:

Valid passport
Admission Notice and JW201 form
Completed visa application form
Photograph
Medical report
Proof of scholarship

Step 7 — Arrive and register. After arriving in China, register at your university and apply for a residence permit within 30 days at the local Public Security Bureau. This permit allows you to legally stay in China during your full study period.

Best Chinese Universities for Nepali Students

Not all CSC-listed universities are equal—and Nepali students have specific advantages at certain institutions:

Yunnan University (Kunming): Strong Nepali student community, the closest major Chinese university to Nepal geographically, known for South Asian Studies programs.

Sichuan University (Chengdu): Excellent medical, engineering, and humanities programs. Active Nepali student association. Temperate climate.

Beijing Language and Culture University: Best for students starting with Chinese language programs before entering main academic programs.

Wuhan University: Strong scholarship track record for South Asian students. Engineering, medicine, and computer science.

Chongqing University: Strong engineering programs, active recruitment from Nepal, reasonable cost of living.

Chinese Government Scholarship vs Other International Scholarships

Nepali students often compare the Chinese Government Scholarship with other fully funded options. Here's an honest comparison:

Scholarship	Country	Coverage	Competition	Language
CSC (China)	China	Full — tuition, stipend, housing, insurance, airfare	Moderate	Chinese or English
Fulbright	USA	Full — varies by program	Very high	English
MEXT	Japan	Full	High	Japanese or English
Chevening	UK	Full	Very high	English
YES-China	China	Full — master's only	High	Chinese or English

The Chinese Government Scholarship sits in a genuinely strong position compared to other full scholarships for Nepali students—the competition level is moderate relative to programs like Fulbright or Chevening, coverage is comprehensive, and Nepal's bilateral relationship with China means a steady annual quota.

Compare full scholarships for Nepali students →

FAQs — Chinese Government Scholarship for Nepali Students

Is the Chinese Government Scholarship fully funded? Yes. The CSC scholarship covers full tuition, on-campus accommodation or a living subsidy, a monthly stipend (CNY 3,000 for master's, CNY 3,500 for doctoral), comprehensive medical insurance, and one round-trip international airfare.

How many Chinese government scholarship seats does Nepal get? Nepal receives approximately 50–80 CSC scholarship slots annually through the embassy (Type A) channel. The university channel (Type B) adds additional opportunities beyond this quota.

Do I need HSK for the Chinese government scholarship? Only if you're applying for a Chinese-taught program. For English-taught programs, a medium-of-instruction letter from your previous university is widely accepted as an alternative to IELTS or HSK.

Can I apply to multiple universities for the Chinese Government Scholarship? Yes. You can apply to up to three universities through the CSC online system. You can also apply through both Type A (embassy) and Type B (university) channels simultaneously.

What is the Chinese government scholarship application deadline for Nepal? Deadlines vary by channel. Type A (embassy) typically runs March–April. Type B (university) deadlines are often earlier — some universities close in December or January. Always verify with the Chinese Embassy in Nepal and your target university directly.

What is YES-China, and is it available for Nepali students? YES-China (Youth of Excellence Scheme of China) is a specialized master's scholarship for working professionals and future leaders in governance and public administration. The Chinese Embassy in Nepal specifically announced this program for Nepali professionals in late 2025, with a deadline of March 31, 2026.

The Chinese Government Scholarship is one of the most accessible, genuinely comprehensive, and fully funded scholarship options available to Nepali students right now. The application process is structured; the bilateral relationship between Nepal and China supports a steady annual quota; and the coverage — tuition, living costs, insurance, and airfare — leaves almost nothing for students to fund themselves. Start early, apply through both Type A and Type B channels, and treat your supervisor's acceptance letter as a priority if you're applying for a research degree.