Chinese Government Scholarship 2025/2026 for South Africans

The Chinese Government Scholarship 2025/2026 is offering scholarships for South African students to study at Chinese institutions starting in the 2025/2026 academic year. The Department of Higher Education and Training (the Department) is responsible for nominations for the Chinese Government scholarship programme.

The scholarship is offered for undergraduate (Bachelors) and postgraduate (Masters or PhD) programmes in the identified scarce skills, as well as non-degree Chinese language studies. Bachelor’s degree scholarships are taught in Chinese and will only be awarded to applicants who already have the required level of Chinese proficiency (HSK 3 or above).

Scholarship of Scholarship 2025/2026

The Department of Higher Education and Training provides the following (subject to the availability of funds):

• One return economy airfare;
• Monthly top-up stipend;
• Once-off settlement allowance;
• Research funding (postgraduate only)
• Visa costs;
• Compulsory orientation programme before departure.

Successful scholarship applicants will be required to sign a contract and return to South Africa upon completion of studies.

Check ; CRASSH Visiting Fellowships for Scholars from the Global South 2026 (Funded)

Eligibility for Scholarship 2025/2026

• Open to South African citizens in good health (medical check will be required for successful applicants);
• Strong academic record with a minimum 60% average in previous studies;
• Availability to study in China from September 2025;
• Demonstrated interest in China and commitment to the development of South Africa;
• Applicants must meet the minimum academic requirements for entry into the programme of choice.
• Bachelor’s applicants must have HSK 3 level language certificate and be willing to study in Chinese, applications without a HSK level 3 language certificate will be automatically disqualified.
• Master’s and doctoral applicants must have HSK 4 level language certificate and be willing to study in Chinese, applications without a HSK level 4 language certificate will be automatically disqualified.

Important: The scholarship does not support any medical degrees and preference will be given to applications for postgraduate studies.

Also Check : New America Fellows Program Class of 2026

Application

• Complete BOTH the DHET application form and start the Chinese Government online application.
• Submit the DHET application form with supporting documents to the email address. Use the subject line: Chinese Scholarship Application [Your surname].