When it comes to the Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS/CSC), you'll hear about two main application routes: Type A and Type B. While Type B involves applying directly through a Chinese university, Type A is the path you take through your home country's "Dispatching Authorities."
This "Embassy Track" is the primary way most undergraduates and many postgraduates secure a full scholarship. However, its process is often confusing. This guide will demystify Type A for you, focusing on actionable strategy.
All information verified as of September 15, 2025.
The Core Question: Who Exactly is Your "Dispatching Authority"?
This is the first and most critical step. "Dispatching Authorities" is not a vague term. It specifically refers to one of two entities in your home country:
- The Education or Cultural Office of the Chinese Embassy (or Consulate-General) in your country.
- The government ministry in your own country responsible for international education, such as your national Ministry of Education or Higher Education Commission.
Here's how it works in practice: In many countries, it's a two-step process. You might first apply to your own country's Ministry of Education. If you pass their initial screening, they will recommend a list of candidates to the Chinese Embassy. In other countries, you may apply directly to the Chinese Embassy.
How do you find out?
The only way is to be proactive. During the application season (typically November to January), visit the official website of the Chinese Embassy in your country. Look for the "Education," "Culture," or "Announcements" section. They will post the official scholarship notice for the year, which will explicitly state the application procedure, deadline, and responsible agency. This notice is your single most important source of information.
The Type A Timeline: Why "Early" is The Only Strategy
The Type A deadline is much earlier than any university's individual application deadline. There's a clear reason for this.
Application Routes Comparison:
University Application (Type B): You → University → CSC Review
Embassy Application (Type A): You → Your Home Country Dispatching Authority → Chinese Embassy → CSC Review → University Placement
Because there are more steps, the entire process must start sooner.
A Typical Type A Timeline:
November - December: The Golden Preparation Window
- Closely monitor the Chinese Embassy website for the annual scholarship announcement.
- Begin gathering all your essential documents as required by CSC: passport, notarized highest degree certificate, notarized transcripts, Physical Examination Form, and a Non-Criminal Record Certificate.
January - February: The Application Sprint
- The embassy will open the application window and set a strict deadline (e.g., February 28th). This is the date by which you must submit all materials to your dispatching authority.
- Log in to the "Study in China" CSC website (http://www.campuschina.org) to complete the online application.
- Critical Step: When filling out the form, your Program Category must be "Type A". The Agency Number must be obtained from the official notice posted by the Chinese Embassy. Getting these two fields wrong will invalidate your application.
March - May: Preliminary Review and Nomination
- Your dispatching authority will review all applications, select the top candidates, and submit the nomination list and materials to the CSC.
June - July: CSC Review and University Placement
- The CSC reviews the nominated candidates from all countries and forwards their materials to the preferred universities you listed in your application.
- The universities then conduct an academic review to decide whether to admit you.
Late July - August: The Final Decision
- Universities inform the CSC of their decisions. The CSC finalizes the admission list and sends the official Admission Letter and Visa Application Form (JW201) back to the Chinese Embassy, which will then notify you.
The Unwritten Rules and Winning Strategies
The official guides tell you the process. Practical experience tells you how to win.
The "Pre-admission Letter": Your Secret Weapon for Type A
While the Pre-admission Letter is mandatory for the Type B route, for Type A, it's not required—but it is a powerful advantage. If you can proactively contact your desired program at JNU (or another university), connect with a potential supervisor, and receive a formal letter stating their willingness to accept you, this will significantly boost your application. It proves to the review committee that you are a serious, well-prepared candidate who has already earned preliminary approval from your target institution.
Your First Competitors Are Your Compatriots
In the embassy track, you are first competing against other applicants from your own country for a limited number of nomination slots. Only if you win this initial round will you be "dispatched" to the CSC's global candidate pool. Therefore, your application package submitted to the embassy must be flawless and exceptionally persuasive.
University Preference: Ambition vs. Reality
The CSC online system allows you to list three preferred universities. However, you must understand a key reality: these are your preferences, not a guarantee.
- If your first-choice university accepts you, everything is perfect.
- If your first choice rejects you (due to limited spots or other reasons), the CSC has the authority to forward your application to your second or third choice, or even to another suitable university that has available slots.
Strategy: Make sure all three university choices are places you would genuinely be happy to attend. This prevents you from being placed in a program or city you have no interest in.
"Localized" Application Requirements
Beyond the standard documents required by CSC, each embassy or dispatching authority often has its own specific, local requirements. For example:
- They might require a specific cover page format.
- They could ask for a resume in your native language.
- They may demand that physical copies be bound in a particular order.
Read every word of the embassy's notice. Overlooking a small local detail can get your application disqualified in the very first round.
Your Final Takeaway
The Type A route is a marathon of information gathering and endurance. From today, make your country's Chinese Embassy website your homepage and treat it as your primary source of truth. This path may be complex, but it leads to the largest pool of funding available from the Chinese Government Scholarship.
For more scholarship opportunities and detailed guides, explore our scholarships section and check out our comprehensive CSC Scholarship Guide. If you're still exploring your options, our university selector tool can help you find the perfect Chinese university for your academic goals.
Good luck!
Related Resources
For more information about studying in China, check out our comprehensive guides: