Shanghai Government Scholarship 2027 for BS, MS, and PhD: Complete Application Guide
The Shanghai Government Scholarship 2027, commonly known as SGS, offers financial support to outstanding international students who want to study at participating higher education institutions in Shanghai.
The scholarship supports bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral studies through two funding categories: Type A, which provides full scholarship coverage, and Type B, which provides partial coverage. Type A generally covers tuition, accommodation, living expenses, and medical insurance, while Type B covers tuition and medical insurance.
This guide explains SGS 2027 benefits, eligibility requirements, documents, application procedures, published university deadlines, and important official links.
If you want us to process your application, check our pricing section and contact us.
Shanghai Government Scholarship 2027: Quick Overview
| Item | Details |
|---|
| Scholarship provider | Shanghai Municipal People’s Government |
| Study destination | Participating universities in Shanghai, China |
| Degree levels | Bachelor’s, master’s and PhD |
| Scholarship categories | Type A: full scholarship; Type B: partial scholarship |
| Eligible applicants | International students who meet the scholarship and university requirements |
| Application deadlines | Determined by each participating university |
| Main information portal | Study in Shanghai |
| Selection factors | Academic performance, programme eligibility, application documents and university assessment |
Important: There is no single application deadline for every SGS-participating university. Applicants must follow the 2027 admission and scholarship instructions published by their chosen institution.
What Is the Shanghai Government Scholarship?
The Shanghai Government Scholarship was established to attract outstanding international students to higher education institutions in Shanghai and support international educational cooperation.
SGS is a municipal government scholarship, not the same programme as the Chinese Government Scholarship administered through CSC. Applicants should follow the application route specified by their selected Shanghai university rather than assuming that a CSC application automatically counts as an SGS application.
The scholarship is primarily intended for prospective students applying for eligible programmes. Participating universities, available majors, funding categories and application procedures can vary.
Shanghai Government Scholarship 2027 Benefits
Type A: Full Scholarship
Type A generally covers the following expenses during the approved study period:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation
- Living expenses
- Comprehensive medical insurance
The published funding standards provide annual living-expense funding corresponding to approximately:
| Degree level | Type A living allowance |
|---|
| Bachelor’s | RMB 2,500 per month |
| Master’s | RMB 3,000 per month |
| PhD | RMB 3,500 per month |
Accommodation may be provided as on-campus housing or an accommodation subsidy, depending on the university and available facilities.
Type B: Partial Scholarship
Type B generally covers:
- Tuition fees
- Comprehensive medical insurance
It does not normally include the Type A living allowance or accommodation coverage. Students receiving Type B should therefore prepare a financial plan for housing, food, transportation and other daily expenses.
Important funding limitations
Students should not assume that either scholarship category automatically covers:
- International airfare
- Visa-related expenses
- Application fees
- Personal travel
- Optional activities
- All research or conference costs
- Expenses beyond the approved study period
Always read your university’s scholarship offer to confirm the exact benefits, duration and payment arrangements.
Who Can Apply for Shanghai Government Scholarship 2027?
General eligibility requirements
Applicants must generally:
- Be non-Chinese citizens
- Be in good health
- Have an excellent academic record
- Meet the admission requirements of the selected university and programme
- Meet the applicable language requirements
- Comply with restrictions on holding other scholarships concurrently
The municipal guidance states that applicants already receiving certain other scholarships offered by the Chinese government or organisations are not entitled to receive SGS concurrently.
Education and age requirements
| Degree level | Required education | General age requirement |
|---|
| Bachelor’s | High-school diploma or above | No more than 25 years old |
| Master’s | Bachelor’s degree or above | No more than 35 years old |
| PhD | Master’s degree or above, with academic research ability | No more than 40 years old |
These are general municipal requirements. A university may apply stricter conditions. For example, Shanghai Ocean University’s published 2027 SGS guide sets lower age limits for its master’s and PhD applicants than the general municipal limits.
Applicants should therefore check both the general SGS rules and their chosen university’s 2027 guide.
Language Requirements
The general SGS guidance states that applicants should generally have HSK Level 4 and must also satisfy the language requirements established by their university and programme.
Actual requirements can depend on the language of instruction:
- Chinese-taught programmes: Applicants may need an HSK certificate at the level and score specified by the programme.
- English-taught programmes: Applicants may need accepted English-language evidence, such as a recognised test score or another document permitted by the university.
- Programme-specific requirements: Some departments may require higher scores, additional tests, interviews or other evidence.
Do not assume that meeting the general HSK guideline automatically satisfies every programme’s admission requirements.
CSCA Requirement for Bachelor’s Applicants
Bachelor’s applicants should pay particular attention to China Scholastic Competency Assessment requirements in 2027 university instructions.
For example, Shanghai Ocean University’s 2027 SGS guide requires bachelor’s applicants to provide a CSCA result, with required subjects varying by programme.
Check your selected university’s programme catalogue to determine:
- Whether a CSCA score is required
- Which subjects you must take
- Whether a registration confirmation can temporarily be uploaded
- The deadline for submitting the official score report
Documents Commonly Required
The document list varies by university and degree level, but applicants should generally prepare:
- Valid passport information page
- Passport-style photograph
- Highest academic qualification or proof of expected graduation
- Academic transcripts
- Shanghai Government Scholarship application form
- University admission application
- Language-proficiency evidence
- Personal statement or study plan
- Research proposal for research-based postgraduate applications
- Curriculum vitae, particularly for master’s and PhD applicants
- Recommendation letters, where required
- CSCA score report for bachelor’s applicants, where required
- Medical examination documentation, where requested
- Non-criminal record certificate, where requested
- Portfolio, publications or other programme-specific documents
Documents not already in the accepted language may require translation, certification or notarisation. Follow the university’s instructions regarding file format, document validity and upload requirements.
Shanghai Government Scholarship 2027 Application Deadlines
Each university determines its own application window. The following are published university-specific examples, not general deadlines for every SGS institution.
| University | Published 2027 application period |
|---|
Other universities may publish different dates. Some programmes can also close earlier than the university’s general scholarship deadline.
How to Apply for Shanghai Government Scholarship 2027
Step 1: Choose a participating university
Start with the official list of institutions accepting SGS applications. Confirm that your preferred university offers:
- Your intended degree level
- A suitable academic programme
- Your preferred language of instruction
- SGS funding for your applicant category
Step 2: Read the university’s 2027 instructions
Check the latest admission and scholarship guides carefully. Pay attention to:
- Eligible majors
- Available scholarship category
- Age and education requirements
- Language and entrance-examination requirements
- Required documents
- Application fee
- Deadline
- Interview arrangements
- Supervisor requirements for postgraduate applicants
Step 3: Prepare your academic documents
Request transcripts, graduation evidence and recommendation letters early. Allow enough time for translation, certification, language testing and any required entrance assessment.
Step 4: Complete the correct online application
The Study in Shanghai website provides information on universities, programmes and application procedures. However, universities may direct applicants to complete their application through their own portal or follow additional steps.
Follow the exact route in your chosen university’s guide. Submitting on only one platform when two submissions are required could leave your application incomplete.
Step 5: Pay any official application fee
Some universities charge a non-refundable application fee. Pay only through the method published in the official instructions and retain proof of payment.
Step 6: Participate in the review process
Universities may conduct an initial eligibility review followed by departmental assessment, an interview, a written examination or another evaluation.
Check your email and application portal regularly. A missed interview invitation or document request could delay or end your application.
Step 7: Wait for official results
Pre-admission and scholarship selection may be separate stages. Do not assume that provisional admission guarantees a scholarship.
After receiving official confirmation, follow the university’s instructions for admission documents, visa procedures, travel, accommodation and registration.
How to Strengthen Your SGS 2027 Application
Maintain a strong academic profile
Academic excellence is a central eligibility consideration. Present your results clearly and highlight subjects relevant to your chosen programme.
Choose a programme that matches your background
Explain how your previous education prepared you for the degree. A well-matched academic plan is usually more convincing than applying only because funding is available.
Write a focused study plan
Your statement should explain:
- Why you chose the subject
- What you have already studied or achieved
- Why the programme fits your goals
- What you hope to learn or contribute
- How the degree supports your future plans
Avoid generic or copied statements.
Prepare a strong research proposal for postgraduate study
Master’s and PhD applicants applying to research-oriented programmes should define a clear topic, research questions, methodology and expected contribution. Where supervisor contact is required, approach potential supervisors professionally and demonstrate genuine research fit.
Submit complete and accurate documents
Check names, dates, academic records, translations and file sizes. Never exaggerate qualifications, publications, research experience or language proficiency.
Apply before the deadline
Early submission gives you time to respond to technical problems or requests for additional documents. It does not guarantee selection, but it reduces avoidable application risks.
Scholarship Renewal and Annual Evaluation
SGS recipients are generally subject to annual evaluation. Universities may review academic performance, learning attitude, attendance and conduct. Students who pass may retain their scholarship for the following academic year, while those who fail may have their funding suspended or withdrawn.
Receiving a multi-year scholarship offer does not remove the obligation to satisfy academic and behavioural requirements.
Important Official Links
- Official Shanghai Government Scholarship application guide — general benefits, eligibility, management and participating institutions.
- Study in Shanghai — scholarship information, universities, programmes and application guidance.
- Official list of universities accepting SGS students — participating universities and their admissions websites.
- Tongji University SGS guide — Fall 2027 application information and procedures.
- Shanghai Maritime University SGS guide — 2027 funding, eligibility and application instructions.
- Shanghai Ocean University 2027 SGS guide — eligible programmes, deadlines and application requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shanghai Government Scholarship 2027 fully funded?
Type A is the full scholarship category and generally covers tuition, accommodation, living expenses and medical insurance. Type B is partial and generally covers tuition and medical insurance.
Can bachelor’s students apply for Type A?
The general municipal guidance includes undergraduate applicants under Type A. However, individual universities may limit the funding categories available for particular degree levels or programmes, so applicants must check the university’s 2027 guide.
Is there one SGS 2027 deadline for all universities?
No. Each participating university establishes its own application period and procedures.
Is SGS the same as the CSC scholarship?
No. SGS is a Shanghai municipal scholarship, while CSC administers separate Chinese Government Scholarship programmes. Their application routes and requirements should not be assumed to be interchangeable.
Do I need HSK for an English-taught programme?
Language requirements depend on the university and programme. The municipal guide includes a general HSK guideline, but institutions also establish requirements based on the programme’s language of instruction. Check the current programme-specific rules.
Does university admission guarantee an SGS award?
Not necessarily. Admission assessment and scholarship selection can be separate stages. Wait for an official scholarship result.
Can I hold another Chinese scholarship at the same time?
Generally, applicants cannot concurrently receive SGS and certain other scholarships funded by the Chinese government or organisations. Review the exact restriction in the current official guidance.
Final Thoughts
The Shanghai Government Scholarship 2027 can provide valuable financial support for international students pursuing bachelor’s, master’s or PhD studies in Shanghai. Type A offers broader coverage, while Type B primarily supports tuition and medical insurance.
Before applying, confirm your programme’s eligibility, funding category, language requirements, documents and deadline through official university sources. A strong academic record, relevant programme choice, focused study or research plan and complete application can help you present a more competitive case.