StudyDesk Scholarships
About the programme
The University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), based in Hefei in Anhui province, is one of China’s leading science and technology universities. Its Research Internship Program brings international students into USTC laboratories for 3 months to 1 year of supervised research, alongside free Chinese language and culture classes and a direct route into USTC’s academic community — useful if you later apply for a USTC master’s or PhD.
Research areas span the university’s strengths: life sciences, chemistry and materials science, computer science and technology, earth and space sciences, engineering science, information science and technology, mathematical sciences, physical sciences, management, public affairs, humanities and social science, software engineering and more.
Eligibility
- Be a non-Chinese citizen holding a valid foreign passport.
- Be aged 18–40 and in good physical and mental health, with no criminal record.
- Be currently enrolled full-time as a Year 3 or Year 4 undergraduate, or as a master’s or doctoral student.
- Have a good command of English — the official fellowship page does not state a mandatory IELTS score, so follow whatever evidence the current online system asks for.
- Secure pre-acceptance from a USTC professor in your research field before submitting — contact supervisors through their school pages first.
Benefits
- Level A (fully funded): tuition waiver, comprehensive medical insurance, free university dormitory, and a monthly stipend — RMB 2,500 (bachelor), RMB 3,000 (master), RMB 3,500 (PhD).
- Level B: tuition waiver, medical insurance and free dormitory.
- Level C: tuition waiver.
- Hands-on research with USTC professors, free Chinese language and culture classes, and exposure to USTC’s graduate programmes.
Documents to prepare
- Valid passport (with a foreign nationality).
- CV and academic transcripts / degree or enrolment certificates.
- Pre-acceptance letter from a USTC professor.
- English-language proficiency certificate or test results, as the portal requires.
- No criminal record certificate or form.
- Any further documents marked with an asterisk in the online application form.
How to apply
- Browse USTC schools and supervisor profiles, then contact a professor in your field and secure pre-acceptance.
- Create an account on the USTC application system (ustc.17gz.org) and select Non-degree → Research Internship.
- Choose the fellowship level(s) you are applying for — you may apply for one level or all three at once.
- Complete the form, upload every required document, and submit inside the window: for Fall Level A, 1 January–31 March 2027.
- If admitted, apply for a student visa (JW201 or JW202 form plus admission notice) at a Chinese embassy or consulate, and arrange the required medical insurance before arrival.
FAQs
No. Only Fellowship Level A is fully funded (tuition, insurance, dormitory and stipend). Level B drops the stipend and Level C is a tuition waiver only — and self-funded participation is also possible.
No — the Spring-semester Level A window closed on 30 September 2026. The live window is Fall-semester Level A, 1 January to 31 March 2027.
The official fellowship page requires a good command of English but does not state a mandatory IELTS score. Follow the evidence requirements shown in the current online application system.
Yes, but only if you are currently enrolled full-time in Year 3 or Year 4. First- and second-year undergraduates are not eligible.
Between 3 months and 1 year, depending on your research plan and the host professor’s agreement.
Verified 24 Oct 2026: ic.ustc.edu.cn (official USTC International College fellowship page) — three fellowship levels with stipend figures, eligibility (non-Chinese, 18–40, Year 3/4 UG or master/PhD, good health, no criminal record, good English), Fall window Jan 1–Mar 31 and Spring window Jul 1–Sep 30, Level B/C and self-funded 3-months-ahead rule; mindshipglobal.com/opportunities/ustc-research-internship-program-2027/ — Fall Level A window 1 Jan–31 Mar 2027, Spring window closed 30 Sep 2026, Level A stipend figures, accommodation first-come first-served; oyaop.com/opportunity/internships/ustc-research-internship-program-2026-2027-fully-funded-research-internship-in-china/ — self-funded tuition and dormitory/insurance figures, portal route Non-degree → Research Internship.
