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By Olami, AbroadPilot · Reviewed September 2026
The International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship (formerly the Confucius Institute Scholarship) is a fully funded programme established by China’s Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC) to train Chinese-language teachers worldwide. At Hubei University (HUBU) in Wuhan — a host institution with a 90-year history of Chinese language and literature teaching — it lets non-Chinese students study Chinese language and teaching at little to no cost.
This guide covers what the scholarship includes, who can apply, the deadlines for both intakes, and the application process.
What the scholarship covers
- Tuition fees
- On-campus accommodation
- A monthly living stipend
- Comprehensive medical insurance for international students in China
It is offered for several study durations, including one-academic-year and one-semester programmes, as well as degree programmes for those training as Chinese teachers.
Who is eligible?
- Nationality: be a non-Chinese citizen, friendly to China, with no criminal record, willing to abide by China’s laws and the university’s rules.
- Health & conduct: be in good physical and mental health and in good academic and behavioural standing.
- Intent: be committed to working in Chinese language education, teaching or related fields.
- Age: generally aged 16–35 (calculated as of September 1 of the intake year). In-service Chinese language teachers may have the limit extended to 45.
- Language tests: selection considers your HSK (Chinese proficiency) and HSKK (spoken) scores and levels, so you typically need to have taken these.
Deadlines (Beijing time)
The scholarship has two intakes a year, each with its own deadline:
- September 2026 intake: applicants apply by May 15, 2026; recommending and host institutions complete their review by May 25.
- March 2027 intake: applicants apply by October 31, 2026; institutions complete review by November 10.
An expert panel reviews applications and awards on a merit basis using HSK/HSKK results and other factors. Always confirm the live dates on Hubei University’s official admissions pages.
How to apply: step by step
- Take your HSK / HSKK tests. You’ll need valid Chinese-proficiency scores, since selection is largely based on them.
- Apply on the official scholarship site. Register at the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship portal (chinese.cn / the CLEC system), choose your recommending and host institution, and upload your documents.
- Select Hubei University as host. Choose Hubei University (and the relevant program/duration) as your host institution and complete its own online application as instructed.
- Recommendation & review. A recommending institution reviews and recommends you; Hubei University then checks your eligibility and conducts merit-based pre-admission.
- Receive admission. If selected, you’ll receive your admission letter and JW202 form; print your scholarship certificate online.
- Visa & enrolment. Apply for your student visa, then register at Hubei University on time — the scholarship only activates once you arrive and register.
Frequently asked questions
Is the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship fully funded?
Yes — it covers tuition, on-campus accommodation, a monthly stipend and comprehensive medical insurance.
Do I need HSK and HSKK scores?
Yes. Selection is based largely on your HSK and HSKK scores and levels, so you should sit these tests before applying.
What is the age limit?
Generally 16–35 (as of September 1 of the intake year), extended to 45 for in-service Chinese language teachers.
Free tools for this
- Scholarship Odds Estimator — real award-to-applicant ratios where funders publish them
- Scholarship Eligibility Checker — which of our tracked scholarships you can actually apply for
- Scholarship Deadlines Calendar — never shows a deadline that already passed
- How to Verify a Scholarship Is Real — the red flags that separate real funders from scams
Verify details on the official site: Hubei University international admissions (eng.hubu.edu.cn) and the scholarship portal at chinese.cn. Deadlines and terms can change each cycle, so always confirm before applying.
Explore more options on our Scholarships hub, including the Osaka University MEXT Scholarship (Japan), Chevening (UK) and DAAD (Germany).
Olami is the founder and lead writer at AbroadPilot. He started the site after going through the visa process himself — a German student visa in 2019 and a Canadian work permit in 2023 — and learning first-hand how confusing official immigration language can be, how often rules change, and how easy it is to lose money to bad advice. He spent three years as an international education and travel consultant, helping people source and verify the information that landed their visas and planned their trips. Every guide on AbroadPilot is built from official sources — embassy pages, government immigration portals, and .gov fee schedules — and reviewed as requirements change. AbroadPilot does not sell visas or applications; it is a free resource to help readers apply with confidence.
