ANSO Scholarship - China (CAS)
Fully funded postgraduate scholarship by the Alliance of National and International Science Organizations (ANSO) for Master's and PhD studies at USTC or UCAS in China. Covers tuition, stipend (up to 7,000 CNY/month for PhD), travel, health insurance, and visa fees. No MBBS - science and research programs only.
Quick Facts
Status
Opening SoonFunding
Fully FundedDeadline
September - 2nd or 3rd week (annual)
Country
ChinaAbout the ANSO Scholarship - China
The ANSO Scholarship is offered by the Alliance of National and International Science Organizations, a consortium of leading scientific institutions coordinated through the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). It provides fully funded opportunities for international students to pursue Master's and PhD degrees at two of China's most prestigious research universities: the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) in Hefei, and the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) in Beijing.
USTC and UCAS are both globally recognized for their research output in natural sciences, physics, chemistry, engineering, computer science, and interdisciplinary fields. USTC, in particular, consistently ranks among China's top three universities and has produced multiple Nobel laureates and leading researchers. For international students with strong academic and research profiles, ANSO is one of the most academically prestigious scholarship pathways into Chinese higher education.
Financial benefits are strong: full tuition waiver, application fee waiver, health insurance, visa and residence permit fee coverage, a one-time international travel allowance, and a monthly stipend of 3,000 CNY for Master's students and 6,000-7,000 CNY for PhD students (approximately USD 420-980/month). This is among the highest stipend levels available for China-based scholarships.
A critical rule: you may apply to only ONE university - either USTC or UCAS, not both. Applying to both results in disqualification. Applications open in September each year. For research-track programs, contacting a potential supervisor before applying is strongly recommended - a professor willing to supervise you significantly improves your chances of admission and scholarship award.
Eligible Levels
Eligible Fields
Why Choose This Scholarship?
USTC and UCAS are among China's most prestigious research universities - globally recognized for natural sciences and engineering
PhD stipend of 6,000-7,000 CNY/month is the highest available among China government scholarship programs
Covers visa and residence permit fees
an often-overlooked benefit that reduces initial relocation costs
Research-oriented environment: USTC and UCAS are directly connected to the Chinese Academy of Sciences and dozens of national research institutes
No MBBS
ideal for science, engineering, and research-track Master's/PhD applicants seeking the best academic environment in China
Strong alumni network in Chinese academia and international research institutions
What the Scholarship Covers
Studying in China
USTC is located in Hefei, Anhui Province - a rapidly developing tech hub with a lower cost of living than Beijing or Shanghai. UCAS is in Beijing, China's capital, offering proximity to government institutions and major research facilities. Both universities have strong international student communities and provide English-language support for international researchers.
Eligibility Requirements
7 requirements
Documents Checklist
7 documents required
How to Apply - Step by Step
Step 1 - Review the latest ANSO Scholarship call at the official website: https://www.anso.org.cn/programmes/talent/scholarship/
Step 2 - Choose ONE university only: USTC or UCAS. Applying to both results in disqualification
Step 3 - Contact a potential supervisor at your chosen university early - especially for research/PhD programs - and secure a willingness-to-supervise email
Step 4 - Create an account on the chosen university portal: USTC: https://isa.ustc.edu.cn/xs/login_scho.asp | UCAS: https://is.ucas.ac.cn/#/login
Step 5 - Complete and submit the application form with all required documents before the September deadline
Application Timeline
July - August
Supervisor Contact
Reach out to potential supervisors and get acceptance
August (annual)
Applications Open
ANSO official portal and university portals open
September - 2nd or 3rd week
Application Deadline
All documents must be submitted; deadline varies slightly by year
October - November
Review & Shortlisting
University and ANSO review applications
November - December
Admission Notifications
Accepted students notified by university
February - March (following year)
Visa & Arrival
Visa processing, arrival in China for spring semester
Insider Tips & Pro Tips
Contact potential supervisors at USTC or UCAS BEFORE the application deadline - a named supervisor who agrees to work with you dramatically increases your chances
Choose only ONE university - applying to both USTC and UCAS in the same cycle leads to automatic disqualification
Your research proposal is evaluated very seriously at these universities - it should be specific, technically sound, and aligned with the supervisor's research area
Applications open in September - start preparing documents in July/August to avoid rushing
ANSO is specifically for science and research fields - there is no MBBS or clinical medicine pathway through this scholarship
A strong academic record (preferably first class or distinction) is expected - both USTC and UCAS have highly competitive international student pools
Important Links & Contacts
🔗 Official Links
ANSO Scholarship Portal: Primary application portal for the ANSO Scholarship at USTC and UCAS. Applications submitted directly through this portal.
USTC International Admissions: University of Science and Technology of China international student office.
UCAS International Admissions: University of Chinese Academy of Sciences admissions for international students.
For Pakistani Students
Embassy of China in Pakistan (Islamabad)
📍 Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 4, Islamabad
📞 +92-51-9209400
🌐 pk.china-embassy.gov.cn →For student visa (X1) applications and JW201/JW202 form verification after receiving your admission notice.
Embassy of Pakistan in China (Beijing)
📍 1 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Sanlitun, Beijing 100600
📞 +86-10-65322504
🌐 www.pakbj.com.pk →For Pakistani students already in China - consular services, document attestation, passport renewal.
Students from Other Countries
Apply directly on the ANSO portal. Contact the Chinese Embassy in your home country for student visa and JW form enquiries.
Find China Embassies Worldwide →Frequently Asked Questions
6 questions - click any to expand
No. You must choose only one university - either USTC or UCAS. Applying to both in the same cycle results in automatic disqualification.
No. ANSO Scholarship is exclusively for Master's and PhD programs in science, engineering, and research fields. Clinical medicine (MBBS) is not available.
It is strongly recommended, especially for PhD and research-track Master's programs. Having a named supervisor who agrees to work with you significantly increases your admission and scholarship chances.
Master's students receive 3,000 CNY/month (approximately USD 420). PhD students receive 6,000-7,000 CNY/month (approximately USD 840-980). This is among the highest stipend levels available for China-based scholarships.
Visit the department pages of your chosen university - USTC faculty profiles are listed at faculty.ustc.edu.cn, and UCAS professors can be found on individual school pages at www.ucas.ac.cn. Read 2-3 recent papers by professors working in your area. Then send a short, personalized email (3-4 paragraphs): introduce yourself and your research background, mention 1-2 specific papers of theirs you read and what you found interesting, describe your research interests and how they align with their work, and state that you are applying for the ANSO scholarship and would welcome their supervision. Keep it under one page. Professors at Chinese research universities respond well to applicants who clearly understand their work.
No. The CSCA (China Scholastic Competency Assessment) is required for undergraduate applicants to Chinese universities. ANSO is a postgraduate scholarship (Master's and PhD only), and the CSCA test is not required for postgraduate admissions. However, you must demonstrate English or Chinese language proficiency through IELTS, TOEFL, or HSK as required by your chosen program.
Accuracy notice: Information on this page was verified as of May 2026. Scholarship details - including deadlines, eligibility criteria, and required documents - can change without notice. Always confirm the latest requirements on the official website before submitting your application.
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