Fully funded scholarships for Chinese PhD students
The University of Manchester-China Scholarship Council Joint Scholarships for Chinese PhD students cover fees and living expenses for three years, thanks to a joint scheme between the University and the China Scholarship Council (CSC).
About the partnership
The China Scholarship Council is an organisation that provides financial support to Chinese citizens wishing to study abroad and for foreign students wishing to study in China.
The University of Manchester is pleased to continue the formal partnership with the China Scholarship Council to develop high calibre research collaborations between the UK and Chinese universities and research institutions.
You can find general details and background information about the scholarship scheme on the University's country-specific page for China.
What the scholarship includes
Tuition fees
The University of Manchester covers your full tuition fees for the period of the relevant programme, as outlined in your offer letter (usually three years).
Living allowances
CSC will provide living allowances as prescribed by the Chinese Government. This includes round-trip international airfare for students from China to the United Kingdom, visa and passport application fees.
Eligibility
Eligibility criteria
To apply for this scholarship you must be a citizen and permanent resident of the People's Republic of China when you apply.
Overseas Chinese students may be eligible for application subject to CSC policy at the time (CSC publicises the policy in October or November every year).
You must also:
- return to China upon completion of your studies and/or research;
- hold an Upper Second class UK honours undergraduate degree (or international equivalent) from a reputable institution;
- hold an unconditional offer letter from The University of Manchester;
- ideally hold a master's-level qualification at merit or distinction (or international equivalent);
- have a track record of engaging with research, which may include contributions to publications/articles, promoting your research to a wider audience, prizes for research or project work;
- satisfy CSC's selection criteria.
How to apply
Step-by-step guide to applying.
Please follow the information and step-by-step guide below carefully on how to make an application.
You must submit your completed online application and all relevant supporting documents prior to the deadline.
As you must be in receipt of an unconditional PhD offer, you must first follow our usual admissions process to find a project and contact a supervisor before completing an online application form. Visit our 'How to apply' page to find out more.
On your application form in the funding section, state that you are applying for a 'University of Manchester Scholarship' and, in particular, the 'UoM-CSC Award'.
Once you have been interviewed and offered a PhD place, you will then work with your primary supervisor to complete a nomination form, which needs to be submitted to the Faculty Doctoral Academy.
All nominations will be reviewed internally and a shortlist of candidates will be selected to apply to the CSC directly. We award six scholarships – two per School within the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health.
- Application deadline: TBC
- Supervisor nomination deadline: Friday, 13 February 2026
- Interviews: Monday, 2 March 2026
Contacts
Get in touch
If you have any questions regarding studying at Manchester, please contact the Doctoral Academy Admissions team.
For enquires to the China Scholarship Council, please contact Miss Zou Dongyun, Project Officer by email dyzou@csc.edu.cn or telephone +86-(0)10 6609 3977.
Good luck and we hope to see you soon.
祝你好运，我们希望尽快见到