What HSK and HSKK the Chinese teachers' scholarship asks for
This is the scholarship run by CLEC (applications at cis.chinese.cn), not the Chinese Government Scholarship. Figures are from CLEC's 2026 rules, dated January 2026.
Unofficial study site · every figure links to an official source
| Category | Start and length | HSK / HSKK requirement |
|---|---|---|
| PhD, International Chinese Language Education (Master's in TCSOL, linguistics, International Chinese Education or education) | Sep 2026, 4 years | HSK 6 ≥ 200 and HSKK Advanced ≥ 60, or HSK Level 7 |
| Master's, International Chinese Language Education (Bachelor's degree) | Sep 2026, 2 years | HSK 5 ≥ 210 and HSKK Intermediate ≥ 60 |
| Bachelor's, Chinese International Education (High-school diploma) | Sep 2026, 4 years | HSK 4 ≥ 210 and HSKK Intermediate ≥ 60 |
| One-year, International Chinese Education track | Sep 2026, 11 months | HSK 3 ≥ 270 and an HSKK score |
| One-year, Chinese literature / history / philosophy | Sep 2026, 11 months | HSK 4 ≥ 180 and HSKK Intermediate ≥ 60 |
| One-year, Chinese language study | Sep 2026, 11 months | HSK 3 ≥ 210 (HSKK preferred) |
| One-semester (education, literature, history, philosophy) | Sep 2026 or Mar 2027, 5 months | HSK 3 ≥ 180 and an HSKK score |
| One-semester (Chinese medicine, tai chi culture) | Sep 2026 or Mar 2027, 5 months | Any HSK score (HSKK preferred) |
| Four-week programme | Jul or Dec 2026, 4 weeks | Any HSK score; groups of 10–15 through a recommending institution |
The rules date from January 2026, before HSK 3.0 launched, so scores such as “HSK 3 ≥ 270” match the HSK 2.0 scale (Level 3: 300 points).
Who can apply
- Non-Chinese citizens aged 16–35 (on 1 Sep 2026); in-service Chinese teachers up to 45; bachelor's applicants generally no older than 25.
- Recommended by a recommending institution: Confucius Institutes and classrooms, some Chinese test centres, foreign universities' Chinese departments, teaching associations or Chinese embassies.
- One-semester and one-year programmes generally do not admit anyone who held a similar scholarship in the last 3 years.
Deadlines in the 2026 rules (Beijing time)
| Intake | Student deadline | Institutions' review |
|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | 15 Apr | 25 Apr |
| September 2026 | 15 May | 25 May |
| December 2026 | 15 Sep | 25 Sep |
| March 2027 | 31 Oct 2026 | 10 Nov 2026 |
All four 2026-rule deadlines have passed as of 2026-11-13. The rules for September 2027 intakes were not found by us on 2026-11-13 (尚未确认 / not yet confirmed); the 2026 rules came out in January 2026.
What it pays
- Tuition, accommodation (usually a shared double room), living allowance and medical insurance (four-week students get no living allowance).
- Living allowance per month: RMB 2,500 (bachelor's, one-year, one-semester), RMB 3,000 (master's), RMB 3,500 (PhD).
- Selection: an expert panel ranks applicants by HSK and HSKK level and score, also weighing country balance, about 3 months before the start.
What HSK 3.0 changes
- The PhD line already accepts “HSK Level 7”, a level that exists only in the new 1–9 system.
- The other thresholds are 2.0 scores. As of 2026-11-13 we found no official HSK 3.0 score scale or conversion, so how a 3.0 result is checked against “HSK 3 ≥ 180” is 尚未确认 / not yet confirmed. Ask your target university.
- Most categories need an HSKK score as well. Under HSK 3.0, Levels 3–6 have their own speaking papers, and many centres book them with the written test.
- A university call for the March 2027 intake (Central China Normal University, 18 Sep 2026) repeated HSK 3 ≥ 180 with an HSKK score and the 31 Oct 2026 deadline.
Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) HSK requirements → · HSK and HSKK under 3.0 → · 2027 exam dates →
Frequently asked
What HSK level do I need for the CIS one-semester scholarship?
Under the 2026 rules: HSK 3 with at least 180 and an HSKK score (education, literature, history, philosophy); any HSK score for Chinese medicine or tai chi.
Is the CIS scholarship the same as the CSC scholarship?
No. CIS is CLEC's International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship (cis.chinese.cn, usually via a recommending institution); CSC is the Chinese Government Scholarship.
Does the CIS scholarship require HSKK?
Most categories do: HSKK Intermediate ≥ 60 for bachelor's and master's, HSKK Advanced ≥ 60 for the PhD (or HSK Level 7), and an HSKK score for one-semester study.
Our HSK 4 papers are original and follow the HSK 3.0 Level 4 written structure (70 items). Instant mock score, section drills, a mistake bank and an 8-item daily set. Not past papers, never recalled papers.
Keep reading
Official sources
- CLEC: International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship, 2026 rules (January 2026), PDF
- Central China Normal University: 2027 spring International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship call (18 Sep 2026)
Checked 2026-11-13. HSK Sprint is an independent study service, not affiliated with or endorsed by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC / 语合中心), Chinese Testing International or the official HSK. All papers and audio are original. Always confirm details with chinesetest.cn and your test centre.