University of Manchester Joint Award – China Scholarship Council (Closed for 2025)

To be considered suitable for the joint scholarship, you must be a citizen and permanent resident of the People's Republic of China at the time of application. Chinese students currently based overseas may be eligible subject to CSC policy at the point of application.  

You must also:

• return to China upon completion of your studies/research;

• meet the minimum academic requirements for your preferred PhD programme;

• hold an unconditional offer letter from The University of Manchester by 14 February to commence in September 2025, including meeting the English language requirements;

• Demonstrate a history of research engagement, which may include contributions to publications/articles, promoting your research to a wider audience, prizes for research or project work;

• satisfy CSC's selection criteria.

1. Choose your PhD programme from across the research areas.

2. Prepare a research proposal

Guidance on preparing a research proposal can be found by school:

• Alliance Manchester Business School
• School of Arts, Languages and Cultures
• School of Environment, Education and Development
• School of Social Sciences (all programmes except Economics) 
• Economics

3. Find a supervisor

• Have a look at our online guide 'Find a supervisor'

4. Complete an online application form by the deadline stated

Section 9 of the application asks for your funding intentions. Please add a funding source, and populate the fields below:

• Type of Funding: Uni of Manchester Scheme
• Awarding Body (free text): CSC-UoM Joint Scholarship
• Status of Funding: Intend to Apply

5. Include all necessary supporting documents

• A PhD research proposal. Please state the word count on page 1 of the document.
• A copy of your bachelor's academic transcript and certificate.
• A copy of your master's academic transcript and certificate. If your master's degree is pending, please provide an interim transcript.
• If you have completed more than one bachelor's or master's degree, please provide evidence for each. If your transcripts are in a language other than English, you must provide an official English translation. If your weighted average mark or GPA is not included on these documents, please also include an official document from your university verifying this information.
• An up-to-date academic CV summarising your academic record, employment history, and publications and highlighting experience demonstrating your research potential.
• The names of two academic referees, including one from your most recent institution. Your referees will be contacted directly via the Referee Portal following the submission of your application form.
• A certificate or evidence demonstrating your English language ability and proficiency.

6. Complete a nomination form

Once you have been interviewed and offered a PhD programme place, you will then work with your primary supervisor to complete a nomination form, which needs to be submitted to the Humanities Doctoral Academy.

All nominations will be reviewed internally, and a shortlist of candidates will be selected to apply to the CSC directly.

Application Deadline – 13 January 2025

Receive a Formal Offer and submit a Nomination Form – 14 February 2025

Funding Decision – 8 March 2025

Selected applicants apply to CSC directly – 10-31 March 2025