Xiamen University Opens Applications for 2025 International Scholarships
Xiamen University has officially announced the commencement of its 2025 New International Students Scholarships for students applying to Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degree programs. The application window will close on April 10, 2025.
Originally launched in 2006, these scholarships were introduced as part of the university’s initiative to attract top international talent. Each year, a select number of newly admitted international students are awarded this scholarship, which covers full tuition fees. In addition, monthly living stipends are granted to high-performing Master’s and PhD students. These stipends follow the standards outlined in China’s national scholarship framework.
Institutional Overview: Xiamen University (XMU)
Founded in 1921 by Mr. Tan Kah Kee, a well-known overseas Chinese philanthropist and entrepreneur, Xiamen University holds a historic place in Chinese higher education as the first university established by an overseas Chinese individual.
XMU is consistently recognized as one of China’s top institutions under key national development plans such as the 211 Project, 985 Project, and the Double First-Class Initiative, all aimed at building world-class universities. The university is known not only for its strong academic reputation but also for its breathtaking campus, often cited as one of the most beautiful in the world due to its coastal location, green hills, and traditional Chinese architecture.
XMU operates across four campuses:
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Siming Campus (Main campus in Xiamen)
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Zhangzhou Campus
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Xiang’an Campus
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XMU Malaysia – the university’s international campus and the first of its kind for a Chinese institution.
The university comprises a graduate school, six academic divisions, 34 schools, and 17 research institutes. As of 2022, six academic disciplines—Chemistry, Marine Science, Biology, Ecology, Statistics, and Pedagogy—were listed among China’s world-class disciplines. Currently, 19 disciplines at XMU rank in the top 1% globally according to the Essential Science Indicators (ESI), with three disciplines—Chemistry, Materials Science, and Engineering—ranking in the top 1‰.
The university employs around 3,000 academic staff, of which 74% are either full or associate professors. Thirty-five faculty members are affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences or the Chinese Academy of Engineering.
Scholarship Coverage and Duration
Scholarship recipients will benefit from:
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Full tuition waiver
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Monthly living allowances for eligible postgraduates
Duration by Degree Level:
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Bachelor’s degree: 4–5 years
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Master’s degree: 2–3 years
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Doctoral degree: 4 years
Scholarships are renewable annually, subject to a performance-based review. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress and comply with scholarship regulations. Failure to meet the review standards may lead to suspension or cancellation of the scholarship.
Who Can Apply? – Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must first be admitted into a program at Xiamen University. Once admission is secured, applicants can proceed to apply for the scholarship.
Educational Background and Age Limits (as of September 1, 2025):
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Bachelor’s Degree: High school certificate or equivalent; under age 25
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Master’s Degree: Bachelor’s degree or higher; under age 40
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Doctoral Degree: Master’s degree or higher; under age 45
Additional program-specific requirements must also be met, depending on the chosen field of study.
How to Apply for the XMU Scholarships 2025
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Secure Admission:
Begin by applying to an eligible undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral program at Xiamen University. -
Complete Online Application:
After receiving an admission offer, log in to the online portal and submit the scholarship application form. -
Documentation:
Upload a scanned copy of the signed Application Form for Xiamen University Scholarships. The form should be filled out in Chinese or English.
Note: Physical documents are not required to be mailed.
Global Partnerships and International Reach
XMU maintains an expansive international network, with partnerships in 270 universities across the globe. It also actively promotes Chinese language and culture through 14 Confucius Institutes and 42 Confucius Classrooms in 12 countries. These efforts give XMU the widest global presence among China’s Double First-Class Universities.
The establishment of XMU Malaysia in 2013 further highlights the university’s pioneering role in cross-border education. This campus marked a historic milestone as the first international campus run by a Chinese university.
