China Scholarship Council (CSC) scholarships

Top students from China are encouraged to apply to study for their PhD at the University of Auckland through a scholarship programme developed in collaboration with the China Scholarship Council (CSC).

The programme aims to foster long-term research cooperation between University of Auckland and Chinese universities. Students who receive a scholarship are provided with a living allowance for up to four years (at a value prescribed by the Chinese government), return airfare to New Zealand by the most economical route, student visa fees, and the cost of health insurance for international students. University of Auckland will waive the tuition fees for students who receive a scholarship under the University's agreement with CSC.

These scholarships are available for new applicants for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme. University of Auckland will support up to 100 new CSC PhD scholars a year.

To be considered for a CSC PhD scholarship for study at University of Auckland, you must submit an application for a place in the doctoral programme before 1 February 2026. Applications received after this date will not be eligible for consideration for a CSC scholarship. 

Please note that even if you apply by 1 February, there may not be enough time to assess your application by the deadline. It is preferable that you apply as soon as possible to ensure your application has enough time to be assessed. 

1. Search our website to find a suitable supervisor and research project. You can also download and search the CSC opportunities booklet for current projects. Contact the potential supervisor to see if they are able to support your application. Once you have the support of a potential supervisor, apply for admission as the next step. 
   
2. Submit an online Application for Admission to the University of Auckland before the closing date (1 February). The sooner you apply, the better. 
3. In your online application, under the funding section, list "CSC Scholarship" under the name of scholarship or funding source you have or intend to apply for. This will allow us to prioritise your application.
4. If we are able to make you an offer of admission, we will issue you an offer of place as soon as possible. Please note that CSC will not accept offers conditional on English. Therefore, you must meet the University of Auckland's English language proficiency requirements to be endorsed by the University for a CSC scholarship.
5. The CSC tuition fee waiver letters will be issued to successful applicants on or before 1 March 2026. Unsuccessful applicants will also be notified via email on or before 1 March 2026.
6. Submit your scholarship application to CSC or work with your home university to submit an application to CSC. Please note that University of Auckland does not recognise the individual application channels and queries about these need to be directed to the CSC. 
7. Please do not contact the University to ask if you have received CSC funding.  Successful recipients of a CSC scholarship will be notified by CSC.

Remember: CSC has a deadline for applications. University of Auckland cannot complete its processes in time for you to meet the CSC deadline if your application is incomplete or if you submit your application too close to the 1 February deadline. 

Please see below the documents you need to submit as part of the University of Auckland Application for Admission:

• Your academic transcripts to date (undergraduate and postgraduate)
• The grading scale of your home university
• Your degree certificate (if available)
• An initial statement of research intent. You will work with your proposed supervisor on a fuller statement as part of the assessment process.
• Your English language proficiency score (required)
• An academic CV/resumé 

You will also be asked to provide two letters of academic recommendation. One of these letters must be from the professor supervising your masters thesis. The letters must be emailed by your referees directly to postgraduate@auckland.ac.nz

For more information in Chinese about the University of Auckland and China Scholarship Council joint scholarship, visit CSC.

Do I need to take an English test before I apply to the University of Auckland or CSC?
Yes. In order to be eligible for CSC funding and to be endorsed by University of Auckland, you must meet the University's English language proficiency requirements.

Can I apply for a University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship (UoADS) and CSC? 
Yes.

Can I be awarded a UoADS and CSC funding?
No. If you are offered both, you need to select and accept only one.

When will I know the outcome of my application?
It normally takes at least three months to assess PhD applications, once you have provided all of the required information. The length of time it takes depends on many factors, including how long it takes you to respond to any requirements set by your proposed supervisor, e.g. revising your statement of research intent. Note also that New Zealand summer holidays fall in the period between December and January, and this may slow down the process. The sooner you apply, the better.

How do I get a document stating the University of Auckland will waive my fees, which is a mandatory condition for a CSC scholarship?
The University of Auckland will consider all new applicants who indicate they wish to be considered for CSC funding.

If you are selected under our agreement with CSC, the University of Auckland will send you a CSC tuition fee waiver letter on or before 1 March 2026. It will state that if you are successful in obtaining a scholarship from the China Scholarship Council, your tuition fees for the PhD programme will be covered by the agreement between the University of Auckland and the CSC for the duration of your scholarship. If you are not selected for endorsement, you will not receive a CSC tuition fee waiver letter and will be advised on or before 1 March 2026. 

I do not have a potential supervisor. What should I do?
We expect you to spend time on our website, looking at the research strengths of our academics. Please contact suitable potential supervisors before you begin your online application. You are more likely to be offered a place in the programme if you secure supervisory support before you submit an application. 

Is it possible for me to be a teaching or research assistant during my PhD studies at the University? 
It may be possible to find employment in your department or faculty, but the University of Auckland does not guarantee employment for any scholarship holder. 

I'm already enrolled in my PhD at the University of Auckland and now want to apply for a CSC scholarship. How do I get a tuition fee waiver letter?
The University of Auckland's agreement with CSC is for students who have not yet enrolled in our PhD programme. No one who is already enrolled is entitled to a tuition fee letter. If a faculty Dean/LSRI Director (or their nominee) is willing to support your request for a tuition fee waiver, University of Auckland will consider whether it will offer you a tuition fee waiver letter.

I have a CSC scholarship to study at another university. Can I transfer my scholarship to the University of Auckland? 
We do not support CSC transfer from other universities within New Zealand. We may consider transfer from other international universities in exceptional circumstances. 

Does the University of Auckland accept visiting CSC scholars? 
Yes. If you are studying for a PhD in China, but wish to spend some time in Auckland, a supervisor at the University of Auckland may be willing to host you. If they are, the Auckland supervisor can send you a letter of invitation, and you can use that letter to apply for CSC funding and for your visa. As you will not be an enrolled student at the University of Auckland, you do not need to complete an online application for admission. We suggest you ask your supervisor in China to first contact the potential Auckland supervisor so they know that your Chinese supervisor is supportive of you spending time overseas during your studies. Note that all visiting students will be required to satisfy the University's Visitor Access Policy; your Auckland supervisor will be able to provide more details if required.

What are the visa requirements for studying in Auckland, New Zealand?
Please refer to Applying for a visa.

How can I find out more about living and studying in Auckland, New Zealand?
Please refer to Living in Auckland.

For more information on admission to postgraduate study at the University of Auckland visit Postgraduate admission.

The China Scholarship Council

Level 13, Building A3 No.9 Chegongzhuang Avenue
Beijing 100044
P.R. China
Phone: +86 (0)10 6609 3900
Facsimile: +86 (0)10 8839 3620
Website: www.csc.edu.cn

For application forms and further details about the CSC application process, applicants should visit the CSC website.