One letter in a CSC application changes the entire selection route, not the scholarship amount. Type A and Type B are often described as “through the embassy” and “through the university,” but that shorthand hides different deadlines, competitors, documents and university choices.
The wrong Agency Number or programme category can send an otherwise strong application to the wrong organisation.
Short comparison
| Type A | Type B | |
|---|---|---|
| Where to apply | authorised body or embassy | participating Chinese university |
| First selection | organisation in your country | university |
| Competition | national or programme pool | applicants to one university |
| Systems | CGSIS plus the authority’s procedure | CGSIS plus the university portal |
| University choice | depends on route rules | a specific host university |
| Deadline owner | authorised body | university |
The type does not automatically mean full or partial funding. Coverage depends on the programme and the final award decision.
What Type A means
Type A covers routes where an authorised body nominates the candidate: a government agency, embassy or another organisation named in the notice.
The process usually looks like this:
- the authority publishes national rules;
- the candidate applies through its procedure;
- the authority conducts an internal selection;
- nominated applications move forward;
- the Chinese side and universities complete the review.
The advantage is a separate national route. The disadvantage is dependence on the quota and rules in your country.
What Type B means
Type B normally refers to the Chinese University Program. The candidate chooses a university, enters its Agency Number in CGSIS and also completes the university’s own application.
The university:
- checks programme eligibility;
- may run an interview or internal selection;
- recommends candidates;
- submits results through the CSC process.
The classic mistake is completing CGSIS and forgetting the university portal. The government form does not replace the university application.
Where is competition stronger?
It is not honest to say that Type A is always easier or Type B always harder.
Type A may be attractive when the national quota is meaningful and applicant numbers are low. In a country with very high demand, the competition may be severe.
Type B may work well at a university actively recruiting international students in your field. Applying only to the most famous institution in the country creates global competition.
Compare the real pool:
- available places;
- participating universities;
- how closely your record matches the programme;
- whether preliminary acceptance is needed;
- the strength of your language result.
Preliminary acceptance letters
For a master’s or doctorate, a university or supervisor may issue a pre-admission or acceptance letter. It shows interest but does not guarantee CSC funding.
Ignore claims such as “a letter gives you a 60% chance.” No universal public dataset supports that number.
For Type A, a letter may help direct the application to a preferred university. For Type B, a university may require it. Follow the current notice.
Agency Number: a small field with large consequences
The Agency Number identifies the receiving organisation in CGSIS. Do not copy it from an unsourced five-year-old table.
Verify it:
- in the current year’s notice;
- on the official university or authority page;
- in the instructions inside CGSIS.
If the number and programme category do not match the route, the organisation you expect may never see the application.
Can you apply through both routes?
The current CGSIS rules and individual programmes determine how many applications and concurrent routes are permitted. These limits can change.
If both routes are allowed:
- adapt the study plan without creating contradictions;
- keep the major choice coherent;
- make sure documents and dates match;
- be ready to accept only one final offer.
How to choose
Type A may suit you when
- your country publishes a clear official notice;
- your profile matches national priorities;
- the route includes acceptable universities;
- you want to compete in a national pool.
Type B may suit you when
- you have chosen a specific university and programme;
- the university accepts direct applications;
- the faculty or supervisor is interested in your profile;
- you can complete the separate university process.
Does a less famous university improve your chances?
Sometimes, but not because weaker universities hand out scholarships. A realistic choice reduces the gap between your profile and the expected competition.
A fifth application to another ultra-competitive university is not a strategy merely because you are motivated.
Build a portfolio with:
- 1–2 ambitious options;
- 2–3 realistic options;
- 1–2 backups with suitable programmes.
Common mistakes
- Using last year’s Agency Number.
- Choosing the wrong programme category.
- Completing only one of two required online applications.
- Sending one generic study plan to different majors.
- Treating a professor’s letter as a guarantee.
- Ignoring CSCA for undergraduate admission.
- Missing an earlier scholarship deadline.
See our CSC scholarship guide, 2027 deadline guide and CSC study-plan guide.
Bottom line
Type A and Type B are not two pricing tiers of one service. They are different paths to nomination.
Choose Type A when your position in the national route is strong. Choose Type B when your profile closely matches a specific university. Combine them when the rules allow, but do not send the same anonymous application in every direction.
