Length of Schooling: 4 years
Autumn Intake Only: September 2026
Application Eligibility:
1. Non-Chinese citizens with a valid ordinary foreign passport, in good physical and mental health.2. Sufficient financial resources; no criminal record.
3. Age requirements:
(1) Applicants for entrance scholarships: under 40 years old.
(2) Self-funded applicants: under 45 years old.
4. Educational background: hold a Master's degree or equivalent qualification.
5. Language proficiency requirements:
(1) For Chinese-taught programs: Chinese proficiency must reach a level equivalent to HSK Level 5 (with a minimum score of 210) or above. Higher scores are preferred.
(2) For English-taught programs: English proficiency must reach IELTS (Academic) 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 80. Higher scores are preferred.
Application Deadline:
1. For applications with the entrance scholarships:
(1) January 31, 2026: Applicants will have a better chance of being selected for the Chinese Government Scholarship High-Level Postgraduate Program (CGS- Category B)
(2) April 15, 2026: CGS-Category A, CGS-Category B, SGS
2. For self-funded applications: May 31, 2026
Application Steps:
Online Application System: https://admissions.dhu.edu.cn/
Available from: December 1, 2025
Step 1: Click the link, complete registration, log in to your account, fill in personal and academic information, upload application materials, and pay the application fee online (800 CNY). Ensure your application status is "Submitted". Step 1 must be completed before the application deadline.
(1) For first-time users, please register first. If you have registered at DHU before, please log in directly to apply. Do not register a new account again.
(2) Applicants can only apply for one major. Please research and determine your intended major in advance.
(3) The application fee is required for all types of entrance scholarships and self-funded applications. Applications will be invalid if the fee is not paid as required. The application fee is non-refundable once paid.
(4) CGS-Category A and CGS-Category B/SGS cannot be selected simultaneously. CGS-Category B and SGS will be chosen as "CGS-Category Type B or SGS" when filling in the "Source of Funding".
Step 2: The Application Status in your online application system account helps you track progress.
Submitted: Application has been received by the university.
To be Reviewed: Application has entered the processing procedure.
--➽ Applicants need to check their account regularly. If the status shows "Returned", it must be handled and revised promptly.
Returned: Application was returned to the applicant during processing.
--➽ Applicants need to check the "Remarks" section, provide and update information or materials in accordance with the listed requirements within the specified time limit. Only after completing this step and clicking the "Submit" button can the school receive the updated application; or, complete the online application fee payment on time. If the status remains "Returned" without timely action from the applicant, the application will become invalid automatically.
Under Review: Application has formally entered the university's review and evaluation process.
--➽ Applicants wait for the result. Check email frequently to avoid missing notifications from the university, such as Pre-admission Letter issuance, notifications about exam/interview or admission results, etc.
Application Materials and Specifications:
* Uploaded documents must be color scans of the originals. All documents, except for the ID photo, should be submitted in PDF format.
* Ensure all application documents are authentic, completed, with clear and undamaged text/layout. Applications will be invalid if documents are found to be falsified or forged.
1. Passport (and Visa Pages)
(1) Clear copy of the passport information page, including name, photo, date of birth, place of birth, passport issue and expiry dates.
(2) Ordinary passport valid until after February 1, 2027. Do not change your passport from the time of application until enrollment (if admitted).
(3) If you have previously been to China or are currently in China, submit copies of all relevant visa pages and entry stamp pages.
2. Master's and Bachelor's Degree Diplomas, Certificates of Graduation, and Completed Master’s and Undergraduate Transcripts (all semesters)
(1) Must be original documents bearing the official stamp of the issuing institution or the signature of the responsible officials.
(2) When submitting transcripts, include an official explanation of its grading system.
(3) If the original documents are not in Chinese or English, they must first be translated into Chinese or English, and then notarized. Upload the following: original document in original language, translated document and notarization document.
(4) Applicants who are expected to graduate and obtain their Master's Degree Diploma and Certificate of Graduation before the end of August 2026 must submit an official Pending Certificate issued by their home university, along with official transcripts for all completed semesters to date. The Pending Certificate must clearly state the expected graduation date (month). The official Master's Degree Certificate, Diploma, and final complete transcripts must be submitted to Donghua University promptly upon receipt.
(5) All admitted students must provide the original documents for verification during the registration and enrollment in the coming September. Students who receive a conditional offer based on a Pending Certificate or Provisional Graduation Certificate will have their admission and enrollment qualification canceled if they fail to obtain the official Master's Degree Diploma and Certificate of Graduation before the end of August 2026.
3. Language Proficiency Certificates
(1) For Chinese-taught programs: a minimum HSK Level 5 Certificate (score ≥210) & provide HSKK score.
① The test date on the certificate must be on or after September 1, 2024.
② Applicants whose previous degree program was conducted entirely in Chinese may be exempted from submitting an HSK certificate but must provide a certificate issued and officially stamped/signed by the home university confirming that all courses and teaching activities were conducted in Chinese.
③ Applicants who graduated from a fully Chinese-taught previous degree program before September 1, 2024, must submit the above required HSK Level 5 certificate and HSKK score.
(2) For English-taught programs: IELTS (Academic) score 6.0 or above, or TOEFL iBT score 80 or above
① The test date on the score report must be on or after September 1, 2024.
② Applicants whose previous degree program was conducted entirely in English may be exempted from submitting IELTS or TOEFL scores but must provide a certificate issued and officially stamped/signed by the home university confirming that all courses and teaching activities were conducted in English.
③ Applicants who graduated from a fully English-taught previous degree program before September 1, 2024, must submit the required IELTS or TOEFL score report.
* If notified by Donghua University via email to take a language test or interview during the Under Review stage, applicants should respond and participate as scheduled. The results will serve as an important reference for the university's decision. Admitted students must provide the original language certificate for verification during the registration and enrollment in the coming September.
4. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
(1) Written in the teaching language of the applied DHU program.
(2) Include personal information, self-assessment, hobbies, interests, strengths & advantages, and contact details.
(3) Educational background: starting from high school, listed in reverse chronological order (most recent first), with dates precise to the month.
(4) Work or internship experience (if any): Listed in reverse chronological order, with dates precise to the month:
① Must provide employment or internship certificates corresponding to the listed experiences, issued by the employer (company/institution/university), signed and stamped.
② The certificate content must include position held, job responsibilities, start and end dates (precise to month), job performance, and contact person & information of the employer.
(5) List relevant experiences up to the application submission date. There should be no unexplained gaps in the timeline. Even if there was no study or work during a period, state the actual situation.
(6) Others (if any): Research projects participated in or important conferences attended, description of achievements; publications (include paper abstract), especially first-author papers (including abstracts, journal names, and publication dates, etc.); professional qualifications and skill certificates, awards and honors received. Relevant documents can be merged into one PDF file and uploaded under "Other Supplementary Documents" session.
5. Research Proposal
(1) Written in the teaching language of the applied DHU program.
(2) Content should include both a Research Plan and a Study Plan to demonstrate academic quality, research potential, and alignment with DHU's disciplines, faculty, and research resources.
(3) The Research Plan should clearly elaborate on what you plan to research during the Doctoral program, why it is worth researching, and how you will conduct the research. Specific content includes research topic, objectives, background, literature review, current research status, methodology, expected outcomes, references, etc. For reference: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/ebttaZcGDKhgXyi1PTL9mg.
(4) The Study Plan should outline your study plan for the Doctoral program, including how you will utilize time and resources to achieve academic and future career goals. Specific content includes academic background and research interests, learning objectives, research preparation and progression plan, future career planning, and specifically explains why you chose DHU, this specific program, and your prospective supervisor (if you have obtained a Supervision Intention Letter).
6. Two Recommendation Letters
(1) Written in English or Chinese, provided by two different referees familiar with your personal qualities, comprehensive abilities, and academic potential.
① At least one must be from an academic referee, typically a professor, associate professor, or lecturer whose course you have taken or under whom you have completed a research project (e.g., thesis, research assistantship), evaluating your course performance, academic ability, research potential, personal qualities, or achievements.
② If you have work experience, the other can be from your direct supervisor or project leader, evaluating your professional abilities and personal performance.
(2) The recommendation letter must include the referee's name, work unit and department, position, signature, and contact information (email must be provided).
(3) The recommendation letter must indicate the date signed by the referee, which should be on or after September 1, 2024.
7. Supervision Intention Letter (SIL) & Cover of the Research Proposal
For details, please check: https://english.dhu.edu.cn/2020/0130/c20557a307680/page.htm.
8. Certificate of No Criminal Conviction
Issued by the local public security authority or relevant government department in the applicant's location. The issue date should be on or after November 1, 2025.
9. Statement of Financial Support
(1) Download from https://english.dhu.edu.cn/brochures/list.htm, to be filled out and signed by the applicant and the financial guarantor. The signing date should be on or after November 1, 2025.
(2) Scholarship applicants must also have this form filled out and signed by a financial guarantor to ensure coverage of costs beyond the scholarship scope.
10. Other Supplementary Documents (if any)
Published papers and abstracts, especially those of which you are the first author; other supporting materials that demonstrate personal abilities, advantages, or specialties, as well as professional qualifications and skill certificates, awards, honors, and scholarship certificates consistent with the CV description. Relevant documents can be merged into one PDF file before uploading.
→ Mandatory for Design Major Applications:
1. Applicants for the Chinese-taught Design major must upload a portfolio of recent original artwork online, including at least two hand-drawn pencil sketches, two hand-drawn color paintings, and a design portfolio related to the applied major direction.
2. If notified by Donghua University via email to participate in an art examination or related interview (latest by June), applicants should respond and participate as scheduled. The results will serve as an important reference for the university's decision.
→ Additional Mandatory Documents for Scholarship Applications:
1. Chinese Government Scholarship Application Form (For both CGS Category Type A and Type B applications):
(1) After applying on the CGS official website https://www.campuschina.org, download the application form and sign it by the applicant.
(2) In the Donghua University online application https://admissions.dhu.edu.cn, under "Source of Funding", select CGS-Category Type A or CGS-Category Type B or SGS, and fill in the CGS Application Form No. (found in the footer) and the corresponding agency code. Then upload the signed CGS Application Form in your portal.
2. Shanghai Government Scholarship (SGS) Application Form: Not required. No need to apply on the SGS official website. Simply select CGS-Category Type B or SGS under Source if Funding in the Donghua University online application https://admissions.dhu.edu.cn.
3. Foreigner Physical Examination Form and Supplementary Reports:
(1) Download the Foreigner Physical Examination Form from https://english.dhu.edu.cn/brochures/list.htm.
(2) Arrange an appointment at a local hospital on or after November 1, 2025. Complete all examination items listed in the form strictly. The attending doctor must fill out the form based on the results, provide a clear conclusion, sign, stamp the form and indicate the date.
(3) The Foreigner Physical Examination Form will be considered invalid if any required item is missing, if your photo is not attached, or if the photo is not affixed with a hospital seal (stamped across the corner of the photo).
(4) When uploading the Foreigner Physical Examination Form, please attach the corresponding laboratory reports and other supplementary examination documents.
