CSC Scholarship 2026 Guide for Tanzanian Students | EduFlare
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CSC Scholarship 2026: The Complete Guide for Tanzanian Students
24 May 20267 min readEduFlare Team
Scholarships
CSC Scholarship 2026: The Complete Guide for Tanzanian Students
Every year, thousands of African students get a fully-funded education in China tuition paid, accommodation provided, and a monthly living allowance included. The scholarship that makes this possible is called the Chinese Government Scholarship, managed by the China Scholarship Council (which is why most people call it the CSC Scholarship).
If you are a Tanzanian student who has been wondering whether you can actually afford to study abroad, this guide is for you.
We will cover exactly what the CSC scholarship is, who qualifies, how to apply for 2026, and the practical steps that give you the best chance of being selected.
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24 May 2026
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The Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS) also referred to as CSC is a fully-funded scholarship offered by the Chinese government to students from developing countries, including Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, South Sudan, Zambia, and many others.
It is run through the China Scholarship Council (CSC), which is a public institution under China's Ministry of Education.
What does "fully funded" actually mean?
For students awarded the full scholarship, the CSC covers:
Tuition fees up to ¥20,000–¥40,000 per year depending on your program
University accommodation a bed in the campus dormitory at no cost to you
Monthly stipend approximately ¥1,500–¥3,500 per month (about TSh 52,000–120,000)
Comprehensive medical insurance covered for the duration of your study
There is also a partial scholarship variant that covers tuition only, but for most Tanzanian students, the full scholarship is what you want to be aiming for.
Who Can Apply?
The CSC scholarship is open to students who meet the following general requirements:
Academic Level Eligibility
Undergraduate / Bachelor's: You must have completed Form 6 (Advanced Level) or its equivalent. Results should show a reasonable academic standing you do not need to have been a top student, but you need to demonstrate consistency.
Master's Degree: You must already hold an undergraduate degree (completed, with a transcript and certificate).
PhD / Doctorate: You must hold a Master's degree, or in some fields, a strong undergraduate degree with research experience.
Chinese Language Programs: Form 4 or Form 6 completers can apply. These are 2–4 year diploma programs and are an excellent pathway for students who don't yet meet the requirements for a Bachelor's degree.
Age Requirements
Undergraduate applicants: Under 25 years old
Master's applicants: Under 35 years old
PhD applicants: Under 40 years old
Health
Applicants must be in good health and will be required to complete a physical examination form before enrolling.
Academic Performance
There is no strict grade cutoff, but most successful applicants from Tanzania have:
Form 6: At least 2 principal passes (C or above) for undergraduate programs
Bachelor's degree: A GPA of 3.0 or above (second class lower and above) for postgraduate programs
Which Programs Are Available?
Almost all major fields are available under the CSC scholarship at Chinese universities. Based on what we see most Tanzanian students applying for, the most popular programs are:
Medicine (MBBS / Clinical Medicine): 5–6 years, taught in English at top universities
Engineering: Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Computer Science 4 years
Computer Science and IT: 4 years, often available with English instruction
Business Administration: 4 years undergraduate, 2–3 years Master's
Agriculture and Environmental Science: Particularly strong programs in China
Public Health and Nursing: 4–5 years, strong graduate programs in English
Chinese Language: 2–4 years, ideal for students completing Form 4 or Form 6
How to Apply for the CSC Scholarship in 2026
There are two main ways to apply for the CSC scholarship. Understanding the difference is important because the deadlines and processes are different.
Route 1: Apply Through the Tanzanian Government (MoE)
The Tanzanian Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) has an annual quota of CSC scholarship places allocated by the Chinese Government.
To use this route:
Watch for the annual announcement from the Ministry of Education, typically released January–February each year
Submit your application to MoEST with required documents
If selected by the Ministry, your forms are forwarded to the Chinese Embassy in Dar es Salaam
The Embassy confirms and sends your file to the CSC
Advantage: If selected through this route, your application has government endorsement.
Limitation: The quota is limited and selection is competitive. Many students in Tanzania are not aware of the announcement in time.
Route 2: Apply Directly to a Chinese University (Self-Nomination)
Many Chinese universities accept direct scholarship applications from international students. You apply for admission to the university directly, and the university nominates successful applicants for CSC funding.
This is often the route with more available places and can be done independently.
To use this route:
Research universities that accept direct international applications with CSC funding
Apply to the university's international student office with your documents
If the university accepts you, they submit your name to the CSC for scholarship consideration
You will receive a CSC number and complete the CSC online application
Advantage: You can apply to multiple universities, which increases your chances significantly.
Key Documents You Will Need
Regardless of which route you apply through, prepare the following:
Completed CSC Application Form filled in online at the CSC portal
Passport valid for at least 2 years beyond your planned start date
Academic Transcripts certified copies of your Form 4 or Form 6 results (or degree transcripts)
Academic Certificates your National Examination certificate(s)
Physical Examination Form completed by a registered doctor (there is a standard CSC form for this)
Study Plan or Personal Statement a 600–800 word essay explaining your study goals and why you chose China
Two Recommendation Letters from teachers or lecturers who know you well
Language Proficiency some programs require IELTS or HSK (Chinese proficiency test), but many programs, especially medical and engineering programs, are taught in English and only require a basic English proficiency interview
Typical Deadlines to Know
Note: These are approximate timelines based on recent years. Official 2026 dates should be confirmed when they are announced.
Application Route
Application Period
Decision Period
Start Date
Via Tanzanian Government
January – March
April – May
September
Direct University Application
November – April
April – June
September
If you are targeting September 2026 intake, you should start preparing your documents by November 2025 and submit by March 2026 at the latest.
How to Improve Your Chances
Here is honest advice from working with hundreds of students through this process:
1. Apply to more than one university. Do not put all your hopes on one institution. Identify 4–6 universities that offer your program and have a history of taking international students. Send your full application to each.
2. Write a strong, specific study plan. The personal statement is where most Tanzanian students lose marks. Do not write a generic statement. Explain specifically what you want to study, why that field, why China, and what you plan to do with that education when you return to Tanzania (or East Africa). Admissions reviewers at Chinese universities appreciate students who have thought clearly about their future.
3. Get your documents certified early. The most common reason students miss deadlines is waiting too long to get certificates and transcripts officially certified. Start this process as early as possible ideally 3 months before your deadline.
4. Do not wait until you have perfect results. Many students with average Form 6 results have won CSC scholarships by choosing the right university, the right program, and writing a compelling application. A "strong" academic profile helps, but it is not the only factor.
5. Apply to universities with English-medium programs. If you are not yet fluent in Mandarin, target universities that teach your chosen program in English (most medical and engineering programs are available in English). This removes the language barrier from your application entirely.
Which Universities Accept Tanzanian Students?
China has over 280 universities approved to host CSC scholarship students. Some of the most popular choices for East African students include:
Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) Engineering, Medicine, Technology
Shandong University Medicine, Engineering, Business
Nanjing Medical University Medicine and Public Health
Dalian University of Technology Engineering, IT
Beijing Language and Culture University Chinese Language, Social Sciences
Southwest Medical University Clinical Medicine and Nursing
Chongqing Medical University Medicine
Do not limit yourself to these names. A good match between you, the university, and the program matters more than prestige alone.
What Happens After You Are Selected?
Once you receive a CSC scholarship award letter:
Upload your acceptance documents to the CSC portal
Apply for your student visa (X1) at the Chinese Embassy in Dar es Salaam
Prepare for your pre-departure orientation usually held by your university
Book your flight most universities expect you to arrive by early September
Is the CSC Scholarship Right for You?
The CSC scholarship is ideal if:
You have completed Form 6 or have a degree and want to study without paying full tuition
Your budget is limited but you are serious about studying abroad
You are interested in China as a destination (it is one of the most affordable study-abroad destinations in the world even without a full scholarship)
You are willing to put in the time to prepare a strong application
It may not be the right path if you need to start studying immediately and cannot wait for a September intake, or if you have a very specific university that does not participate in the CSC program.
Start Your Application With EduFlare
At EduFlare, we work with Tanzanian students every day to navigate the CSC application process from reviewing your eligibility to shortlisting universities and preparing your study plan.
If you are not sure whether you qualify, or you want guidance on which universities to apply to and how to write your application, our advisors can help you put together the strongest possible submission.
Check your eligibility for free it only takes 3 minutes, and you will get a personalised assessment based on your academic background, budget, and program choice.
Written by the EduFlare Admissions Team. EduFlare is a study-abroad consultancy based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, helping students from across East Africa access quality university education in China, Turkey, and other affordable destinations.
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