If you missed the main CSC scholarship deadline or received a rejection letter this cycle, there is still a very real opportunity sitting on the table. The Belt and Road Scholarship Program under CSC Type B is open at multiple Chinese universities, and several of them have deadlines stretching into May
This article covers all 12 universities currently accepting Belt and Road scholarship applications, the specific majors on offer, country eligibility requirements, application fees, and practical tips to strengthen your chances before the window closes.
This guide is based on verified information from university scholarship pages and is intended to give you a clear, complete picture of what is available, who qualifies, and how to apply.
What Is the CSC Belt and Road Scholarship Program?
The Belt and Road Scholarship is part of the Chinese Government Scholarship framework, categorized under CSC Type B. It is designed to support international students from countries that fall along China’s Belt and Road Initiative corridor, helping them pursue undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral degrees at designated Chinese universities.
In terms of financial coverage, the Belt and Road program mirrors the standard CSC scholarship almost entirely. Students admitted under this program receive full tuition fee waivers, a monthly living allowance, and health insurance coverage. The allowance structure is as follows:
- PhD students receive 3,500 RMB per month
- Master’s students receive 3,000 RMB per month
- Bachelor’s students receive 2,500 RMB per month
The key distinction between the Belt and Road program and the general CSC scholarship is not the financial package but the eligibility criteria and the application timeline. While the general CSC scholarship deadline has already passed for most universities in 2025, the Belt and Road program deadlines at participating universities range from late April to late May 2025, giving students a second chance to apply for fully funded study in China.
The application procedure itself is identical to the standard CSC scholarship. Students create an account on the CSC official scholarship portal, select Type B during the application, complete all required fields, upload documents, and then separately submit an application through the respective university’s own portal. Both submissions must be completed for the application to be considered valid.
Who Can Apply for the Belt and Road Scholarship?
This is one of the most important points that students often overlook. The Belt and Road Scholarship is not open to students from every country. Each participating university specifies a list of eligible nationalities, and these country lists vary from one institution to another.
Generally speaking, eligible countries include nations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and parts of Africa that fall within the geographic and economic scope of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, Tanzania, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Iraq, Iran, Laos, Yemen, Poland, and Russia appear on various university-specific eligibility lists.
Before investing time in preparing your application documents, the very first step should be confirming whether your country appears on the eligibility list of the university you are targeting. This information is published on each university’s official scholarship page, and the links to those pages are provided throughout this article.
The 12 Universities Offering Belt and Road Scholarships in 2025
1. Wuhan University of Technology
Wuhan University of Technology is one of the clearer and more straightforward options for students applying to the Belt and Road program. The university offers this scholarship for the following disciplines:
- Material Sciences and Engineering (Master’s and PhD)
- Transportation Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Art Design
- Applied Economics
Programs are offered in English, and the application deadline is May 20, 2025.
The country eligibility list for Wuhan University of Technology includes Egypt, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Turkmenistan, Myanmar, Cambodia, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Students from countries outside this list are not eligible to apply under this program at this university.
There is no application fee for applying to this program. The process requires creating an account on the CSC portal, selecting Type B, and then submitting a separate application through the university’s official website. All document requirements, templates, and the university’s agency number are published on their scholarship portal.
2. Wuhan University
Wuhan University, one of China’s most prestigious and internationally recognized research universities, also participates in the Belt and Road program. It is worth noting that Wuhan University has a particularly student-friendly policy that is not commonly found at other institutions.
If a student previously submitted an application to Wuhan University during the first phase of CSC scholarship applications, in any of the specific Belt and Road eligible majors, that application is automatically reconsidered under the Belt and Road program. Students do not need to reapply. They simply need to wait for the second round of admissions decisions. This only applies if the applicant’s home country is among the Belt and Road eligible nations and if the major applied for is included in the Belt and Road program at Wuhan University.
The majors available under the Belt and Road program at Wuhan University are:
- Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
- Cartography
- Geographic Information System (GIS)
- Geodesy and Surveying Engineering
- E-Commerce
- Software Engineering
The application deadline at Wuhan University for the Belt and Road program is April 15, 2025.
Unlike many other universities on this list, Wuhan University does not require a pre-admission letter for Belt and Road applicants. Instead, applicants should be prepared for an interview as part of the selection process. No application fee is charged.
3. Southwest University of Finance and Economics
Southwest University of Finance and Economics offers a fully funded Belt and Road scholarship covering tuition fees and accommodation. The scholarship is open for both bachelor’s and master’s level applicants, and programs are available in both Chinese and English medium instruction.
The application deadline is April 30, 2025.
This university offers a broad range of programs across business, economics, and finance disciplines. A complete list of available programs is published on the university’s official scholarship page in PDF format, which also includes document templates for download.
One important condition for bachelor’s degree applicants: the Chinese Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) exam score is compulsory. Students applying for undergraduate programs at this university must have this score on file before submitting their application. Master’s applicants do not face this requirement, but should confirm the language of instruction for their chosen program and ensure they meet language proficiency standards accordingly.
The university provides a dedicated PDF guide explaining the application procedure for the Belt and Road program step by step, which prospective students are encouraged to download and read before beginning their application.
4. Chang’an University
Chang’an University is another well-regarded institution known for its engineering and transportation programs. It participates in the Belt and Road scholarship program at all three academic levels: bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD. A non-degree Chinese language program is also available under this scholarship.
The financial structure at Chang’an University under the Belt and Road program differs slightly from the standard model. For PhD students, the program runs for four years with full tuition coverage, but hostel accommodation is self-funded. Monthly stipends are provided for master’s and bachelor’s students as well. Students should factor in this accommodation policy when assessing the overall financial commitment required.
The application deadline at Chang’an University is May 31, 2025, which is one of the later deadlines among all 12 universities on this list, giving applicants more preparation time.
There is an application fee of 400 RMB at Chang’an University. This is explicitly stated on the university’s official website. While it may feel like a discouraging barrier for some students, it is a modest amount relative to the full scholarship value being applied for, and should not deter a well-prepared candidate.
Language proficiency requirements are specified on the university’s scholarship portal and vary by program and language of instruction.
5. Xiangtan University
Xiangtan University, located in Hunan Province, offers a Belt and Road scholarship specifically designed for students who want to pursue a one-year Chinese language program in China. This is an excellent option for students who are still building toward degree-level study and wish to first develop their Mandarin language ability with financial support.
The scholarship at Xiangtan University is categorized under the Hunan Provincial Scholarship for Chinese Language Learning Students from Belt and Road countries. The structure and eligibility follow the CSC Belt and Road framework, and further details including the application process and country eligibility are available on the university’s official scholarship page.
This option is particularly relevant for students who are not yet ready to apply for a full degree program but want to position themselves well for future applications to Chinese universities after completing a foundational language year.
6. University of International Business and Economics (UIBE)
The University of International Business and Economics in Beijing offers its Belt and Road program under the name Silk Road Scholarship Program of the Chinese Government Scholarship. The name is different but the framework and funding structure are entirely consistent with the standard CSC Belt and Road Type B scholarship.
UIBE offers a two-year English-taught master’s program through this scholarship. The available majors are:
- International Business
- Cross-Border E-Commerce
- Customs Management
- WTO Law and Economics
All programs are taught in English, making this an attractive choice for students who are strong in English but have limited Mandarin proficiency. The application deadline is May 20, 2025, and the procedure follows the standard CSC portal submission combined with a university-level application.
Given UIBE’s reputation as one of China’s leading business and trade universities, this is a highly competitive but excellent opportunity for students with backgrounds in economics, law, or international commerce.
7. NUAS (Northern University with Aerospace Sciences)
NUAS participates in the Belt and Road Silk Road program for master’s and PhD students. The available English-taught programs include:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Computer Sciences and Technology
- Software Engineering
- Transportation Engineering
Country eligibility for NUAS includes students from Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Thailand, Nepal, Morocco, Kenya, and Tanzania. The application deadline extends through May 2025, and no application fee is required.
One important requirement at NUAS for master’s and PhD applicants is a pre-admission letter (acceptance letter) from a faculty supervisor. This is strongly emphasized in the university’s application guidelines. Students who already have a letter of acceptance from a professor at NUAS are in a significantly stronger position. For those who have not yet secured one, there is still time to reach out to faculty members directly before the deadline. A well-targeted research proposal or study plan that aligns with the ongoing research interests of a potential supervisor is the most effective approach.
8. Chongqing University
Chongqing University is a strong engineering-focused institution offering the Silk Road program for master’s and PhD applicants. The available disciplines are concentrated in engineering and energy sciences:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Energy and Power Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Power Engineering and Thermophysics
The application deadline at Chongqing University is April 25, 2025, making it one of the earlier deadlines on this list. Students interested in applying here should prioritize getting their documents together promptly.
No application fee is required. The application process requires submission through the CSC portal as well as the university’s own platform. The complete list of required documents is available on the Chongqing University scholarship page.
9. Jiangnan University
Jiangnan University offers a Belt and Road scholarship specifically for a master’s degree program in Business Administration, offered by the university’s Business School. The application deadline is May 5, 2025.
The application process follows the standard dual-submission format: create a CSC account, apply through the portal as Type B, and then submit through the Jiangnan University website. Document requirements are consistent with the general CSC scholarship application, and the university’s scholarship page includes all necessary guidance.
Jiangnan University is known for its programs in food science, textiles, and business, and is located in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, which is a developed and well-connected city in eastern China.
10. Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST)
Huazhong University of Science and Technology is one of China’s top-tier research universities and a widely recognized name in global academic rankings. HUST offers the Belt and Road Silk Road program at all three levels: bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral.
The country eligibility list at HUST is more detailed than at most other institutions and is divided by program category:
For undergraduate programs in economics (International Economics and Trade) and Computer Science and Technology, eligible countries include Russia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iraq, and Iran.
For undergraduate programs in Engineering, including Architecture, Biomedical Engineering, and Software Engineering, eligible countries include Russia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Poland, Uzbekistan, Laos, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Yemen.
For Medicine and Preventive Medicine, separate eligibility criteria apply and are listed on the university’s official scholarship page.
The application deadline is May 20, 2025.
HUST’s participation in this program is significant given its academic standing. Students with strong academic records who fall within the eligible countries should seriously consider applying here. The university offers both Chinese and English medium programs at various levels, and detailed program information is available on its Belt and Road scholarship portal.
11. Peking University
Peking University, arguably China’s most prestigious academic institution, also offers a Silk Road program to international students. However, the information available on Peking University’s official website about this scholarship is more limited compared to other universities on this list.
The general application window follows an April deadline each year, and students are strongly advised to visit the official Peking University international scholarship page directly to confirm current eligibility criteria, available programs, and documentation requirements for 2025.
Given the competitive nature of admissions to Peking University, students considering this option should pay particular attention to the quality of their research proposal or personal statement and, where applicable, should secure a pre-admission letter from a faculty supervisor before applying. Peking University’s stature means competition from high-achieving international applicants is substantial, and a strong application package is not optional but essential.
12. Southwest Jiaotong University (SWJTU)
Southwest Jiaotong University offers Belt and Road scholarships and is particularly well known for programs in railway engineering, transportation, and related technical disciplines. The university has a long history of enrolling international students from Belt and Road countries, particularly those interested in civil and transportation engineering, and has established formal partnerships with institutions in many of the eligible nations.
Students should check the university’s scholarship portal for current program availability, country eligibility, and the precise application deadline, as these details are updated each academic cycle. Southwest Jiaotong University is a strong choice for students from South and Central Asia with interests in engineering and infrastructure-related fields.
Practical Tips to Maximize Your Chances
Securing a Pre-Admission Letter
For master’s and PhD applicants, obtaining a pre-admission letter or supervisor acceptance letter before submitting your application significantly increases the probability of success. This is explicitly required at universities like NUAS and strongly encouraged at most others.
To obtain a pre-admission letter, identify faculty members at your target university whose research interests align closely with your own proposed research topic. Send a professional, specific, and well-written email that introduces yourself, summarizes your academic background, explains your research interests in concrete terms, and references the professor’s specific published work. Generic emails rarely produce responses. The more tailored and academically substantive your outreach, the more likely you are to receive a positive reply.
A pre-admission letter demonstrates that a faculty supervisor is willing to take responsibility for your academic progress in China. Admissions committees take this as a strong indicator of your academic seriousness and your fit within the department.
Preparing Your Research Proposal or Study Plan
Whether you are applying for a research-based degree (master’s by research or PhD) or a coursework-based master’s program, the research proposal or study plan is consistently the most heavily weighted document in your application package.
This document should clearly describe your academic background, why you have chosen the specific program and university, what research questions or academic goals you intend to pursue during your study period, and how your proposed study aligns with the research direction of the department or supervisor you are applying to.
Before submitting, read the document multiple times. Better still, ask a current student in China, a previous CSC scholarship recipient, or an academic mentor in your field to review it. Errors in logic, vague language, or a lack of specificity in the research direction are common weaknesses that can be corrected before submission with proper feedback.
The CSCA Exam for Bachelor’s Applicants
Students applying for undergraduate (bachelor’s) programs under the Belt and Road scholarship are required to submit scores from the Chinese Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) exam. This requirement is clearly stated by universities like Southwest University of Finance and Economics. Bachelor’s applicants should verify whether their target university requires this exam and ensure they have valid scores before the application deadline.
Application Fees
Most universities in this list do not charge an application fee. Chang’an University is the notable exception, charging 400 RMB. Before applying to any university, check the official scholarship page to confirm whether a fee is required. The presence or absence of an application fee should not be the primary factor in choosing where to apply, but it is worth knowing in advance so there are no surprises.
IELTS and Language Proficiency
English language proficiency tests such as IELTS or TOEFL are not universally required across all universities on this list, particularly for programs conducted in Chinese. For English-medium programs, universities may require proof of English proficiency, but requirements vary. Students should review the language requirements for their specific program at their target university rather than assuming a blanket policy applies.
For students applying to Chinese-taught programs who are not yet proficient in Mandarin, some universities offer a preliminary Chinese language year. Programs like the one at Xiangtan University are specifically structured for this purpose.
Do Not Apply to Multiple Programs Carelessly
Because each university specifies its own list of eligible majors under the Belt and Road program, and these often differ from the general program offerings at the same university, it is critical that students confirm that their intended major is on the Belt and Road eligible list before submitting. Spending significant effort on an application for a major that is not offered under this specific program at your chosen university is time wasted that could have been directed toward a properly matched application.
Summary of Deadlines and Key Information
| University | Deadline | Levels | Application Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wuhan University | April 15, 2025 | Master’s, PhD | None |
| Chongqing University | April 25, 2025 | Master’s, PhD | None |
| Southwest University of Finance and Economics | April 30, 2025 | Bachelor’s, Master’s | None |
| Jiangnan University | May 5, 2025 | Master’s | None |
| NUAS | May 2025 | Master’s, PhD | None |
| University of International Business and Economics | May 20, 2025 | Master’s | None |
| Wuhan University of Technology | May 20, 2025 | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD | None |
| Huazhong University of Science and Technology | May 20, 2025 | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD | None |
| Chang’an University | May 31, 2025 | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD | 400 RMB |
| Xiangtan University | Confirm on website | Language Program | Confirm on website |
| Peking University | April (confirm) | Master’s, PhD | Confirm on website |
| Southwest Jiaotong University | Confirm on website | Multiple levels | Confirm on website |
What to Do If You Already Applied and Got Rejected
Rejection from the main CSC scholarship cycle does not close all doors. As highlighted in the case of Wuhan University, some institutions automatically forward applications to the Belt and Road pool if the applicant’s major and country match the eligibility criteria for the program. If you applied to Wuhan University in any of the Belt and Road eligible majors (GIS, remote sensing, e-commerce, software engineering, geodesy, cartography) during the main application phase, your application is already under consideration for the Belt and Road round. You do not need to resubmit at Wuhan University specifically.
For other universities, if your application was rejected or you simply missed the first window, you can apply fresh through the Belt and Road program at any of the remaining open institutions before their respective deadlines. The application is made through the same CSC portal, with Type B selected, and accompanied by a university-level submission.
Why the Belt and Road Scholarship Matters
China’s Belt and Road Initiative represents one of the most ambitious infrastructure and economic connectivity programs in modern history. At the academic level, the Belt and Road Scholarship is the educational extension of this initiative. It is a deliberate investment in cultivating academic talent and professional networks across the participating nations, and it creates pathways for students from developing and emerging economies to receive world-class education at no financial cost.
For students from eligible countries, the Belt and Road scholarship is not simply a backup plan. It is a fully funded opportunity at universities that hold strong international rankings and offer genuine research environments. Wuhan University, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and Peking University are globally recognized institutions. A degree from any of them, obtained through this program, carries real academic and professional weight.
The monthly stipend, while not lavish, is sufficient for comfortable living in most Chinese cities when combined with free tuition and accommodation. Many scholarship recipients supplement their stipend through legitimate part-time academic work such as research assistance within their departments.
Conclusion
The Belt and Road Scholarship program offers a meaningful second window for students who missed the standard CSC cycle or who were not successful in the first round. With deadlines spread across April and May 2025, there is still enough time to prepare a strong, well-documented application if you act promptly.
The most important steps right now are to confirm your country’s eligibility at your target university, verify that your intended major is offered under the Belt and Road program at that institution, gather and review all required documents, work on a strong research proposal or study plan, and where applicable, reach out to potential supervisors for a pre-admission letter.
Each of the 12 universities described in this article has its scholarship page linked in the original video description for direct access. Taking the time to read each university’s official documentation thoroughly, rather than relying solely on summaries, is the most reliable way to ensure your application is complete and correctly submitted.
The opportunity is real. The funding is complete. The deadlines are still ahead. What remains is the work of putting together the application that gets you there.