For CSC, prepare **at least two recommendation letters** on official letterhead. For degree applicants, referees are usually **professors or associate professors** who taught or supervised you; one academic + one research/employer letter is common for applicants with work experience. Each letter should identify the referee, state how they know you and for how long, evaluate academic ability and character with concrete examples, affirm suitability for study in China, and end with a clear recommendation plus contact details. Do not write the letter yourself for a signature-only stamp — weak, generic praise is easy to spot.
Key takeaways
- Two letters is the working minimum; PhD tracks often expect stronger academic referees (sometimes three)
- Prefer associate professor / professor (or equivalent) who know your coursework, thesis, or research
- Must cover: relationship + duration, academic/research evidence, character, China/program fit, explicit recommend
- Use institutional letterhead, dated signature, email and phone the embassy/university can verify
- English or Chinese is fine when the program language matches; keep spelling of your name identical to the passport
- Give referees your CV, study plan, and target major — not a finished letter to rubber-stamp
Who should sign a CSC recommendation letter?
Rank matters less than genuine knowledge of your work — but CSC reviewers still expect academic credibility.
- Bachelor’s / master’s — typically two academic referees (course lecturers, thesis advisors). Associate professor or above is the usual ask when your university uses those ranks
- PhD / research master’s — prioritize research supervisors who can discuss methods, publications, or lab performance; some notices ask for three academic letters
- Work experience — one academic + one employer/research manager is acceptable when the job is relevant to the major
- Avoid — relatives, classmates, agents, or anyone who has never assessed your academic work
- Language — English for English-taught targets; Chinese (or bilingual) for Chinese-taught when the referee can write it well
A letter signed by a famous professor who cannot describe a single project of yours is weaker than a detailed letter from your actual thesis advisor.
What the letter must cover
Reviewers skim for these elements. Missing any one makes the letter look incomplete.
- Referee identity — full name, title/rank, department, university or company, email, phone
- Relationship — courses taught, thesis supervised, or projects managed; start and end dates
- Academic evaluation — grades relative to peers, research skills, publications, awards — with specifics
- Character & soft skills — integrity, teamwork, perseverance (one short paragraph, still concrete)
- Fit for China / the program — why this applicant can succeed in the named degree field
- Clear recommendation — “I strongly recommend…” plus willingness to answer follow-up questions
- Signature block — handwritten or verified digital signature, date, official letterhead or stamp where customary
Sample outline (give this to your referee)
This is a structure, not a fill-in-the-blank fake letter. Referees should write in their own voice.
Paragraph 1 — Introduction
State who you are, your position, and that you recommend [Full Name as on passport] for the Chinese Government Scholarship / [degree] in [major] at [university if known]. Mention how long you have known the applicant and in what capacity.
Paragraph 2 — Academic or professional evidence
Name 2–3 concrete achievements: thesis title, lab techniques, competition results, GPA rank, papers, or workplace deliverables. Compare briefly to classmates or colleagues (“top 5% of my 2024 cohort”).
Paragraph 3 — Character and readiness
Describe work habits, communication, and resilience with one short anecdote. Link these traits to studying abroad in China (independent learning, cross-cultural teamwork).
Paragraph 4 — Closing recommendation
Reaffirm a strong recommendation. Invite verification: email and phone. Sign, date, and attach letterhead.
Length: about 400–800 words (one to two pages). Longer is fine if every paragraph adds evidence; shorter is fine if every claim is specific.
Applicant checklist before you ask
Help your referees write faster and stronger.
- Send passport-name spelling, target degree, major, and whether the route is Type A or Type B
- Attach CV, transcript, and your study-plan draft (see /how-to-write-study-plan-china)
- Remind them of deadlines (country CSC notices often close before university Type B dates)
- Ask for PDF on letterhead + a signed scan if a wet-ink original is required later
- Keep copies; some universities and embassies both collect the letters
How to prepare CSC recommendation letters
- 1
Pick two credible referees
Choose people who taught or supervised you. Confirm they can meet the CSC deadline.
- 2
Send a brief pack
Passport name, CV, transcript, study-plan draft, target major, and the outline on this page.
- 3
Collect letterhead PDFs
Ensure signature, date, email, and phone are present. Keep backups for embassy and university uploads.
- 4
Upload with the CSC file
Submit alongside the study plan and any pre-admission evidence your route requires.
Book a free 10-minute consultation
Talk to a SICA admissions counsellor on Zoom, WhatsApp, or WeChat (Beijing time) — get a straight answer on your universities, scholarships, and the CSCA before you commit to anything.