International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship 2027 - Fully Funded to Study in China

The International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship 2027 application is now open. Formerly known as the Confucius Institute Scholarship, this prestigious scholarship is established by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC) to meet the global demand for Chinese language teachers.

If you are passionate about teaching Chinese, want to learn Mandarin at a top Chinese university, and want it fully funded, this is for you.

The scholarship is open to all non-Chinese citizens, including South African students, through Recommending Institutions such as Confucius Institutes, Confucius Classrooms, HSK Test Centers, and Chinese Embassies.

What Does the Scholarship Cover?

This is a fully funded scholarship. Successful applicants will receive:
• Full Tuition Fees waived • On-campus Accommodation • Monthly Living Allowance: 2,500 RMB for BTCSOL, One-Year and One-Semester students / 3,000 RMB for MTCSOL Master students • Comprehensive Medical Insurance: 800 RMB per year
Scholarship Categories and Qualifications for 2027

Eligibility for all applicants:
a) Be a non-Chinese citizen
b) Friendly to China, no criminal record
c) In good physical and mental health
d) Committed to Chinese language education
e) Age 16-35 as of September 1, 2027. In-service Chinese teachers can be up to 45. Bachelor's applicants should be under 25

1. Master's Degree in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (MTCSOL)
Duration: 2 Years, Starts September 2027
Requirements: Bachelor's degree, HSK 5 minimum 210 + HSKK Intermediate 60. Priority if you provide future teaching contract

2. Bachelor's Degree in International Chinese Language Education
Duration: 4 Years, Starts September 2027
Requirements: High school diploma, HSK 4 minimum 210 + HSKK Intermediate 60

3. One-Year Study Program
Duration: 11 months, Starts September 2027
• International Chinese Language Education: HSK 3 - 270+, HSKK required • Chinese Language & Literature / Chinese History / Philosophy: HSK 4 - 180+, HSKK 60 • Chinese Language Study: HSK 3 - 210+
4. One-Semester Study Program
Duration: 5 months, Starts September 2027 or March 2028
Requirements: HSK 3 - 180+, HSKK required

5. Four-Week Study Program
Duration: 4 weeks in July or December 2027. Requires HSK score. Applied as a group of 10-15 through Recommending Institution

6. Online Programs
One-Year and One-Semester online Chinese study also available.

Required Documents

A. For all: Passport copy, HSK/HSKK score reports (within 2 years), Recommendation letter from Recommending Institution
B. For degree programs: Highest diploma and transcript, 2 professor recommendation letters (for Master), Physical examination form, Non-criminal record certificate
C. In-service teachers: Proof of employment + employer recommendation letter

How to Apply for 2027

Online registration for 2027 is expected to open from February 20 - March 1, 2027 on the official scholarship website: cis.chinese.cn

Step 1: Create account at http://cis.chinese.cn and search for Recommending Institutions and Host Institutions.
Step 2: Complete the "International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship Application Form" online.
Step 3: Apply ALSO on your chosen Chinese university's international student portal (e.g. Nanjing University, Hainan University, Beijing Language and Culture University, etc.).
Step 4: Upload all documents and track your application progress.

Application Deadlines 2027 (Beijing Time):
• For July intake: April 15, 2027 • For September intake: May 15, 2027 • For December intake: September 15, 2027 • For March 2028 intake: October 31, 2027
CLEC will review based on HSK/HSKK scores and other factors. Results are released about 3 months before enrollment.

Pro Tips for South African Applicants

You can get your recommendation letter from the Confucius Institute at University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University, Rhodes University, or University of Johannesburg, or any HSK test center. Chinese Bridge competition winners can submit their certificates directly at chinesebridge@chinese.cn.

Start preparing your HSK test now. Do not apply if you received a similar scholarship in the last 3 years for One-Year / One-Semester programs.

For official updates, check cis.chinese.cn or contact scholarships@chinese.cn.