Dept of Higher Education and Training / Chinese Government invites qualifying students to apply for Scholarship Programme 2018/19 academic year
Scholarship application deadline is 7 March 2018
Scholarship provider: Dept of Higher Education and Training / Chinese Government
Programme outline
The Chinese Government is offering scholarships for South African students to study at Chinese institutions starting in the 2018/19 academic year. The Department of Higher Education and Training is responsible for nominations.
The scholarship may be awarded for undergraduate (Bachelors) in the identified scarce skills, postgraduate (Masters or PhD) or non-degree Chinese language studies. Bachelor’s degree scholarships are taught in Chinese and will only be awarded to applicants who already have the required level of Chinese proficiency (HSK 4 or above). Preference is given to applications for postgraduate studies.
Criteria and Eligibility
South African citizens in good health (medical check will be required for successful applicants);
Strong academic record with a minimum 65% average in previous studies;
Availability to study in China from September 2018;
Demonstrated interest in China and commitment to the development of South Africa;
Applications in all fields of study except medicine will be considered;
Preference will be given to postgraduate applicants, previously disadvantaged applicants and applications in the following fields:
Biotechnology
Chinese language studies
Environment and Climate change
Engineering sciences
Maritime Studies
Natural and physical sciences
Nuclear and renewable energy
Space science and technology
Statistics
Telecommunication
Applicants must meet the minimum academic requirements for entry into a similar programme at a South African university.
Bachelor’s applicants must have HSK 4 certificate and be willing to study in Chinese.
Education requirements and age limits:
| STUDY PROGRAM | EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS | AGE (AS OF SEPTEMBER 2018) |
| Chinese language studies (non-degree) | National Senior Certificate (or equivalent) with a university entrance pass (a minimum of 65% average is recommended) | Under 35 |
| Doctoral degree | Master’s degree (a minimum of 65% average is recommended) | Under 40 |
| Master’s degree | Bachelor’s degree (honours) (a minimum of 65% average is recommended) | Under 35 |
| Bachelor’s degree | National Senior Certificate (or equivalent) with a university entrance pass (a minimum of 65% average is recommended) HSK 4 (or higher ) certificate |
Under 25 |
Language of Instruction
According to the regulations of the Chinese Ministry of Education, all undergraduate programmes for scholarship students are taught through the Chinese language medium. No exceptions will be made for students already in China studying in English. Bachelor’s degree applicants interested in pursuing a Bachelor’s degree must have HSK Level 4 or higher.
Candidates applying for programmes taught in Chinese need to provide evidence of Chinese language proficiency. If a language prepraratory course is required, applicants should apply for Chinese Language Studies only, not for the degree. They will be required to apply for the scholarship again for their degree studies upon successful completion of the language programme. Being awarded a scholarship for language studies does not guarantee that a degree scholarship will be available or awarded the following year.
At Master’s and PhD level, programmes taught in English are eligible for the scholarship. Applicants must identify the relevant institution and programme.
Institutions and Programmes
Scholarship applicants are required to apply directly to the institution of their choice prior to applying for the scholarship. Evidence of the submitted application must be provided.
It is the responsibility of each candidate to do research into available programmes, institutions, language of instruction and programme-specific entrance criteria. The programmes and institutions available under this scholarship are listed at http://www.csc.edu.cn/laihua/programsearchen.aspx.
Approximate duration (years) of scholarships
|
STUDY PROGRAM |
DURATION OF PROGRAM |
DURATION OF PREPARATORY CHINESE LANGUAGE COURSE |
DURATION OF SCHOLARSHIP |
|
Chinese language studies |
1-2 |
None |
Up to 2 |
|
Doctoral degree |
3-4 |
1-2 |
3-6 |
|
Master’s degree |
2-3 |
1-2 |
2-5 |
|
Bachelor’s degree |
4-5 |
1-2 |
4-7 |
Scholarship Conditions
The Chinese Government provides the following:
|
STUDY PROGRAM |
Tuition (RMB per year)* |
Accommodation (RMB per year) |
Stipend (RMB per year) |
Medical Insurance (RMB per year) |
|
Chinese language studies |
20000-27000 |
8400 |
30000 |
800 |
|
Doctoral degree |
25000-34000 |
8400 |
36000 |
800 |
|
Master’s degree |
33000-45000 |
12000 |
42000 |
800 |
|
Bachelor’s degree |
20000-27000 |
8400 |
30000 |
800 |
*Should tuition fees for the identified programme exceed the above stated amounts, the Scholarship Recipient will be responsible for paying the difference.
The South African Government provides the following (subject to the availability of funds):
One return economy airfare;
Quarterly stipend equivalent R3,300 per month  (excluded if a scholarship recipient is receiving a salary or other funding);
Once-off settlement allowance equivalent to R3,000;
Visa costs;
Compulsory orientation programme from 13-16 August 2018.Successful scholarship applicants will be required to sign a contract and return to South Africa upon completion of studies.
How to apply
Complete the DHET application form and email it with all supporting documents to Internationalscholarships@dhet.gov.za by 7 March 2018.
Applicants MUST apply to a Chinese university and submit proof of application or acceptance letter with their application.
All PhD applicants must identify and make contact with a supervisor at their university of choice and submit proof of this engagement with application form.
Supporting Documents Checklist:
|
CHINESE LANGUAGE STUDIES (NON-DEGREE) APPLICANT |
UNDERGRADUATE APPLICANT |
POSTGRADUATE APPLICANT |
| 1 .Completed DHET application form. | 1. Completed DHET application form. | 1. Completed DHET application form. |
| 2. Copy of passport or ID and passport application receipt. | 3. Copy of passport or ID passport application receipt. | 2. Copy of passport and ID passport application receipt. |
| 4. Copy of National Senior Certificate (or equivalent) or degree certificate. | 5. Copy of National Senior Certificate or equivalent. | 3. Copy of Bachelor’s, Honour’s and Master’s degree certificates (as applicable). |
| 5. One letter of recommendation from a lecturer, teacher or employer. Letter must be signed and on a letterhead. | 6. One letter of recommendation from a lecturer, teacher or employer. Letter must be signed and on a letterhead. | 6.Two letters of recommendation from professors or senior lecturers. Letters must be signed and on a letterhead. |
| 7.Copy of academic transcripts from university studies with a minimum of 65% average. | ||
| 8A maximum 1 page study or research plan. | ||
| 9 .PhD applicants must provide evidence of contact with their proposed supervisor. |
Do not submit CVs, ID documents or any other documents not requested.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
DEADLINE: 7 MARCH 2018
Applications can only be submitted by email on internationalscholarships@dhet.gov.za and must reach the DHET by the deadline of 7 March 2018.
Use the subject line: Chinese Scholarship Application, [Your surname]
Review process
Applications will be assessed by the South African Department of Higher Education and Training as follows:
Stage one: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â All applications will be screened based on meeting the minimum requirements for eligibility for the scholarship.
Stage two: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Applications that pass Stage 1 will be submitted to independent reviewers between 9 and 16 March 2018 for shortlisting.
Stage three: Â Â Â Â Â Applicants who pass Stage 2 will be invited to attend an interview, which will be held in Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth from 19 March to 4 April 2018.
Stage four:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Nominated candidates will be informed that they have been nominated for the scholarship and requested to complete the Chinese online application as well as a medical test. Their documents will then be reviewed in China, where the final decision will be made regarding the award of the scholarship.
Nominated candidates may be given a limited amount of time to submit further documents and must complete the CSC online application form. These documents include medical tests, and/or academic assessments.
Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email. Unfortunately individual explanations cannot be provided to unsuccessful applicants.
Successful candidates will be informed by 31 July 2018 and all students who accept the scholarship will be required to attend an orientation in Pretoria from 13 – 16 August 2018. Orientation is meant to assist successful candidates with preparation for departure and provide necessary information.
Note:
Do not submit CVs, ID documents or any other documents not requested.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Enquiries:Â internationalscholarships@dhet.gov.za
All applications received by the DHET will be acknowledged by email within 2 working days (after 2 January 2018). Please follow up if you do not receive an email acknowledgement.
The DHET is unable to consider any applications that are not received by 7 March 2018 or are incomplete.
