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South China Normal University CSC Scholarship 2026 — Full Guide

211Double First Class

Complete guide to applying for the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) at South China Normal University in Guangzhou, Guangdong.

Quick Overview

Scholarship Type A (Chinese Government Scholarship)
Degree Levels Bachelor's, Master's, PhD, General Scholar, Senior Scholar
Deadline January – April 2026 (varies by channel)
Monthly Stipend ¥2,500 (Bachelor's) · ¥3,000 (Master's) · ¥3,500 (PhD)
Language English or Chinese (program-dependent)
Agency Number 10574

CSC Scholarship Benefits at South China Normal University

The Chinese Government Scholarship at South China Normal University is fully funded and covers:

  • Full tuition waiver — all academic fees covered
  • On-campus accommodation — university dormitory provided free of charge
  • Monthly stipend — ¥2,500 (Bachelor's), ¥3,000 (Master's), ¥3,500 (PhD)
  • Comprehensive medical insurance — provided by the Chinese government
  • Settlement allowance — one-time payment upon arrival

International travel costs are not included and must be arranged and paid by the student.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the CSC scholarship at South China Normal University, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a citizen of a country other than the People's Republic of China
  • Be in good health and meet the physical examination requirements
  • Bachelor's applicants: high school diploma, under 25 years old
  • Master's applicants: bachelor's degree, under 35 years old
  • PhD applicants: master's degree, under 40 years old
  • Meet the language requirements of the chosen program (English proficiency or HSK for Chinese-taught programs)
  • Not be receiving any other Chinese government scholarship at the time of application

Available Programs & Subjects

South China Normal University offers a wide range of programs for international students across multiple faculties. For the most up-to-date list of programs accepting CSC scholarship students, visit the university's international admissions page or search for South China Normal University on the CSC Study in China portal.

How to Apply — Step by Step

There are two main channels to apply for the CSC scholarship at South China Normal University:

Channel 1: Apply Directly to South China Normal University (University Route)

  1. Contact a professor — email potential supervisors at South China Normal University with your CV and research interests. Securing an acceptance letter greatly improves your chances.
  2. Create your CSC account — register at campuschina.org and begin the online application. Use agency number 10574.
  3. Complete the CSC application form — fill in your personal details, education history, study plan, and preferred program.
  4. Upload and prepare documents — gather all required documents (see checklist below) and upload them to the CSC portal.
  5. Submit to South China Normal University — also apply through South China Normal University's own international admission portal if required.
  6. Wait for results — results are typically announced between June and August.

Channel 2: Apply Through Your Country's Embassy (Bilateral Route)

  1. Check your embassy's deadline — contact the Chinese embassy or your country's education ministry for the bilateral program deadline and requirements.
  2. Complete the CSC online application — same process as above at campuschina.org.
  3. Submit to your embassy — deliver printed application materials to the designated authority in your country.
  4. Embassy nominates candidates — your embassy shortlists and forwards applications to CSC.

Required Documents

Prepare the following documents for your CSC application to South China Normal University:

  • CSC Application Form (printed from campuschina.org)
  • Highest degree diploma (notarized copy)
  • Academic transcripts (notarized copy)
  • Study plan or research proposal (minimum 800 words)
  • Two recommendation letters from professors or associate professors
  • Valid passport copy
  • Foreigner Physical Examination Form (completed within 6 months)
  • Language proficiency certificate — English: IELTS/TOEFL (or university attestation); Chinese: HSK certificate
  • Acceptance letter or pre-admission letter from South China Normal University (if available)
  • Published papers or academic achievements (if applicable, especially for PhD)
  • No Criminal Record certificate

All documents not in Chinese or English must be notarized translations.

Application Deadline

Application Channel Typical Deadline
University Direct (South China Normal University) February – April 2026
Embassy / Bilateral Program December 2025 – March 2026 (varies by country)
CSC Online System Closes Usually end of April 2026

Always verify exact deadlines on the South China Normal University website and your country's embassy.

Tips for a Strong Application

  1. South China Normal University is a 211 Project university with strong programs. Tailor your study plan to their specific departmental strengths.
  2. Getting a professor's acceptance letter is highly recommended and significantly boosts your chances.
  3. Highlight any publications, research experience, or academic awards — 211 universities value strong academic profiles.
  4. Submit your application as early as possible. Late applications often face stricter review.
  5. Have all documents professionally translated and notarized well before the deadline.

About South China Normal University

Introduction

Provincial public university in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

South China Normal University (SCNU) is a provincial public normal university in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. It is affiliated with the Province of Guangdong, and co-sponsored by the provincial government and the Ministry of Education. The university is part of the Double First-Class Construction and Project 211.

The university is featured distinctively by both teaching and research, consisting of diverse branches of learning such as philosophy, economics, law, education, literature, history, science, technology, and management. There is also an elementary school affiliated with this university.

Motto

For more than 80 years, the school has changed its name and moved several times. Although it has gone through vicissitudes of life, it has never stopped. Generations of Chinese teachers have inherited the fine tradition of "researching advanced academics and nurturing professional talents in the society" of the Teachers' College of Mengqin University, and inherited Southern University's revolutionary spirit of "loyalty, unity, simplicity and humility, hardworking and courage, seeking truth from facts", and practiced it The school motto of arduous struggle, rigorous academic research, truth-seeking and innovation, and being a good example of others" has been passed down from generation to generation, and has jointly created the prosperity and development of the university today.

History

University Timeline
Date Name
August 1933 Teachers' College of Xiangqin University
March 1935 Education College of Xiangqin University
September 1938 Guangdong Provincial College of Education
September 1939 Guangdong Provincial College of Arts & Science
October 1950 Guangdong College of Arts & Science
June 1951 Teachers' College of Sun Yet-sen University
October 1951 South China Teacher's College
October 1970 Guangdong Teacher's College
November 1977 South China Teacher's College
October 1982 South China Normal University

Location and campus

The university has four campuses:

  • Main campus (Shipai campus), Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong
  • HEMC (Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center) campus, Panyu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong
  • Nanhai campus, Nanhai District, Foshan, Guangdong
  • Shanwei campus, Chengqu district, Shanwei, Guangdong

Administration

South China Normal University (SCNU) was founded in 1933, before which it was named Guangdong Provincial Teacher's College of Xiangqin University. It became a member of Project 211 in 1996, after which it was constructed and supported by People's Government and Ministry of Education in Guangdong Province in 2015. In 2017, SCNU became a member of the country's Double First-Class Construction. South China Normal University provides a variety of subjects, including philosophy, economics, law, education, literature, history, science, technology, agriculture, medical, management and art.

South China Normal University has more than 30 schools and colleges, and offers 84 undergraduate programs, over 200 graduate programs, and over 100 doctoral programs. In 2017, there were 24,894 undergraduates, 7553 postgraduates and 842 doctoral candidates. There are approximately 1000 long-term international students from more than 100 countries every year.

The university has a group of highly qualified experts, professors and teachers. There are now 1979 full-time teachers, among which more than a half are postgraduates' tutors and doctoral supervisors. At present, SCNU has dozens of State Key Laboratory and engineering research centers.

The current president is Dr. Wang Enke.

Academics

Schools and Departments

Source:

Shipai Campus

  • School of Education
  • School of Politics & Administration
  • School of Marxism
  • School of History & Culture
  • School of Foreign Studies
  • School of Special Education
  • College of International Culture
  • School of Fine Arts
  • School of Tourism Management
  • School of Information Technology in Education
  • School of Mathematical Sciences
  • School of Life Sciences
  • School of Geography
  • School of Computer
  • School of Psychology
  • College of Continuing Education
  • School of Internet Education
  • Phoenix International School
  • Institute of Optoelectronic Materials and Technology
  • College of Biophotonics
  • School of Professional Development and Research on Primary and Secondary Education
  • Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation
  • South China Research Center for Applied Mathematics and Interdisciplinary Studies

HEMC Campus

  • School of Literature
  • School of Economics& Management
  • School of Law
  • School of Politics and Public Administration
  • School of physical education & sports science
  • School of Music
  • School of Physics and Telecommunications Engineering
  • School of Chemistry
  • School of Tourism Management
  • School of Information and Optoelectronic Science and Engineering
  • South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics
  • Institute of Quantum Matter
  • Academy of Front-line Physics Science (物理前沿科学研究院)No official translation.
  • School of Environment
  • Academy of Environment
  • Department of Physics (物理学部)No official translation.
  • School of Entrepreneurship
  • Institute for Science, Technology and Society
  • South China Nuclear Science Computing Center (南方核科学计算中心)No official translation.
  • Academy of Future Technology (未来科技研究院)No official translation.

Nanhai Campus

  • School of Urban Culture
  • International Business College
  • School of Software
  • College of Vocational and Technical Education
  • College of Nanhai

Shanwei Campus

  • Xingzhi College
  • School of Data Science and Engineering
  • Department of General Education, Shanwei Campus
  • School of Meterials and New Energy
  • College of Vocational and Technical Education
  • School of Basic Education
  • School of Business
  • School of Creative Design

Teaching and Auxiliary Departments

  • Network Center
  • Research Resources Center
  • Journal of South China Normal University
  • Archives of SCNU
  • Libraries of SCNU
  • Center of Teachers’ Learning and Development
  • Center of Education and Development

Affiliated Departments

  • South China Normal University Hospital
  • The Affiliated Kindergarten of South China Normal University
  • The Affiliated High School of SCNU
  • The Affiliated Primary School of SCNU

South China university libraries

Source:

There are the multi-functional libraries on three campuses with more than 3.74 million books.

  • Shipai campus:

Built in 1998, Shipai campus library has an area of 29 thousand square meters. It has around 1.83 million books and 1700 reading seats.

  • HEMC campus:

Built up in 2004, HEMC campus library has an area of 39 thousand square meters. It has around 1.12 million books and 1800 reading seats.

  • Nanhai campus:

Built up in 2002, Nanhai campus library has an area of 14 thousand square meters. It has around 0.61 million books and 1100 reading seats.

Rankings and reputation

As of 2023, South China Normal University was ranked # 400–500th by the Academic Ranking of World Universities.

Student life

Student associations

South China University has more than 120 student associations covering five domains: theory and study, society and practice, academic and science technology, entertainment and sport, interest and hobby. To name a few: Student Association of English, Student Association of Psychology, Student Association of Huayun Han Chinese Clothing, Literature Association of Hai Pengzi, Martial Art Association, Guitar Association, etc.

Canteens

Source:

Shipai Campus

  • Tao Yuan (陶园)
  • Yong Yuan (雍园)
  • Qin Yuan (沁园)

HEMC Campus

  • Han Yuan (翰园)
  • Nan Yuan (楠园)

Nanhai Campus

  • Xi Yuan (熹园) (renamed to Xi Yuan in 2017)

Disclaimer: The university information above is sourced from Wikipedia and may not reflect the most current data. We recommend verifying details on the official South China Normal University website.

External Links

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CSC scholarship deadline for South China Normal University?
For the university channel (direct application to South China Normal University), the deadline is typically between January and April 2026 — check the university's international admissions page for the exact date. For the embassy/bilateral channel, contact your country's Chinese embassy or education ministry, as deadlines vary by country (usually December–April).
Does South China Normal University require an acceptance letter for CSC?
An acceptance letter is strongly recommended for South China Normal University. Contact potential supervisors early — having faculty support significantly strengthens your application.
What is the monthly stipend at South China Normal University?
CSC stipends are standard across all universities: Bachelor's students receive ¥2,500/month, Master's students ¥3,000/month, and PhD students ¥3,500/month. The stipend covers living expenses in Guangzhou.
Can I study in English at South China Normal University?
Yes, South China Normal University offers English-taught programs at the Master's and PhD levels. Some Bachelor's programs may also be available in English. Check the university's international student portal for the full list of English-medium programs.
What is the agency number for South China Normal University?
The CSC agency number for South China Normal University is 10574. You will need this number when filling out the CSC online application form.

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Rankings sourced from Shanghai Ranking — BCUR 2025. University descriptions sourced from Wikipedia where available.