Sun Yat-sen University Chinese Government High Level Graduate Scholarship

Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) participates in the Chinese Government Scholarship—Chinese University Postgraduate Program (renamed as the “High-Level Graduate” Program from the academic year/. SYSU states that the program is a full scholarship established by the Ministry of Education of China, with recruitment by key universities, and aims to support Chinese high-level universities and promote a brand of Chinese higher education. Students are recruited independently by universities, with admission results subject to expert evaluation by the China Scholarship Council.

SYSU states that the program follows “individual application, institutional recommendation, expert evaluation, and merit-based admission” and selects international students with excellent academic backgrounds, professional abilities, and future development potential. SYSU is one of the universities designated to recruit international students to study in postgraduate degree programs (Ph.D. degree and Master’s degree) under this scholarship.

SYSU states that applicants apply individually, then follow institutional recommendation and expert evaluation. SYSU also states that the admission results are subject to expert evaluation by the China Scholarship Council. For academic preparation, SYSU requires language tests and supporting documents used in the application process for the relevant program.

SYSU lists the scholarship coverage and standards as tuition fee, on-campus accommodation, living allowance, and comprehensive medical insurance. SYSU includes a note that if the funding standards change, applicants should refer to the standards released by the China Scholarship Council. The guide states no further obligations after study in the provided text.

• Applicants should be non-Chinese citizens with valid foreign passports.
• Applicants should be in good health and meet the physical standards required for applying for a student visa or residence permit.
• Applicants for master’s programs must hold a bachelor’s degree equivalent to that of Chinese universities and be under (or at) the age of 35.
• Applicants for doctoral programs must hold a master’s degree equivalent to that of Chinese universities and be under (or at) the age of 40.
• Applicants should be friendly to China, hardworking and diligent in their studies with excellent academic performance, upstanding and law-abiding, without any records of violations of the rules and regulations of their school, or any other security penalties or criminal records.
• Language proficiency (Chinese-instructed programs): Applicants should hold an HSK (level V) certificate with a score of 180 points or above.
• Language proficiency (Chinese-instructed programs): Applicants who have taken courses with Chinese as the instruction language shall submit a certificate issued by their former university.
• Language proficiency (Chinese-instructed programs): Upon verification by SYSU, applicants may be exempted from providing HSK certificates.
• Language proficiency (English-taught programs): Applicants whose native language is not English must submit valid proof of English language skills to meet academic requirements, including TOEFL (minimum score of 79 on iBT, with no less than 15 in each section) or IELTS Academic (minimum score of 6.5, with no less than 5.5 in each section).
• Language proficiency (English-taught programs): Applicants who have previously studied with English as the medium of instruction may submit an official certificate from their institution.
• Language proficiency (English-taught programs): Upon verification by the university, these applicants may be exempt from submitting English test scores.

• Tuition fee.
• On-campus accommodation.
• Living allowance.
• Comprehensive medical insurance.

1. Applicants must complete an online application in the Chinese Government Scholarship Information System via http://www.campuschina.org (Type: B; Agency No. of SYSU: 10558).
2. Applicants must complete an online application in the SYSU application system: visit https://apply.sysu.edu.cn, register, log in, and select “Chinese Government Scholarship-Chinese University Graduate Program”.
3. Applicants must submit the required application materials in the SYSU application system, including the documents listed in the guide.

• Valid ordinary passport (a personal profile photo is also listed under application materials).
• Personal profile photo.
• For doctoral applicants: Record of Electronic Registration of Academic Certificates of the Ministry of Education and Online Verification Report for degrees earned in the Chinese mainland (submission via https://www.chsi.com.cn).
• For doctoral applicants: Verification of Foreign Academic Degrees of Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees for degrees earned outside the Chinese mainland (submission via https://www.cscse.edu.cn).
• For doctoral applicants: If fresh graduates, a pre-graduation certificate issued by their institution.
• For doctoral applicants in their last year: a pre-graduation certificate provided by their schools during the application process; a graduate graduation certificate must be resubmitted when it is received.
• For doctoral applicants: Complete transcripts of undergraduate and graduate studies (with required stamping/stamping by the relevant department for applicants graduated in the Chinese mainland; latest transcript can be submitted during the application for applicants in the last year, with a complete transcript resubmitted when received).
• For master’s applicants: Record of Electronic Registration of Academic Certificates of the Ministry of Education and Online Verification Report for bachelor’s degrees earned in the Chinese mainland (submission via https://www.chsi.com.cn).
• For master’s applicants: Verification of Foreign Academic Degrees of Bachelor’s degrees earned outside the Chinese mainland (submission via https://www.cscse.edu.cn).
• For master’s applicants: If fresh graduates, a pre-graduation certificate issued by their institution.
• For master’s applicants in their last year: a pre-graduation certificate provided by their schools during the application process; an undergraduate graduation certificate must be resubmitted when it is received.
• For master’s applicants: Transcripts of undergraduate studies (with required stamping/stamping by the relevant department for applicants graduated in the Chinese mainland; latest transcript can be submitted during the application for applicants in the last year, with a complete transcript resubmitted when received).
• Language proficiency certificate: For Chinese-instructed programs, a valid HSK certificate or proof of completing courses instructed in Chinese.
• Language proficiency certificate: For English-taught programs, TOEFL/IELTS certificate, or proof of having taken program instructed in English, or other proof demonstrating English language proficiency.
• Two letters of recommendation, provided with signatures by professors or associate professors (template referenced as Attachment 1).
• Study plan and research in China (over 1500 words), including major/research background/reasons for applying, project/postgraduate study and research plan/career goal after graduation (template referenced as Attachment 2).
• If papers are published: the abstract of them.
• Physical examination and blood test results: scanned copies of the Foreigner Physical Examination Form, chest X-ray, ECG, and laboratory test reports for specific items, all stamped (the guide cuts off after this point in the provided text).