Type A and Type B identify different CSC application routes. Type A generally involves a nominating authority; Type B involves a participating Chinese university. The forms, deadlines and review process follow that route.
Use an official call for which you are eligible to make the choice. Check the funding package separately: the letter alone does not mean full or partial support.
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 | check the authority’s instructions | check the university’s instructions |
| 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 includes university-managed programmes. The candidate chooses a participating university and follows its application instructions. Some calls require both CGSIS, with the university’s Agency Number, and a separate university application. For example, Northeastern University’s 2027 Type B guide requires both.
The university:
- checks programme eligibility;
- may run an interview or internal selection;
- recommends candidates;
- submits results through the CSC process.
Where the university requires two applications, completing CGSIS does not replace its own application.
Where is competition stronger?
The route alone does not tell you how competitive a call will be.
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
A university or supervisor may issue a pre-admission or acceptance document. Check the specific call for which documents are accepted and at what stage. A letter does not guarantee CSC funding.
Ignore claims such as “a letter gives you a 60% chance.” No universal public dataset supports that number.
For example, Chile’s 2027–2028 Type A call requires applicants to provide a pre-admission document. Other authorities and universities set their own requirements, so read the notice for your route and study level.
Finding the Agency Number
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?
Reputation alone does not tell you the admission probability. Compare programme requirements with your preparation and consider suitable options with different selection conditions.
If every option is highly competitive, add a few other programmes you would also be happy to attend.
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 application when the call requires two.
- 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.
Before completing the form
For each available route, keep the programme category, Agency Number, required portals and deadline. Check the organisation name displayed by the system after entering the number.
If several applications are permitted, allow time for each and tailor the study plan to the programme. Start with the route that gives you a suitable degree and a clear submission process.
