What HSK level do I need for a scholarship in China?
Unofficial answer · Sources checked
For the Chinese Government Scholarship, the level depends on the programme. A master's or doctoral programme taught in Chinese needs HSK Level 4, and a Chinese-taught general or senior scholar programme needs HSK Level 3. Bachelor's applicants submit a CSCA score report instead.
Chinese Government Scholarship
The China Scholarship Council (CSC), entrusted by China's Ministry of Education, handles admission for this scholarship. The application guide sets the language rules as follows:
- Chinese-taught master's or doctoral programs: HSK (Level 4) (Section IV, item 10; Section VI, item 5).
- Chinese-taught general scholar programs, excluding Chinese language majors: HSK (Level 3) (Section IV, item 8).
- Chinese-taught senior scholar programs: HSK (Level 3) (Section IV, item 9).
- Bachelor's programs: a CSCA score report (Section IV, item 7; Section VI, item 6).
- Programs taught in a language other than Chinese: the university's language and academic requirements apply (Section IV, item 11).
Section VI, item 5 requires a valid HSK score report that meets the level for the programme. For programs taught in other languages, the guide asks for certificates such as IELTS or TOEFL score reports, in line with each university's requirements.
These requirements belong to this scholarship. They are not general rules for studying at a Chinese university.
International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship 2025
The Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC) publishes the 2025 guidelines. They cover programs that start from July 2025 to March 2026 (Section III). The table below follows the category list in Section I and Appendix 1 of the guidelines.
| Category | HSK level and minimum score | HSKK condition |
|---|---|---|
| Doctoral, International Chinese Language Education | HSK Level 6, minimum 200 | 60 on the HSKK test (Advanced Level) |
| Master's, International Chinese Language Education | HSK Level 5, minimum 210 | 60 on the HSKK test (Intermediate Level) |
| Bachelor's, International Chinese Language Education | HSK Level 4, minimum 210 | 60 on the HSKK test (Intermediate Level) |
| One-year, International Chinese Language Education | HSK Level 3, minimum 270 | HSKK test score required |
| One-year, Chinese language and literature, Chinese history, or Chinese philosophy | HSK Level 4, minimum 180 | 60 on the HSKK test (Intermediate Level) |
| One-year, Chinese language study | HSK Level 3, minimum 210 | Priority to applicants who provide an HSKK score |
| One-semester, International Chinese Language Education, Chinese language and literature, Chinese history, or Chinese philosophy | HSK Level 3, minimum 180 | HSKK test score required |
| One-semester, traditional Chinese medicine or Taiji culture | HSK test score required; no level or minimum is printed | Priority to applicants who also provide an HSKK score |
| Four-week, Chinese language study, traditional Chinese medicine, Taiji culture, or Chinese language plus homestay | HSK test score required; no level or minimum is printed | Only an HSK test score is named |
| Online one-year Chinese language study | HSK Level 3, minimum 180, under most circumstances | Priority to applicants who also provide an HSKK score |
| Online one-semester Chinese language study | HSK test score, regardless of level or score, under most circumstances | Only an HSK test score is named |
Appendix 2 asks all applicants for HSK and HSKK score reports within their two-year validity. The guidelines also say applicants must check the admission criteria and deadlines of their Host Institution (Section VI, item 3).
Where to check the rest
For the Chinese Government Scholarship, Section VII of the guide lists CSC admission contacts by region. Section V says applicants learn about designated universities and majors at campuschina.org and then reach the designated university for admission documents.
For the Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship, Section VII lists the Division of Scholarships at CLEC. Questions about curriculum and enrollment go to the Host Institution, as Section VI, items 2 and 5 state.
Related questions
Which language certificate do I need for a program taught in English?
For programs taught in a language other than Chinese, the Chinese Government Scholarship guide asks for language proficiency certificates such as IELTS or TOEFL score reports. Section VI, item 5 says the requirement follows each university's rules. Section IV, item 11 also requires applicants to meet the university's language and academic requirements.
Does the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship require an HSKK score?
For the doctoral, master's and bachelor's categories, the guidelines require 60 on the HSKK test at the level printed in the table. For the one-year and one-semester categories, an HSKK score is required in some categories and only given priority in others. Check the category row before you apply.
How old must a Chinese Government Scholarship applicant be for a master's program?
Section IV, item 3 of the guide says the applicant must be an academically excellent holder of a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent, under the age of 35, when applying for a Master's program.
Sources
- Application Guide for Chinese Government Scholarship, Campus China (China Scholarship Council)
- Application Guidelines for International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship 2025, Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC, chinese.cn)
Checked 10 October 2026
This page is an unofficial summary. It is not legal or immigration advice, it is not published by or affiliated with the bodies named, and the official text and the instructions of the university, embassy or exit-entry office handling your case prevail if they differ.