The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has teamed up with the China Scholarship Council (CSC) to open a brand‑new chance for South African students. If you’re dreaming of studying abroad and your grades are good enough, you can apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship for the 2026/27 academic year. The scholarship will cover everything you need to study in China, so you can focus on learning instead of worrying about money.
When and where
- Application deadline: 5 January 2026.
- Study destination: Any university in the People’s Republic of China that is part of the partnership.
What you can study
If you win the scholarship, you can pick from a wide range of courses:
- Bachelor’s degrees
- Master’s degrees
- PhD programmes
- Chinese language courses
What the scholarship pays for
The scholarship is all‑in. It takes care of:
- Full tuition fees
- A place to stay (room and board)
- A monthly allowance to cover everyday costs
- Complete medical insurance for your stay
- Round‑trip flight to and from South Africa
- Support from DHET during the whole process
Who can apply
To be eligible, you must:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Have a minimum average of 60 % from your last studies.
- Meet the age and academic requirements for the program you choose.
How to submit your application
- Fill out the form online at www.campuschina.org.
- After you finish, download the completed form and gather all the required documents.
- Email the file, the documents, and a proof that you submitted online to chinaapplications@dhet.gov.za.
Key things to remember
- Applications are open right now and will be processed together with DHET and CSC.
- Don’t wait until the last minute – missing the deadline or forgetting a document will stop your application from being considered.
Want more details?
Check out the full guide and the official rules on the DHET international scholarships page:
www.internationalscholarships.dhet.gov.za.
Why take this scholarship?
Studying in China can be a life‑changing experience. You will:
- Study in a world‑class university that has modern labs, experienced teachers and a new way of learning.
- Meet students from all over the globe and build friendships that can last a lifetime.
- Learn about a rich culture, food, history and traditions that are very different from what you know back home.
- Get a head‑start on a career that values international experience.
If your grades and your ambitions line up with the program, this scholarship could let you go somewhere new, learn a whole new language, and bring back knowledge that helps you and your community. Make sure to get your application ready and send it in before 5 January 2026.
Good luck, and let the adventure begin!