Nanjing University Scholarships are among the best opportunities available for international students to study in China. These scholarships support outstanding students who want to pursue undergraduate, master’s, PhD, Chinese language, and international Chinese language education programs at Nanjing University. In this article, we have included three scholarship opportunities available through Nanjing University: the Chinese Government Scholarship through NJU, the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship, and the Nanjing Municipal Scholarship. These scholarships may cover tuition fees, accommodation, monthly living allowance, medical insurance, or one-time financial support depending on the scholarship type. In this article, we have explained everything you need to know about Nanjing University Scholarships 2026-2027, including their benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a detailed step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.
Nanjing University, also known as NJU, is one of the most prestigious universities in China. It is one of China’s top nine universities under the C9 League and is also among the first universities in China to enroll and train international students. According to Nanjing University’s Institute for International Students, the university has hosted more than 20,000 international students from over 120 countries since 1955, with alumni working in politics, business, academia, and other fields. This makes NJU a strong choice for students who want to study at a well-established Chinese research university with a long history of international education.
The official Nanjing University scholarship section includes different funding options for international students. Applicants should carefully choose the scholarship that matches their study level, language background, academic goals, and future career plan. The Chinese Government Scholarship is suitable for strong degree-seeking students, the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship is ideal for students interested in Chinese language education, and the Nanjing Municipal Scholarship provides one-time financial support for outstanding international students.
Nanjing University Scholarships Summary
- Level of Study: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD, Chinese Language, Research
- Institution: Nanjing University
- Study Destination: China
- Courses Offered: For all the available undergraduate courses, click here; for available master’s courses, click here; for available PhD courses, click here; for Chinese language courses, click here.
- Program Period: Undergraduate: 4 years; Master’s: 2 years; PhD: 4 years; and Chinese language programs: 6 months to 1 year.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for Nanjing University Scholarships varies depending on the scholarship type.
- For the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship, the application period for programs starting in September 2027 will be from November 1 to January 20.
- For the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship, applications for programs starting in March 2027 must be completed by October 31, while applications for programs starting in September 2027 must be completed by May 15.
- For the Nanjing Municipal Scholarship, the application period will be from July 1 to July 31. Students planning to apply for the next intake should start preparing now and check the official NJU scholarship page for the latest application cycle.
Nanjing University Scholarships Coverage
The scholarship benefits depend on the funding scheme. Applicants should read the coverage of each scholarship carefully before applying.
Chinese Government Scholarship Coverage
The Chinese Government Scholarship through Nanjing University is generally a full scholarship. It may include:
- Allowance: During the scholarship duration, a monthly stipend of RMB 3,000 and RMB 3,500 will be provided for the master’s and doctoral students, respectively.
- Tuition: Tuition will be waived.
- Health Insurance: An insurance fee of RMB 800/year will be offered to the students during the scholarship duration, and they will be required to purchase the insurance accordingly.
- Lodging: Free lodging in the international dormitory of the university will be provided for the students for the entire duration of the scholarship.
This scholarship is usually one of the strongest options for international students who want to pursue degree studies at Nanjing University.
International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship Coverage
The International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship supports students and in-service Chinese language teachers who want to study international Chinese language education and related programs at Chinese universities.
The scholarship may support:
- Master’s Degree in International Chinese Language Education
- Bachelor’s Degree in Chinese Language and Literature / International Chinese Language Education
- One-Year Study Program
- One-Semester Study Program
The duration depends on the program. The master’s scholarship is provided for a maximum of two academic years, the bachelor’s scholarship for a maximum of four academic years, the one-year program for a maximum of eleven months, and the one-semester program for a maximum of five months.
Nanjing Municipal Scholarship Coverage
The Nanjing Municipal Scholarship is a one-time award established by the Nanjing Municipal Government to attract and encourage outstanding international students to study and conduct research at universities in Nanjing.
The scholarship provides:
- Undergraduate students: CNY 10,000 one-time award
- Master’s students: CNY 20,000 one-time award
This scholarship is funded support, not a full scholarship. Applicants who need full financial support should also consider the Chinese Government Scholarship.
Eligibility Criteria for Nanjing University Scholarships
Eligibility requirements differ by scholarship type. Applicants should choose the scholarship that best matches their background and program.
Eligibility for Chinese Government Scholarship
To apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship through Nanjing University, applicants should generally meet the following requirements:
- Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens.
- Applicants must be in good health.
- Applicants must meet the academic requirements of the selected degree program.
- Master’s applicants should normally have a bachelor’s degree.
- Doctoral applicants should normally have a master’s degree.
- Applicants must meet the language requirements of the selected program.
- Applicants should not receive another conflicting Chinese government scholarship at the same time.
- Applicants must submit their application through the required official scholarship and NJU application systems.
For master’s programs at NJU, applicants should be healthy non-Chinese citizens under 40 years old and must have obtained a bachelor’s degree. For doctoral programs, applicants should be healthy non-Chinese citizens under 40 years old and must have obtained a master’s degree.
Eligibility for International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship
Applicants must:
- Be non-Chinese citizens.
- Be friendly to China.
- Have no criminal record.
- Follow Chinese laws and the rules of the host institution.
- Be in good physical and mental health.
- Have good academic and behavioral standing.
- Be interested in Chinese language education and related work.
- Be aged between 16 and 35 years on September 1, 2026.
- In-service Chinese language teachers may be eligible up to the age of 45.
- Bachelor’s degree applicants should usually be younger than 25.
For the Master’s Degree in International Chinese Language Education, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree and have at least HSK Level 5 with a score of 210 and HSKK Intermediate Level with a score of 60.
For the bachelor’s degree in Chinese Language and Literature / International Chinese Language Education, applicants must hold a senior high school diploma and have at least HSK Level 4 with a score of 210 and HSKK Intermediate Level with a score of 60.
For the One-Year Study Program, the required HSK and HSKK scores depend on the selected track. For example, international Chinese language education applicants need HSK Level 3 with a score of 270, while Chinese language and literature, Chinese history, or Chinese philosophy applicants need HSK Level 4 with a score of 180 and HSKK Intermediate Level with a score of 60.
For the One-Semester Study Program, applicants need at least HSK Level 3 with a score of 180, and HSKK is required.
Eligibility for Nanjing Municipal Scholarship
Applicants must:
- Be non-Chinese citizens.
- Be in good health.
- Be friendly to China.
- Have a good academic record.
- Follow Chinese laws and university rules.
- Not receive other scholarships offered by the Chinese government, local governments, or other organizations at the same time.
- Undergraduate applicants must have a senior high school diploma and be under 30.
- Master’s applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and be under 35.
- PhD applicants must have a master’s degree and be under 40.
Language Requirements
Language requirements depend on the program.
For Chinese-taught master’s programs at Nanjing University, natural sciences, engineering, and medicine applicants need HSK Level 4 for admission, while liberal arts, social sciences, and business applicants need HSK Level 5. For English-taught master’s programs, NJU accepts English language proof such as IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 85, TOEFL Essentials 9, or the Duolingo English Test 100.
For doctoral programs, Nanjing University requires HSK Level 4 for natural sciences, engineering, and medicine, and HSK Level 5 for liberal arts, social sciences, and business.
For the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship, HSK and HSKK scores are required according to the selected program category.
Required Documents for Nanjing University Scholarships
Required documents vary by scholarship and study level. Applicants should prepare the following documents according to their selected program.
Required Documents for Chinese Government Scholarship
Applicants may need:
- Online scholarship application form
- Nanjing University online application form
- Passport copy
- Highest degree certificate
- Academic transcripts
- Study plan or research proposal
- Personal statement
- Two recommendation letters
- Language proficiency certificate
- Physical Examination Record for Foreigners
- Non-criminal record certificate, if required
- Supervisor acceptance letter, if required by the program
- Any additional documents requested by Nanjing University or CSC
Required Documents for International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship
All applicants must submit:
- Passport photo page
- HSK and HSKK score reports within the two-year validity period
- Reference letter from the head of the recommending institution
Degree program applicants must also provide:
- Highest diploma certificate or proof of expected graduation
- Official transcript
- Two reference letters from professors or associate professors for master’s applicants
- China Scholastic Competency Assessment report for bachelor’s applicants, where required
- Physical examination report valid for 6 months
- Non-criminal record issued within 6 months
In-service Chinese language teachers must also provide proof of employment and a reference letter from their employer. Applicants under 18 must provide certified guardianship documents.
Required Documents for Nanjing Municipal Scholarship
Applicants should prepare:
- Scholarship application documents required by Nanjing University
- Passport copy
- Academic certificate
- Academic transcripts
- Proof of current study or admission, if required
- Language certificate, if required
- Recommendation letters, if required
- Any additional documents listed on the official Chinese version of the scholarship notice
For a stronger application, prepare a focused academic CV that highlights your education, awards, research experience, publications, internships, and leadership activities. You can use this guide to improve your CV: How to Write an Academic CV for Scholarships.
Your personal statement or study plan should clearly explain why you want to study at Nanjing University, how your academic background matches the program, and how the scholarship will support your future goals. You can also read this guide: How to Write a Motivation Letter for Scholarship.
How to Apply for Nanjing University Scholarships?
Please follow the following application instructions to apply for Nanjing University scholarships:
Applying for Chinese Government Scholarship through NJU
(1) First, review the official Chinese Government Scholarship page on the Nanjing University Institute for International Students website and confirm whether your selected degree program is eligible. At the same time, check the master’s or doctoral admission requirements on the official NJU admissions pages so that your scholarship application and academic application match the same program.
(2) Prepare your scholarship and admission documents together. Your passport, degree certificate, transcript, recommendation letters, study plan, language certificate, and physical examination record for foreigners should be consistent across both the scholarship application and the NJU application system.
(3) Complete the required Chinese Government Scholarship application route and then submit the Nanjing University application through the official NJU International Student Service System. If the scholarship route requires a CSC form, upload it in the NJU system according to the university’s instructions.
(4) After submission, check your email and NJU application system messages regularly. Nanjing University may conduct document review, school or department assessment, online interview, written test, or further verification before releasing admission results.
Applying for International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship
(1) Start by confirming your program category on the official International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship page at Nanjing University. Choose whether you are applying for the master’s program, bachelor’s program, one-year study program, or one-semester study program, because each category has different HSK and HSKK requirements.
(2) Apply on the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship application website and complete the scholarship form. After submitting that form, download the application form because you will also need to complete the NJU application.
(3) Next, apply for the same scholarship program through the official Nanjing University International Student Service System. Upload your passport; HSK/HSKK scores; recommending institution reference letter; diploma or expected graduation proof; transcript; physical examination report; non-criminal record; and other required documents.
(4) Submit your application before the relevant deadline. For September intake, complete the application by May 15. For March intake, complete it by October 31. If you need a recommendation letter from Nanjing University as an HSK test center, apply for that recommendation before the separate recommendation deadline.
Applying for Nanjing Municipal Scholarship
(1) First, review the official Nanjing Municipal Scholarship page on the Nanjing University scholarship website and confirm whether you match the degree level, age limit, academic record, and scholarship conditions.
(2) Prepare your admission or current student documents and scholarship materials together. Since this scholarship is a one-time reward and applicants cannot hold other scholarships at the same time, make sure you are not receiving another Chinese government, local government, or institutional scholarship before applying.
(3) Submit the application materials according to the instructions given by Nanjing University during the official application period. Applicants should check the latest NJU scholarship notice because the application dates and document list may change from year to year.
(4) Keep checking your email and the Nanjing University scholarship page for result updates or additional instructions from the admission office.
Website
To know more about Nanjing University Scholarships, please visit the official websites:
- NJU Chinese Government Scholarship
- International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship
- Nanjing Municipal Scholarship
- NJU Online Application System
