Xiamen University Scholarship Requirements: A Comprehensive Guide for International Students

Xiamen University (XMU) is now accepting applications for its prestigious 2025 New International Students Scholarships, an initiative established in 2006 to support international students pursuing degree programs. Founded in 1921 by the esteemed Tan Kah Kee, XMU holds the distinction of being the first Chinese university founded by an overseas Chinese individual. Recognized for its beautiful campus, XMU operates across four locations: Siming, Zhangzhou, Xiang’an, and its international campus, XMU Malaysia. The university comprises a graduate school, six academic divisions, 34 schools, and 17 research institutes. In 2022, six of its disciplines-Chemistry, Marine Science, Biology, Ecology, Statistics, and Pedagogy-were recognized as world-class by the Chinese government. With nearly 3,000 academic staff, of whom 74% are full or associate professors and 35 are members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences or Engineering, XMU stands as a significant academic powerhouse. The university accommodates over 46,000 students, comprising 21,000 undergraduates, 19,000 master's students, and 5,700 doctoral students. XMU has forged partnerships with 270 universities worldwide and actively promotes international collaboration through its 14 Confucius Institutes, a Chinese Language and Culture Research Center, and 42 Confucius Classrooms in 12 countries.

Scholarship Overview

Xiamen University (XMU) is offering five different scholarships for international students so they can study in China. If you're an international student aspiring to study in China, Xiamen University (XMU) is now accepting applications for its 2025 New International Students Scholarships. These scholarships are designed to attract outstanding students worldwide to pursue bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees at XMU.Established in 2006, XMU's scholarships for international students aim to support those enrolled in degree programs.

Scholarship Summary

Location: Xiamen, Fujian Province, China
Host Institution: Xiamen University
Study Level: Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral programs
Target Group: International students
Fields of Study: Various programs across multiple disciplines
Funding Type: Fully Funded (First-class Scholarships) or Tuition Fee Waiver (Second-class Scholarships)
Duration: Duration of the respective academic program (4-5 years for bachelor's, 2-3 years for master's, and 4 years for doctoral programs)
Application Deadline: April 10, 2025
Start Date: September 2025

Scholarship Benefits

The Xiamen University Scholarship for New International Students offers two classes of awards:

First-class Scholarships:
- Full tuition fee waiver
- Monthly living allowance (RMB 3,000 for master's students; RMB 3,500 for doctoral students)
Second-class Scholarships:

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- Full tuition fee waiver

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Xiamen University Scholarship for New International Students, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Nationality: Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens. For foreign citizens of Chinese origin, only after being officially recognized by the Exit and Entry Administration Bureau as foreign citizens can they make registration and apply for Residence Permit in China.
Health: Applicants must be in good health.
Academic Requirements: Applicants must meet the specific requirements of the program they are applying for.
Age Limits (as of September 1, 2025):

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- Bachelor's programs: High school diploma or above, under 25 years of age. Age limits for Undergraduate Degree is 30 year.
- Master's programs: Bachelor's degree or above, under 40 years of age.
- Doctoral programs: Master's degree or above, under 45 years of age.

Application Procedure

The application process for the Xiamen University Scholarship for New International Students involves two main steps: applying for admission to Xiamen University and then applying for the scholarship itself.

Admission Application:
- Applicants must first apply for admission to XMU in their desired program. Complete the online application at XMU's application portal.
- Detailed admission guides:
  - Bachelor's Programs
  - Master's Programs
  - PhD Programs
Scholarship Application:
- Complete the online application and upload the scan copy of Application Form for Xiamen University Scholarships.
- The Scholarships Application Form should be completed in Chinese or English and signed by the applicant.

Important Notes:

Remember to apply for admission to Xiamen University first before applying for International Students Scholarships.
A separate scholarship application - in addition to the university admission - is needed for International Students Scholarships.

Required Documents

Applicants are expected to submit a complete set of application materials. Incomplete application materials will be rejected. No application materials will be returned, regardless of the outcome of the application. During CSC Scholarship online application you need to upload documents, without uploading your application is incomplete.

The following documents are typically required for the scholarship application:

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Application Form for Xiamen University Scholarships (completed and signed).
A photocopy of your valid passport.
Educational Documents:
- Notarized copy of highest degree certificate (bachelor’s degree for master's program applicants, master's degree for doctoral program applicants).
- Academic transcripts relating to bachelor's degree’s studies. Transcripts in languages other than Chinese or English must be accompanied by notarized translation in Chinese or English.
- Note: Applicants who have provided a study certificate should submit a notarized copy of their bachelor’s degree to the XMU Admissions Office before the specified registration date (mid-September 2016); failure to do so will result in disqualification of enrollment.
Study or research plan (minimum 1,000 words) in Chinese or English. You must contact only relevant professors which means they are most closer to your research interest.
Two letters of recommendation in Chinese or English by professors or associate professors. When you are applying for a Scholarship you just need to get an Acceptance letter to maximize your scholarship approval, so for that, you need faculty links of your department.
A photocopy of Chinese (HSK) or English Proficiency Certificate or medium-of-instruction certificate. Certificate in languages other than Chinese or English must be accompanied by notarized translation in Chinese or English. Note: For those whose Chinese proficiency level have not met the above requirements and wish to take remedial Chinese courses before major studies, they are expected to have obtained the new HSK certificate of band 4 for programs in the humanities, economics, management, law, arts and traditional Chinese medicine, or band 3 for programs in sciences, engineering and medicine. Native English speakers and applicants who have taken courses in English during their bachelor’s degree studies are exempt from this requirement, but a medium-of-instruction certificate should be furnished.
A photocopy of Foreigner Physical Examination Form (click to download), completed in Chinese or English. (The original is to be retained by the applicant.)
A Statement of Financial Support (click to download) certifying that the applicant has sufficient funds to cover his or her tuition, accommodation and living expenses. It should be accompanied by an employment certificate or income certificate and a photocopy of the valid passport of the financial sponsor.
If applicants have published papers, the abstracts should be enclosed during submission of their application documents.

Academic Programs

(1) Chinese-medium master's programsMost master's programs at XMU are taught in Chinese. Students who have taken courses mainly in Chinese during their bachelor’s degree studies are exempt from the HSK certificate requirement, provided that they can produce proof of language of instruction used in their bachelor’s degree studies.(2) English-medium master's programsAs an internationalization initiative, XMU has launched 17 English-medium master’s programs for international students.

Selection Process and Notification

Xiamen University considers applications in accordance with international practices. International students should submit their application documents for verification of qualifications. Application documents will be forwarded to the relevant college or school for academic review. Admission decisions will be made on the basis of the applicants' academic performance, language proficiency, overall merits, research achievements and their prospective advisor’s comments. Applicants will be given preference if they have graduated from world-renowned universities or XMU’s sister institutions or are recommended by senior professors or experts. Applicants who are required to attend interviews or take tests will be informed in advance. A list of enrolled students will be submitted to the university authorities for final approval. After receiving the application materials and payment document, the University Admission Committee for the program will assess all the application documents and provide China Scholarship Council with the nominations for approval. The result of the Xiamen University CSC Scholarship will be announced End of July, please visit the CSC Scholarship Result section here.

The University will publish the admission outcome on the application system of the Admissions Office about 2 months after receiving a complete set of hard-copy documents. Admitted students’ Admission Notice and Visa Application Form will be sent out in batches starting in June 2016.

Accommodation and Living Expenses

Accommodation

Xiang’an Campus: Students of the School of Life Sciences, Medical School, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, College of Environment and Ecology, Coastal and Ocean Management Institute, College of Energy and Overseas Education College are accommodated on Xiang’an campus. The student apartments are equipped with a comprehensive range of amenities, with all rooms containing a private bathroom, a telephone, an air conditioner, Internet access points, a water heater, a safe, etc. Apartments for International Students are double rooms with the accommodation fee of RMB 2,000 per person per year. Living off-campus provides greater opportunities to interact with the locals and to learn about the local community and culture. Students can choose to rent off-campus apartments and the monthly rental is around RMB 2000 per room. When living off-campus, international students will enjoy a quiet learning environment.

Living Expenses

Around RMB 750 per month.

Student insurance

RMB 600 per year.

Other Scholarship Opportunities at Xiamen University

In addition to the Xiamen University Scholarship for New International Students, XMU offers other scholarship opportunities for international students:

Chinese Government Scholarships: The Chinese government provides full or partial scholarships to international students. Full scholarships cover tuition, accommodation, food, healthcare and insurance costs. Partial scholarships cover one or several items covered by full scholarships.
- University Postgraduate Program (full scholarship): International applicants for programs toward a master’s degree or a PhD can apply directly to XMU’s Admissions Office. Application time: February 1 to March 31 each year.
- Sino-US Cultural Exchange Scholarship (full scholarship): American students who wish to pursue their postgraduate degree education can apply directly to XMU’s Admissions Office between February 1 and March 31 each year.
- Chinese Government Marine Scholarship (full scholarship): The scholarship is to support outstanding students from coastal/island countries in China’s South Sea, the Pacific and Indian Oceans or developing African countries to study in China for a mater's or doctoral degree in oceanography or other related fields. Applicants who are engaged in fields related to oceanography will be given preference. Applications can be submitted directly to XMU’s Admissions Office. Application time: February 1 to April 30 each year.
- Chinese Government Scholarships for Specific Countries (full or partial scholarships): Candidates of all categories can apply for this scholarship. They can apply through the educational office of Chinese embassy or consulate in their country between January and April each year. Applicants may refer to the above authorities for application deadlines.
- MOFCOM Scholarship (full scholarships): The scholarship mainly sponsors talents from recipient countries to pursue their postgraduate degree education in China. The scholarship is offered to applicants for Master of Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (MTCSOL). Holders of this scholarship are exempt from tuition and are given subsidies for accommodation, food, medical and insurance costs. The scholarship will cover tuition, accommodation and cost of course materials only for one academic year. Applicants can apply directly to XMU’s Admissions Office. Application time: February 1 to May 20 each year.

Tips for a Successful Scholarship Application

Scholarships are highly competitive. Awarding institutions want to make sure that only the best of the best receive the CSC scholarship. Preparing the required documents is an important step to get a Chinese scholarship. Here are some general tips to increase your chances of securing a scholarship:

Apply Early: The application deadline is open for a limited time only, so you need to apply on time. There are often too many students applying and so it may be hard to get feedback.
Apply to Multiple Universities and Scholarships: To increase your chances of success, apply to multiple universities and scholarship programs.
Prepare Documents Carefully: Because there are so many students applying it is important that you prepare all your application documents correctly.
Highlight Achievements: Scholarships are often given to the most academically advanced students, high-achieving, ambitious, and exemplary students with good work experience, high scores, or unique project experience. It is acceptable for your GPA to be slightly lower if your university ranks very high in a reliable world ranking publication. If you meet this first basic requirement, you can proceed to the next step, the application.
Contact Professors: When you are applying for a Scholarship you just need to get an Acceptance letter to maximize your scholarship approval, so for that, you need faculty links of your department. You must contact only relevant professors which means they are most closer to your research interest.

A Note of Caution

There are a number of agents around the world who are selling “Guaranteed Scholarships”. However, some of these services are not genuine. Be very cautious when using these services.

Xiamen University: An Overview

Xiamen University (XMU), founded in 1921 by renowned patriotic overseas Chinese leader Mr. Tan Kah Kee, was the first Chinese university established by an overseas Chinese person. XMU has long been listed among China’s leading universities on the national 211 Project, 985 Project and Double First-Class Initiative, which have been launched by the Chinese government to support selected universities in achieving world-class standing. Xiamen University currently comprises Siming Campus, Zhangzhou Campus, Xiang’an Campus and XMU Malaysia. XMU consists of a graduate school, six academic divisions, 34 schools and 17 research institutes. In 2022, six XMU disciplines -Chemistry, Marine Science, Biology, Ecology, Statistics and Pedagogy - were included in the nation’s list of disciplines for achieving world-class status. XMU ranks among ESI’s global top 1% in 19 disciplines, with chemistry, materials science and engineering in ESI’s global top 1‰. XMU currently has a faculty of nearly 3,000, of whom 74% are full or associate professors. Among them, 35 are the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences or of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. XMU implements a comprehensive global outreach strategy. The University has signed cooperation agreements with 270 overseas universities. Actively involved in international Chinese education, XMU has built 14 Confucius Institutes, one Chinese Language and Culture Research Center, 42 Confucius Classrooms in 12 countries on five continents, the highest numbers with the most extensive geographic coverage among Chinese universities on the List of “Double First-Class” Universities. The World Ranking of Xiamen University is #422 in Best Global Universities.

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