China: CSC full PhD scholarships

If you are interested in applying to the PhD programme of the GSMS on a CSC full PhD scholarship, the first prerequisite is to find a PhD supervisor(s) who is willing to supervise you as PhD candidate and help you carry out your PhD research project. To find a PhD supervisor(s) and research group that matches your research interest, we invite you to browse the UMCG research website.

The second step is to make a research plan. A scholarship PhD candidate can largely self-design its research project. However, if the project is carried out within the context of a particular research group and under the supervision of a PhD supervisor, it is important that all parties agree on the chosen research project and its feasibility. You can use the GSMS Research Proposal form to draft the research proposal.

Once a PhD supervisor affiliated with the UMCG has accepted you as prospective scholarship PhD candidate and you have discussed possible research topics and the proposal, the supervisor must obtain an official Letter of Acceptance from the GSMS for you to include with your PhD application to the CSC (see below for further information on the Letter of Acceptance and other required documentation).

After being awarded a full PhD scholarship by the CSC, admittance to the GSMS and the PhD programme can be finalized, provided all criteria and requirements have been fulfilled.

• You are a Chinese national graduated from a Chinese or international university with a Master degree, or you are about to graduate with a Master degree.

• If already graduated, you are in the first year of your PhD studies at the time of the application, or you are employed by a Chinese company, organization, governmental agency or research institute.

• You would like to apply for CSC funding for a full PhD scholarship (max. 48 months) at the University of Groningen/UMCG.

• You meet the selection criteria set out by CSC by completing the CSC application form and the CSC Employer Reference Form, which can be found on the website of the Chinese Scholarship Council.

• Your prospective UMCG supervisor(s) has accepted you as prospective scholarship PhD candidate and obtained a Letter of Acceptance from the Graduate School of Medical Sciences for you. Your supervisor has also assessed and fulfilled other important criteria for admission, such as your academic qualifications as well as proficiency in English, as outlined on the CSC supervisor webpage.

• You are able to submit official proof of proficiency in English: TOEFL iBT 92 (minimum skill score 20; or IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum band score of 6.0 on each individual part obtained in one test). Home Edition tests are acceptable. Combining multiple test results is not allowed.

• If you are unable to provide valid proof of English proficiency before the deadline for obtaining a GSMS Letter of Acceptance and the deadline for the CSC, the GSMS may decide to issue a conditional Letter of Acceptance, provided that you have the support of your prospective UMCG supervisor. However, proof of English proficiency must be submitted at a later stage, otherwise your admission to the GSMS PhD programme will not be finalized and the visa application process is blocked.

• You agree to return to China upon completion of your PhD project in case you are awarded the CSC PhD scholarship.

You and your supervisor will need to gather the following information for your Letter of Acceptance, which your supervisor must submit to the GSMS at the latest to be announced:

• Your English language CV
• Proof of proficiency in English (see above under “eligibility criteria” for minimum requirements)
• Certified copy of your Chinese or international diploma for the highest degree attained.
• Fully completed Letter of Acceptance Request Form*
• Supervisor Statement*

*Templates are available for download for supervisors through the supervisor webpage.

Note that the GSMS is the only authoritative body responsible for issuing Letters of Acceptance and admitting CSC scholarship candidates to its PhD programme. Applicants who have not followed the procedures outlined on the GSMS CSC webpages will not be admitted. This includes CSC PhD candidates transferring from other institutes. Also note that depending on policy in force at the time of application, the GSMS maintains the right to limit the number of Letters of Acceptance issued to scholarship PhD candidates.

The agreement between UG and CSC has been renewed. All CSC applicants for a full PhD are encouraged to apply through the UG-CSC "cooperation channel”.

The maximum duration of funding provided by the CSC for a full PhD trajectory is 48 months. For candidates who have already begun their PhD at Groningen and wish to (re-)apply to the CSC, it is important to note the following:

• In line with CSC policy, the months you have already spent on your PhD research at the UMCG will be subtracted from the maximum scholarship duration.

• The earliest possible start date for the CSC PhD scholarship of candidates already conducting research in Groningen, is 1 September 2026.

• In addition to a Letter of Acceptance, the GSMS will issue an "Education Certificate" that states your registration date as a doctoral researcher to include with your application to the CSC.

• Online application for a full CSC PhD scholarship by the candidate: expected in March 2026 (to be announced by the CSC)

• The deadline for requesting a GSMS Letter of Acceptance will be soon published, typically at the beginning of March.

• The CSC typically publishes the results of their selection procedure at the end of June. Please note that the GSMS will under no circumstances communicate about selection results prior to their official publication by the CSC.

The following documents must be submitted to the GSMS upon being awarded the CSC scholarship in order to secure admission, within one month of the scholarship award the latest:

• A PhD research proposal, as discussed and agreed upon between you and your supervisor(s), in accordance with the template available here . Other formats will not be accepted.

• A certified copy of the diploma for the highest degree attained (or, if the degree certificate has not yet been issued, a certified declaration from the home university confirming that the requirements for the degree award have been fulfilled).

• If the minimum requirements of the GSMS have not yet been met, proof of proficiency in English.