Sun Yat-sen University Silk Road Scholarship 2027, China (Fully Funded)

The Silk Road Chinese Government Scholarship at Sun Yat-sen University is now open for applications, offering fully funded study opportunities to international students under China’s Belt and Road initiative. Supported by the China Scholarship Council (CSC), this programme targets high-achieving students from Belt and Road partner countries seeking undergraduate, master’s, and PhD degrees at one of China’s most prestigious research universities.

Whether you are an aspiring engineer, an AI researcher, a public policy professional, or an environmental scientist, this scholarship provides a complete funding package that allows you to focus entirely on your studies and research in China with no tuition fees, no accommodation costs, and a monthly living stipend provided throughout your programme.

Overview

The Silk Road Chinese Government Scholarship at Sun Yat-sen University is part of China’s broader national strategy to attract global talent, deepen international academic cooperation, and develop skilled professionals in partner countries along the Belt and Road corridor. Established under the Education Action Plan for the Belt and Road Initiative, the programme is administered by the China Scholarship Council and implemented at SYSU as one of the designated universities.

The programme’s guiding principle is ‘strategy orientation, precise delivery, coordinated promotion, mutual benefit, and win-win results.’ It focuses specifically on cultivating leaders and excellent skilled professionals in disciplines that Belt and Road countries urgently need including green development, digital economy, artificial intelligence, energy, finance, disaster mitigation, and education.

Admission is based on the principles of individual application, institutional recommendation, expert evaluation, and merit-based selection. Students who are awarded the scholarship benefit from SYSU’s world-class academic environment, modern research facilities, and a rich international learning community across five campuses in Guangzhou, Zhuhai, and Shenzhen.

Scholarship Name: Sun Yat-sen University Silk Road Chinese Government Scholarship 2027

Host University: Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU), China

Funding Authority: China Scholarship Council (CSC) / Chinese Government

Scholarship Type: Fully Funded

Application Deadline: 17 May 2026

Programme Start: September 2026 / February 2027 (subject to CSC confirmation)

Available Seats: Approximately 10 (all degree levels combined)

Degree Level

The Sun Yat-sen University Silk Road Scholarship 2027 is available at three degree levels:

• Bachelor’s degree programmes (4 to 5 years depending on discipline)
• Master’s degree programmes (2 to 3 years)
• PhD (doctoral) degree programmes (3 to 4 years)

Each degree level has its own academic entry requirements, age limits, language requirements, and documentation standards all detailed in the eligibility section below.

Available Subjects and Fields of Study

Sun Yat-sen University offers a broad range of academic disciplines under the Silk Road Scholarship programme. Priority fields reflect the development needs of Belt and Road partner countries and China’s national strategic focus areas:

• Artificial Intelligence and Data Science: Machine learning, computer science, data engineering, and intelligent systems
• Engineering and Technology: Civil, mechanical, electrical, electronic, and materials engineering
• Environmental and Sustainability Studies: Climate adaptation, ecological conservation, and green development
• Finance and Economics: International economics, development finance, and financial management
• Public Policy and Governance: International relations, development policy, public administration, and law
• Disaster Management: Emergency response, risk assessment, and resilience planning
• Medical Sciences and Public Health: Clinical medicine, public health, and biomedical research (via SYSU’s ten affiliated hospitals)
• Humanities and Social Sciences: Chinese language and literature, history, sociology, and cultural studies

Important: Applications for majors not listed in SYSU’s official Catalog of Majors for the Silk Road Programme will be considered invalid. Download the official Catalog (Attachment 4) from iso.sysu.edu.cn before selecting your programme.

Scholarship Benefits

The Sun Yat-sen University Silk Road Scholarship is a fully funded award. The scholarship package includes the following:

Full Tuition Fee Waiver

All tuition fees are fully covered for the entire duration of your enrolled programme. You will not be charged any tuition at SYSU regardless of your field of study.

Free On-Campus Accommodation

Scholarship holders are provided with on-campus dormitory accommodation at SYSU throughout their studies. This removes one of the biggest costs of studying abroad and places you within the heart of the university community.

Monthly Living Allowance

A monthly stipend is provided to cover daily living expenses. Based on current CSC standards, the monthly allowances are:

• Bachelor’s students: RMB 2,500 per month
• Master’s students: RMB 3,000 per month
• Doctoral students: RMB 3,500 per month

Allowance amounts are set by the China Scholarship Council and subject to annual confirmation. Verify current figures at campuschina.org at the time of your application.

Comprehensive Medical Insurance

All scholarship holders receive comprehensive medical insurance coverage for the duration of their study period in China, giving you access to healthcare without out-of-pocket expense.

Eligible Nationalities

The Silk Road Scholarship at SYSU is open exclusively to nationals of countries that are jointly building the Belt and Road with China. For the 2027 intake, the 10 eligible countries are:

• Vietnam
• Pakistan
• Myanmar
• Laos
• Thailand
• Cambodia
• Indonesia
• Yemen
• Malaysia
• Kazakhstan

Students from countries not on this list including Nigeria and other African nations are not eligible for this specific Silk Road programme at SYSU. African students should explore the CSC Bilateral Scholarship, the SYSU General International Student Scholarship, or other Chinese Government Scholarship routes instead.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the SYSU Silk Road Scholarship 2027, all applicants must meet the following requirements:

Nationality and Residency

• You must be a citizen of one of the 10 eligible Belt and Road countries listed above
• You must not currently hold Chinese citizenship
• Applicants who previously held Chinese nationality must submit an official certificate confirming renunciation of Chinese nationality, available from a Chinese embassy or consulate

Academic and Age Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree applicants: Must hold a high school diploma or equivalent with excellent academic results, and be under 25 years of age at the time of application
• Master’s degree applicants: Must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent with excellent academic results, and be under 35 years of age
• PhD degree applicants: Must hold a master’s degree or equivalent with excellent academic results, and be under 40 years of age

Chinese Language Proficiency

Since all programmes under this scholarship at SYSU are taught in Chinese, applicants must meet the following minimum HSK (Chinese proficiency) requirements:

• Bachelor’s applicants: HSK Level III with a minimum score of 180
• Master’s and doctoral applicants: HSK Level IV with a minimum score of 180
• Prior to registration at SYSU: All admitted students must achieve HSK Level V with a minimum score of 180 before enrolling. Applicants who completed their prior education at a Chinese-medium institution may apply to SYSU for an exemption, supported by institutional proof

Health and Character Requirements

• Applicants must be in good health and meet the physical standards required for a Chinese student visa or residence permit
• Applicants must demonstrate a friendly attitude towards China, strong academic diligence, and upstanding personal conduct
• Applicants must have no record of rule violations, security penalties, or criminal offences

Number of Awards

The Silk Road Scholarship at Sun Yat-sen University is highly competitive, with only approximately 10 scholarship places available across all degree levels combined for the 2027 intake. This extremely limited quota means that only the very strongest applications in terms of academic excellence, language proficiency, quality of study plan, and recommendation quality will be selected.

Given these limited seats, applicants are strongly advised to begin their preparation as early as possible, ensure every document is complete and correct, and submit well before the 17 May 2026 deadline.

Application Procedure

The application for the SYSU Silk Road Scholarship 2027 requires a dual application you must submit on both the China Scholarship Council platform and the SYSU platform. Submitting on only one system will result in an incomplete application that cannot be considered.

Step 1: CSCA Test (Bachelor’s Applicants Only)

Applicants applying for a bachelor’s degree programme must first participate in the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA), an entrance examination organised by the CSC. The CSCA is taken before the main application submission. Visit csca.cn for test schedules, subjects, and content requirements. Note that required test subjects vary by major cross-reference with SYSU’s official Catalog of Bachelor’s Programs before booking your test.

Step 2: Apply on the China Scholarship Council Portal

Log in to the Chinese Government Scholarship Information System at campuschina.org and complete the Chinese Government Scholarship Application Form. Use the following key details when filling in the form:

• Programme Category: Type B
• SYSU Enrollment Code: 10558

After completing the form online, print it, sign the final page by hand, scan it, and upload the signed copy to the portal along with all required supporting documents.

Step 3: Apply on the SYSU International Student Portal

Register on the SYSU International Student Office portal at apply.sysu.edu.cn. Select the 2026 Silk Road-Chinese Government Scholarship Program option and complete the online application form. Upload all required documents directly to the SYSU portal. Ensure that your email address and phone number are accurate SYSU communicates with applicants through this system, and incorrect contact details may cause you to miss critical notifications.

Required Documents

All documents must be original and submitted in either Chinese or English. Documents in other languages must be accompanied by notarized Chinese or English translations, certified via the Hague Apostille Convention or by a Chinese embassy or consulate. The following documents are required:

• Valid passport: Must be valid until at least 1 December 2026. Include your personal profile photo. If currently in China, also include copies of your Chinese visa or residence permit and most recent entry stamp page.
• Academic degree certificate: Proof of your highest qualification (high school diploma for bachelor’s; bachelor’s degree for master’s; both bachelor’s and master’s degrees for doctoral applicants). If you have not yet graduated, submit a pre-graduation certificate but your actual degree certificate must be provided before SYSU registration, or your admission will be revoked.
• Foreign degree verification (if applicable): Applicants who graduated from universities outside China must obtain a Verification of Foreign Academic Degrees from the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchanges at cscse.edu.cn.
• Academic transcripts: Official transcripts issued and stamped by your institution. Bachelor’s applicants also need high school examination transcripts including national exams and any international qualifications (SAT, A-Level, IB, etc.). PhD applicants must provide transcripts for both undergraduate and graduate studies.
• CSCA Score Report (bachelor’s applicants only): Your official China Scholastic Competency Assessment result obtained from the CSC-organised test.
• Chinese language proficiency certificate: A valid HSK certificate at the required level for your programme, or institutional proof that your previous studies were conducted in Chinese.
• Two academic recommendation letters: Bachelor’s applicants need letters from a school principal and a teacher. Master’s and doctoral applicants need letters from professors, associate professors, or senior professionals in the relevant academic field. Use the official SYSU template (Attachment 1 on the SYSU scholarship page).
• Personal statement and plan of study/research: Your personal statement covers self-introduction, academic background, interests, study goals, reasons for applying, and post-graduation career plans. The study/research plan has minimum word requirements: over 1,500 words for master’s applicants and over 3,000 words for doctoral applicants. Doctoral applicants should also include abstracts of any published academic papers. Use Attachment 2 from the SYSU website as a guide.
• Foreigner Physical Examination Form: Must include a chest X-ray, ECG, and specified laboratory test results, all stamped by the issuing hospital and obtained within six months of your application submission date. Use the official form provided as Attachment 3 on the SYSU scholarship page.
• Certificate of Non-Criminal Record: Issued by your local authorities within six months before the date of application submission.
• Chinese Government Scholarship Application Form: Completed online via campuschina.org (Type B, Code 10558), printed, signed by hand on the last page, and scanned for upload.
• Personal Information Form: Generated automatically by the SYSU International Student Management System after registration. Print, sign, and re-upload to the system.
• Supporting documents (optional): Award certificates, proof of academic achievements, publications, or professional experience that strengthens your profile.

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for the Sun Yat-sen University Silk Road Scholarship 2027 is 17 May 2026.

Both the CSC portal application and the SYSU portal application must be completed and submitted before this date. Given the complexity of the documentation required including medical examinations, non-criminal record certificates, degree verification reports, and language tests applicants are strongly encouraged to begin their preparation at least two to three months before the deadline.

Selection Process

Shortlisting and selection at SYSU follows five stages:

1. Qualification Review: After receiving the CSC Letter of Invitation, SYSU reviews each applicant’s nationality, academic qualifications, academic performance, Chinese language proficiency, study plan, and recommendation letters to build an assessment shortlist.
2. Assessment: Shortlisted applicants are assessed by the admissions team of their chosen faculty or department, either through an interview or a combination of interview and written test. Applicants are notified of the specific format, location, and date.
3. Pre-Admission: SYSU determines preliminary admission results based on qualification review scores, assessment performance, and major preferences, through competitive merit-based selection.
4. CSC Approval: All final admission results are subject to review and approval by the China Scholarship Council. SYSU then releases conditional admission results, electronic Admission Letters, and Confirmation Forms for Study in China via its application portal.
5. Visa and Arrival: Admitted students apply for an X1 visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate using their Admission Letter. The X1 visa must be converted into a student residence permit within 30 days of arrival in China. Failure to convert the visa within this window results in disqualification.

Why Choose Sun Yat-sen University?

Sun Yat-sen University is one of China’s most distinguished and internationally respected universities. Founded in 1924 by Dr. Sun Yat-sen the father of modern China SYSU has grown into a comprehensive research institution with five campuses across three cities: Guangzhou, Zhuhai, and Shenzhen.

SYSU ranks among the global top 300 universities and consistently performs strongly across multiple international ranking systems. It is directly supervised by China’s Ministry of Education and enjoys strong support from Guangdong Province one of China’s most economically dynamic and globally connected regions.

Here is why SYSU stands out as a destination for international students:

• World-class research infrastructure: SYSU houses state key laboratories, cutting-edge research centres, and ten affiliated hospitals, giving students in medical, scientific, and technical fields access to outstanding practical training environments.
• Multidisciplinary excellence: SYSU has strong faculties across humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, medical sciences, and engineering making it one of the few truly comprehensive elite universities in China.
• Strategic location: Guangzhou is China’s third-largest city and one of its most international. Shenzhen, where SYSU also has a campus, is Asia’s Silicon Valley home to companies like Huawei, Tencent, and DJI. The location gives students proximity to innovation, industry, and global commerce.
• International partnerships: SYSU has established collaborative relationships with hundreds of universities and research institutions worldwide, creating opportunities for joint research, exchange programmes, and global academic networking.
• Vibrant international community: SYSU welcomes students from over 100 countries. As a Silk Road scholar, you will study alongside a diverse global cohort and build international networks that extend far beyond your time in China.

How to Apply Quick Summary

• Bachelor’s applicants only: Register and sit the CSCA entrance test at csca.cn
• Apply on the CSC portal at campuschina.org (Type B, SYSU Code: 10558) and upload all documents
• Apply on the SYSU portal at apply.sysu.edu.cn and select the 2026 Silk Road-Chinese Government Scholarship Program
• Submit all required documents before 17 May 2026 on both platforms
• If selected for assessment, attend the interview or written test as notified by SYSU
• If admitted, apply for your X1 student visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate using your SYSU Admission Letter

Final Thoughts

The Sun Yat-sen University Silk Road Scholarship 2027 is one of the most comprehensive and strategically significant fully funded scholarships available to students from Belt and Road countries. With only approximately 10 places available across all degree levels, competition is fierce but for the right candidate, the reward is transformative: a world-class degree from one of China’s top universities, fully funded, with a monthly stipend, accommodation, insurance, and access to a truly global academic community.

If you are from one of the 10 eligible countries, have a strong academic record, meet the Chinese language requirements, and have a clear vision of how a degree from SYSU will shape your future this scholarship is worth every effort. Start preparing today. The deadline is 17 May 2026, and with only 10 seats available, there is no time to wait.