Central University of Finance and Economics (CUFE) — Chinese Government Graduate Scholarship 2026

Omran Aburayya
1 day ago
5 min read

If you are looking for a fully funded opportunity to pursue a Master’s or PhD in economics, finance, or related fields in China, then the Central University of Finance and Economics (CUFE) — Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) 2026 High-Level Graduate Programs is an important one to watch. Applications are now open, and this article breaks down everything you need to know — from key facts to eligibility, benefits, and how to apply.

🎓 Scholarship Summary

Location: Beijing, China
Host Institution: Central University of Finance and Economics (CUFE)
Study Level: Master’s and PhD (graduate)
Target Group: International students (non-Chinese citizens)
Fields of Study: Economics, Finance, Public Policy, Management, Law, Engineering, Digital Economy
Value / Coverage: Full scholarship (Chinese Government Scholarship) — covers tuition, accommodation, insurance, etc. (standard CSC coverage)
Duration:
- Master’s: 2–3 years, depending on the program
- PhD: 4 years
Application Period: November 1, 2025 – March 6, 2026
Start Date: Registration expected in early September 2026
Eligible To: Non-Chinese citizens who meet academic, age, and health requirements.

📚 Scholarship Overview & University Profile

CUFE is a highly respected institution in China. It is directly administered by China’s Ministry of Education, and co-supported by the Ministry of Finance and the Beijing municipal government. It’s part of Project 211, one of the 985 Innovation Platform universities, and is included in China’s Double First-Class Initiative, with applied economics rated A+ in national evaluations.

CUFE has a long legacy: since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, it has trained over 190,000 high-quality talents in finance, economics, and management. The university offers broad academic options: 16 first-level disciplines for academic master’s, 21 professional master’s programs, and 7 first-level PhD disciplines.

Located in Beijing, CUFE benefits from excellent access to China’s political, economic, and cultural capital.

📖 Available Study Programmes

Here are the graduate-level programmes at CUFE under the CSC High-Level Graduate Scholarship for 2026, broken down by level and language:

Master’s (硕士)
- English-taught
  - Innovation Development Institute / China Financial Development Research Academy — Finance (professional master’s)
  - China Academy of Public Finance & Public Policy — Public Finance
  - Regional Economics (China Academy of Public Finance & Public Policy)
  - Labor Economics (Center for Human Capital & Labor Market Research)
  - Regional Economics (China’s Economy) — (National Academy for Financial & Economic Strategy)
  - Investment (School of Management Science & Engineering)
  - International Law (School of Law)
- Chinese-taught
  - Finance (School of Finance)
  - International Business (School of International Trade & Economics)*
  - Engineering & Project Management (School of Management Science & Engineering)
  - Law (School of Law)*
  - Digital Economy (School of Economics)
PhD (博士)
- English-taught
  - Regional Economics (China’s Economy) — National Academy of Financial & Economic Strategy
  - Public Finance — China Academy of Public Finance & Public Policy

🎁 Benefits of the Scholarship

Full funding via the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC), meaning tuition-free, accommodation, medical insurance, and living stipend (following CSC standards).
Study in a prestigious, double-first class university in Beijing, with strong strengths in economics, finance, and policy.
Access to high-quality faculty, research centers (e.g., public finance, regional economics, labor economics), and China’s policy and financial ecosystem.
Networking opportunities in Beijing, a global city and China’s political/economic hub.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the CUFE-CSC 2026 High-Level Graduate Programs, you must:

Be a non-Chinese citizen in good physical and mental health.
Hold a Bachelor’s degree (for Master’s) or Master’s degree (for PhD).
Be under 35 years old for Master’s applicants, or under 40 years old for PhD.
Meet the requirements of Document No. 12 (2020) issued by China’s Ministry of Education — this relates to overseas Chinese or other special status.
Provide language proficiency:
- For Chinese-taught programmes: HSK 5 (score ≥ 210) required.
- For English-taught programmes: valid IELTS, TOEFL, TOIEC, Duolingo, or other proof of English proficiency.

📖 Need resources to prepare for your TOEFL OR IELTS Exam? CHECK out top picks:

ℹ️ Earns Commission

📝 Application Procedure

Here’s how to apply for this scholarship:

CSC Online Application
- Go to the Chinese Government Scholarship system: studyinchina.csc.edu.cn
- Choose Type B scholarship
- Enter CUFE’s agency code: 10034
CUFE Online Application
- Use CUFE’s International Student Service System: https://cufe.17gz.org/
Pay the Application Fee
- 600 RMB application fee (via WeChat, Alipay, or credit card; no wire transfer)
Document Review
- Initial screening by CUFE
Academic Review & Interview
- Departments conduct academic review + online interview
- Propose admission list on CUFE’s side
Upload Pre-Admission Notice
- Provisionally admitted students upload their pre-admission notice to the CSC system
Final Review & Results
- CUFE reports shortlisted candidates to CSC
- CSC expert review occurs mid-April; final results released late April
Registration
- After admission, students must register (expected early September 2026)
- Also, scholarship students must buy health insurance before coming to China.
Post-Admission Checks
- CUFE will re-evaluate admission qualifications on registration. Misrepresentation may lead to loss of scholarship.

🗂️ Required Documents

You’ll need to prepare the following (in English or Chinese):

CSC application form
CUFE application form (with signed scan)
Passport copy (photo page)
Bachelor’s or Master’s diploma, or proof of expected graduation + school performance
Academic transcripts
Language proficiency certificate (HSK / IELTS / TOEFL etc.)
Study plan (800–1,000 words)
For PhD: Master’s thesis or research paper
Two recommendation letters (from associate professor or higher)
Foreigner Physical Examination Form
Police clearance / non-criminal record certificate

ℹ️ Important reminders:

All documents not in English or Chinese must be translated and notarized.
The application fee and documents submitted are non-refundable, regardless of admission outcome.
Accuracy is critical—you must submit truthful and complete materials; otherwise, CUFE can cancel your admission.

🔍 Evaluation & Selection

After document screening, shortlisted applicants will be invited for an online interview.
CUFE selects top candidates from its academic review → then forwards to CSC for final expert evaluation.
Finally, the CSC announces the scholarship awardees.
During registration and after entering, CUFE will re-check qualification; any irregularities may lead to disqualification or withdrawal of the scholarship.

👌🏻 Tips for Applicants

Prepare Early: Since the application opens November 1, start preparing your documents, study plan, and recommendation letters well in advance.
Language Exams: If you're applying to a Chinese-taught program and don’t have HSK 5 (≥210), start preparing soon. For English programs, book IELTS/TOEFL/other tests early.
Research Proposal for PhD: Your research proposal should be clear, feasible, and aligned with the department’s strengths (e.g., public finance, regional economics).
Strong Study Plan: Your study plan (800–1,000 words) matters a lot. Explain your academic background, what you want to study at CUFE, and your future career goals.
Interview Preparation: Practice for the online interview — think about why you chose CUFE, what you can contribute, and what you expect.
Financial Planning: Even with scholarship, check logistics (insurance, visa, travel) and prepare accordingly.
Use Official Contacts: For any clarifications, reach out to CUFE’s International Admissions: lxs@cufe.edu.cn