JUSTCOOL PhD Scholarships 2027 in China

The JUSTCOOL PhD Scholarships 2027 in China provide an opportunity for outstanding international students to pursue doctoral research at three major Chinese research universities. The programme is jointly organised by Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Tongji University, all located in Shanghai.

JUSTCOOL stands for Joint Examinations and Admissions for International Students to Top Chinese Universities: PhD Program. It is designed to attract promising researchers from around the world and support their development in fundamental scientific disciplines.

Unlike conventional doctoral pathways that often require a master's degree, JUSTCOOL provides an opportunity for eligible students to progress directly from undergraduate study to a PhD. The five-year programme focuses on Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology, with academic instruction delivered in English.

The participating universities plan to admit no more than 90 students for the 2027 intake, with approximately 20–40 places at each institution.

Students will undertake advanced academic training, pursue scientific research and work towards completing a doctoral dissertation under their admitting university's supervision. They may also take courses offered by the other two participating universities.

The programme operates through a shared admissions process involving document screening, written examinations and interviews. Applicants initially choose their intended academic discipline and select their preferred university after successfully completing the interview stage.

Successful students will be enrolled at their admitting university and, after meeting its graduation requirements and successfully defending their doctoral dissertation, receive their doctoral graduation and degree certificates from that university.

With full scholarship support and access to established research institutions, JUSTCOOL offers international students a pathway towards careers in scientific research and academia.

Applicants must meet the following official requirements:

• Nationality: Must be a non-Chinese citizen holding a valid foreign passport.
• Academic background: Must be an undergraduate student majoring in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology or a related discipline accepted by the programme.
• Graduation period: Must obtain a bachelor's degree between June 2026 and July 2027.
• Academic performance: Must rank within the top 20% of their undergraduate major or programme at their home university at the time of application.
• Academic interest: Should demonstrate strong interest in the selected discipline and a commitment to pursuing advanced scientific research.
• English proficiency: Must satisfy at least one of the programme's accepted English-language requirements.

Applicants can meet the English-language requirement through one of the following routes:

• Be from an English-speaking country and have English as their first native language.
• Have completed their undergraduate education entirely in English.
• Provide an accepted English-language test result obtained within the two years before the application deadline, meeting at least one of these minimum scores:
  • IELTS: 6.5
  • TOEFL iBT: 90 (New TOEFL: 4.5)
  • Duolingo English Test: 110
  • PTE Academic: 61

The JUSTCOOL PhD programme officially provides full scholarship support to admitted students, including:

• Full tuition waiver: Complete exemption from tuition fees for the doctoral programme.
• JUSTCOOL PhD fellowship: Financial support through the programme's doctoral fellowship.
• Free accommodation: Accommodation provided without charge.
• Research/teaching assistantship: Support through research or teaching assistantship arrangements.
• Free medical insurance: Medical insurance coverage during the programme.
• English-taught doctoral education: Academic training and research supervision in an international learning environment.
• Research facilities: Access to academic laboratories and research infrastructure at the participating universities.
• Cross-university learning: Opportunities to take courses at the other participating institutions.

Applicants must prepare the following application documents:

• Valid passport: A copy of the passport information page. The passport must remain valid until at least 1 March 2028.
• Academic qualification certificate: A certificate of highest academic qualification or a degree certificate.
• Expected graduation certificate: An original university-issued certificate of expected graduation, where applicable under the programme's requirements.
• Academic transcripts: Complete transcripts for the applicant's highest level of education.
• Two recommendation letters: Original letters written in Chinese or English by professors in the applicant's academic discipline and bearing their signatures.
• English proficiency evidence: Relevant language certificates, test scores or other accepted proof of English proficiency.
• Certificate of Non-Criminal Record: The required criminal-record clearance certificate.
• Foreigner Physical Examination Form: The required medical examination documentation in Chinese or English. Examination results are valid for six months.
• Nationality documentation: Additional nationality-renunciation and household registration cancellation documents, where applicable to applicants who previously held Chinese citizenship.

Optional supporting materials may include:

• Academic awards and certificates.
• Published research papers.
• Other evidence of academic ability and relevant achievements.

The JUSTCOOL admissions process considers the following:

• Academic performance: Applicants must meet the top 20% academic ranking requirement.
• Eligibility and document screening: Applications are reviewed for completeness and compliance with the published requirements.
• Merit-based shortlisting: Eligible applicants are selected for written examinations based on academic merit.
• Written examination performance: Candidates complete subject-specific examinations related to their intended major.
• Interview performance: Candidates qualifying through the written examinations are assessed through an interview.
• University acceptance: Final placement is subject to acceptance by the selected participating university.

The written examination consists of two subject examinations, each lasting 2.5 hours and carrying a maximum of 100 marks.

• Direct PhD pathway: Eligible students can progress directly from undergraduate education to doctoral research.
• Three major research universities: Access academic opportunities at Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Tongji University.
• Specialised scientific training: Develop advanced knowledge and research expertise in fundamental sciences.
• International academic environment: Study and conduct research in English in Shanghai.
• Cross-institutional opportunities: Take courses at other participating universities.
• Research career development: Build experience in advanced scientific research and doctoral-level academic work.
• International networking: Engage with researchers, academic supervisors and fellow international scholars.