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ASEAN-China Young Leaders Scholarship
Program insights
Date posted
October 11, 2025
Deadline
October 11, 2026
Tuitions
4,000¥ - 5,000¥/month
Level
Non-Degree or Special Programs Postgraduate Secondary or Pre-University Undergraduate
Qualification
Bachelor's Degree
Gender
All
Description
The ASEAN-China Young Leaders Scholarship (ACYLS) is a flagship program jointly initiated by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and ASEAN Member States (AMS). It aims to enhance people-to-people ties, strengthen educational cooperation, and deepen academic exchange between ASEAN and China—building the socio-cultural “third pillar” of the ASEAN-China Partnership and a shared future community.
ACYLS is open exclusively to ASEAN nationals, particularly young professionals with demonstrated leadership potential and relevant work experience. The program offers full scholarships for Master’s and Doctoral degrees, short-term research, and training courses at leading Chinese universities.
All expenses are covered, including tuition, accommodation, international airfare, comprehensive medical insurance, and monthly stipends.
II. Application Guidelines
1. Supported Categories and Duration
| Category | Study Duration | Scholarship Duration | Language of Instruction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 2–3 years | 2–3 years | English |
| Doctoral Degree | 3–4 years | 3–4 years | English |
| Research Scholar | 4–5 months | 4–5 months | English |
All programs are English-taught. Applicants must meet the English proficiency requirements set by the host university.
2. Scholarship Coverage
- Monthly Stipend:
- Master’s: RMB 4,000
- Doctoral: RMB 5,000
- Research Scholar: RMB 5,000
- One-Time Settlement Allowance: RMB 3,000 upon registration.
- Tuition: Fully covered (high-tuition majors such as MBA are subject to case-by-case review).
- Accommodation: Single university dormitory room.
- Airfare: Round-trip economy class ticket between home country and China.
- Medical Insurance: Comprehensive coverage under CSC’s Foreign Students Policy.
Students’ performance is reviewed annually by CSC and their universities. Failure to meet academic or conduct standards may result in termination of the scholarship.
3. Application Timeline and Channels
- Application Period: January – March (annually)
- Where to Apply:
- National Focal Points in each ASEAN Member State, or
- ASEAN University Network (AUN) Secretariat for university faculty/staff applicants.
Applicants must confirm the specific national deadlines with their focal points or the AUN Secretariat.
4. Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be a citizen of an ASEAN Member State (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, or Viet Nam).
- Be in good physical and mental health.
- Be proficient in English (IELTS ? 6.0 / TOEFL ? 80).
- Be under 45 years old.
- Bachelor’s degree holders applying for a Master’s program.
- Master’s degree holders applying for a Doctoral program.
- Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree for short-term research programs.
- Have at least one year of professional experience in government, academia, private sector, or think-tanks—preferably related to ASEAN-China affairs.
- Not be receiving another Chinese Government Scholarship.
- Meet admission criteria of the selected Chinese university.
5. Application Procedures
- Online Submission:
- Register on the CSC Study in China Portal ? “Scholarship Application for Students.”
- Choose Program Category Type A, and enter Agency Number 0025.
- Upload all required documents and submit online.
- Hard-Copy Submission:
- Print and submit the completed application form and supporting documents to the ACYLS National Focal Point or AUN Secretariat before the national deadline.
- Review & Selection:
- National focal points and the AUN Secretariat will screen and recommend qualified applicants to the ACYLS Joint Committee (Jakarta).
- The China Scholarship Council (CSC) finalizes placements and notifies awardees.
6. Required Application Documents
- Application Form (English, via CSC portal)
- Passport copy (valid for ? 12 months)
- Notarized highest degree and transcripts (with English/Chinese translation)
- Study Plan or Research Proposal (? 500 words for non-degree, ? 800 for graduate)
- Two Recommendation Letters (from employer and professor)
- English-language certificate (IELTS/TOEFL or equivalent)
- Foreigner Physical Examination Form (if stay > 6 months)
- Resume/CV (education + work history)
- Certificate of Non-Criminal Record (issued within 6 months)
- Guardianship documents (for applicants < 18 years old)
III. Placement and Confirmation
ACYLS scholars are placed in 33 designated Chinese universities, including:
Peking University, Tsinghua University, Zhejiang University, Fudan University, Nanjing University, Wuhan University, and others across Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Kunming, and other cities.
- Each applicant may select one major and up to three preferred universities.
- CSC determines final placement based on university capacity and candidate eligibility.
- Scholarship results are announced by 31 July, with admission documents (Admission Letter + JW201) issued thereafter.
- Scholarship cannot be deferred or transferred.
IV. Pre-Departure and Arrival Information
1. Visa Application
Admitted students must apply for an X1 visa (for studies > 6 months) or X2 visa (? 6 months) at the nearest Chinese embassy/consulate using:
- Passport
- Admission Letter
- JW201 Form
- Foreigner Physical Examination Form
2. Registration and Residence Permit
Students must register at their host university on the specified date.
- Health verification and residence permit applications must be completed within the legal timeframe.
- Failure to register or pass health verification may result in cancellation of the scholarship.
3. Airfare Reimbursement
- Master’s/PhD: One round-trip ticket for initial arrival + return upon graduation; annual home visit ticket (except graduation year).
- Research Scholars: One round-trip ticket per program.
- Maximum reimbursement:
- RMB 3,000 (one-way) / RMB 6,000 (round-trip).
V. Contact and Focal Points
Applications are coordinated through national focal points within each ASEAN Member State’s Ministry of Education or equivalent authority.
A complete list of contacts is available from the ASEAN Secretariat or at participating universities.
For details and updates:
Website: www.campuschina.org
Administered by: China Scholarship Council (CSC)
Supported by: ASEAN-China Cooperation Fund (ACCF)
Video
Overview
To strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between China and other nations, and to promote international cooperation and exchange in education and research, the Chinese Government offers scholarships to outstanding international students and scholars for study and research in Chinese universities.
The China Scholarship Council (CSC), under the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, is responsible for managing applications, enrollment, and the overall administration of these scholarships.
I. Scholarship Categories and Application Channels
- Bilateral Program
- Based on cooperation and exchange agreements between the Chinese Government and other countries or institutions.
- Open to undergraduates, postgraduates, general scholars, and senior scholars.
- Apply through: The dispatching authority in your home country.
- University Program
- For talented international students directly recommended by designated Chinese universities.
- Student categories vary by institution.
- Apply through: The designated Chinese university.
- Designated Scholarship Programs
- Established through partnerships between China and international organizations or institutions.
- Apply through: The relevant international organization or institution.
- Student Exchange Program
- For short-term study or training (up to 12 months) under university-level exchange agreements.
- Apply through: Partner universities participating in the exchange.
II. Supported Levels, Duration, and Fields
- Levels: Undergraduate, Master’s, Doctoral, General Scholar, Senior Scholar.
- Duration:
- One-year preparatory Chinese language course (if required).
- Major study period as defined by the program or degree.
- Fields of Study:
Science, engineering, agriculture, medicine, economics, law, management, education, history, literature, philosophy, and fine arts.
Visit www.campuschina.org for the full list of universities and majors.
III. Scholarship Coverage
- Tuition Fees: Fully covered.
- Accommodation: Free on-campus housing or a monthly subsidy.
- Monthly Stipend:
- Undergraduates: CNY 2,500/month
- Master’s / General Scholars: CNY 3,000/month
- Doctoral / Senior Scholars: CNY 3,500/month
- Medical Insurance:
- CNY 800/year (for programs over six months)
- CNY 400 (for programs under six months)
IV. Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be non-Chinese citizens in good health (physically and mentally).
- Meet the following academic qualifications and age limits:
- Undergraduate: High school diploma, under 25
- Master’s: Bachelor’s degree, under 35
- Doctoral: Master’s degree, under 40
- General Scholar: High school diploma or higher, under 45
- Senior Scholar: Master’s degree or associate professorship, under 50
- Meet the required Chinese language proficiency:
- HSK Level 3 for undergraduate/general/senior scholars
- HSK Level 4 for postgraduate programs
- Satisfy additional university-specific requirements for English-taught or bilingual programs.
V. Application Procedure
- Research universities and programs at www.campuschina.org.
- Obtain admission or pre-admission documents from your target university.
- Apply through your home country’s receiving agency for recommendation.
- Complete the Online Application Form for Chinese Government Scholarship on the CSC Information System.
- The recommending agency submits shortlisted candidates to CSC.
- CSC and universities jointly evaluate eligibility and academic performance.
- Final results are communicated to the recommending agency and then to applicants.
VI. Required Documents
- Completed CSC Online Application Form
- Passport information page (valid ?12 months)
- Notarized diploma/certificate of highest education
- Academic transcripts (Chinese/English translation if needed)
- Language proficiency certificate (HSK/IELTS/TOEFL)
- Admission or invitation letter (if available)
- Study/Research Plan:
- 200+ words (undergraduate)
- 500+ words (general scholar)
- 1,000+ words (postgraduate)
- Two recommendation letters (for postgraduates/senior scholars)
- Portfolio (for arts/design majors)
- Guardian documents (if under 18)
- Foreigner Physical Examination Form (within 6 months)
- Certificate of Non-Criminal Record (within 6 months)
VII. Contact Information
| Region | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Asia | +86-10-66093584 | asia-admission@csc.edu.cn |
| Africa | +86-10-66093924 | africa-admission@csc.edu.cn |
| Europe | +86-10-66093921 | europe-admission@csc.edu.cn |
| Americas & Oceania | +86-10-66093578 | americas-admission@csc.edu.cn / oceania-admission@csc.edu.cn |
Fax: +86-10-66093972
Website: www.campuschina.org
Address:
Division of International Students Admission and Cooperation Programs
China Scholarship Council
Level 13, Building A3, No. 9 Chegongzhuang Avenue
Beijing, P.R. China, 100044
Categories
Founded in
1996
Location
Beijing
Phone
Interested in this Program?
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