1. Quick summary
The Chongqing University President Scholarship is a university-level award established to attract outstanding international students to degree programs (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD) and short-term study at Chongqing University in China. The scholarship typically comes in multiple classes (First, Second, Third, etc.), with each class offering different levels of financial support — historically ranging from full tuition + accommodation + stipend (top class) down to partial tuition waivers (lower classes). For the 2025 intake the university announced it would offer Second-Class (100% tuition waiver) and Third-Class (50% tuition waiver) awards; specifics and available classes can change by year, so always confirm on the official admissions page. study.cqu.edu.cn+1
2. Who the scholarship is for
The scholarship targets non-Chinese citizens (international applicants) who:
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intend to study at Chongqing University in a degree programme (undergraduate, master’s, doctoral) or participate in eligible visiting/short-term programmes;
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have excellent academic records and good conduct;
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meet the university’s admission requirements and the nationality/age/health criteria set for the given intake.
Age/education cutoffs are commonly specified for different levels (e.g., undergraduate, master’s, doctoral) in each year’s brochure and may vary, so check the programme-specific guidance.
3. What the scholarship covers (typical packages)
Different scholarship classes provide different benefits. While exact packages evolve, the pattern is:
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Top Class (First Class / Full Scholarship) — historically: full tuition waiver, accommodation waiver, medical insurance, and a monthly living stipend. (Availability of this top class depends on that year’s policy.)
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Second Class — often a 100% tuition waiver (other living costs are normally borne by the student). For 2025 the university explicitly listed Second-Class as a 100% tuition waiver.
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Third Class — commonly a 50% tuition waiver (student covers remaining tuition and living costs). This was the Third-Class description for 2025.
Important: coverage varies by year and intake — in some years Chongqing University has offered a full scholarship package that included stipends and accommodation; in other years the university limited the awarded classes and benefits. Always confirm current coverage on the official scholarship page for the intake you plan to apply for.
4. Eligibility — common requirements
Most years’ announcements include similar baseline eligibility rules:
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Citizenship: applicants must be non-Chinese citizens with a valid passport.
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Academic background: applicants must hold the equivalent diploma/degree required for the applied programme (high-school diploma for undergraduate, bachelor’s for master’s, master’s for PhD).
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Age limits: scholarship applicants sometimes have stricter age caps than self-funded applicants (e.g., scholarship applicants may be required to be under certain ages depending on level) — check the year’s brochure.
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Health & conduct: applicants must be physically and mentally healthy and of good moral standing; they must obey Chinese laws and university regulations.
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No other scholarships: applicants cannot hold another (overlapping) scholarship simultaneously unless explicitly allowed.
Some programmes also require language proof (HSK levels for Chinese-taught programmes or English proficiency for English programmes). See the specific programme page for language thresholds.
5. Application process & timeline (typical)
Application steps generally follow this flow (dates below reflect the 2025 published cycle — exact dates vary by year):
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Prepare documents — passport copy, notarized diplomas/transcripts, study/research proposal (for graduate studies), recommendation letters, language test results, CV, physical exam forms (if required), and any other programme-specific documents.
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Apply online — many applicants submit through Chongqing University’s international admissions portal or a designated online system.
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Scholarship application window — for 2025 the President Scholarship application deadline appeared as April 25, 2025 (Beijing time); the university typically runs its scholarship application window in spring (March–May) for autumn intake. Late May/June often sees review and final selection.
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Selection & notification — the university evaluates applications, usually finalizes awards by end of June/July, and publishes results and admission documents. Accepted awardees receive formal admission and scholarship letters.
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Visa & arrival — scholarship recipients follow standard procedures for visa issuance (X-visa for study), registration, and enrollment at Chongqing University.
Tip: meet the stated deadlines (and apply early) — scholarship spaces are limited and review timelines are strict. study.cqu.edu.cn
6. How selection is made
Selection is competitive and typically based on:
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Academic excellence — grades/transcripts and the quality of prior degrees.
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Research proposal / study plan (for grad applicants) or the fit of the applicant’s background to the intended programme.
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Recommendation letters and any interview requested by the admissions committee.
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Comprehensive review including extracurricular achievements, awards, and nationality/regional quotas in some cycles.
The university may also place emphasis on attracting talent in priority disciplines or research areas aligned with institutional goals.
7. Typical conditions & restrictions
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One scholarship at a time: recipients usually cannot receive another overlapping scholarship that covers the same costs.
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Performance & conduct: some scholarships require satisfactory academic progress and adherence to university rules; awards may be rescinded for poor performance or disciplinary issues.
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Duration: awards are normally granted for the program duration or one academic year depending on the class and terms — see your award letter for exact duration and renewal conditions.
8. Practical tips to strengthen your application
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Apply early and completely — incomplete applications or missing documents are common causes of rejection.
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Show clear fit — craft a concise study/research plan that explains why Chongqing University and your chosen department are the best match.
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Strong references — obtain recommendation letters that speak specifically to academic/research potential.
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Highlight achievements — awards, publications, internships, or project work strengthen the case.
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Follow format & translation rules — submit certified translations of documents if they’re not in English or Chinese, and follow notarization instructions.
9. Example timeline (2025 cycle) — to illustrate
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March–April: prepare documents and submit scholarship application (April 25, 2025 was the President Scholarship deadline in that cycle).
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Late June / July: selection decisions posted and admission packages sent.
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August–September: visa processing and arrival for fall semester; orientation and registration.
10. Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Q — Can I apply for the President Scholarship if I already hold another scholarship?
A — Typically no; the scholarship rules usually prohibit simultaneous receipt of overlapping scholarships unless explicitly permitted. Confirm on the official terms.
Q — Are international students in English-taught programmes eligible?
A — Yes — eligibility depends more on academic merit and the programme type than language of instruction. Some programmes may ask for HSK/English proof. Check the specific programme page.
Q — Is accommodation always included?
A — Not always. Historically, only the highest scholarship class included accommodation and stipend; other classes commonly cover tuition (100% or 50%) but not living costs. Confirm the current intake’s benefit structure.
Q — When should I expect a decision?
A — For the spring scholarship cycle (applications March–May), decisions are typically finalized by late June or July. Exact timing is posted on the university’s admissions/scholarship pages.
11. Where to confirm official and up-to-date details
Always use Chongqing University’s official international admissions / scholarships pages for the most current brochures, deadlines and application instructions. Useful pages include:
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Chongqing University International Admissions — Scholarships overview and the President Scholarship page.
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Annual “Application Guide” and the official admission brochure for the intake year (contains deadlines such as the President Scholarship deadline shown in 2025).
12. Final thoughts
The Chongqing University President Scholarship is a robust route for academically strong international students to study in China — sometimes offering full tuition and even living support depending on the scholarship class and year. Because award classes and coverage can change from year to year, the key actions are: (1) check the official intake brochure early, (2) apply fully and before the scholarship deadline, and (3) prepare a polished study/research plan and supporting documents.
