If you are preparing to apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) for the 2027–2028 intake, one of the first things you should understand is how to identify participating Chinese universities and their Agency Numbers.
China has thousands of higher-education institutions, but not every university participates in every Chinese Government Scholarship program.
The official CampusChina host-university list currently contains 285 Chinese host universities, which is why CSC scholarship information is commonly described as covering 280+ universities.
In this Step 3 guide, we explain:
- How many universities there are in China
- How many universities are included in the CSC host-university list
- What a CSC Agency Number means
- Where the Agency Number is used
- How to choose the correct university
- Common university Agency Numbers
- Important mistakes to avoid
How Many Universities Are There in China?
China has one of the largest higher-education systems in the world.
According to the latest statistics published by China’s Ministry of Education, China had 3,167 higher-education institutions in 2025.
These include academic universities, vocational institutions and adult higher-education institutions.
However, this does not mean that all 3,167 institutions offer the Chinese Government Scholarship to international students.
CSC scholarship applicants need to focus specifically on universities participating in the relevant Chinese Government Scholarship program.
How Many Chinese Universities Are Available Under CSC?
Students often see statements online such as:
“There are 280 CSC universities in China.”
A better way to describe this is:
More than 280 Chinese universities are included in the CSC host-university network.
The official CampusChina Chinese Host University List currently contains 285 universities.
The number may change when official lists and scholarship programs are updated, so students preparing for the 2027–2028 intake should check the latest university and CampusChina information before applying.
What Is a CSC Agency Number?
An Agency Number is a code used in the Chinese Government Scholarship application system to identify the institution or authority receiving your scholarship application.
For a university-based Type B application, the CSC application guide describes the Agency Number as a five-digit number provided by the Chinese university.
For example:
Tsinghua University — 10003
Zhejiang University — 10335
Wuhan University — 10486
When you enter the correct Agency Number in the CSC application system, the corresponding university name should appear automatically.
The Agency Number therefore tells the system which university should receive and process your Type B application.
Why Is the Agency Number Important?
The Agency Number must be entered correctly.
According to the official CSC online application guidance, the Agency Number and Chinese host university are directly connected.
If an incorrect Agency Number is entered, the intended university may not be able to process the application.
This is why students should never guess an Agency Number.
Always confirm it from:
- The university’s current CSC scholarship notice
- The university’s international admissions website
- Official CampusChina/CSC instructions
- The university’s international student office, if necessary
Where Do You Enter the Agency Number?
When completing the CSC online application, applicants select the appropriate scholarship program category.
For a university-based Type B application, the system asks for:
Agency No.
After entering the university’s Agency Number, the corresponding university name should appear.
Always confirm that the university displayed by the system is the university you intend to apply to before continuing.
Agency Number Is Not Your Application Number
Students sometimes confuse these two numbers.
They are different.
Agency Number: identifies the university or scholarship receiving authority.
Application/Serial Number: identifies your individual submitted scholarship application.
Do not enter your application number where the system asks for an Agency Number.
Type A and Type B Agency Numbers Are Different
Understanding the application route is important.
Type A
Type A applications are generally submitted through an authorized receiving authority, such as a government department, embassy or another designated organization.
The Agency Number used for this route belongs to the relevant receiving authority.
Therefore, students should use the Agency Number provided by the organization through which they are applying.
Type B
Type B is generally associated with direct university-based applications.
For this route, applicants use the Agency Number of the Chinese university specified in that university’s scholarship instructions.
Do not use a university Agency Number simply because you found it online if you are applying through a different scholarship route.
Always follow the instructions for your specific scholarship program.
Popular Chinese Universities and CSC Agency Numbers
Below are some commonly searched Chinese universities and their Agency Numbers.
| University | Agency Number |
|---|---|
| Peking University | 10001 |
| Renmin University of China | 10002 |
| Tsinghua University | 10003 |
| Beijing Jiaotong University | 10004 |
| Beijing University of Technology | 10005 |
| Beihang University | 10006 |
| Beijing Institute of Technology | 10007 |
| University of Science and Technology Beijing | 10008 |
| Beijing Normal University | 10027 |
| Beijing Foreign Studies University | 10030 |
| Nankai University | 10055 |
| Tianjin University | 10056 |
| Dalian University of Technology | 10141 |
| Northeastern University | 10145 |
| Jilin University | 10183 |
| Harbin Institute of Technology | 10213 |
| Fudan University | 10246 |
| Tongji University | 10247 |
| Shanghai Jiao Tong University | 10248 |
| East China Normal University | 10269 |
| Shanghai University | 10280 |
| Nanjing University | 10284 |
| Southeast University | 10286 |
| Nanjing University of Science and Technology | 10288 |
| Hohai University | 10294 |
| Jiangsu University | 10299 |
| Zhejiang University | 10335 |
| University of Science and Technology of China | 10358 |
| Xiamen University | 10384 |
| Shandong University | 10422 |
| Ocean University of China | 10423 |
| Wuhan University | 10486 |
| Huazhong University of Science and Technology | 10487 |
| Wuhan University of Technology | 10497 |
| Central South University | 10533 |
| Hunan University | 10532 |
| Sun Yat-sen University | 10558 |
| South China University of Technology | 10561 |
| Sichuan University | 10610 |
| Chongqing University | 10611 |
| Southwest Jiaotong University | 10613 |
| University of Electronic Science and Technology of China | 10614 |
| Southwest University | 10635 |
| Yunnan University | 10673 |
| Xi’an Jiaotong University | 10698 |
| Northwestern Polytechnical University | 10699 |
| Xidian University | 10701 |
| Lanzhou University | 10730 |
| Shaanxi Normal University | 10718 |
| Zhengzhou University | 10459 |
| University of Chinese Academy of Sciences | 80001 |
Important: Agency Numbers should always be confirmed from the university’s latest official scholarship announcement before submitting your application. University names, scholarship routes and admission arrangements may change.
Are All 280+ Universities Open for CSC Every Year?
Not necessarily.
Being included in a Chinese host-university directory does not automatically mean that:
- Every degree is available
- Every major is eligible
- Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD programs are all available
- English-taught programs are offered
- The same CSC route is available every year
- The university is accepting applications for the current intake
Each university publishes its own admission notice.
For example, one university may offer a CSC scholarship only for postgraduate applicants, while another may have different scholarship programs or degree requirements.
Therefore, choosing a university only because its name appears on a CSC university list is not enough.
What Should You Check Before Selecting a University?
Before adding a university to your scholarship shortlist, check:
- Your intended degree level
- Your intended major
- English-taught or Chinese-taught availability
- Academic eligibility
- Language requirements
- CSC scholarship availability
- Application deadline
- University application fee, if applicable
- Supervisor requirements for Master’s/PhD applicants
- Acceptance or pre-admission letter requirements
- Correct Agency Number
You should also read the latest official admission notice, not an old scholarship post from several years ago.
How to Verify a University’s Agency Number
The safest method is simple.
Search the university’s official website for:
[University Name] Chinese Government Scholarship
or
[University Name] CSC Scholarship
Open the latest international admissions or scholarship announcement.
Most universities that require a CSC Type B application clearly mention information such as:
Program Category: Type B
Agency Number: XXXXX
Use exactly the number provided in the university’s instructions.
What Happens If You Enter the Wrong Agency Number?
This is an important mistake to avoid.
The CSC application guide states that the Agency Number is directly linked to the Chinese host university.
If you enter the wrong number, your application may be directed incorrectly and the university you intended to apply to may not be able to process it.
Before submitting:
Enter Agency Number → Check University Name → Confirm It Matches → Continue
Do not submit until the university name displayed in the system is correct.
Can Two Universities Have the Same Agency Number?
A university Agency Number is intended to identify the institution in the relevant application system.
If you find conflicting codes for the same university on different websites, do not choose one randomly.
Check the university’s current official scholarship announcement.
Older third-party lists may contain:
- Old university names
- Renamed institutions
- Typing errors
- Duplicate entries
- Outdated Agency Numbers
The university’s current official instructions should take priority.
Should You Choose a University Only Because It Offers CSC?
No.
Scholarship availability is only one factor.
Your university selection should also consider:
- Academic program
- Research area
- Supervisor availability
- University strength in your field
- Language of instruction
- Eligibility requirements
- Location
- Competition
- Your academic profile
For Master’s and PhD applicants, research compatibility can be particularly important.
How Many Universities Should You Shortlist?
Instead of randomly selecting universities from a list of more than 280 institutions, create a focused shortlist.
For example, you may identify universities in three groups:
Highly Competitive: universities where admission and scholarship competition are very strong.
Good Match: universities where your academic profile and research interests match well.
Safer Options: suitable universities where your profile may be more competitive.
This approach is much better than choosing universities only by ranking.
CSC University List for 2027–2028 Applicants
Students preparing for the 2027–2028 intake can use the current CSC host-university information for early research and shortlisting.
However, final applications should be based on the university’s official 2027–2028 scholarship announcement once it is published.
Do not assume that every requirement from the previous admission cycle will remain unchanged.
CSC Scholarship 2027–2028 Guidance Series
This article is part of the WIM Study Abroad CSC Scholarship 2027–2028 Step-by-Step Guidance Series.
Step 1: Prepare a Professional Academic CV
Step 2: Learn How to Email Chinese Professors
Step 3: Understand CSC Universities and Agency Numbers
After identifying suitable universities, the next stage is to compare programs, departments and professors before preparing the remaining scholarship documents.
Final Advice
There are 280+ Chinese host universities associated with Chinese Government Scholarship opportunities, giving international students a wide range of options.
But do not apply randomly.
First identify universities that offer your intended program, check their scholarship requirements, confirm the current Agency Number and then follow the university’s official application instructions.
Most importantly:
Never guess the Agency Number.
A few minutes spent checking the official university announcement can prevent an important application mistake.
Important Note
This guide is intended to help students prepare for the 2027–2028 intake. The official CampusChina host-university appendix currently lists 285 Chinese host universities, but participating programs and university requirements may be updated for future admission cycles.
Always verify the latest information from CampusChina and the official website of the university before submitting a scholarship application.