The University of Manchester - China Scholarship Council joint scholarship

Fully funded scholarships for Chinese PhD students

The University of Manchester-China Scholarship Council Joint Scholarships for Chinese PhD students cover fees and living expenses for three years, thanks to a joint scheme between the University and the China Scholarship Council (CSC).

About the partnership

The China Scholarship Council is an organisation that provides financial support to Chinese citizens wishing to study abroad and for foreign students wishing to study in China.

The University of Manchester is pleased to continue the formal partnership with the China Scholarship Council to develop high calibre research collaborations between the UK and Chinese universities and research institutions.

You can find general details and background information about the scholarship scheme on the University's country-specific page for China .

Applications are open for 2027/28 entry until 11 January 2027.

On this page:

Related pages:

• What the scholarship includes
• Projects and supervisors
• Eligibility criteria
• How to apply
• Key dates
• Keep up-to-date
• Contacts
• Funding and fees
• Understanding funding
• Funded programmes
• Fees and costs
• Other funding support

Tuition fees

The University of Manchester covers your full tuition fees for the period of the relevant programme, as outlined in your offer letter (usually three years).

Living allowances

CSC will provide living allowances as prescribed by the Chinese Government. This includes round-trip international airfare for students from China to the United Kingdom, visa and passport application fees.

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Pursue your research passion.

Projects

Browse all live projects from across the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health and find a self-funded project you’re passionate about.

Browse all live projects

Supervisors

Alternatively, use our research explorer to find a supervisor working in your area of interest and contact them about proposing your own project or working with them on proposing a project.

This page lists all academics in the Faculty that are open to accepting PhD students and you can find a supervisor working in your specific area of interest by filtering by 'research beacon, institute and platforms' or 'concepts'.

If you choose to search by keyword, you'll need to add the 'Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health' and 'Accepting PhD Students' filter to access relevant academics.

Search supervisors

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Eligibility criteria

To apply for this scholarship you must be a citizen and permanent resident of the People's Republic of China when you apply.

Overseas Chinese students may be eligible for application subject to CSC policy at the time (CSC publicises the policy in October or November every year).

You must also:

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• return to China upon completion of your studies and/or research;
• hold an Upper Second class UK honours undergraduate degree (or international equivalent) from a reputable institution;
• hold an unconditional offer letter from The University of Manchester;
• ideally hold a master's-level qualification at merit or distinction (or international equivalent);
• have a track record of engaging with research, which may include contributions to publications/articles, promoting your research to a wider audience, prizes for research or project work;
• satisfy CSC's selection criteria.

Step-by-step guide to applying

Applications are open for 2027/28 entry until 11 January 2027.

Find out what you need to do before you apply and how to apply with our step-by-step guide below.

Check you’re eligible

Ensure you meet the entry requirements for this programme and check you have the skills and characteristics we’re looking for in our postgraduate researchers on our ‘Eligibility and entry requirements’ page.

More about eligibility and entry requirements

Find a project or supervisor

Browse all of our self-funded projects , and discover one you're passionate about which matches your interests, ambitions and goals.

Alternatively, if you’d like to propose your own project or work with a specific researcher, use our research explorer to find a supervisor working in your area of interest.

Browse projects

Contact a supervisor

Found a project you're interested in? Contacting your potential supervisor and speaking to them about their project is your next step and is one of the most important things you need to do before you apply.

When you speak to the supervisor, you’ll need to mention you’re interested in the 'UoM-China Scholarship Council Joint Scholarship' so they can nominate you.

Learn more about contacting a supervisor

Prepare your supporting documents

Before you complete your application you'll need to prepare the following supporting documents:

A research statement is not required for this programme.

All supporting documents must be uploaded as part of the formal online application. Applications submitted without the required documentation will be considered incomplete and will not be processed.

Learn more about applying

• Supporting statement;
• Reference details;
• Degree certificates and final/interim transcripts (If you are currently enrolled in a Master's programme and do not yet have an interim transcript, please provide alternative proof of enrolment, such as an offer letter.);
• Official English language certificates (if applicable);
• Curriculum Vitae (CV).

Complete your application

Found a self-funded project and spoken to the supervisor or spoken to a supervisor about proposing your own project?

Apply online once applications re-open.

When completing your application ensure you use the following details:

For the funding section you should select:

More about applying

• Level of study: Postgraduate Research
• Entry year: 2027/28
• Intake: September
• Funding: 'Yes' from the drop-down
• Type of funding: 'Uni of Manchester scheme'
• Awarding body: UoM-CSC Award
• Status of funding: Awarded
• Funding covers: Fully Funded
• Leave the remaining boxes blank

Receive an unconditional offer

To be eligible for the scholarship you must already hold an unconditional offer for the PhD project you applied for.

Nomination and applying to CSC

Once you have an unconditional offer, you will work with your primary supervisor to complete a nomination form, which needs to be submitted to the Faculty's Doctoral Academy .

All nominations will be reviewed internally and a shortlist of candidates will be selected to apply to the CSC directly.

We award six scholarships – two per School within the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health.

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Dates for 2027 entry

Applications must be submitted by the deadline. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered.

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• Applications open: Monday, 5 October 2026
• Applications close: Monday, 11 January 2027 at 23:59
• Nominated candidates selected : Friday, 12 February 2027
• Selected candidates to apply directly to CSC: 10-31 March 2027
• Studentship begins: October 2027

Sign up for updates

Be the first to hear about funded programmes and funding opportunities when they launch.

You’ll receive our monthly newsletter for prospective applicants which includes updates on featured projects, our latest events and application tips.

Register your interest

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Have any questions? Get in touch.

For enquires to the China Scholarship Council, please contact Miss Zou Dongyun, Project Officer by email dyzou@csc.edu.cn or telephone +86-(0)10 6609 3977.

If you have any questions regarding studying at Manchester, please contact the Doctoral Academy Admissions team .

Good luck and we hope to see you soon.

祝你好运，我们希望尽快见到

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Research areas