Program Overview
Established in 2013 by the Ministry of Education’s Center for Language Exchange and Cooperation (CLEC), the China Studies Program is designed to support outstanding international doctoral students pursuing advanced scholarly work in China studies and related fields. The program develops young scholars who have a global academic perspective, understand international scholarly conventions, and can contribute to international academic discourse and research in their respective disciplines.
Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) is among the first cohort of institutions nationally selected to implement the China Studies Program. As of 2025, BFSU has enrolled 65 doctoral students from 31 countries across programs including the National Research Centre for Foreign Language Education, Institute for Global History, School of Chinese Language and Literature, Graduate School of Translation and Interpretation, School of International Relations and Diplomacy, School of African Studies, School of Asian Studies, International Institute of Chinese Studies, School of Arabic Studies, School of Russian, and School of International Journalism and Communication.
1. Program Structure
The China Studies Program offers two distinct tracks:
Track A: Joint Doctoral Research Program
· Enables international doctoral students from foreign universities to study in China for one semester to two years while conducting research and completing their dissertations.
Track B: Full-Time Doctoral Degree Program
· Provides scholarships for international master’s graduates to pursue a Ph.D. at BFSU over four years.
Detailed Comparison
| Joint Doctoral Research | Full-Time Doctoral Degree |
Goals | Support research collaboration and dissertation advancement | Enable completion of Ph.D. at BFSU |
Duration | Typically 1 semester to 2 academic years | 4 years (standard program length) |
Eligibility | • Non-Chinese citizen • Currently enrolled as doctoral student at accredited foreign university • HSK Level 3 or above | • Non-Chinese citizen • HSK Level 5 or above • Master’s degree completed or expected within current academic year |
Required Documentation | • Master’s thesis abstract or equivalent research output • Proof of current doctoral enrollment • Doctoral thesis abstract (if available) • Detailed research plan for study in China • Two letters of recommendation from subject-matter experts • Valid HSK Level 3+ certificate • Scanned copy of passport photo page | • Certified undergraduate transcript • Certified master’s transcript • Certified degree certificate (or current student verification from institution) • Doctoral research proposal • Two letters of recommendation from subject-matter experts • Valid HSK Level 5+ certificate • Scanned copy of passport photo page |
2. Scholarships and Support
Program participants receive the following support:
Financial Support
· Full tuition coverage, monthly living stipend, and international airfare (outbound and return)
· Priority consideration for additional research and travel grants
Academic Resources
· Customized seminars, workshops, and academic forums
· Mentorship from distinguished faculty at both Chinese and international partner institutions
· Extensive networking opportunities with leading scholars in your field
Career Development
· Priority access to post-doctoral funding through other China Studies Program initiatives
· Support for dissertation publication and translation of scholarly works
· Assistance with funding applications for academic conferences and research visits
Alumni Network
· Lifetime membership in the China Studies Program Scholar Network
· Access to ongoing professional development opportunities and long-term academic connections
3. Application Timeline and Process
Application Period: December (specific dates confirmed annually)
Submission Process:
1. Prospective applicants should visit the official program website to review the list of doctoral supervisors at BFSU: http://www.chinese.cn/page/#/pcpage/csp
2. Submit all required application materials according to specifications
3. CLEC and Chinese advisors, along with the Program Expert Committee, review applications
4. Qualified candidates are invited for an interview
4. Admission
Final admission results are announced within one month of interviews and confirmed by CLEC. Upon receiving your scholarship award, BFSU will provide instructions for online registration through the International Student Portal. Your credentials will be verified, and upon approval, you will receive your formal admission letter and visa documentation.
5. Contact Information
For inquiries regarding the program:
CLEC: Mr. Wang | wangxinsheng@chinese.cn
BFSU: Ms. Yuan | yuanziyang@bfsu.edu.cn
We welcome accomplished young scholars to join our academic community. We look forward to meeting you at BFSU.
