Monash University-China Scholarship Council (CSC) Joint Scholarship

Benefits & funding

• From CSC, for up to four years: an annual living allowance, Overseas Student Health Cover, a return airfare between China and Melbourne, and visa application fees.
• From Monash, for up to four years: full tuition fee sponsorship from the faculty.
• From Monash, for up to four years: a top-up living allowance that lifts living support to the RTP Stipend rate, which is A$37,145 a year in 2026 (A$1,423.18 a fortnight).
• The living allowance starts on arrival in Australia. It cannot be backdated for students who begin their studies while still overseas.
• The number of awards and the total value vary; Monash publishes no fixed figure.
• Under CSC’s 2026 selection guide, doctoral funding normally runs 36–48 months and consists of one return international trip plus a scholarship for living costs, registration, health insurance, books and visa extension. Exact terms are set in the CSC admission documents.

Eligibility

• Applicants apply to Monash as international students.
• Applicants must meet CSC’s selection criteria. CSC’s 2026 selection guide requires citizenship of the People’s Republic of China, no permanent residence abroad, age 18 or over at application, good physical and mental health, and CSC’s foreign-language conditions.
• CSC does not accept applicants who already hold a full foreign scholarship, hold a CSC award that is still valid, are awaiting a CSC result, gave up a CSC award without approval less than two years ago, or returned from CSC-funded study less than two years ago.
• Applicants must meet Monash’s PhD entry standard: a four-year bachelor’s degree with a research thesis or project, or a master’s degree whose research component equals at least 25% of a year of full-time study, each with an average equivalent to Second Class Honours Division A (H2A). An equivalent mix of qualifications and professional experience can also qualify.
• Applicants must meet Monash’s English language proficiency requirements, which vary by faculty.
• Current Monash PhD students may also apply by contacting their faculty Graduate Research office.
• Students on a Monash Joint Research Award are eligible when Monash is the home institution.
• CSC-funded students must return to China on schedule after their studies to fulfil CSC’s return-service obligation.
• No field of study is excluded.

Application process

1. 1
   Check Monash’s PhD entry and English requirements, and approach a prospective supervisor.
2. 2
   Prepare a research proposal, certified transcripts, degree certificates, English evidence, an academic CV of up to two pages, and contact details for two referees.
3. 3
   Apply to Monash at myapp.monash.edu and state that you are applying for the ‘China Scholarship Council (CSC) Joint Scholarship’. Start as early as October; the deadline is 31 January.
4. 4
   Successful applicants receive a Monash offer, usually by 1 March.
5. 5
   With the offer, apply to CSC for funding under CSC’s rules for that year.
6. 6
   Once awarded, sign CSC’s study-abroad agreement before departure and depart within the award’s validity period.

Program timeline

1. recommended start of the Monash application.

   From October 2026

2. Monash application deadline.

   31 January 2027

3. Monash offers released.

   By 1 March 2027 (usual)

4. After the offer

   CSC funding application, on CSC’s annual timetable.

5. Program start

   no fixed date published; the living allowance begins on arrival in Australia.