The Chinese Government is inviting applications for the Youth of Excellence Scheme of China - Master Programme (YES CHINA) for the academic year 2025.

The YES China scholarship programme offers a one-year, English-taught master’s programme at selected Chinese institutions, targeting public sector officials, including those in universities and research institutions.

YES CHINA aims to train global governance professionals with an international outlook, high-quality standards, leadership potential, and multicultural understanding.

For comprehensive information, including specific courses and application criteria, visit the official programme website: YES China Programme.

Degree Level

Master’s (12 months)

Deadline

31 March 2025

Timeline and Application Steps:

Who can apply?

• Be South African citizens in good physical and mental health;
• Be under the age of 45;
• Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree;
• Have a minimum of 3 years’ work experience. Preference is given to those with professional experience related to the chosen field of study;
• An applicant must fall into one of the following four categories:
  ① A government official at the division chief level (or equivalent level) or above;
  ② A senior manager of an institution or enterprise;
  ③ An administrator of a university or scientific research institution;
  ④ Those who have relevant employment or internship experience in international organizations.
• Must have applied to any of the participating Chinese institutions and gotten an offer letter.  The pre-admission letter given by the university must contain all of the necessary information of registration, such as personal information, the admission date and major's information. It cannot contain any information about having received or promised to receive Chinese government scholarships.

Fields of Study

A variety of master’s programmes are available through participating universities. For details, view the list of institutions and study fields.

What the Scholarship offers

• Tuition fees;
• Accommodation;
• Monthly living allowance;
• Medical insurance;
• One-way air ticket to China upon registration and a one-way air ticket back from China to the student’s home country after completion of studies.

Application process

1. Pre-admission Letter: Secure a pre-admission letter from one of the programme’s institutions.
2. Online Submission: Submit applications by March 31, 2025, via the Chinese Government Scholarship System.
3. Agency Details: Select “Type A” for Scholarship Type and use Agency Number 7101 (Embassy of P.R. China in South Africa). Choose "Youth of Excellence Scheme of China."

Send a copy of your application materials to the Chinese Embassy in South Africa (email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for a preliminary review.

Downloads and Links

2025 YES China Scholarship information

CSC Application portal link

Contact

For enquiries not addresssed on the website, please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Note

Please note that this opportunity is not offered by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Applicants are required to undertake their own research into programmes and institutions and are responsible for ensuring that the qualifications will be recognised in South Africa by contacting the South African Qualifications Authority and the relevant professional bodies. If there are any discrepancies in the details provided, the information given by the sponsor supersedes the details provided above. No additional financial support will be provided by the Department of Higher Education and Training.

Print