2026 University College Dublin China Scholarship Scheme (CSC)

University College Dublin and the China Scholarship Council (CSC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2007, renewed in 2011, for the purposes of providing high-quality research training to qualified Chinese students from Chinese universities/research institutions. This is an exciting opportunity for Chinese students to benefit from studying in one of Europe’s leading research-driven universities.

• Table of Content
• About University College Dublin
• University College Dublin (UCD) Postgraduate Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of University College Dublin (UCD) Postgraduate Scholarship
• Requirements for University College Dublin (UCD) Postgraduate Scholarship Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

University College Dublin (UCD) Postgraduate Scholarship

Aim and Benefits of University College Dublin (UCD) Postgraduate Scholarship

• UCD will pay tuition fees.
• CSC will cover the student’s living expenses and airfares.

Please note that the CSC stipend is €16,200/year, Research Ireland stipend is €25,000/year reflecting the expensive cost of living in Ireland.

UCD supports applications for:

• the UCD CSC Scholarship Scheme – 4 year PhD student scholarships
• the General CSC Scholarship Scheme, which funds both research visits and 4 year full-time PhD programmes.

Requirements for University College Dublin (UCD) Postgraduate Scholarship Qualification

• Candidates must be citizens of the People’s Republic of China.
• Candidates can be resident in China or outside China.
• Applications are only accepted from students who have the agreement of a UCD academic member of staff to be their supervisor.
• Applicants are required to demonstrate a high level of competence in English language and, at a minimum, meet the UCD English language proficiency requirements (noting that a number of UCD Schools will require greater than the minimum scores).
• Candidates should be intending to pursue study/research in one of the priority academic areas identified by UCD and CSC:
  • Energy, Resource, Environment, Agriculture, Manufacture, Information Technology, Life Science, Food and Health, Space Study, Maritime Study, Nanotechnology, New Materials, Humanities and Applied Social Sciences, Business and Law. However, applicants to other study/research areas will also be considered.
• Candidates should satisfy the selection criteria set out by CSC by completing the (opens in a new window)CSC Application Form and CSC Employer Reference Form.
• Successful candidates must return to China upon completion of their PhD studies and/or research.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

1. Approach a UCD academic member of staff to ask them be your supervisor as early as possible.
2. September 2026 entry, the online application process is now open to 31st January 2026.
3. The online applications address is www.ucd.ie/apply.
   • Click the blue button 'Apply to UCD'.
   • Choose 'Course Finder'.
   • Choose UCD Chinese Scholarship Scheme (TX01).
4. Please note that there is NO Application Fee associated with this scheme.
5. You will need to upload the following documents:
   • academic transcript(s)
   • proof of English language level i.e. IELTS, TOEFL etc.
   • degree certificate(s)
   • two academic references
   • a short research proposal
   • passport (photo page).

Note: Original hardcopies will be required for verification purposes for successful applicants prior to registration to UCD.

Guidelines for CSC applicantsPDF|368 KB

Guidelines for UCD faculty membersPDF|632 KB

For more information, kindly visit University College Dublin scholarship webpage.