Direct answer
Direct answer
Type A and Type B describe different Chinese Government Scholarship application routes. Type A is generally submitted through the dispatching authority named for your country or program, while Type B is generally submitted through a designated Chinese university. For the 2027 cycle, obtain the exact program category, agency number, deadline and university instructions from the authority handling your route; do not copy these fields from another applicant.
Key points
- Type A normally starts with a home-country or program authority.
- Type B normally starts with a designated Chinese university.
- Agency numbers and deadlines belong to the receiving authority.
- Pre-admission requirements must be checked for the exact route.
The official difference between Type A and Type B
The current Shanghai government CGS guide describes the Bilateral Program as Type A and instructs applicants to file through the dispatching department in their home country. It describes the University Program as Type B and instructs applicants to file with a designated Chinese university.
The scholarship platform uses a program category and agency number to direct an application. The official guide tells applicants to obtain the correct values from the institution handling the application.[1][3]
Choose the route before completing the online form
- For Type A, locate the current notice from the Chinese embassy, ministry, scholarship council or other dispatching authority named for your country.
- For Type B, open the current scholarship notice on the university’s own international admissions domain.
- Check whether your degree level and intended program are supported by that specific route.
- Use only the program category and agency number supplied by the receiving authority.
- Record separate deadlines for the scholarship system, dispatching authority and university portal.[1][3]
Pre-admission is a route-specific task
The China Scholarship Council guidance republished by Shanghai explains that pre-admission materials can include a pre-admission notice, supervisor acceptance letter or invitation letter. Applicants should follow the target university’s published process and obtain the material within the scholarship route’s deadline.
A pre-admission document does not replace the scholarship decision. It shows that an institution is willing to admit an eligible applicant under stated conditions.[2]
Your 2027 verification checklist
- Current notice for your country, organization or target university.
- Correct program category and agency number confirmed by that authority.
- Eligible student category, major and teaching language.
- Required pre-admission material and the process for obtaining it.
- All portal and document deadlines, saved with their official URLs.[1][2]
Frequently asked questions
Is CSC Type A better than Type B?
Neither route is automatically better. Eligibility, quotas, programs, deadlines and selection procedures differ. Use the route for which you meet the current official requirements.
Where do I get the CSC agency number?
Get it directly from the current notice or institution receiving your application. Do not reuse another applicant’s number.
Does a pre-admission letter guarantee the scholarship?
No. It supports the application but does not replace the final scholarship selection and admission decisions.
Evidence trail
Official sources
- [1] Chinese Government Scholarship: Everything You Need to KnowShanghai Municipal People’s Government
- [2] Chinese Government Scholarship Application Guide: Obtaining Pre-admission MaterialsShanghai Municipal People’s Government / China Scholarship Council
- [3] Study in China — Scholarship Application for StudentsChina Scholarship Council
Editorial method: regulatory claims and dates link to government bodies or university admissions offices. Always check the newest official notice before submitting an application or making a payment.
2027 planning cluster