Youth of Excellence Scheme of China Program (YES China) – Full Guide for the 2027/2028 Intake

The Youth of Excellence Scheme of China Program (often called YES China) is a prestigious full Chinese Government Scholarship administered by the China Scholarship Council (CSC). It aims to cultivate global governance talents who possess a broad international perspective, strong leadership skills, high comprehensive quality, and cross-cultural competence.

This program is designed for mid-career professionals rather than fresh graduates. It offers English-taught master’s programs at leading Chinese universities, with a focus on practical, high-level training.

Key Features of the Scholarship

• Number of places: Approximately 200 students per year
• Degree level: Master’s programs only
• Teaching language: English
• Duration: Usually 1 year, or the “1+1” model (one year of full-time study and research in China + one year of dissertation work in the home country)
• Coverage: Full scholarship
  • Tuition waiver
  • Free on-campus accommodation
  • Monthly stipend
  • Comprehensive medical insurance
    

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Who Can Apply? (Eligibility)

Applicants must meet all of the following:

1. Be a citizen of a country other than the People’s Republic of China and be under the age of 45.
2. Be in good physical and mental health.
3. Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher and have at least three years of work experience. Preference is given to those with professional training or experience related to the chosen program.
4. Fall into one of these four categories:
   • A government official at the division chief level (or equivalent) or above;
   • A senior manager of an institution or enterprise;
   • An administrator of a university or scientific research institution;
   • Someone with relevant employment or internship experience in international organizations.
5. Obtain a pre-admission letter from one of the participating Chinese universities. The letter must include personal information, admission date, and major details. Importantly, it must not mention any Chinese government scholarship.
   

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Application Timeline for the 2027 Intake

Based on the official schedule:

How to Apply

1. Obtain a pre-admission letter first from one of the approved subprograms (there are around 92 participating programs across many top Chinese universities).
2. Log in to the Chinese Government Scholarship Information System:
   https://studyinchina.csc.edu.cn/#/login
3. Complete the online application before 23:59 on 29 March 2027 (Beijing Time).
4. When applying:
   • Select “Type A” for Scholarship Type
   • Enter Agency Code 1563
   • Choose “Youth of Excellence Scheme of China”
     

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Participating Universities and Programs

The program includes a wide range of English-taught master’s degrees at leading Chinese universities. Examples from the official list include:

• Peking University – Yenching Academy “China Studies” master’s program, International Relations, Laws of China, etc.
• Beihang University – AI and Big Data, Space Information Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science
• Tsinghua, Fudan, Zhejiang, Xi’an Jiaotong, Nanjing, Wuhan, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and many others
• Specialized programs such as Belt and Road-related master’s degrees, Public Health, International Business, Digital Business Management, Chinese Culture Studies, Applied Economics, and more

Many program webpages are still being updated, so applicants should check the latest links provided by CSC or the individual universities.

Assessment Process

1. Preliminary examination of materials by the China Scholarship Council.
2. Second review by a panel of experts.
3. Final enrollment results announced after the expert review.

Final Tips

• Start early the pre-admission letter is the most critical first step and often has earlier university-specific deadlines (sometimes February).
• Prepare strong recommendation letters, a clear personal statement, and proof of relevant work experience.
• This is a highly competitive program aimed at future leaders and professionals, so highlight leadership and international exposure.

The Youth of Excellence Scheme of China is one of the most attractive fully funded opportunities for mid-career professionals seeking a high-quality English-taught master’s degree in China with strong networking potential.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official CSC website and the notices published by Chinese embassies.

Would you like me to expand any section (for example, a sample application checklist, or a list of more specific programs from the uploaded pages)?

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Linus Datsomor

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