China Scholarship Council-University of Bristol PhD Scholarship

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 monthly stipend (set by the Chinese Government)
• a return international airfare between China and the UK.

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

You must:

• be 35 years old or under
• 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
• fulfil the UK government visa requirements.

CSC eligibility criteria

You must also fulfil the CSC's criteria. This includes for:

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 not eligible to apply.

English language requirements

You must meet the University's English language requirements for your chosen PhD programme.

If you are currently studying for a master's degree that is taught entirely in English in an English-speaking country, you may be able to meet the English language requirement through the successful completion of that degree, subject to the University's standard English language policy.

Important: The University of Bristol does not accept applications through the CSC Private Route ("个人渠道" / Individual Route). Applicants must apply through one of the University-approved CSC partnership schemes. Applications submitted through the CSC Private Route will not be considered.

CSC-UOB Joint PhD Scholarship (Cooperative Route)

Apply using the application guidance.

Xiamen University-CSC Innovation Talent Scheme applications (applicants for School of Chemistry)

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.

You must submit your PhD programme application with a valid English language certificate by 12 noon (UK time) on Monday 30 November 2026.

If you are nominated by the University of Bristol, you must apply directly to the China Scholarship Council (CSC).

Deadline to meet English language requirements

Applicants should normally have met the English language requirement and be able to provide evidence by 30 November 2026, when they submit their PhD application.

In exceptional circumstances, we may consider applicants who are able to meet the English language requirement by March 2027. This is the final deadline for satisfying the English language requirement.

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.