Your CSC scholarship covers tuition, dormitory, and a monthly stipend. But how far does that stipend actually go? It depends entirely on the city and your lifestyle. This guide breaks down the real costs so you can budget before you arrive.
CSC monthly stipend rates
| Degree Level | Monthly Stipend (CNY) | Approximate USD |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s | 2,500 | ~345 |
| Master’s | 3,000 | ~415 |
| PhD | 3,500 | ~485 |
These amounts are the same regardless of which city you study in. That is the problem: 3,000 CNY goes much further in Wuhan than in Shanghai.
Cost breakdown by category
Food: CNY 800-1,800/month
University canteens are the cheapest option:
- Breakfast: 3-8 CNY ($0.40-$1.10)
- Lunch: 8-15 CNY ($1.10-$2.10)
- Dinner: 8-15 CNY ($1.10-$2.10)
Eating all meals at the canteen costs roughly 600-1,000 CNY per month. Add street food, fruit, snacks, and the occasional restaurant meal, and budget 800-1,500 CNY.
Cooking in your dorm or apartment adds variety but requires buying groceries and having kitchen access (many dorms do not have kitchens).
Halal food is available in most cities, especially near universities. Finding specific dietary options (vegetarian, vegan, kosher) is harder outside major cities.
Transportation: CNY 100-400/month
Public transportation in Chinese cities is excellent and cheap:
- Metro: 2-10 CNY per ride depending on distance
- Bus: 1-2 CNY per ride
- Shared bikes (Meituan, HelloBike): 1.5-3 CNY per 30 minutes
- DiDi (Chinese Uber): 15-50 CNY per ride depending on distance
Most students use a combination of metro, bus, and shared bikes. Monthly transport costs for students living on or near campus: 100-250 CNY. If your campus is far from the city center and you travel frequently: 200-400 CNY.
Phone and internet: CNY 50-150/month
Chinese mobile plans are affordable:
- Basic plan with 5-10GB data: 30-60 CNY/month
- Plans with 20-40GB data: 60-130 CNY/month
- University WiFi is usually free or heavily subsidized
You will also want a VPN subscription: $3-10/month (25-70 CNY).
Personal and household items: CNY 100-300/month
Toiletries, laundry, cleaning supplies, and basic household items. University shops and nearby convenience stores keep prices low. Taobao (China’s largest e-commerce platform) delivers almost anything to your door within 1-3 days at competitive prices.
Social and entertainment: CNY 200-500/month
Movies, outings with friends, cafe visits, occasional travel. This is the most variable category and the easiest to control.
Clothing: CNY 0-300/month (averaged)
You do not buy clothes every month, but budgeting 100-300 CNY monthly as an average covers seasonal purchases. Taobao and local markets offer affordable options. Brand clothing is similar in price to Western countries.
Monthly budget by city tier
Tier 1 cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen
| Category | Monthly Cost (CNY) |
|---|---|
| Food | 1,200-1,800 |
| Transport | 200-400 |
| Phone/Internet | 80-150 |
| Personal items | 150-300 |
| Social/Entertainment | 300-500 |
| Total | 1,930-3,150 |
On a PhD stipend (3,500 CNY), you can live modestly in Tier 1 cities but without much margin. On a Bachelor’s stipend (2,500 CNY), you will need to be very disciplined or supplement from savings.
Tier 2 cities: Wuhan, Chengdu, Nanjing, Xi’an, Hangzhou
| Category | Monthly Cost (CNY) |
|---|---|
| Food | 800-1,300 |
| Transport | 100-250 |
| Phone/Internet | 50-100 |
| Personal items | 100-200 |
| Social/Entertainment | 200-400 |
| Total | 1,250-2,250 |
Tier 2 cities are the sweet spot for CSC scholars. Even Bachelor’s students can live comfortably here and save a small amount each month.
Smaller cities
| Category | Monthly Cost (CNY) |
|---|---|
| Food | 600-1,000 |
| Transport | 50-150 |
| Phone/Internet | 50-80 |
| Personal items | 80-150 |
| Social/Entertainment | 100-300 |
| Total | 880-1,680 |
In smaller cities, your stipend covers everything with room to spare. The trade-off is fewer international options and experiences.
For a deeper comparison of how city choice affects your life as a student, see our guide on how location affects your scholarship experience.
Money-saving tips from current scholars
- Eat at the canteen for most meals. Restaurant meals are 2-5x more expensive.
- Use the campus library for internet. Save on data costs by studying on campus.
- Buy in bulk on Taobao. Group orders with dormmates to save on shipping.
- Use public transport always. DiDi is convenient but costs add up.
- Cook when possible. If you have kitchen access, cooking your own food can cut food costs by 30-40%.
- Take advantage of student discounts. Museums, some transport passes, and software subscriptions offer student pricing.
- Look into provincial scholarships that may offer additional monthly allowances or one-time grants.
Can you work part-time?
International students in China can work part-time with university approval, but the rules are restrictive. Part-time income can supplement your stipend, but do not rely on it as a primary income source. This topic has its own complexities that we cover in a separate guide.
Related guides
- Ultimate packing list for China (know what to bring so you do not overspend buying basics after arrival)
- Essential Chinese apps every international student needs (apps like Meituan and Pinduoduo that help you save money daily)
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