In China there is no standard tuition fee cap; your fees will vary depending upon the chosen discipline and institution.
As with the UK and other countries there are scholarships available to fund your studies, making China an affordable option for PhD study abroad.
PhD fees
Universities are free to set their own fees; however, they follow a similar pattern. Fees will typically be between 20,000 and 50,000 Yuan per year (USD $2,870-7,170), with Arts and Humanties subjects usually at the lower end of this scale.
You can check fees for specific PhDs in China by looking at the opportunities listed here on FindAPhD. These may be pre-funded projects or may require the student to apply for external funding.
Living costs
The cost of living is relatively low in China in comparison to other countries. You should be able to live comfortably on 105 Yuan (USD $15) per day in Beijing, which is China's most expensive city.
International students are not permitted to work during their PhD, so sufficient funds must be ensured prior to starting your studies.
The Chinese Government Scholarship Programme
The Chinese Government has created a student scholarship scheme for international students.
This scholarship is available to international students who apply to study for a doctoral degree for up to three years. Applications must have a Masters degree and excellent academic records. They must not be in receipt of any other scholarships.
There are two types of scholarship partial and full. The full scholarship includes:
- Costs of tuition, registration, experiment and accommodation are covered.
- The same as Chinese students, recipients receive provision of out-patient medical fees and Chinese Government Scholarship Foreign Medical Insurance 800 Yuan (USD $115) per year.
- A monthly stipend of up to 3,500 Yuan (USD$500) to cover living costs.
You should apply for the scholarship in your own country at either the government department in charge of overseas study, related organisation or the Chinese embassy. Applications are open between February and April.
University scholarship programmes
If you are unsuccessful in securing the Government Scholarship, you will have to opportunity to apply for university scholarships.
Applications generally open in March after the Government Scholarship Programme, with the results announced in July. Check university websites for specific deadlines and further information.
Applications require the same documents as the Government Scholarship.