Have you always wanted to be an engineer but the cost of University gets in the way? The field is not as lonely as it used to be. Each year thousands of students in all parts of the world face the question on how they will afford a world class education in engineering. But did you ever hear that there is a kind of a short cut to getting a degree in one of the better universities–and to doing it without paying their tuition? Sounds impossible? Not in China.

This book is your map to learning to become an engineer in Chinese universities-absolutely free of tuition. If you happen to be a student taking a keen interest in studying abroad in a practical, affordable manner, then grab a notebook. You are now going to learn how to work out your dream.

Why China is the Right Choice for Engineering Students

First of all, the big question is Why China?

China is not merely a land with both a long history and also with skyscrapers. It is the emerging power in the educational world. China has spent the last twenty years investing in its universities, especially in the engineering, science, and technology. Institutions such as Tsinghua University, Peking University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University are now ranked among the top Universities in the world.

The scenario of engineering education in China can be described as:

• Contemporary and study-based
• Classes are taught in English (in most programs)
• Funded by scholarships and grants
• Accommodative to international students

Any of our mechanical system, civil infrastructure, data systems, or even renewable energy are just a few of the passions we want at China. And what makes this even better? It is possible that you will not have to pay tuition.

What Does “Tuition-Free” Really Mean?

There is a widely held misconception that should be addressed. Tuition-free does not imply that there are no costs at all. It implies that the tuition i.e. the fee is paid and it is mostly funded by the government or the universities themselves.

In China, engineering is tuition-free because of:

• CSC Scholarships (Chinese Government Scholarships)
• Full scholarships to the University
• Provincial government scholarships
• Bilateral agreements between your home country and China

These are scholarships that do not just cater to your tuition fee. They will frequently cover:

• Board (university dorms)
• Monthly allowances (living allowances)
• Health insurance
• Visa support

This implies that you will be able to bring down your largest expense as a student, tuition, to zero and your living expenses to quite a low level depending on the grant.

Meet Ravi: A Real Story from India

Now, I would like you to meet someone who is like you, a student, Ravi, who had dreamed of becoming a student of robotics. When he considered tuition fees in U.S., U.K., and Canada, the figures decimated him.

Subsequently, in the third year of his undergrad, Ravi was informed of the engineering master’s program in Tsinghua University. More to the point, he got to know that he can apply with the CSC Scholarship, meaning that all the expenses will be covered, including tuition and accommodation.

He presented:

• His transcripts of engineering
• An English diploma letter in his college
• A plan of study
• Two recommendation letters

After six months, Ravi was happy to get an acceptance letter and a full-ride scholarship offered. He now resides in Beijing and works in a robotics lab and gets his master’s degree without having to pay tuition.

His case is not unique. Thousands of students in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas are becoming victims to this.

What Is the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)?

CSC Scholarship is the root of tuition-free education provision in China. The Chinese Ministry of Education oversaw financing of the scholarship that admits international students at the undergraduate, master, and Ph.D. levels.

Applications can be of three major forms:

1. You can make an application via a Chinese Embassy in your country
2. Directly to a university (referred to as university programs)
3. One can also do this through an appointed exchange or partnership program

CSC provides full scholarships which in most cases include coverage of:

• Tuition fees (Full)
• Dormitory or housing allowance
• Monthly stipend (2.500 to 3.500 CNY according to your program)
• Health insurance

There is a maximum of 3 universities to which you can apply using just one CSC application. Those are three attempts to get a tuition-free enrolment in an engineering program.

Do You Need to Know Chinese to Apply?

One question that every student must have is whether they are forced to study Mandarin.

The good news is: You do not have to fluently speak Chinese to be able to study engineering in China. Even some of the best universities have programmes in engineering in English.

Most universities will require one of the following in the event that you select an English-medium program:

• IELTS/TOEFL score
• OR an English Proficiency Certificate of the preceding institution

This certificate is just a letter provided by your university that tells that your previous studies were in English. It is an easy process to avoid costly language exams.

Best Engineering Fields to Study in China

China is powerful in engineering in a number of categories. In case you are not quite certain about what to specialize in, the following is some of the most demanded and well supported specialties:

• Civil Engineering: With its high level of urbanization, China is a pioneer in smart cities, bridges, tunnels and high-speed rail.

• Mechanical Engineering: China is the best place to learn practically about systems, mechanics and industrial design with its huge manufacturing industries.

• Electrical & Electronics Engineering: Semiconductors and electronics, as well as automation, have indubitably dominated in China.

• Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence: Chinese companies have been Global AI and technology leaders with Tencent, Alibaba, and Huawei at the forefront of the industry.

• Environmental Engineering: China has been prioritizing the sphere of green energy and green technology due to its unsustainability issues.

• Robotics & Automation: New factories and sophisticated research laboratories means China is now the place to be in terms of robotics.

You should decide by situating it with respect to their interests and future perspectives. And fortunately, universities in China have the choice in all of these areas.

Understanding University Scholarships vs. CSC

Although CSC is the most-widely employed scholarship, some of the universities have their standalone tuition-waiver scholarships as well. This is the difference between them:

Where to Start Your Research

One might be overwhelmed by the process initially. But begin here:

1. List the best engineering schools in China. Examples include:

   • Tsinghua University (Beijing)

   • Zhejiang University (Hangzhou)

   • Harbin Institute of Technology (Harbin)

   • Southeast University (Nanjing)

   • Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Shanghai)

2. Go to the official page of a university. Search in their International Students” or “Scholarship” column.

3. Visit the sites that list their English-taught engineering programs and see whether they can receive the applications with the English Proficiency Certificate.

4. Track deadlines. The CSC applications tend to open during January and close during April per annum. The scholarships in the universities can vary in dates.

Language, Culture, and Student Life

You may ask how life looks like in China on everyday basis. When you consider going there to study engineering you are considering a classroom, but also a culture.

The Chinese cities provide:

• Walkable and safe campuses
• Good transport system
• Cheap food and living houses
• Tradition and modernity in a combination

You do not have to speak Mandarin, but knowing some basics is going to help. It is common to experience free Chinese language classes in most of the universities as well as in universities where you are on scholarship.

Living in China is learning how to cope as well, new food, new customs and friendships. The international student activities and associations are present in most campuses to assist you to settle.

Step 1: Choose the Right Program and University

To begin with, we should discuss the topic of the selection of the appropriate program in engineering. There are more than 500 universities of China which take international students. Not every one of them certainly does yet provide tuition-free scholarships, and not every one of them is particularly good in engineering. You will therefore have to be selective.

What you ought to do is this:

• Choose 5-7 universities with good-standing in engineering.
• Check out their official websites. Check on the bottom of the paper under: international students or admissions.
• Seek scholarships-Find such words as CSC, Belt and Road, International Scholarship, or President Scholarship.
• Consider the fact whether English is a language of the program. English is a language used in most of the higher-ranking programs in engineering.

Some examples:

• Tsinghua university – Good in mechanical, civil, and electrical engineering.
• Shanghai Jiao Tong University- Automation, electrical, AI study.
• Zhejiang University- Very good in environmental and chemical engineering.

After locating the ideal program that suits your purposes, you should now proceed with the task of filling out your application.

Step 2: Understand the Application Tracks

Usually there are two paths to entering a free tuition engineering program:

1. CSC via Embassy Track

This is the place where you apply to your Chinese embassy. It is ideal in:

• Undergraduate students
• Scholars of the world of developing countries
• Individuals interested in the wider support (living stipend, medical insurance and so forth).

You hand over your documents to the embassy and they will refer your application to the Chinese universities.

2. CSC via University Track

In this case, you will be applying to the university offering CSC slots. This is the choice of many leading colleges and it is sometimes quicker. It is ideal in:

• Ph.D. or master students
• Candidates who have a good academic/research experience

Discover online information on whether each of the universities is involved Type B CSC scholarships (it is the case of a specific university with an application channel).

Step 3: Prepare the Required Documents

Now this is the crux of matters: your application materials. These will be guide words and words before people ever see you. That is, ensure that it is clean, professional and complete.

Essential Documents:

• Passport: Scanned copy with not less than 6 months validity.
• Degree Certificates & Transcripts: Of the high school (in case of undergrad) or the last degree (in case of master/phd). Needs to be notarized and translated into English/Chinese in case of necessity.
• English Proficiency Certificate: You should obtain this letter provided by your university in case you have ever studied in English. It substitutes IELTS or TOEFL.
• Recommendation Letters: The normal number is two. You should get them through professors or advisors that are familiar with your academic work.
• Study Plan or Research Proposal: One of the most crucial sections. More about this later.
• Health Form: Foreigner Physical Examination Form, which can be found on the Internet. Complete it, have a doctor sign it and stamp it.
• Police Clearance Certificate: A police clearance certificate is needed in some universities.
• Photographs: Recent passport photographs, often on a white background.

Optional:

• Awards or certificates: Does your child have awards, science faire, coding contest, engineering event? Add them.
• Internship letters: Value through work experience in any technical job.

Step 4: Write a Study Plan That Gets You Noticed

Now we can talk about something, which many students have problems with, namely the study plan or research proposal.

Now is the place to tell:

• Why you selected engineering
• Why you should study in China
• What qualifies you as a good candidate
• Where do you want to be in the future?

It is not only about grades. The committee is interested in the reason, vision and determination.

Tips for a Strong Study Plan:

• Make it short and personal. Do not make any generalized remarks.
• Point out real-life issues to be solved.
• Write why you have selected this university.
• Demonstrate how this scholarship will influence your life and career.

Write as though you are talking to somebody who thinks you may have potential but needs to know what your story is. This is what makes the connection.

Step 5: Submit Your Application

After you have prepared your documents, then you will have to use the proper channel to deposit your application:

• CSC Website (http://studyinchina.csc.edu.cn): Sign up and add your information on the page, add your documents and then select which university code names.

• University Portal: There are universities with their own portals and in that case, you will have to submit documents once more.

• Embassy: If it is done via your country embassy, do as they say, with their deadlines.

Keep in mind that CSC deadlines normally are between January and April, but university may be later.

Always double-check:

• Do you have letters explaining all your files?
• Are all scan easy to read and of top quality?
• Did you include all that you need to?

What Happens After You Apply?

When an application is submitted, it goes into review. In case you applied via a university, they may conduct an interview or need some additional papers. Interviews tend to be brief and online, and their main purpose is to evaluate your mood and the ability to communicate properly.

You will get the response in June or July. Should this be accepted, you will be delivered:

• An admission letter
• A CSC scholarship certificate
• A visa application form (JW201 or JW202)

Now it is the real thing-you are going to China.

Life After Acceptance

To get into a free tuition program is quite an accomplishment, but to live in China as a student is a brand new experience.

Here is what you will get:

1. Orientation and Language Support

Majority of the universities have a welcome program They will still provide some basic Mandarin lessons even though your course is taught using the English language. These support you to save day-to-day life and feel it more related.

2. Student Dorms

Under a full scholarship, you will have accommodations in on-campus or you will pay a heavily subsidized fee or no fee at all. Rooms are shared, clean and secure.

3. Affordable Life

China is relatively cheap to the students. The cafeteria meals may cost only 1-2 dollars. There is a reliable cheap public transportation. And your monthly allowance of money (about 2,500 3,000 CNY) normally covers your bases.

4. Internships and Labs

Lots of universities are equipped with research laboratories or affiliations with companies. Being an engineering student, you will have access to state-of-the-art recourses, project-based learning, and research.

Tips to Succeed Once You’re in China

• Stay connected with professors: The professor can mentor you in terms of helping you secure internships, laboratory projects, or research assistantships.
• Engage with local students: It makes you better at Chinese and also makes you fit in better.
• Use the career services: A lot of universities have offices where one gets to learn about job hunting, fifty ways of writing a resume, and networking.
• Follow visa rules and university guidelines: Make sure that you renew your visa in time, regularly attend your classes and be well informed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Missing the deadline: Deadlines for some scholarships close before the actual dates making it very essential to observe deadlines on every university and embassy.
• Submitting incomplete documents: A missing report, wrong format, etc will retard or disapprove your request.
• Writing a weak study plan: You only get one time to talk to the committee and you have to make it count.
• Applying blindly: Do research on different universities. Use documents that suit their profile.

Final Thoughts

Free college education in engineering is not a dream in China, but a dream that students who are willing to do their research, be prepared and can commit to. It is not a student who is attending university with a full scholarship such as the CSC; it is someone who is having an entry into a worldwide network of researchers, thinkers and innovators.

Now, you may doubt whether you can have a world-class education, but I want to tell you, Yes, you can. The way is not hidden and it is not closed to the students like you. What are you going to plan next? Choose something to watch Write that plan of study. Join your app

The engineering career later in your life could start in China.

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