China Scholarship Council – Khalifa University Joint PhD Scholarship

Benefits & funding

• Monthly stipend of AED 9,200 from Khalifa University, plus a further stipend from the China Scholarship Council.
• Full coverage of Khalifa University tuition fees.
• Free university accommodation, or housing assistance of up to AED 2,000 a month when university accommodation is not available.
• Flights between China and Abu Dhabi at the start and the end of the program, paid by the China Scholarship Council.
• Textbooks, UAE visa application fees and medical insurance.
• Support to attend international research conferences, subject to university approval.
• Funding for up to a maximum of four academic years.

Eligibility

• Citizen of the People’s Republic of China at the time of applying.
• Approved for unconditional admission to a full-time PhD program at Khalifa University in engineering or science.
• Official approval of a scholarship award from the China Scholarship Council before first registration at Khalifa University.
• PhD admission itself asks for a master’s degree with a CGPA of at least 3.25 out of 4 (bachelor’s at least 3.0), or direct entry from a bachelor’s degree with a CGPA of at least 3.5 plus a GRE quantitative score of at least 150.
• English proficiency of TOEFL iBT 91 or academic IELTS 6.5 overall.
• The graduate catalog describes applicants as citizens and permanent residents of the People’s Republic of China; the scholarships page states citizenship only.
• Continuing the award requires full-time registration every semester including summer, and a CGPA of at least 3.5 out of 4.

Application process

1. 1
   Pick a PhD program in engineering or science and check its admission requirements.
2. 2
   Apply online through the postgraduate portal at pgapply.ku.ac.ae and pay the AED 200 application fee, by 10 February of the same academic year; admission is for the Fall semester only.
3. 3
   Submit degree certificates, official transcripts with the grading scale, the English test certificate, a detailed CV, a statement of purpose of 500 to 1,000 words, a research statement of 500 to 1,000 words, a passport copy and a photograph — plus a GRE score report for direct entry from a bachelor’s degree.
4. 4
   Wait for an unconditional PhD admission offer from Khalifa University.
5. 5
   With the offer in hand, complete the China Scholarship Council application for funding and the employer reference, using the forms at apply.csc.edu.cn.
6. 6
   Obtain official CSC approval of the award before registering at Khalifa University for the first time.

Program timeline

1. Khalifa University and the China Scholarship Council launch the joint PhD scholarship.

   Mar 28, 2019

2. Khalifa University application deadline for the next intake.

   Feb 10, 2027

3. After the admission offer

   China Scholarship Council funding application and employer reference at apply.csc.edu.cn.

4. Before first registration

   official CSC approval of the scholarship award.

5. Fall semester

   doctoral study begins, funded for up to four academic years.