China Scholarship Council (CSC) scholarships

Top students from China are encouraged 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 the University of Auckland and Chinese universities. Students who receive a scholarship are provided with a living allowance as prescribed by the Chinese government for the term of the scholarship, return airfare to New Zealand by the most economical route, student visa fees, and the cost of health insurance for international students.

These scholarships are available for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme, for the duration of up to four (4) years.

1. Submit an Application for Admission to the University of Auckland as soon as possible, to allow sufficient time to be assessed for an offer from the University. Apply online at Application for Admission.
2. Submit a scholarship application to CSC or work with your home university to submit an application to CSC.
3. The University of Auckland will assess each Application for Admission and make an offer to all suitable candidates. You may contact potential supervisors if you wish, but the University will match your proposal with a suitable supervisor during the application process. The Offer of Place can be used as part of your application to CSC. Please note that CSC will accept conditional offers.
4. Successful applicants for PhD admission will be notified by the University of Auckland via an Offer of Place. Successful recipients of a CSC scholarship will be notified by CSC.

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

• Your academic transcripts
• The grading scale of your home university
• Your degree certificate (if available)
• A brief research proposal (500 words). Download the University of Auckland template at Statement of Research Intent.
• Your English language proficiency score (if available)
• CV

Submit your online application now at Application for Admission.

You will also be asked to provide two letters of academic recommendation from your professors. These letters must be sent directly to the School of Graduate Studies from your professor. Download the template at Doctoral Referee Report.

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?
No. We will process your PhD application without your English test scores, but a letter of offer will not be issued until you have met the English language proficiency requirements. Please note CSC require confirmation that you have met this requirement.

When will I know the outcome of my application?
It normally takes three months to assess PhD applications, but this depends on the individual faculty’s timeline for finding a suitable supervisor. Please refer to the CSC web page regarding timeframes for scholarship applications.

My intended research is in the engineering field but I do not have a masters degree in engineering. If I have a bachelors degree with honours, can I apply for a PhD in Engineering?
A masters degree with a strong research component is preferred. However if you have a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) or equivalent please complete the Application for Admission and ensure your CV includes any research and publications.

How do I get a letter stating the University of Auckland will waive my fees, which is a mandatory condition for a CSC scholarship?
The University of Auckland will send you a PhD registration letter stating that if you are successful in obtaining a scholarship from the China Scholarship Council, your enrolment in the PhD programme will be covered by the agreement between the University of Auckland and the CSC. Under that agreement you are exempt from the requirement to pay the PhD annual tuition fee for the first four years of your doctoral programme.

I am currently working. Will I be eligible to apply for a CSC scholarship or do I need to be sponsored by a university in China?
Yes, you are eligible to apply for a CSC scholarship. For more information please refer to CSC.

I do not have a potential supervisor. Can I still apply?
Yes. The faculty you apply to will notify you of any available potential supervisors. You may contact academic staff if you wish, but your proposal will be matched with a suitable supervisor during the application process. This will happen after you submit your Application for Admission.

I am in the final year of my bachelors degree. Can I apply for a CSC scholarship now?
Yes, you may apply. Please refer to CSC.

What if I am not qualified for the PhD programme? Is there a pathway available?
You may be admitted to a masters degree leading to the PhD programme. Please note that the masters pathway is not covered under the University of Auckland agreement with CSC. For more information about tuition fees for international students see Tuition fees.

Do I need to provide my ranking in the university/school/department?
This is not compulsory, but you are welcome to provide this information if you wish.

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

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 School of Graduate Studies
Email: doctoraladvice@auckland.ac.nz
Phone: +64 9 373 7599

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.