To meet the growing international demand for Chinese language teachers, facilitate Chinese language education around the world, and support the professional development of Chinese language teachers, the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC) has established the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship (hereinafter referred to as the Scholarship) for eligible Chinese language teachers outside of China. Confucius Institutes, independent Confucius Classrooms, selected HSK test centers, foreign educational institutions, Chinese language teacher training programs/Chinese departments at foreign universities, professional associations for Chinese language teaching, Chinese embassies (consulates) abroad (hereinafter collectively referred to as Recommending Institutions) may recommend outstanding students and in-service Chinese language teachers to further their studies in international Chinese language education and related programs at Chinese universities (hereinafter referred to as Host Institutions).
I. ELIGIBILITY
1. Be a Non-Chinese citizen;
2. Be friendly to China, have no criminal record, abide by the laws and regulations of China and the rules and regulations of the Host Institution;
3. Be in good physical and mental health, be in good academic and behavioral standing;
4. Be interested in Chinese language education and related work;
5. Be aged between 16 and 35 years on September 1, 2025. The maximum age limit for in-service Chinese teachers maybe extended to 45, but those who apply for a scholarship for a Bachelor’s degreeshall be younger than 25 undermost circumstances.
II. CATEGORIES AND QUALIFICATIONS
1. Scholarship for Master’s Degree in International Chinese Language Education
The program commences in September 2025, and the scholarship is provided for a maximum of two academic years.
Applicants shall hold a Bachelor’s degree. Applicants shall have a minimum score of 210 on the HSK Test (Level 5) and 60 on the HSKK test (Intermediate Level). Priority will be given to applicants who may provide an employment contract with a teaching institution upon completing their studies in China or proof to the same effect.
2. Scholarship for One-Year Study Program
The program commences in September 2025, and the scholarship is provided for a maximum of eleven months.
Applicants of international Chinese language education programs shall have a minimum score of 270 on the HSK test (Level 3), and an HSKK test score is required.
Applicants of Chinese language and literature, Chinese history, or Chinese philosophy programs shall have a minimum score of 180 on the HSK test (Level 4) and 60 on the HSKK test (Intermediate Level). Applicants of Chinese language study programs shall have a minimum score of 210 on the HSK test (Level 3), and priority will be given to applicants who provide an HSKK test score.
3. Scholarship for One-Semester Study Program
The program commences either in September 2025 or March 2026, and the scholarship is provided for a maximum of five months. Applicants of international Chinese language education, Chinese language and literature, Chinese history, or Chinese philosophy programs shall have a minimum score of 180 on the HSK test (Level 3), and an HSKK test score is required. Applicants of traditional Chinese medicine or Taiji culture programs are required to provide HSK test scores, and priority will be given to those who also provide an HSKK test score.
III.APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Online registration will be available from February 20, 2025 on the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship website (http://www.chinese.cn). You may search for Recommending Institutions and Host Institutions; submit application materials online; and track the application process. The successful applicant must confirm with the Host Institutions to go through the procedures of studying in China, and register at the Host Institution on the designated date as per the Letter of Admission.
Application Deadlines (Beijing Time)
1. For programs commencing in July, applicants must complete their applications by April 15, and Recommending Institutions and Host Institutions must complete the review by April 25.
2. For programs commencing in September, applicants must complete their applications by May 15, and Recommending Institutions and Host Institutions must complete the review by May 25.
3. For programs commencing in December, applicants must complete their applications by September 15, and Recommending Institutions and Host Institutions must complete the review by September 25.
4. For programs commencing in March 2026, applicants must complete their applications by October 31, and Recommending Institutions and Host Institutions must complete the review by November 10.
CLEC will entrust an expert panel to review the applications. Decisions will be based on HSK and HSKK levels and scores, geographical distribution, and other factors.
The results will be announced about three months before the program starts.
IV. POLICIES REGARDING IN-SERVICE CHINESE LANGUAGE
TEACHERS AND CHINESE BRIDGE WINNERS
1. In-Service Chinese Language Teachers
In-service Chinese language teachers need to provide proof of employment and a letter of recommendation from the employer.
2. Chinese Bridge Winners
Applicants who have received the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship Certificate during Chinese Bridge competitions need to submit their application documents along with their scholarship certificates to the Host Institutions directly at the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship website.
For any further inquiries, please contact chinesebridge@chinese.cn.
V. RECOMMENDING AND HOST INSTITUTIONS
The Recommending and Host Institutions shall, pursuant to the Guidelines, provide consulting, recommendation and enrollment services.
VI. MISCELLANEOUS
1. In principle, applicants who have received a similar scholarship within three years are not eligible for the One-Semester Study Program or One-Year Study Program.
2. Please contact the Host Institutions for curriculum and course listings.
3. Applicants shall be familiar with the admission criteria and application deadlines of the Host Institutions and submit necessary documents accordingly.
4. Degree students are subject to the annual assessment according to the Annual Assessment Procedures of the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship.
5. Please contact the Host Institutions for enrollment matters.
6. Students who fail to pass the pre-enrollment medical examination, withdraw from school before completing the program, fail to register at the university without prior permission, or suspend their studies will be disqualified for the scholarship.
VII. CONTACT DETAILS
1. Division of Scholarships
Email: scholarships@chinese.cn Tel: +86-10-58595743
+86-10-58595999 (Asia, Africa)
+86-10-58595973 (America, Oceania) +86-10-58595727 (Europe)
2. Overseas Student Office, Sichuan University
Email: nic8203@scu.edu.cn
Tel: +86-28-85407199
VIII. APPENDIXES
1. Scholarship Coverage and Standard
2. List of Application Materials
Overseas Student Office, Sichuan University
March, 2025
Appendix 1
Coverage and Standard for the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship
The scholarship supports tuition, accommodation, living allowance (excluding four-week study program students) and comprehensive medical insurance.
1. The Host Institutions use the tuition fees for the education and management of scholarship recipients, cultural programming and HSK tests. The scholarships for online programs provide support for tuition fees only.
2. The Host Institutions use the accommodation fees to provide scholarship recipients with free on-campus accommodation (typically double rooms). Scholarship recipients may live off-campus upon application and approval from the Host Institutions. Under such circumstances, doctoral students are entitled to an accommodation allowance of RMB 1000 per person/month, and other students are entitled to RMB 700 per person/month paid on a monthly/quarterly basis by the Host Institutions.
3. The living allowance is paid to the scholarship recipients by the Host Institutions on a monthly basis. The monthly allowance for undergraduates, one-year study program students and one-semester study program students is RMB 2,500 per person; that for master’s students in International Chinese Language Education is RMB 3,000 per person; and that for doctoral students in International Chinese Language Education is RMB 3,500 per person.
Scholarship recipients must register with the university within the period stipulated in the Letter of Admission. Otherwise, the scholarship will be revoked. Students registered before the 15th (inclusive) of the month are entitled to the full allowance of that month, while those who are registered after the 15th are entitled to half of the amount.
If a scholarship recipient leaves China for more than 15 days for personal reasons
during the study period (excluding summer and winter vacations), the living allowance during the period of absence from China will be suspended.
If a scholarship recipient is suspended or withdrawn from school for personal reasons or is subject to disciplinary action by the Host Institution, the living allowance from the date of suspension, withdrawal, or notification of disciplinary action will be suspended.
The living allowance for graduating students is paid until half a month after the graduation date set by the Host Institution.
4. The comprehensive medical insurance is purchased by the Host Institutions in accordance with applicable regulations on overseas students stipulated by the Ministry of Education of China. The insurance premium for four-week study program students is RMB 100 per person, that for one-semester study program students is RMB 400 CNY per person, and that for students studying more than one year is RMB 800 per person/year.
Appendix 2
List of Application Materials for the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship
A. For all applicants
a) A scanned copy of the passport photo page;
b) A scanned copy of score reports of the HSK/HSKK tests (within the two-year validity);
c) A reference letter by the head of the Recommending Institution.
B. For degree program applicants
d) A certificate of the highest diploma (or proof of expected graduation) and an official transcript;
e) Applicants of the Scholarship for a Doctor’s Degree in International Chinese Language Education are required to provide two reference letters from professors or associate professors or experts with equivalent professional titles in relevant fields and a 3,000-word personal statement written in Chinese (including knowledge of the intended area of study and research proposal). Priority will be given to applicants who may provide an employment contract with a teaching institution upon completing their studies in China or proof to the same effect.
f) Applicants of the Scholarship for a Master’s Degree in International Chinese Language Education are required to provide two reference letters from professors or associate professors. Priority will be given to applicants who may provide an employment contract with a teaching institution upon completing their studies in China.
C. In-service Chinese language teachers shall provide proof of employment and a reference letter from the employer.
D.Applicants under 18 shall provide certified documents of designation signed by their entrusted legal guardians in China.
E. Applicants shall provide additional documents as required by the Host Institutions.