If you wish to pursue studies in China, then there is good news for you. You can apply for a scholarship in Shandong University. Here in this guide, I will discuss this scholarship—what you will receive and how you can apply for it, in a step-by-step manner.
What Is the Shandong University Scholarship?
The Shandong University scholarship for 2025-2026 is completely free for international students. This is to say that should you be eligible, you will not have to spend a penny on tuition, accommodation, daily expenses, or medical insurance—everything is taken care of!
This program was established to discover the most intelligent and gifted individuals from all corners of the globe. It gives them funds to assist them in completing their studies in Shandong University (SDU) successfully.
Why pick Shandong University?
Shandong University is not merely a school but one of China’s largest schools with numerous fields of studies. It has 12 major fields for undergraduate and postgraduate students and has currently:
- Philosophy
- Finance
- Rule
- Education
- Literature
- History
- Science
- Engineering
- Farming
- Medicine
- Leadership
- Visual Arts
SDU has 44 doctoral programs, 51 master programs, 93 undergraduate programs, and 42 post-doctoral research programs, providing a complete academic experience. And 18 of them are in the world’s top 1% in academic influence.
SDU has partnered with over 200 universities from over 30 different countries, and you can be part of a genuine international community of learners!
Scholarship Summary
Who can apply
- International students (excluding Chinese nationals).
- Those applying for bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD programs at SDU.
Scholarship Type
This scholarship comes in two forms:
- Full Scholarship: Covers school fees, living expenses, accommodation, and health insurance.
- Partial scholarship: It only covers tuition and health insurance.
How long will this last?
The length of your scholarship will be equivalent to how many years you will be studying, and this will be stated in your letter of admission.
Application Deadline
Write down this date! Your application should be submitted by April 1, 2025.
Programs Available Under This Scholarship
SDU has all you will ever need for school. Below is a rundown of what is available.
Bachelor’s Degree Programs
If you wish to attain a bachelor’s degree, you can opt for:
- Economics
- World Languages and Books
- Mechanical Engineering
- Control Science and Engineering
- Management
- Basic Health Sciences
- Nursing
To find a full range of bachelor’s degrees, visit SDU’s official website.
Master’s Degree Programs
If you wish to further your education with a master’s degree, SDU has programs in:
- Economics
- Other Languages and Books
- Math
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Control Science and Engineering
- Energy and Power Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Managing
You can find a complete listing of master’s degrees on SDU’s website.
Doctoral Programs
If you wish to pursue a doctorate, SDU has various fields, such as:
- More languages and books
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Control Science and Engineering
- Energy and Power Engineering
- Electric Engineering
- Civil Engineering
To see all PhD programmes, visit SDU’s website.
Who Can Apply?
Anybody can apply.
To apply for this scholarship, you should have these qualifications:
Nationality
- The scholarship is open to students from anywhere in the world, excluding China.
School History and Age Regulations
- To earn a bachelor’s degree, you have to complete high school and be under 25 years old.
- To get a master’s degree, you should have a bachelor’s degree and be 35 or younger.
- If you wish to pursue a PhD, you should hold a master’s degree and be below 40.
School and academic performance
- You need to possess a good school background and demonstrate excellent research capabilities.
- Other Scholarship Regulations
- If you receive a scholarship from the Chinese government, you will not be able to receive this one simultaneously.
Language Needs
SDU has both Chinese and English programs, so proficiency in both languages is useful. Here is what you need to be qualified:
For Chinese-Taught Programs
- Bachelor’s programs: A minimum score of 210 in HSK 4 is required.
- Master’s programs: You should have 180 points in HSK 5.
- PhD degrees: A minimum score of 180 in HSK 6.
For English-Taught Programs
If you are a native English speaker and from the U.K., U.S., Canada, Australia, or New Zealand, you do not have to provide any English test results.
If you are a non-native speaker, you will require:
- IELTS (at least 6.0)
- TOEFL (at least 80 points, MyBest Scores acceptable)
- An equivalent English proficiency certificate
If you hold a degree in English, you can waive out from taking IELTS/TOEFL with proof from your university.
How can you apply for scholarship
This is a basic guide to assist you in submitting your application:
Step 1: Visit the website online.
Visit the SDU Online Application System for overseas students:
http://www.apply.sdu.edu.cn
Step 2: Fill in the Application Form
- Choose either English or Chinese to complete the scholarship application form for Shandong University.
- Don’t forget to sign and then scan and upload the form to the system.
- You cannot send paper applications via postal service; you have to complete applications on-line.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
Ensure all documents you provide are:
- Correct and complete—incorrect or missing information will result in rejection.
- SDU has regulations for application (check instructions for bachelor, master, and PhD programs).
Step 4: Prepare to Speak
Please give your updated contact information since SDU may need to reach you regarding your application.
What I Like About the Shandong University Scholarship
The Shandong University scholarship is unique and unlike any other foreign student scholarship. It provides a great deal of assistance financially. Numerous students would like to learn in a foreign nation, but it is expensive. Fees for tuition, accommodation, living expenses, and health insurance can add up very quickly. This is my favorite thing about this scholarship; it provides all those problems with a solution so that students can focus on studying and bettering themselves.
I also appreciate that this scholarship is open to students from all over the world. Most scholarships have rules about nationality, but this scholarship is open to international students from virtually all countries with the exception of China. It is a wonderful opportunity for students from diverse backgrounds to meet, learn from one another, and experience something new in a good school.
I also appreciate that Shandong University (SDU) is stable. SDU is a large and well-known university in China. It is in the top 1% in 18 fields in the world, so students who receive this scholarship will be in a school that values studying and research. It cooperates with over 200 schools in more than 30 countries and provides students with exchange programs, international connections, and opportunities for future employment.
What excites me most about this scholarship is that you can choose from a variety of programs. Whether you want a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, or a Ph.D., there are a variety like Economics, Engineering, Medicine, and Fine Arts. This provides students with a program that is specific to their interests and career aspirations.
One great aspect of this scholarship is that you have a chance to experience Chinese life firsthand. China is rich in history, has fascinating customs, and is full of new technologies. Studying and residing there provides students with a different way of life, an opportunity to learn Mandarin, and a better understanding of the world with full scholarship.
How We Discovered About the Shandong University Scholarship
It was difficult to locate scholarship for Shandong University. It was a lot of research to sift through various choices and determine which ones were genuine, fully funded, and available for international students.
My friend and I initially considered our choices to pursue studies in a foreign country. China was a good option since it has a significant influence on education, technology, and culture. We understood that Chinese schools provide a good education, but we encountered an issue with financing. Attending a foreign country for studies is expensive, and in the absence of a scholarship, most students find it extremely challenging.
While we searched for other choices, we discovered Chinese Government Scholarships (CGS). They seemed wonderful, but lots of people desired them. This led to searching for scholarships from certain schools, and that is when we discovered Shandong University’s fully funded scholarship. We were immediately drawn to it since it was greater and provided more funds than all the rest.
A few key things made it catch our attention:
- Students from nearly all countries were able to participate.
- It covered all major expenses, including tuition, accommodation, living allowance, and health insurance.
- The eligibility criteria were clear, making it easy to know if we qualified.
- The university had a strong academic reputation, with a wide range of programs.
After learning all this, we thought that we should investigate further. We went to SDU’s page, reviewed what students have to say, and reviewed previous scholarship winners. The more we learned, the more we realized that this was a wonderful opportunity that most students weren’t aware of.
What We Hoped to Learn from the Shandong University Scholarship
Before we learned about the Shandong University Scholarship, we all had a number of expectations for what we would learn from it. This was not just about studying, but how to apply what we learned, university life in China, and what studying overseas was like.
Knowing how China’s scholarship system functions
We wanted to know about Chinese scholarships and how Chinese scholarships differ from other countries. Students are familiar with scholarships in America, Britain, or in Europe, but China is not. We wanted to know who is eligible, how individuals are selected, and how competitive it is.
Application Process and Documentation
Getting a scholarship is usually difficult, and we believed that contacting SDU would be time-consuming and require a great deal of documents. We wished to know what a good scholarship application is, such as:
- Why school records and research experience are important.
- How to compose a good personal statement
- What kinds of recommendation letters are most effective?
- How to demonstrate you know English or Chinese well
What Life in China Would Be Like
Another big question we had was what happens to Chinese students. We understood that China has a few of the world’s best schools, but we wanted to know what international students experience on a daily basis—things like:
- How simple it is to acclimatize to the culture.
- Will different languages pose a problem?
- What school buildings and student residences are like
- How welcoming is the university community?
The Advantages of Studying Abroad
Finally, we were keen to know how studying abroad can be useful. A blend of school life allows students to collaborate with individuals from varied backgrounds, develop a worldwide mindset, and establish business prospects across the globe.
Next Steps After Finding Out About Shandong University Scholarship
Now that we have discussed the Shandong University Scholarship, we know what to do next. This is what you can do to apply:
- Review the Eligibility Requirements. Check all your prerequisites—your nationality, education, age requirement, and language proficiency should be consistent with what SDU requires.
- Gather all required documents. Begin collecting important documents you will use for your application, such as:
- School papers
- Recommendation letters
- About me
- Certificates indicating language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, or HSK for Chinese programs)
- Register on the Application Portal. Visit SDU’s online application page and create an account. You will provide your information, upload your documents, and track your application status.
- Apply Before the Deadline. The deadline is April 1, 2025. Apply early to prevent any delays. We do not receive late applications.
- Keep in contact with conversation. Make sure SDU is able to reach you. Look for email notifications or requests for additional information.
- Learn student life in SDU. While you await feedback, see what student life is like in Shandong University. Browse online forums, speak with current students, and discover what life is like in China.
- Create a travel and visa plan. If you receive a spot, you will have to apply for a student visa (X1 or X2) and prepare to travel and relocate.
FAQs About the Shandong University Scholarship
- Who can apply for SDU scholarship? International students from every country, excluding China.
- What expenses does the full scholarship cover? Tuition, accommodation, living allowance, and medical insurance.
- What is in the partial scholarship? Just school and medical insurance.
- What is the age limit for applicants? Bachelor’s: under 25, Master’s: under 35, and PhD: under 40.
- Do I need to know Chinese to apply? No, there are English programs.
- What are the language requirements for Chinese-taught programs? HSK 4 for Bachelor’s, HSK 5 for Master’s, HSK 6 for PhD.
- What is the application deadline? April 1, 2025.
- How do I apply? Use the SDU website to apply.
- Can I apply for multiple scholarships? If you have a scholarship from the Chinese government, then no.
- Are there any interview requirements? Sometimes, candidates who have been selected can be interviewed.
This is a wonderful opportunity for international students who don’t have to concern themselves with finances to study in China. Apply if you are eligible. Good luck! I look forward to seeing you soon in Shandong University!