What is the Youth of Excellence Scheme of China (YES China)?
Unofficial answer · Sources checked
YES China is the Youth of Excellence Scheme of China, a Chinese Government Scholarship programme that the China Scholarship Council runs for master's study. The notice for the 2026 intake lists 200 places, English as the teaching language, and full scholarship coverage, and says the programme is meant to train people for global governance work with an international perspective and a multicultural background. The intake described is the 2026 one, and its online application deadline has passed.
What the notice says
The notice states the programme's purpose as training global governance talent with a broad international perspective, strong comprehensive quality, leadership ability and a multicultural background.
Its contents are printed as follows:
- Number of students to be enrolled: 200
- Supporting candidates: master's students
- Teaching language: English
- Coverage: full scholarship
- Training approach and duration: in principle the curriculum leads to a master's degree and lasts 12 months. Some programmes follow the "1+1" pattern: students do full-time basic coursework and research at a Chinese university in the first academic year and prepare their dissertation, then work in their home country during the second academic year and finish the dissertation based on their studies and actual work. They travel to China to defend the dissertation as the university requires. A degree is awarded to those who complete the defence successfully.
The notice prints the coverage as "Full scholarship" and nothing further. The sections read for this page do not state what the scholarship pays for, and they print no tuition, stipend, accommodation or insurance figures.
Who can apply
The notice sets four requirements.
- The applicant must be a citizen of a country other than the People's Republic of China, under the age of 45, and in good mental and physical health.
- The applicant must hold a bachelor's degree or higher and have at least three years of work experience. Applicants with professional training or work experience related to the proposed programme are given preference.
- The applicant must fall into one of four categories: a government official at division chief level or equivalent, or above; a senior manager of an institution or enterprise; an administrator of a university or scientific research institution; or a person with relevant employment or internship experience in international organisations.
- The pre-admission letter issued by the university must contain all the information needed for registration, such as personal details, the admission date and the major, and must not contain any information about having received, or being promised, a Chinese Government Scholarship.
How to apply
Applications go directly to the China Scholarship Council, not through a separate nominating body for this programme. The notice describes one route.
Apply online through the Chinese Government Scholarship application system at studyinchina.csc.edu.cn before 23:59 on 31 March 2026 (GMT+8). At the time of applying, hold a pre-admission letter from one of the sub-programmes. In the online form choose "Type A" as the scholarship type, enter agency code 1563, and select "Youth of Excellence Scheme of China".
The Council states that it accepts individual applications directly, reviews the materials submitted, and then arranges expert review. This page does not list the universities and sub-programmes; the notice refers applicants to them without printing a list in the sections read here.
How applications are assessed
Assessment runs in two stages. The China Scholarship Council first carries out a preliminary examination of the application materials, then arranges a second examination by a panel of experts. Final enrolment results are announced after that expert review. The sections read for this page do not describe how the panel weighs the materials or what criteria it applies.
Timetable of the 2026 intake
| Time | Step | What the notice says |
|---|---|---|
| January–March 2026 | Application preparations | Applicants prepare the required materials and apply for a pre-admission letter from the intended university. |
| 31 March 2026 | Online application | Applicants log in through the Chinese Government Scholarship system to apply; the deadline is 23:59 (GMT+8). |
| May 2026 | Document review | A panel of experts arranged by the China Scholarship Council reviews the application documents to decide whom to enrol. |
| June 2026 | Enrolment announcement | Admission outcomes are publicised and admission documents are sent. |
| July–August 2026 | Visa application | Accepted applicants go to Chinese embassies or consulates for study visas and prepare to study in China. |
| September 2026 | Start of study in China | Students arrive at the university, complete registration and obtain residence permits. |
The 31 March 2026 deadline belongs to that intake and has passed. When the Council's page was checked, no notice for a following intake had appeared on it.
What the official pages do not say
The sections read for this page do not state whether a later intake will run or what its dates would be. They do not state the criteria used in expert review, the number of places attached to any single sub-programme, or any amount covered by the full scholarship. For questions the notice leaves open, ask the international student office of the university running the sub-programme you are applying to.
Related questions
Is YES China taught in English?
Yes. The notice prints English as the teaching language for the programme. The sections read for this page do not set any Chinese-language requirement for entry.
Do I need a pre-admission letter before applying?
Yes. The notice says applicants should have received a pre-admission letter from one of the sub-programmes at least when they apply, and it sets out what that letter must and must not contain.
How long does the programme last?
The curriculum lasts 12 months in principle and leads to a master's degree. Under the "1+1" pattern, the second academic year is spent working in the home country, and the degree follows a successful defence in China.
Can I still apply for the 2026 intake?
No. The online application deadline for that intake was 23:59 on 31 March 2026 (GMT+8), and it has passed. The Council's page carried no notice of a following intake when it was checked.
Sources
- Youth of Excellence Scheme of China Program Chinese Government Scholarship — China Scholarship Council (Campus China, campuschina.org)
- Chinese Government Scholarship online application system — China Scholarship Council
Checked 10 October 2026
This page is an unofficial summary, is not legal or immigration advice, and is not published by or affiliated with the bodies named; the official text and the instructions of the university, embassy or exit-entry office handling your case prevail if they differ.