What HSK level do you need for the Chinese Government (CSC) Scholarship?

By Carson 木林森 · October 2026

For Chinese-taught programs the Chinese Government Scholarship asks for HSK 3 at undergraduate level and HSK 4 at master and doctoral level. Those are the minimums in the 2026-2027 notice. Universities then set their own bar, and the level that lets you start your major directly is one higher: HSK 4 and HSK 5.

Minimum to apply versus level to start your major

The notice sets the minimum to be accepted. Wuhan University's page shows what that means in practice: with HSK 3 (undergraduate) or HSK 4 (master and doctoral) you are admitted but spend a year on Chinese first. One level higher and you begin your subject immediately. If the scholarship years are what you are paying for, the higher level saves you a year.

Who is exempt

Wuhan University lists the general scholar program as excluding Chinese language majors, and the notice's HSK line covers Chinese-taught programs only. English-taught programs ask for an English test instead, set by each university. Bachelor's applicants also had to take the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) for 2026 entry.

It varies by school

The Northeast Normal University notice is from 2020 and asks for HSK 5 above 180, well above the national minimum. Treat any single number as the floor and read the admissions page of the exact university and program.

What those levels mean in words

Under the current standard the levels are cumulative: HSK 3 is about 600 words, HSK 4 about 1,200, HSK 5 about 2,500 and HSK 6 about 5,000. Going from HSK 3 to HSK 4 means roughly 600 more words, and from HSK 4 to HSK 5 roughly 1,300 more. A revised HSK 3.0 standard is first sat on 13 December 2026, see the exam date page. Check with the school which version of the certificate it accepts. The full ladder is on HSK levels, a schedule for reaching one is on the study plan, and the free placement test shows where you stand today.

Find your level before you pick a deadline. The free placement test names the topics between you and the level above.

Frequently asked questions

What HSK level do you need for the CSC scholarship?

For Chinese-taught programs, HSK 3 for undergraduate and general scholar applicants and HSK 4 for master and doctoral applicants, according to the 2026-2027 notice posted by the Chinese consulate in Montreal on 28 October 2025. Individual universities can ask for more.

Do English-taught CSC programs need HSK?

The notice asks for no HSK level for English-taught programs. It asks for a language certificate such as IELTS or TOEFL, with the score set by each university. Some programs, such as clinical medicine at Wuhan University, still ask for HSK 4 on top of English.

Can I apply with a lower HSK level and study Chinese first?

Often yes, at the minimum levels. Wuhan University says HSK 3 undergraduates and HSK 4 master and doctoral students take a year of Chinese before starting their major. Higher levels (HSK 4 and HSK 5) go straight in. Confirm with your university, because some programs do not offer the year.

How long is an HSK certificate valid for a scholarship?

Each university states its own window for how recent the certificate must be, and we did not verify an official figure. Sit the exam early enough to retake it before the deadline.

How many words is HSK 3 or HSK 4?

HSK 3 is about 600 words and HSK 4 about 1,200 under the current standard. The step from HSK 3 to HSK 4 is roughly 600 words. See the HSK levels page for the full ladder.

Related guides: HSK level for a degree in China · HSK level for MBBS in China · How to pass HSK 3 · How to pass HSK 4 · How to pass HSK 5 · HSK levels