The Shanghai Government Scholarship (SGS) is money from the Shanghai Municipal Government for international students at more than 30 universities in Shanghai, including Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), Tongji University and East China Normal University. It is separate from China's national Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC), and it works differently: there is no single central portal. Each university runs its own SGS selection, sets its own deadline and decides who gets what.
That structure is the whole story of this scholarship. It makes SGS a little messier to research, but it also means you can apply to several Shanghai universities at once and often still apply after the CSC window has closed. You can see the full scholarship details on our listing, and this guide explains how to use the system well as a Pakistani applicant.
The short version in one table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding | Type A (full) or Type B (partial) |
| Levels | Bachelor's, Master's, PhD |
| Deadline | Mostly January to May, varies by university (check each one separately) |
| Country | China (Shanghai) |
| Provider | Shanghai Municipal Government, administered through individual Shanghai universities |
| Official site | To be confirmed. Apply through each university's portal; the Study in Shanghai portal has an overview |
Type A versus Type B, and why the difference is so large
SGS comes in two tiers, and they are not close to each other in value.
Type A is the full scholarship. It covers tuition, on-campus dormitory accommodation, comprehensive medical insurance and a monthly living stipend. The stipend depends on your level:
- Bachelor's students: ¥2,500 per month
- Master's students: ¥3,000 per month
- PhD students: ¥3,500 per month
Type B is partial. It covers tuition and medical insurance only. There is no housing and no stipend.
Most international students apply with Type A in mind, because it is the version that lets you live in Shanghai without family money. Type B still removes the tuition bill, which is real help, but you would be paying rent and living costs yourself in a city where accommodation is expensive by Chinese standards. If your family cannot support you month to month, think hard before accepting a Type B offer. Some universities decide between A and B based on the strength of your application, so a stronger file affects which tier you land in as well as whether you are selected.
Eligibility, including the age limits that catch people out
SGS is open to non-Chinese citizens in good health, so Pakistani students can apply. The main conditions are:
- Age under 25 for Bachelor's, under 35 for Master's and under 40 for PhD
- Meeting the academic requirements of the university you choose
- For Chinese-taught programs: HSK Level 4-5
- For English-taught programs: IELTS/TOEFL or an English Proficiency Certificate (whether a certificate is enough varies by university, so ask before you rely on it)
- For Bachelor's applicants only: a CSCA score (more on this below)
The age limits are firm lines, and the Bachelor's limit of under 25 is the one most likely to matter for Pakistani students who took a gap after intermediate or A levels. Check your date of birth against it before you put effort into anything else.
Fields are broad. The scholarship covers all fields, with medicine/MBBS, engineering, sciences, business and humanities all listed, in both Chinese-medium and English-medium programs at most participating universities.
The CSCA exam for Bachelor's applicants
This is the biggest recent change. From 2026 onward, all Bachelor's applicants to Shanghai universities, SGS applicants included, must take the CSCA (China Scholastic Competency Assessment) before they submit an application. Registration is at csca.cn.
- The exam is held five times a year: January, March, April, June and December.
- Mathematics is compulsory for every candidate.
- Science Chinese is required for Chinese-taught programs and waived if you are applying to an English-taught program.
- Scores are valid for two years.
Master's and PhD applicants do not need the CSCA at all.
The practical problem is timing. SGS deadlines mostly fall between January and May, and you need a score in hand before you apply. If you leave it late, the January or March sitting may be your only realistic chance for the coming intake. Because scores last two years, sitting the December exam well ahead of your application season is the safer plan. Confirm the current exam dates and registration rules on csca.cn, since this requirement is new.
Documents to prepare before any portal opens
The core file is similar across universities:
- Valid passport
- CV
- Study plan or research proposal
- Two academic recommendation letters
- Physical examination form
- Police clearance certificate
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- CSCA score report (Bachelor's only)
- Language certificate: HSK, IELTS/TOEFL or an English Proficiency Certificate, depending on the program
The physical examination form and police clearance take time to arrange in Pakistan, so start them early rather than waiting for the portal to ask. If you are unsure which of your papers need attestation, our IBCC and MOFA attestation guide covers the process, and the documents checklist for international scholarships is a useful cross-check.
Some universities also ask for a separate SGS application form on top of their admissions application. This is easy to miss. Read each university's scholarship page carefully.
How the application actually works
- Bachelor's applicants only: register for and sit the CSCA at csca.cn first.
- Research which of the 30+ participating universities offers your program and which SGS type (A or B) it offers.
- Go to that university's official admissions portal and create an account.
- Select the Shanghai Government Scholarship (SGS) option during the application.
- Upload all documents as clear, properly named scans.
- Submit any additional SGS form the university requires.
- Watch your email for interview invitations or requests for more documents.
The Campus China (CSC) portal is also listed as a route, where you select the agency number of your target Shanghai university. Procedures differ between institutions, so confirm with each university's international admissions office whether you apply through its own portal, through campuschina.org, or both.
Timing the cycle from opening to arrival
| Stage | Usual timing |
|---|---|
| Application windows open | January (varies by university; some open as early as November) |
| Most university deadlines | March to May |
| Evaluation and interviews | May to June |
| Results | June to July |
| Semester starts | September |
Treat these as a general pattern. Each university sets its own dates, so confirm the exact deadline for the current cycle with every university on your list.
Why applying to several universities is the right strategy
Because each university manages SGS on its own, applications to different universities do not conflict. Applying to 3-5 Shanghai universities in parallel is sensible and improves your chances considerably. Spread your list: if every choice is Fudan or SJTU-level, you are competing in the same narrow pool everywhere. Mixing in other participating universities such as Donghua University, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics or Shanghai International Studies University gives you a better spread.
SGS and CSC are separate programs, so you can apply to both. If you are selected for both, you will typically have to choose one. For many students SGS works as a strong backup if a CSC deadline was missed.
Mistakes that cost applicants the stipend or the seat
The first is assuming one deadline. There isn't one. Make a simple spreadsheet with each university, its portal, its deadline, whether it requires a separate SGS form and which type it offers. Then email each international admissions office to confirm SGS availability, the type on offer and the exact deadline. That email is worth more than any third-party summary.
The second is a generic study plan. Since some universities allocate Type A versus Type B on merit, a vague plan can cost you the stipend even if you are selected. Name the program, explain what you want to study and why that university fits, and show your academic record clearly.
The third is Bachelor's applicants discovering the CSCA requirement too late. Sort that out before anything else.
Finally, once you have an offer, you will need a Chinese student visa (X1/X2). The Embassy of China in Pakistan in Islamabad handles visa applications and JW201/JW202 form verification. Once you are in China, the Embassy of Pakistan in Beijing handles consular services such as passport renewal and attestation.
Who this suits, and who should look elsewhere
SGS suits students who want a large, international Chinese city with strong research universities, and who are organised enough to manage several applications with different rules. Shanghai has a large number of multinational regional offices, hospitals and research institutions, and its biotech, finance, manufacturing and technology sectors are well developed, which matters if you care about internships. English is widely used in academic settings.
It suits you less if you need a guaranteed full ride and would not cope on Type B, or if you want one simple national application. In that case, compare it with other options in our guide to all China scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
Can Pakistani students apply for the Shanghai Government Scholarship?
Yes. The scholarship is open to non-Chinese citizens in good health who meet the age, academic and language requirements.
How much is the SGS monthly stipend?
Only Type A includes a stipend: ¥2,500 a month for Bachelor's, ¥3,000 for Master's and ¥3,500 for PhD. Type B has no stipend.
Do Master's and PhD applicants need the CSCA?
No. The CSCA is required only for Bachelor's applicants. Master's and PhD applicants are exempt.
Can I apply for both SGS and CSC?
Yes, they are separate programs. If you are selected for both, you will typically have to choose one.
Can I choose Type A instead of Type B?
You can target Type A, but some universities allocate A or B based on the merit of your application. Ask each university which type it offers and build the strongest file you can.
Is there one official SGS website?
There is no single application portal. The Study in Shanghai portal gives an overview, but you apply through each university, so treat each university's admissions office as the final word on its rules.
Before applying, check each university's admissions portal and the Study in Shanghai portal for current details, and keep the Shanghai Government Scholarship page handy for a summary.