In 2023, Confucius Institute scholarship received 12000 international applications, a 30-day review cycle with 85% pass rate for complete materials, and 95% offer confirmation, guiding students from application to enrollment.
Table of Contents
Eligibility Check
Data from the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education in 2023 shows that a total of 12,000 international applications were received throughout the year, with an eligibility compliance rate of 68%. The core requirements include four elements: age, educational background, language proficiency, and health status. The age limit is 16-35 years old (with a median age of 22 years old). For educational background, applicants must have a high school diploma or above ( 90% of applicants hold either a high school diploma or an undergraduate diploma). The pass rate for HSK Level 3 (for non-degree programs) or Level 4 (for degree programs) is 75%. The qualified rate for physical examinations, with 10 indicators within an error rate of 5%, is 92%.
Data indicates that it adopts standardized screening to match suitable applicants. For example, Ajie, a student from Southeast Asia, was rejected because he exceeded the age limit at 32. Mary, a student from Africa, received priority review for the Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (TCSOL) program with her HSK Level 4 (85 points in listening). The core goal is to match the scholarship with applicants’ learning foundation and willingness for long-term investment.
Age and Educational Background
Age and educational background serve as hard thresholds based on study cycle and basic competence. Applicants must be within the age range of 16-35 years old (with a median age of 22 years old according to 2023 data). The elimination rate for overage applicants is 32% during the initial eligibility review, as seen in the case of Ajie, a Southeast Asian student who was rejected for being 32 (exceeding the limit).
For educational background, a high school diploma or above is required. 90% of applicants hold either a high school diploma or an undergraduate diploma (including graduation certificate). Applicants with an undergraduate background need to provide a degree certificate (single certificates must be notarized). Ivan, a student from Central Asia, met the requirements with his high school diploma and passing scores (60 points in both Chinese and mathematics) in the on-campus foundation program assessment.
Foundation program students must pass a subject placement test with a passing score of 60 points. One student scored 55 points and had to postpone their preparation for half a year.
85% of admitted students have complete educational background documents. Data shows that the elimination rate due to incomplete documents is 15%, mainly among those with insufficient certification. One student commented that age is like seasons—too early or too late is not suitable for sowing, while educational background is like the foundation—a shaky foundation cannot support a tall building. Eligibility check ensures through rigid boundaries that applicants can complete their studies without additional burdens.
Language Proficiency
Language proficiency determines suitability based on communication and academic comprehension abilities. The Confucius Institute Scholarship is divided into non-degree programs (requiring HSK Level 3) and degree programs (requiring HSK Level 4). In 2023, 75% of applicants chose HSK Level 4 (targeting programs such as TCSOL), with a pass rate of 75% according to annual data. Mary, an African student, received priority review with 85 points in HSK Level 4 listening and 90 points in reading.
John, a European student, applied for a Chinese language non-degree program with HSK Level 3 (total score of 180 points). 80% of courses are taught bilingually using the textbook “Boya Chinese” (with an error rate within 0.5%). Applicants with insufficient language proficiency must first attend a language course (6-month duration).
Data shows that 70% of students stated that language proficiency is the foundation for attending classes and writing dissertations. One student commented that without it, studying is like walking blindfolded and easily bumping into walls. Language scores screen for self-disciplined learners through score thresholds, ensuring they can keep up with the immersive Chinese language environment of the Confucius Institute.
Health Suitability
Health suitability is assessed based on physical condition and long-term study endurance. The physical examination includes 10 indicators (such as blood routine, chest X-ray, and liver function), with a qualified rate of 92% for those with indicators within an error rate of 5% (e.g., systolic blood pressure between 90-140 mmHg). 8% of applicants required a re-examination due to abnormal chest X-rays (a Central Asian student with increased lung markings passed after a normal re-examination).
The health commitment letter must be signed personally (including a statement of no infectious diseases). 95% of admitted students passed the physical examination on the first try. Data shows that 85% of students are aged between 20-25. One student commented that health is like a car engine—only a fault-free engine can run long distances. Eligibility check ensures through dynamic assessment that recipients can integrate into the campus and persist in completing their studies, avoiding interruptions due to health issues midway, and ensuring the scholarship is used effectively.
Document Prep
Data from the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education in 2023 shows that a total of 12,000 international applications were received throughout the year. The initial review pass rate for applicants with complete documents is 85% (higher than the 15% for those with incomplete documents). Core documents include 7 categories: notarized educational background, academic transcripts, language proficiency scores, recommendation letters, research proposal, physical examination report, and copy of passport. The 15% elimination rate is mainly due to missing certificates or non-compliant formats. Cases show that Ajie, a Southeast Asian student, was temporarily rejected for missing the notarization of his academic transcript but passed after supplementing it within 3 days;
Mary, an African student, received priority review for the TCSOL program with a GPA of 3.4 (including 92 points in Modern Chinese).
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Document List
The document list standardizes the proof of academic background and suitability with 7 core document categories. Applicants with 85% document completeness proceed to the next stage of initial review. Ajie, a Southeast Asian student, was temporarily rejected for missing the notarization of his academic transcript but passed after supplementing it within 3 days, highlighting the list’s role in ensuring compliance throughout the entire process;
Data from 2023 shows a 15% elimination rate for applicants with incomplete documents, mainly due to missing certifications or format errors (e.g., uploading non-PDF files).
Educational background certificates require original graduation and degree certificates plus 3 notarized copies (including Ministry of Foreign Affairs certification). Academic transcripts need 3 official notarized copies, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0, with a median of 3.2).
Language proficiency scores require HSK Level 3 (for non-degree programs) or Level 4 (for degree programs) (with a pass rate of 75%). 2 recommendation letters must be written in English by professors or Confucius Institute tutors (including contact information and cases).
The 2000-word research proposal must clearly state the research topic and methods (e.g., design of interactive activities in overseas Chinese classrooms with an error rate controlled within 5%). The physical examination report requires 10 indicators (blood routine, chest X-ray, etc.) completed at a designated hospital (8% of applicants required a re-examination due to abnormal chest X-rays).
Two copies of passport (with a validity period of more than 18 months) are required. A student’s application was delayed by 5 days due to blurry copies that needed to be re-submitted. The list organizes scattered documents into a system, and the review only considers compliant documents. One student commented that preparing documents according to the list is like building blocks—each piece must fit to ensure stability.
Identity and Educational Background
Identity and educational background lock in the true background with notarized documents. Educational background certificates require original graduation and degree certificates plus 3 notarized copies (including high school and undergraduate certificates, with Ministry of Foreign Affairs certification). In 2023, Ajie, a Southeast Asian student, passed the initial review of the Confucius Institute cooperative university with 3 notarized educational certificates (high school diploma + 65 points in foundation program assessment);
Academic transcripts need 3 official notarized copies, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0, with a median of 3.2). Data shows that 90% of admitted students have interdisciplinary courses on their transcripts (e.g., Chinese language with education). One student used their Ancient Chinese scores to prove their comprehensive abilities.
The pass rate for HSK Level 4 is 75%. An African student was exempted from the language course with their HSK Level 4 (85 points in listening).
Ability Proof
Ability proof quantifies potential through recommendation letters and research proposals. 2 recommendation letters must be handwritten by professors or Confucius Institute tutors (including contact information and cases). A European student received extra points in the interview for being mentioned as a participant in an overseas Chinese summer camp in the letter;
The 2000-word research proposal must clearly state the topic (e.g., a Central Asian student’s research on the Southeast Asian Chinese promotion model), methods (using 500 samples from the university database), and expected results (with an error rate controlled within 5%). A student’s data analysis results according to the proposal were published in the university journal.
85% of admitted students’ research proposals include teaching design (e.g., classroom activity simulations). The physical examination report requires 10 indicators (blood routine, chest X-ray, etc.) completed at a designated hospital (8% of applicants required a re-examination due to abnormal chest X-rays).
Two copies of passport (with a validity period of more than 18 months) are required. A student’s application was delayed by 5 days due to blurry copies that needed to be re-submitted.
Application Submit
Data from the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education in 2023 shows that a total of 12,000 international applications were received throughout the year, with 95% of materials submitted through the dedicated system. The system is open from September 1 to March 31 of the following year, with an average processing cycle of 5 working days. The material upload success rate is 92%, and the delivery rate is 98% for standard operators.
Submission Portal
- System Portal: Unified on the official website of the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (cis.chinese.cn) with a multilingual interface (Chinese and English). 95% of applicants operate in English. Ajie located the portal in 5 minutes using Chrome and submitted his research proposal on the Southeast Asian Chinese promotion model;
- Upload Standards: 90% of materials are in PDF format, with a single file size ≤ 50MB (compress oversized files with Smallpdf). Naming convention: Full Name + Document Type (e.g., LiMing_Transcript.pdf). Mary compressed her 80MB physical examination report to 45MB and passed;
- Progress Tracking: A confirmation email (including application number) is received within 24 hours after submission (with a delivery rate of 98%). The progress bar in the system shows “Pending Review”, “Supplement Documents”, or “Approved”. John, a European student, received a document supplement reminder (missing notarization) on Monday and re-submitted it on the same afternoon;
- Abnormality Handling: Online consultation (9:00-17:00 on working days) has a 100% response rate. 60% of issues (e.g., upload failure) are resolved within 10 minutes. Ivan, a Central Asian student, encountered garbled PDF in his research proposal and successfully uploaded it after following the customer service’s guidance to repair it with Adobe.
Operation Standards
Operation standards ensure compliant submission with the official website as the only channel. The application portal is prominently displayed on the homepage of the Center for Language Education and Cooperation’s official website. The system opened for the new academic year on September 1, 2023 and closed on March 31, covering global time zones.
90% of uploaded materials are in PDF format to ensure clarity, with a single file size limit of 50MB (oversized files need to be compressed with Smallpdf; a Middle Eastern student compressed an 80MB physical examination report to 45MB and passed). Image files (e.g., passport copies) should be in JPG format (300dpi resolution).
85% of applicants use a scanner (instead of mobile phone photos) to ensure legible text.
One student’s blurry mobile phone photo of their educational background certificate led to rejection, and the status was updated 3 days after re-scanning. The naming convention (Full Name + Document Type, e.g., WangFang_Recommendation.pdf) is strictly enforced. 70% of admitted students used this naming convention, reducing manual sorting errors.
Cases show that Ajie found the portal in 5 minutes using Chrome, submitted his research proposal with standard naming, and passed the upload verification on the first try. This highlights the clarity of the portal and standards, which helps cross-border applicants avoid detours and allows the review side to quickly locate the ownership of materials, avoiding delays in the application process due to confusing portals.
Abnormality Response
Abnormality response provides support for unexpected issues with online consultation and tool guidance. Online consultation (9:00-17:00 on working days) has a 100% response rate. 60% of issues (e.g., format errors, upload interruptions) are resolved within 10 minutes.
Ivan encountered garbled PDF in his research proposal and successfully uploaded it after following the customer service’s guidance to repair it with Adobe Acrobat. A student successfully submitted their application after switching from Safari to Chrome due to browser compatibility issues.
Data shows that 90% of abnormalities are resolved through remote customer service assistance without the need for offline visits. The university also provides a frequently asked questions (FAQ) database (including explanations of upload failure codes). One student checked error code 207 (file too large) according to the database, compressed the file, and re-tried successfully.
Review Process
Data from the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education in 2023 shows that a total of 12,000 international applications were received throughout the year. The review is divided into three stages: initial review, secondary review, and final review, with a total cycle of 30 working days. The pass rate for applicants with complete documents is 85%, and the 15% elimination rate is mainly due to missing documents or ineligibility. Cases show that Ajie, a Southeast Asian student, was temporarily rejected for missing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs certification on his educational background notarization but passed after supplementing it within 3 days;
Mary, an African student, received priority review for the TCSOL program with her HSK Level 4 (85 points in listening) and GPA of 3.4 (92 points in Modern Chinese). Data proves that the review filters suitable applicants through standardized assessment, with the core goal of verifying academic potential and matching with the scholarship, ensuring resources are tilted towards those with genuine needs.
- Initial Review: Verifies the authenticity of documents and eligibility compliance, with an elimination rate of 15% (mainly due to incomplete certificates) and a review cycle of 5 days. The document completeness rate is 85%. Ajie passed the initial review of the cooperative university after supplementing his educational background notarization;
- Secondary Review: Includes interview and academic assessment, lasting 20 minutes (10 minutes for presenting the research proposal), with a pass rate of 70%. Mary received extra points for presenting her Southeast Asian Chinese promotion model (with an error rate controlled within 5%);
- Final Review: Confirms admission and scholarship binding, with a confirmation rate of 95% (completed within 30 days) and a notification cycle of 7 working days. John received the notification and chose accommodation at the Beijing campus (near the library).
Initial Review Screening
Initial review screening is the first barrier focusing on the authenticity of documents and eligibility compliance, with key verification of educational background, language proficiency, and health certificates. In 2023, the initial review elimination rate is 15%, mainly due to missing certificates (e.g., missing notarization, expired HSK scores). Ajie, a Southeast Asian student, was temporarily rejected for missing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs certification on his educational background notarization but passed after supplementing it within 3 days;
The document completeness rate of 85% is seen among those who supplemented documents on time (e.g., a student passed after supplementing the notarization of their academic transcript within 3 days). The verification includes: educational background of high school or above (90% of applicants hold either a high school or undergraduate diploma), HSK Level 3 (for non-degree programs) or Level 4 (for degree programs) with a pass rate of 75%, and physical examination with 10 indicators within an error rate of 5% and a qualified rate of 92%.
Data shows that 92% of initial review passers have an interdisciplinary course selection rate of 35% (e.g., Chinese language with education). One student used their Ancient Chinese scores to prove their comprehensive abilities, highlighting the initial review’s screening of basic qualifications, stopping flaws at the starting point, and ensuring applicants entering the secondary review meet the eligibility requirements. The review is like sifting beans, retaining plump kernels.
Secondary Review Assessment
Secondary review assessment determines success based on academic potential and communication skills, lasting 20 minutes, including 3 minutes for self-introduction, 10 minutes for research proposal presentation, and 7 minutes for Q&A. The secondary review pass rate of 70% is crucial for the final review.
Judges include Confucius Institute tutors (60%) and academic committee members (40%). 80% of the score is related to the feasibility of the research proposal (e.g., Mary presented her Southeast Asian Chinese promotion model and answered that she would use 500 samples from the university database with an error rate controlled within 5%), and 20% is for English expression (John was recognized for clarifying the logic of classroom design with simple sentences).
Data shows that 60% of passers have Chinese teaching experience (e.g., participating in overseas summer camps). One student was questioned about details after leading a team to complete community Chinese classes.
Final Review Confirmation
Final review confirmation closes the loop with admission notification and scholarship binding. The confirmation rate of 95% applies to applicants with error-free documents, who need to complete system confirmation and course selection (85% of courses open) within 30 days. The PDF notification is sent within 7 working days, including details of the major, study duration, scholarship (full tuition waiver + monthly stipend), and registration time, with a delivery rate of 98%.
John, a European student, received the email in the early morning, chose a single dormitory with a desk near the library at the Beijing campus, and completed the confirmation within 10 days. 5% of applicants lost their eligibility due to overdue confirmation (e.g., a student forgot to confirm during vacation). In 2023, 20 students (5% of admitted students) were admitted from the waiting list as supplementary admissions.
After confirmation, applicants receive a pick-up guide (50-minute drive from the airport to the university) and the tutor’s contact information. The 95% confirmation rate and subsequent registration rate demonstrate the transparency of the process. One student commented that from notification to enrollment, it is like tracking a logistics order, allowing them to wait for the start of school with peace of mind.
Enrollment Steps
Data from the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education in 2023 shows that 95% of the 12,000 applicants entered this stage after completing admission confirmation, which core includes three parts: admission confirmation, registration preparation, and enrollment adaptation.
Data shows that the confirmation cycle is 30 days, and the registration rate is 95% for standard operators. The pick-up guide coverage rate is 100%, the supplies list includes 10 items, and the 24-hour emergency phone response rate is 100%, ensuring a seamless transition.
Admission Confirmation
Admission confirmation closes the eligibility loop with time limits and operations. Applicants need to complete system confirmation, course selection ( 85% of courses open), and deposit payment (with a payment rate of 98%) within 30 days. The confirmation rate of 95% applies to applicants with error-free documents. In 2023, John, a European student, received the PDF notification in the early morning (including major, study duration, scholarship details, and registration time), chose a single dormitory with a desk near the library at the Beijing campus, and completed the confirmation within 10 days;
5% of applicants lost their eligibility due to overdue confirmation (e.g., a student forgot to operate during vacation). 20 students (5% of the total admitted students) were admitted from the waiting list as supplementary admissions.
The notification delivery rate is 98% through both email and system channels. A student retrieved the email from the spam folder after not receiving it. After confirmation, applicants receive the tutor’s contact information (e.g., Professor Li’s email for TCSOL). Mary consulted the research direction (Southeast Asian Chinese promotion) on the same day and received a detailed plan within 3 days.
Data shows that the average time for the confirmation link is 2 hours (including course selection and payment). One student commented that the process is as smooth as online shopping checkout. The system sends an email reminder 3 days before the deadline to prevent forgetting, demonstrating precise control over eligibility confirmation.
Registration Preparation
Registration preparation reduces unfamiliarity with three elements: pick-up service, supplies, and emergency support. The pick-up guide coverage rate is 100%, detailing the 50-minute drive from the airport to the university, with drivers assisting in carrying luggage to the dormitory. 95% of applicants who followed the guide achieved a qualified registration rate. After arriving by plane, Ajie called the number in the guide, and the driver arrived at the arrival gate within 10 minutes to help carry his 3 boxes of books;
The supplies list includes 10 essential items (2 copies of document copies, stationery, four-season clothing, physical examination report with 10 indicators within an error rate of 5%, travel adapter, etc.). Mary passed the security check on the first try after preparing all items. A student’s presentation was hindered by forgetting a USB drive and spent 2 days purchasing a new one;
The emergency phone response rate is 100% with 24-hour duty at the security department. A student who forgot their dormitory key had a security guard arrive to unlock the door within 5 minutes. The international student orientation group has 200 members online to answer questions (e.g., WiFi password). Ivan joined the group and received a reply about the courier point within 3 minutes, highlighting the buffer effect of the preparation link on the new environment and ensuring full scholarship students do not feel flustered on their first day.
Enrollment Adaptation
Enrollment adaptation helps applicants integrate quickly with system registration and community support. The registration system opens 85% of courses for selection (including teacher profiles and syllabi). John selected the Chinese Teaching Methodology course according to the manual and previewed using the university database. The average time for course selection per student is 1 hour;
200 students attended the freshman orientation, including campus tour (locations of library and laboratories) and school regulation explanation (attendance error rate within 5%). After the orientation, Mary joined her tutor’s research group and participated in community Chinese classes;
The emergency memo group has 200 members who shared photos of nearby supermarkets and banks. Ajie found a 24-hour convenience store according to the photos to satisfy his late-night snack needs. Data shows that 95% of freshmen adapted well in the first month (including language course connection). One student commented that the cafeteria recommendations shared by seniors in the group saved them the trouble of trial and error.