Securing a Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) can be life‑changing. While many awardees succeed without an acceptance letter, a supervisor’s endorsement often strengthens your file. This guide shows practical ways to find Chinese professors and contact them effectively across disciplines.
Also read: CSC Scholarship Guide, CSC Study Plan, and explore programs via Universities. After admission, check Student Visa and Payment guides.
Why professor acceptance letters matter
Being selected into a research group signals fit and capability. Acceptance letters communicate alignment between your background and ongoing projects—often a positive factor in committee reviews. Although an acceptance letter is not mandatory and many CSC winners do not have one, a supervisor’s endorsement can strengthen your application and make your academic fit clear to reviewers.
Use university websites efficiently
There are nearly 273 Chinese universities awarding CSC scholarships to international students. Each typically provides English pages, but the Chinese versions often include more comprehensive information.
Direct navigation method
- Look for sections labeled Faculty, Staff, Departments, or Schools
- Open your specific department of interest
- Find faculty directories or professor lists
- Open individual professor profiles for contact details
Understand Chinese university website structure
Official Chinese universities use domains ending with .edu.cn. For example:
- Peking University:
pku.edu.cn - Tsinghua University:
tsinghua.edu.cn - Fudan University:
fudan.edu.cn
Search via Baidu (often more complete than Google in China)
Basic techniques
- Search in Chinese for better results. Format: [大学中文名] 教授 [院系]
- Example: “北京大学 计算机科学 教授”
- English works too; add
site:edu.cnto limit to institutions
Using English on Baidu
English queries may return fewer results but can still work. Try formats like “[University] professor [subject] email” plus site:edu.cn.
Advanced operators
site:pku.edu.cn professor email或site:pku.edu.cn 教授 邮箱- “[University] [Department] faculty list”
- “[Research topic] professor China university”
Chrome translation workflow
Works best in Google Chrome when browsing Chinese pages:
- Open the university website in Chrome
- Switch to the Chinese version
- Right‑click → Translate to English
- Look for: 师资队伍 (Faculty), 教师名录 (Teacher Directory), 联系方式 (Contact)
Department‑specific strategies
STEM
- School of Science/Engineering → research groups or laboratories
- Check publication pages for author contact info
- Review graduate program pages for supervisor lists
Humanities & Social Sciences
- Department faculty pages and research centers/institutes
- Review academic journals published by the university
- Search conference proceedings with faculty participation
Medical & Life Sciences
- Clinical department directories and research laboratories
- Hospital affiliation pages with doctor/professor profiles
- Published research papers listing corresponding author emails
Finding faculty email lists and databases
Many universities provide faculty lists on department pages. You may see lists organized by:
- Academic rank (Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor)
- Research areas
- Alphabetical order
- Department or school affiliation
Searchable databases commonly include:
- Search by name, department, or research area
- Filters for academic rank or degree programs
- Direct links to personal academic pages
- Publication lists and research projects
Leverage academic networks
ResearchGate & Google Scholar
- Search for the university name and department
- Check professor profiles; many include institutional email addresses
ORCID and academic databases
- ORCID gives unique researcher IDs; search by name/institution
- Cross‑reference with official pages to verify contacts
Write effective emails
Show alignment with the professor’s research and your flexibility to adapt to ongoing projects.
Email structure and content
- Subject line: clear and specific — e.g., “Prospective PhD Student – CSC Scholarship Application 2025”
- Introduction: brief and professional; who you are and how you found them
- Academic background: current degree/institution, relevant research, achievements
- Research interest alignment: mention specific papers/projects; explain alignment; propose potential directions
- CSC scholarship mention: state you intend to apply for CSC 2025 and request an acceptance letter as supervisor
- Attachments: good CV; plus transcripts, research proposal, publications where applicable
Follow‑up strategy
Professors are busy. If there is no response in about two weeks, send a short, polite follow‑up reiterating fit and interest.
Chinese platforms to enrich your search
- Baidu Baike (百度百科): biographies, achievements, affiliations; sometimes contact
- CNKI: China’s largest academic database; many papers list corresponding author emails
- 小木虫: academic forums with professor recommendations and student experiences
Timing and etiquette
The application window typically opens around December–January. Start contacting supervisors 2–3 months before your deadlines to allow time for replies, follow‑ups, and document preparation.
- Use formal titles (Professor, Dr.) and keep a respectful tone
- Be concise and specific; avoid excessive self‑promotion
- Personalize for each professor; avoid mass emails
Managing multiple applications
You may apply to more than one university at the same time (commonly up to three). Keep a communications log, personalize each email, and be transparent if asked about other applications.
Alternative resources and support
University International Offices
- Request faculty contact lists and department‑specific contacts
- Ask about formal introduction processes
- Seek guidance on application procedures
Educational consultants
- Some maintain verified contacts and offer document support
- Evaluate ethics and transparency; avoid commission‑driven bias
Alumni networks
- Join alumni groups; ask for professor recommendations
- Learn practical tips for timelines and communications
Common pitfalls
Email mistakes
- Sending generic, mass emails with no tailoring
- Poor English or Chinese language quality
- Attachments that are too large; unprofessional email addresses
Research misalignment
- Contacting professors whose work does not match your interests
- Not reading recent publications or understanding current projects
- Forcing connections that do not exist; be honest about your goals
Conclusion
Finding and contacting Chinese professors for CSC scholarship applications requires patience, persistence, and a strategic approach. Combine multiple search methods—university websites, Baidu queries, academic databases, and professional networks—to build a strong list of potential supervisors.
Although an acceptance letter is not always compulsory for CSC, it can significantly improve your chances and position your application more favorably. Start early, be persistent but respectful, and utilize all available resources. The right supervisor will enhance both your application and your academic fit for graduate study in China.