Application Guide for Chinese Government Scholarship
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 South China Normal University.
Eligibility
●Be a non-Chinese citizen, in good physical and mental health, in good academic and behavioral standing.
●Be friendly to China, have no criminal record, and abide by the laws and regulations of China and the rules and regulations of our university.
●Be interested in Chinese language education and related work.
●Be aged between 16 and 35 years on September 1, 2025. The maximum age limit for in-service Chinese teachers may be extended to 45, but those who apply for a scholarship for a Bachelor's degree shall be younger than 25 under most circumstances.
Categories and Qualifications
Doctor's Degree
International Chinese Language Education
●Duration: 4 academic years
●Enrollment: September 2025
●Hold a Master's degree in relevant disciplines
●HSK Level 6 (min. 200), HSKK Advanced (min. 60)
●Priority for employment contract holders
Master's Degree
International Chinese Language Education
●Duration: 2 academic years
●Enrollment: September 2025
●Bachelor's degree holders
●HSK Level 5 (min. 210), HSKK Intermediate (min. 60)
●Priority for employment contract holders
Bachelor's Degree
International Chinese Language Education
●Duration: 4 academic years
●Enrollment: September 2025
●Senior high school diploma holders
●HSK Level 4 (min. 210), HSKK Intermediate (min. 60)
One-Year Program
Multiple Study Options
●Duration: 11 months
●Enrollment: September 2025
★ICLE: HSK Level 3 (min. 270) + HSKK
★Literature: HSK Level 4 (min. 180), HSKK Intermediate (min. 60)
★Language Study: HSK Level 3 (min. 210), HSKK preferred
One-Semester Program
Short-term Study Options
●Duration: 5 months
●Enrollment: Sep 2025 or Mar 2026
★ICLE/Literature: HSK Level 3 (min. 180) + HSKK
★Taiji Culture: HSK required, HSKK preferred
Four-Week Program
Group Study Experience
●Duration: 4 weeks
●Enrollment: July 2025
★Language + Home-stay or Taiji programs
★HSK required, 10-15 participants per group
★Detailed study plan required for CLEC approval
Application Procedure
Online registration will be available from February 20, 2025 on the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship website.
You may search for Recommending Institutions and Host Institutions, choose South China Normal University as your first choice, submit application materials online, track the application process. Scholarship winners must confirm with SCNU to go through the procedures of studying in China, print out scholarship certificate online, and register at SCNU website at the same time.
July 2025 Programs
Application Deadline:
April 15th
(Beijing Time)
September 2025 Programs
Application Deadline:
May 15th
(Beijing Time)
March 2026 Programs
Application Deadline:
October 31st
(Beijing Time)
Note: 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 published about three months before the program starts.
Policies regarding In-service Chinese language teachers and Chinese Bridge Winners
In-service Chinese Language Teachers
●In-service Chinese language teachers need to provide proof of employment and a letter of recommendation from the employer.
Chinese Bridge Winners
●Applicants who have received the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship Certificate during Chinese Bridge competitions need to submit your application documents along with scholarship certificates to SCNU directly at the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship website.
For any further inquiries, please contact: chinesebridge@chinese.cn
Application Documents
AFor all applicants
a)A scanned copy of the passport photo page.
b)A scanned copy of score reports of the HSK, HSKK tests (within two-year validity).
c)A Reference letter by the head of the Recommending Institutions.
BFor 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 Master's Degree in International Chinese language education are required to provide 2 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.
f)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.
CAdditional Requirements
●In-service Chinese language teachers shall provide proof of employment and a letter of recommendation from the employer.
●Applicants under 18 shall provide certified documents of designation signed by their entrusted legal guardians in China.
●Applicants shall provide additional documents as required by SCNU.
Miscellaneous
●In principle, applicants who have received a similar scholarship within 3 years are not eligible for the one-semester study program and one-year study program.
●Incomplete or unqualified applications will not be accepted.
●Applicants will be disqualified from application in case of the fact that application materials are found fraudulent or application materials are completed and submitted by someone else.
●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.
●Degree students are subject to the annual assessment according to the Annual Assessment Procedures of the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship.
Contact Information
Get in touch with us for more information
SCNU Contact (English)
华南师范大学国际文化学院
招生电话: +86 20 85210012 / +86 20 85215350
招生Email: hscic7@scnu.edu.cn
地址: 中国广州天河区中山大道西55号华南师范大学田家炳大楼国际文化学院
邮编: 510631
微信: 华师国际（CICSCNU）
