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Lancaster University - China Scholarship Council: Joint PhD Scholarships

Joint PhD Scholarships from Lancaster University and the China Scholarship Council.

For Chinese students applying for PhD study in the UK.

At a glance

Study level Postgraduate research students
Fee status International students from China (about fee status)
Year of entry 2025
Based on Successful PhD application
Amount Full funding
How to apply

Apply first to Lancaster University for PhD study. If you are nominated by your academic department and shortlisted by the scholarship panel, you will be invited to apply to the China Scholarship Council

In detail

Lancaster University are pleased to offer up to five joint-funded PhD scholarships in collaboration with the China Scholarships Council (CSC). The scholarships are open to academically excellent Chinese nationals intending to commence their study for a PhD at Lancaster in October 2025.

Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of academic merit and CSC priorities.

The deadline for applications to Lancaster University is Monday 10 February 2025, at 11.59 GMT.

What will these scholarships cover?

For successful applicants to the scheme, the relevant academic department/school will fund the overseas tuition fees for the full duration, which is typically three years and the China Scholarship Council will provide a maintenance grant for living costs, one return flight from China to the UK and UK visa application fees subject to CSC policies.

Eligibility

To apply for one of these scholarships the following criteria must be met:

  • You are applying to study in the academic year 2025/26 on a full-time PhD programme
  • PhD students who have already begun the first year of their study at Lancaster in academic year 2024/25 are also eligible to apply
  • You must satisfy the eligibility and selection criteria set out by the China Scholarship Council
  • You must be a citizen and permanent resident of the People's Republic of China at the time of your application
  • You must hold an *unconditional offer for a full-time PhD degree programme at Lancaster University commencing October 2025
  • You must fulfil any English language requirements of your offer by the application deadline
  • Successful candidates are required to return to China upon completion of their studies

Note about *unconditional offers

If you are currently in your final year of study for a Bachelor or Master’s degree programme you are eligible to apply for a scholarship providing that the only condition of your offer is the successful completion of your degree. If your offer is conditional on fulfilling English language requirements you are not eligible to apply.

Research topics and CSC priority areas

Although applications may be made for all subject areas, CSC priority when considering applications is given to supporting the following subject areas:

  • Environmental Science,
  • Mathematics and Statistics,
  • Engineering (including Electrical and Electronic Engineering),
  • Accounting and Finance,
  • Economics,
  • Business and Management

Making an application

The scholarship application process is in two stages:

  1. An application to Lancaster University for your chosen PhD programme of study
  2. An application to the CSC

To progress your application to Stage 2 you must be made an unconditional offer to study on your chosen PhD programme and be nominated by your academic department for consideration by the LU-CSC selection panel for a scholarship.

An unconditional offer will not be issued unless the academic department has received all necessary documentation to support an application.

Firstly, you should make an application to Lancaster University for your chosen PhD programme of study and you should make clear in your application that you wish to be considered for an LU-CSC scholarship.

We recommend that you contact the academic department, or school of interest, as early as possible to discuss your research interests and who can support you further in the application process.

Please visit our applying for postgraduate study page to make your application.

Deadline

The deadline for applications to Lancaster University is Monday 10 February 2025, 11.59 GMT.

Once the Stage 1 application deadline has passed, academic departments will propose candidates for Lancaster University panel consideration of a CSC scholarship nomination.

Nominees for CSC scholarships will be advised by email of the outcome in early March. We will also notify the CSC if you have been nominated.

Nominated applicants will then be able to progress to stage 2, if they choose.

If you have received an unconditional offer of a place of study and are notified that you have been nominated to be considered for a CSC scholarship you must then apply directly to the CSC for consideration by the CSC selection panel.

Deadline

The CSC application window is open from early March to the end of March, exact dates to be confirmed.

Scholarships Awards

To receive a scholarship, applicants must be both nominated by Lancaster University and successful in the CSC application to be accepted onto this scholarship programme.

Results will be communicated by the CSC in May 2025.

Please note that if your CSC application is unsuccessful, Lancaster University will be unable to fund your PhD studies. Your PhD offer will still stand, but this would be as a self-funded student.

More information

Our admissions team can help with questions about scholarships and bursaries as well as other general enquiries about applying to Lancaster University.

Other scholarships and bursaries

  • Lancaster Master's Scholarship

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  • Alumni Loyalty Scholarship

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  • Lancaster Global Scholarship - Master's

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  • Management School Master's Scholarship

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  • Lancaster Sanctuary Scholarship

    A scholarship for students who are refugees or have humanitarian protection, with support and resources to help them integrate into our community here at Lancaster.

  • Lancaster Opportunity Fund

    Master’s Scholarship for Black British students. This scholarship will provide a full fee waiver and stipend of £18,000, for living costs, to support a high-achieving Black student to progress to PGT study.

  • Management School MBA Scholarship

    For students studying the full time Lancaster MBA programme.

  • Faculty Scholarships

    We offer a range of scholarships awarded directly through our faculties and departments.

  • Funded PhD Opportunities

    Many of our PhD departments also offer fully and part funded PhD programmes.

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