You got the CSC scholarship. Congratulations. But then you realize the university assigned to you is not your first choice. Or maybe you listed three preferences and got placed at the third one. Can you change it? The short answer: sometimes, but it is not easy.
When does university assignment happen?
After CSC approves your scholarship, they match you with a university. If you applied through the embassy (Type A), CSC considers your preferences but makes the final call. If you applied through a university (Type B), you are generally placed at the university that nominated you.
The assignment letter arrives with your scholarship notification, typically between May and July. This is when applicants sometimes discover they were placed at a university they did not expect.
Can you change before arriving?
Technically, yes. But the process is difficult and the success rate is low. Here is what you would need to do:
- Contact the CSC scholarship office directly and explain why you need a change
- Get an acceptance letter from the new university (they must agree to receive you)
- The new university must have available CSC slots
- CSC must approve the transfer before you travel to China
The problem is timing. CSC makes assignments in June-July. Most universities have already filled their CSC quotas by then. Finding one with an open spot is the hard part.
Can you change after arriving?
This is even harder. Once you arrive and register at your assigned university, transferring to another university requires:
- Agreement from your current university to release you
- Acceptance from the target university
- CSC approval for the scholarship transfer
- New visa documentation
Some students have done this successfully, but it takes months and there is no guarantee. Most CSC advisors recommend staying at your assigned university, at least for the first semester.
Why does this happen?
Several reasons:
You listed backup universities you did not really want. CSC asks for up to three university preferences. Many applicants list backups without fully researching them. When they get placed at choice #2 or #3, disappointment follows.
CSC placed you at a university not on your list. This is less common, but it happens. If your preferred universities are full, CSC may assign you elsewhere based on your major and available slots.
You got new information. Maybe you learned after applying that a certain professor moved to a different university, or that the lab you wanted to join was closed.
How to avoid this situation
Research before you apply. This is the most effective prevention. Our guide on choosing a university beyond rankings explains what actually matters when picking your universities.
Consider location carefully. Many students who want to transfer are unhappy with the city, not the university. Read about how city location affects your experience before listing your preferences.
Pick three universities you would genuinely attend. Do not use your third choice as a throwaway. Every preference you list is a real possibility.
Get a pre-admission letter. If you have an acceptance letter from your preferred university before applying to CSC, your chances of being placed there increase significantly. This is especially true for PhD applicants who have already connected with a professor.
What if I reject the assignment?
You can decline the scholarship entirely and reapply next year. This is a valid option if the assigned university is truly unacceptable to you. However:
- There is no guarantee you will get the scholarship again next year
- You lose a full year
- The same assignment issue could repeat
Most successful applicants accept the placement and make the best of it. Chinese universities, even less famous ones, often have strong programs in specific fields that you might not find through rankings alone.
Transfer success stories
Some applicants have switched universities after their first semester. The pattern is usually:
- They arrived at the assigned university and started classes
- They performed well academically in the first semester
- They contacted a professor at their target university and got an invitation
- They formally requested a transfer through their university’s international student office
- Both universities and CSC approved the change
This process typically takes 2-4 months from initial request to approval. It works best when the reason is academic (specific research group, unique lab equipment, better program fit) rather than personal preference.
Bottom line
Prevention is better than transfer. Put real effort into your initial university selection. Contact professors before you apply. Research the campus, the city, and the department. If you do get placed somewhere unexpected, give it a fair chance. Many students who were initially disappointed end up loving their assigned university.
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