Confucius Institute at the University of Glasgow

To address the growing international demand for Chinese language teachers, facilitate the global development of Chinese language education, and support the professional development of Chinese language teachers, the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (hereinafter referred to as “CLEC”) has established the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship (hereinafter referred to as “the Scholarship”) for eligible Chinese language teachers outside of China. Confucius Institutes, independent Confucius Classrooms, select HSK test centers, foreign educational institutions, Chinese language teacher training programs/Chinese departments at foreign universities, professional associations for Chinese language teaching, and Chinese embassies (consulates) abroad (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Recommending Institutions”) may recommend outstanding students and in-service Chinese language teachers to pursue their studies in International Chinese Language Education and related programs at Chinese universities (hereinafter referred to as “Host Institutions”).  

ELIGIBILITY 

All applicants must meet the following requirements: 

  • Non-Chinese citizen; 
  • No criminal record, and abide by the laws and regulations of the Chinese government and the rules and regulations of the Host Institution;  
  • Strong academic performance and conduct; 
  • Committed to working in Chinese language education, teaching, and related fields; 
  • Aged between 16 and 35 (as of September 1, 2026). The age limit is extended to 45 for in-service Chinese language teachers, while applicants for undergraduate scholarships must generally be under the age of 25.  

SCHOLARSHIP CATEGORIES AND APPLICATION CONDITIONS 

  • PhD in International Chinese Language Education 

The program commences in September 2026, with a scholarship duration of up to four academic years.  

Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages, Linguistics, International Chinese Language Education, or an education-related major. Applicants must score at least 200 on the HSK (Level 6) and 60 on the HSKK (Advanced Level), or achieve HSK Level 7. Priority will be given to applicants who provide an employment agreement (or equivalent proof) from a teaching institution for post-graduation employment.  

  • Master’s Degree in International Chinese Language Education  
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Chinese Language and Literature (International Chinese Language Education) 

The program commences in September 2026, with a scholarship duration of up to two academic years.  

Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree. Applicants must score at least 210 on the HSK (Level 5) and 60 on the HSKK (Intermediate Level). Priority will be given to applicants who provide an employment agreement (or equivalent proof) from a teaching institution for post-graduation employment.  

The program commences in September 2026, with a scholarship duration of up to four academic years.  

Applicants must hold a senior high school diploma. Applicants must score at least  

210 on the HSK (Level 4) and 60 on the HSKK (Intermediate Level). Priority will be given to applicants who provide an employment agreement (or equivalent proof) from a teaching institution for post-graduation employment.  

  • One-Year Study Program 
  • One-Semester Study Program 

The program commences in September 2026, with a scholarship duration of up to 11 months.  

  • International Chinese Language Education: Applicants must score at least 270 on the HSK (Level 3) and possess an HSKK score.  
  • Chinese Language and Literature, Chinese History, Chinese Philosophy, etc.: Applicants must score at least 180 on the HSK (Level 4) and 60 on the HSKK (Intermediate Level).  
  • Chinese Language Study: Applicants must score at least 210 on the HSK (Level 3). Priority will be given to those who provide an HSKK score.  

The program commences either in September 2026 or March 2027, with a scholarship duration of up to five months.  

  • International Chinese Language Education, Chinese Language and Literature, Chinese History, Chinese Philosophy, etc.: Applicants must score at least 180 on the HSK (Level 3) and possess an HSKK score.  
  • Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiji Culture: Applicants must possess an HSK score. Priority will be given to those who provide an HSKK score.  
  1. Four-Week Study Program 
  2. Joint Scholarships 

The program commences either in July or December 2026, with a scholarship duration of up to four weeks.  

Tracks: Chinese Language Study, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiji Culture, Chinese Language + Chinese Family Experience, etc.  

Requirements: Applicants must possess an HSK score. Recommending Institutions may organize group applications, and must contact the Host Institution in advance to finalize the study plan in China and submit it to CLEC for pre-approval. Each group shall consist of 10-15 people.  

CLEC partners with educational departments, universities in relevant countries, and Host Institutions to offer a specific number of scholarships. For detailed information regarding admission methods, guidelines, and quotas, please visit the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship application website.  

APPLICATION PROCEDURES 

  • July admission:Student applications close April 15; Recommending/Host Institution reviews close April 25.  

Starting March 1, 2026, applicants may visit the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship section of the Center for Language Education and Cooperation website (http://www.chinese.cn). On the site, applicants can search for Recommending and Host Institutions, submit application materials online, and track the progress of their application, including review comments and final results. Scholarship recipients must confirm enrolment procedures with the Host Institution and register by the date stipulated in the Admission Letter.  

Deadlines (Beijing Time):  

  • September admission:Student applications close May 15; Recommending/Host Institution reviews close May 25.  
  • December admission:Student applications close September 15; Recommending/Host Institution reviews close September 25.  
  • March 2027 admission:Student applications close October 31; Recommending/Host Institution reviews close November 10.  

REGARDING IN-SERVICE CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHERS AND CHINESE BRIDGE WINNERS 

Centralized Review by Expert Panel: CLEC will commission an expert panel to conduct a centralized review. Funding decisions will be based on HSK and HSKK scores, while also considering geographical distribution and other factors. The review process will be completed, and results announced, approximately three months prior to enrolment.  

  • In-Service Chinese Language Teachers 
  • Chinese Bridge Winners 

In-service Chinese language teachers applying for any scholarship category may submit proof of employment and a recommendation letter from their employer. These applicants will be given priority over equally qualified candidates.  

Applicants who have been awarded the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship Certificate in various Chinese Bridge competitions should log in to the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship website and submit their application materials to their target Host Institution, along with their scholarship certificate.  

For inquiries, please contact: chinesebridge@chinese.cn.  

RECOMMENDING INSTITUTIONS AND HOST INSTITUTIONS 

MISCELLANEOUS 

Recommending Institutions and Host Institutions are responsible for fulfilling their local duties in accordance with these Guidelines, including providing consultation, recommendation, and enrolment services.  

  • Generally, the One-Semester Study Program and One-Year Study Program do not admit applicants who have received a similar scholarship within the past three years.  
  • Please consult the target Host Institution regarding specific professional training plans and teaching curricula.  
  • Applicants are responsible for understanding the specific admission requirements and deadlines of their target Host Institution and must submit materials according to relevant regulations.  
  • Degree students are subject to an annual assessment. For details, please refer to the Measures for the Annual Assessment of the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship. 
  • For enrolment-related inquiries, please contact the Host Institution promptly. 
  • Scholarship eligibility will be revoked for students who fail the pre-enrolmentmedical examination, withdraw from school prematurely,fail to register on time without permission, or suspend their studies.  

Please email confucius-enquires @glasgow.ac.uk as soon as you have applied online so the Confucius Institute can recommend you in the application system.  

APPENDICES 

Scholarship Coverage and Standard 

List of Scholarship Application Materials 

Tuition is managed comprehensively by the Host Institution for the training and management of scholarship students, the organization of cultural activities, and the administration of Chineseproficiencytests.  

Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC)  

Appendix 1  

International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship Coverage and Standard  

The scholarship covers tuition, accommodation fees, living allowance (excluding Four-Week Study Program students), and comprehensive medical insurance.  

  1. Accommodation fees are managed comprehensively by the Host Institution to provide free on-campus housing (generally double rooms) for students. If a scholarship student applies for and receives permission from the Host Institution to live off-campus, the Host Institution will issue a monthly or quarterly accommodation allowance. The allowance is RMB 1,000/month for doctoral students and RMB 700/month for other scholarship categories.  
  2. The living allowance is distributed by the Host Institutionon a monthly basis. The standard rate for undergraduates, One-Year, and One-Semester students is RMB 2,500/month; for Master’s students in International Chinese Language Education is RMB 3,000/month; and for Doctoral students in International Chinese Language Education is RMB 3,500/month.  

Scholarship students must register at the Host Institution by the time stipulated in the Admission Letter; failure to do so will result in the cancellation of the scholarship. Students who register on or before the 15th of the month will receive the full monthly allowance; those who register after the 15th will receive half of the monthly allowance. If a scholarship student leaves China for personal reasons for more than 15 days during the study period (excluding winter and summer breaks), the living allowance will be suspended for the duration of their absence. If a scholarship student suspends their studies, withdraws from school, or receives disciplinary action from the Host Institution for personal reasons, the living allowance will be suspended starting from the date of suspension, withdrawal, or penalty notification. For graduating students, the living allowance is issued up to half a month after the graduation date confirmed by the school.  

  1. Comprehensive medical insurance expenses are implementedin accordance with relevant regulations from the Ministry of Education of China regarding international students studying in China and are purchased by the Host Institution. The standard for Four-Week Study Program students is RMB 100/person; for One-Semester Study Program students is RMB 400/person; and for students studying for more than one year is RMB 800/person/year.  

General Documents (Required for All Applicants) 

Appendix 2  

List of Application Materials for International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship  

  • Scanned copy of passport photo page. 
  • Scanned copy of HSK and HSKK score reports (valid for two years). 
  • Recommendation letter from the head of the Recommending Institution. 
  • Additional Documents for Degree Students 
  • Proof of highest academic qualification (or proof of expected graduation) and academic transcripts. 
  • Doctoral students in International Chinese Language Education must provide two recommendation letters from associate professors or professors or experts with equivalent professional titles in relevant fields. They must provide a personal statement in Chinese (approx. 3,000 words), detailing their understanding of the intended major and their research plan. Priority will be given to applicants who provide an employment agreement (or equivalent proof) from a teaching institution for post-graduation employment. 
  • Master’s Students in International Chinese Language Education) must provide recommendation letters from two supervisors holding the title of associate professor or above. Priority will be given to applicants who provide an employment agreement (or equivalent proof) from a teaching institution for post-graduation employment. 
  • In-service Chinese Language Teachers must attach proof of employment and a recommendation letter issued by their employer. 
  • Applicants under the age of 18 must submit entrusted guardianship documents signed by a guardian in China.
  • Applicants must also provide any other proof materials required by the Host Institution.

 

First published: 28 April 2026

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