The China Scholarship Council (CSC) and the University of Bristol jointly fund this programme.

Sixty full PhD scholarships are available for up to 48 months of research at the University.

The University of Bristol provides full tuition fees for each PhD programme.

The China Scholarship Council provides:

• a stipend (set by the Chinese Government)
• a return international airfare between China and the UK
• funding to cover passport and visa fees.

All scholarship students must return to China for two years after graduation.

Eligibility

You must:

• be no more than 35 years old.
• have a strong academic background.
• be a permanent resident of China when you apply. Chinese students who are already studying outside China may be eligible; see CSC policies.
• fulfil the entry requirements set by the University.
• have an appropriate level of English (you may need to complete a language test to apply).
• fulfil the UK government visa requirements.

CSC eligibility criteria

You must also fulfil the CSC's criteria, including:

Domestic applicants (applying from China)

• You must have received an undergraduate or master's degree (or be in the process of completing one).
• If you have already completed your master's degree, you must be employed.
• Your employer must support your application and provide a reference letter if you're employed in China.

Overseas applicants (applying from outside China)

• You must have received a master's degree within the past 12 months (or be in the process of completing one).
• If you return to China after your study abroad, you must follow the rules as a domestic applicant.

Who is not eligible

If you have already started your PhD programme at the University, you are no longer eligible to apply for this scholarship.

How to apply

Apply using the application guidance.

You do not need to read the application guidance if you are applying from one of the following routes:

CSC-UoB joint-funded PhD programme applications

We no longer accept applications via the private route “个人渠道”.

Xiamen University-CSC Innovation Talent Scheme applications

Select 'CSC-Innovation Talent Scheme' on the funding source drop-down list in your PhD application form.

CSC visiting students or scholars

If you are interested in applying for CSC funding as a visiting student or scholar, contact the School.

Select 'CSC-visiting student' on the funding source drop-down list in your PhD application form.

Deadline

You must submit your PhD programme application with a valid English language certificate by 12 noon (UK time) on Monday 4 December 2023.

If nominated by the University of Bristol, you must apply directly to the China Scholarship Council (CSC) for a scholarship by Sunday 31 March 2024.

Further details

You may apply for any research area of the University of Bristol. Visit our postgraduate research prospectus to learn about more than 80 PhD programmes across the six faculties in the University.

The University of Bristol also leads and participates in more than 35 world-leading, cohort-based Doctoral Training Centres. This results in one of the largest sources of funding and support for collaborative PhD training in the UK.