1. Introduction

The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) is a national organization for scientific research, technology transfer and education in agriculture. It is always striving to provide solutions to a broad range of challenges in sustaining agricultural development through innovative research and technology transfer. For detailed information about CAAS, please visit the CAAS website at https://www.caas.cn/en/.

The Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (GSCAAS) is a higher education institution mainly focusing on graduate education (Agency No. 82101). As the education arm of CAAS, GSCAAS has been ranked among China’s first-class graduate schools, with an overall competitive edge in the disciplines of agriculture and life science. It offers Master’s and Doctoral programs to international students through 34 institutes of CAAS. The study duration is usually 3 years for both Master’s and Doctoral programs. Certificates of graduation and degrees are awarded to those who have met the requirements of graduation and degree conferral. The instruction language of the graduate programs is mostly English or bilingual (Chinese-English).

In 2007, GSCAAS received the qualification of Chinese Government Scholarship Granting Institution from the Ministry of Education of China. GSCAAS now offers international students various scholarship opportunities, including the Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS), the Beijing Government Scholarship (BGS), the GSCAAS Scholarship (GSCAAS) and the GSCAAS-OWSD Fellowship (https://owsd.net/). In 2019, GSCAAS officially passed the National Accreditation on Universities Hosting International Students. It has also launched two joint PhD programs in collaboration with the University of Liege in Belgium, and Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands. At present, there are 295 international students from 46 different countries across 4 continents at GSCAAS, 85.1% of whom are Ph.D. students. GSCAAS is further developing its international education program and welcomes all outstanding students worldwide to apply to pursue their higher education with this institution.

2. Categories of Study
(1) Master’s Student
(2) Doctoral Student
(3) General Scholar
(4) Senior Scholar

3. Doctoral and Master’s Programs

Note：

1. Doctoral degree programs: 12 Primary Disciplines, 47 Secondary Disciplines; Master’s degree programs: 16 Primary Disciplines, 51 Secondary Disciplines; 5 Interdisciplinary Program.

2. Programs marked “*” are Doctoral and Master’s degree programs while programs not marked “*” are only Master’s degree programs.

4. Fees and Scholarships

4.1 Application Fee, Tuition, and Costs:

(1)Application Fee (charged after admission);
Master’s Student/Doctoral Student: 600 Yuan/person; 

General Scholar/Senior Scholar: 400 Yuan/person.

(2) Tuition fee:
Master’s Student/General Scholar: 30,000 RMB/person/year; Doctoral Student/Senior Scholar: 40,000 RMB/person/year. The yearly tuition must be paid at the beginning of each academic year.

(3) Insurance fee: RMB 800/year;

(4) Accommodation fee: 1500 RMB /month for one student;

Note: Students with Scholarships should follow the terms specified in the Scholarship Guideline.

4.2 Scholarships

(1) The Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS) 

Applicants who apply for the Chinese Government Scholarships are required to apply either to GSCAAS or directly to the Chinese Embassy or qualified agency in their country. Please refer to the website: http://www.campuschina.org/ for more details about this scholarship. The scholarship covers the following:

(a). A fee waiver for tuition and basic textbooks. Cost of experiments or internships beyond the program curriculum is at student’s own expense. Costs of books or learning materials other than the required basic textbooks must be covered by the student. 

(b). Free on-campus dormitory accommodation.

(c). Living allowance (per month): 

Master’s student & General Scholar: 3,000 RMB; 

Doctoral student & Senior Scholar: 3,500 RMB.

(d). Fee to cover Comprehensive Medical Insurance.

Since the GSCAAS has a limited quota for the Chinese Government Scholarship-University program, applicants (especially those who apply for the Master’s program) are encouraged to apply for the CGS-Bilateral program from the Embassy

(https://www.campuschina.org/content/details3_74776.html). Before we issue a Pre-admission letter, applicants must provide copies of their CV, passport information page, research proposal, highest degree transcript, and the acceptance letter from one GSCAAS supervisor. For CGS-Bilateral program application this year, please approach to us for Pre-admission letter as required by dispatching authorities for overseas study of your home country before the deadline.

 (2) The Graduate School of CAAS Scholarship (GSCAAS)

GSCAAS has been established by GSCAAS to sponsor international students and scholars with outstanding academic performance to pursue higher education at CAAS. Those who have received scholarships from the Chinese government or Beijing government are not eligible for the scholarship. The GSCAAS covers the following:

(a). A fee waiver for tuition and basic textbooks. Costs of experiments or internships beyond the program curriculum are at student’s own expense. Costs of books or learning materials other than required basic textbooks must also be covered by the student. 

(b). Free on-campus dormitory accommodation (supported by GSCAAS supervisor).

(c). Research Assistantship (per month, supported by GSCAAS supervisor): 

Master’s student & General Scholar: 3,000 RMB; 

Doctoral student & Senior Scholar: 3,500 RMB. 

(d). Fee to cover Comprehensive Medical Insurance provided by GSCAAS.

 (3) The Beijing Government Scholarship (BGS)

BGS has been established by the Beijing Government to sponsor international students and scholars with outstanding academic performance to pursue higher degrees in Beijing. The winners of BGS are exempt from tuition costs for the specific academic year. The GSCAAS supervisor provides research assistant fellowship, accommodation fee of on-campus dormitory and GSCAAS covers Comprehensive Medical Insurance for the international student. Those who have received CGS are not eligible for BGS.

(4) GSCAAS-OWSD fellowship

This Fellowship has been jointly established by GSCAAS and the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing world (OWSD), and is offered to female scientists from Science and Technology Lagging Countries (STLCs) to undertake PhD research in Natural, Engineering and Information Technology sciences at a host institute in the South. The next call for applications will open in early 2025, please refer to: https://owsd.net/career-development/phd-fellowship. GSCAAS will issue the applicants a Preliminary Acceptance Letter when the eligible application documents were received. The GSCAAS-OWSD fellowship covers:

(a). A monthly allowance to cover basic living expenses such as accommodation and meals while in the host country;

(b). A special allowance to attend international conferences during the period of the fellowship;

(c). The opportunity to attend regional science communications workshops, on a competitive basis;

(d). A return ticket from the home country to the host institute for the agreed research period;

(e). Annual medical insurance contribution (USD 200/year), Visa expenses.

(f). Study fees (including tuition and registration fees) in agreement with the chosen host institute which is also expected to contribute.

(5) Other Scholarships

GSCAAS welcomes international students/scholars supported by international organizations, foreign governments, research institutions, universities and organizations, to pursue a higher degree at GSCAAS.

5. Application Requirements

5.1 Required status of applicants:

(1) Non-Chinese citizens;

(2) Healthy and willing to abide by the Chinese laws and decrees;

(3) Conform to the education and age requirements as follows:

    (a). Master’s programs: holds a Bachelor’s degree and is under the age of 35;

    (b). Doctoral programs: holds a Master’s degree and is under the age of 40;

    (c). General Scholar: has at least two years’ of undergraduate studies and is under the age of 45;

    (d). Senior Scholar: holds a Master’s or higher degree, or has an academic title of associate professor or higher, and is under the age of 50.

(4) English and/or Chinese proficiency.

5.2 Application Documents

 (Submitting via the online application system, not via Email)

(1) Application Form for Study in CAAS-2025

Everyone is REQUIRED to fill in the GSCAAS online application system

http://111.203.19.143:8080/lxszs/usersManager/toLogin.do. For the Part II of the Form, please leave it blank, this part is to be filled in by the applicant's supervisor and host institution when we officially refer your case to the institute.

Please choose the major and host supervisor cautiously based on the attached Supervisor List and submit your application after a thorough discussion with the expected supervisor. The catalogue of the International Students Programs -2025 is attached below the content, and will continue to be updated on a regular basis.

For those who intended to apply for Chinese Government Scholarship, you need to log on the CSC Application System https://studyinchina.csc.edu.cn/#/register, fill out and generate the CSC Application Form, then upload this "Online generated CSC Application Form" as an attachment in the "Add supporting documents" of GSCAAS online application system.

(2) Photocopy of passport (with at least 2 years’ validity) - the personal information page;

(3) Notarized highest diploma. Prospective diploma winners must submit official proof of student status by their current school. Documents in languages other than Chinese or English must be attached with notarized Chinese or English translations;

(4)  Copies of academic records from first to last semester during the undergraduate, graduate (if any), and doctoral programs (if any) shall be provided. These transcripts shall be issued and sealed by the attending university’s academic affairs office, graduate school, or student management department. They can be in Chinese or English, but must be attached with notarized English translations if they are in foreign languages other than English;

(5) Two reference letters from two Professors or experts with equal titles in related fields;

(6) CV

(7) Research proposal (no less than 1000 characters or words, please download the attached Study Plan Form of GSCAAS International Applicants and fill in, the signature of target supervisor is optional at application step);

(8) Language Proficiency Requirements: English Language Certificate; or score reports of TOEFL, IELTS, CEFR, etc.; or score reports of the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK);

(9) Photocopies of degree thesis abstract, complete thesis needed if it is written in English, and abstracts of maximum 5 representative academic papers (full papers are preferred), please do not submit the photocopies of unpublished papers;

(10) No Objection Certificate issued by the current employer (Please indicate that the employer has no objection towards you applying for the scholarship, and your study leave will be granted accordingly);

(11) Foreigner Physical Examination Form (Please take health examination in the hospitals designated by the Chinese Embassy, includes Blood Test Results as attachment). The medical examinations must cover all the items listed in the Foreigner Physical Examination Form. Incomplete records or those without the signature of the attending physician, the official stamp of the hospital or a sealed photograph of the applicants are invalid. The medical examination results are valid for 6 months;

(12) Acceptance letter (optional). Applicants with acceptance letter from CAAS professors are preferred;

(13) Non-criminal record report. The applicant shall submit a valid certificate of Non-Criminal Record issued by the local public security authority, usually issued within 6 months prior to the submission date of the application. Please upload Non-criminal record report as an attachment in the "Add supporting documents" of GSCAAS online application system.

5.3. Application Deadline

(1) Applicants who apply for Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS) and the Graduate School of CAAS Scholarship (GSCAAS) are required to submit application documents by February 14^th, 2025, and March 30^th, 2025 respectively for enrolment in the autumn semester.

(2) Applicants must complete and submit the application via the Online Application System for GSCAAS International Students, at: 

http://111.203.19.143:8080/lxszs/usersManager/toLogin.do.

6. Approval and Notification

GSCAAS will review all the application documents and send the Admission Notice and Confirmation Form for Study in China (Form JW201/JW202) to the qualified applicants around July. 15^th, 2025 for autumn semester enrolment.

7. Visa Application

International students should apply for a visa to study in China at a Chinese Embassy or Consulate General, using the original documents and one set of photocopies of the Admission Notice, Confirmation Form for Study in China (Form JW201/JW202), Foreigner Physical Examination Form (original copy and photocopy) and valid passport. Incomplete records or those without the signature of the attending physician, official stamp of the hospital or a photograph of the applicants are invalid. The medical examination results are valid only for six months. All applicants are kindly requested to take this into consideration while arranging and taking the medical examination.

8. Registration 

International students must register with GSCAAS at the time specified in the Admission Notice, using the above-mentioned documents for Visa application. Those who are unable to register before the deadline must request written permission from the Graduate School of CAAS in advance. 

9. Duration of Study and Degree Conferral 

The basic duration of study for both Master’s and Doctoral degrees is three years. Certificates of graduation and degrees will be awarded to those who have met the requirements of graduation and degree conferral. Students whose instruction language are Chinese, should reach HSK Level 5 before applying for the graduation; students whose instruction language are English,  should reach HSK Level 3 before applying for the graduation.

The duration of a visiting study is normally less than two years. Applicants who complete the study or research plan will be awarded with a visiting study certificate of GSCAAS. 

10. Contact Information
Coordinator: Ms. Qin Yilei, International Education Office, the Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences

E-mail: studyincaas@caas.cn; email addresses for all CAAS host institutes can be found in the online application system. 

These email addresses should only be used for asking questions regarding the application and not for submitting application materials. Soft copies of application materials should be submitted via the online application system. NO NEED to send the hard copy of application materials.