Feeling adventurous? Want to discover China for yourself? If you are 16, a British passport holder and are taking GCSEs in the summer (or you are a teacher and you believe one of your pupils is suitable), then a two-year boarding school scholarship at a school in China could be for you. We believe in the potential of young people and, since 2023, we have partnered with a number of international schools in China to provide a life-transforming, unique educational experience that will open up future prospects. Scholars can choose their A-levels from the wide range on offer and participate in activities beyond their dreams.

“China is a great country with a longstanding history. It has produced some of the best inventions & works of art. It is a huge power on the world stage. The Engage with China scholarship programme is a unique & tremendous opportunity that will be life-transforming for those young people,”

Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint, Patron of Engage with China

What to Expect

Engage with China scholarships provide an A-level boarding school education alongside Chinese peers in international schools in China with all 6^th form subjects taught in English. Schools are all 10 years old or under, boasting modern and sophisticated facilities and located in beautiful settings on the outskirts of cities.

Scholarships include countless opportunities including learning or improving Mandarin language skills, living alongside Chinese peers, engaging in an excellent academic curriculum, participating in multiple sports – rowing, sailing, golf, horse-riding, netball, basketball, table-tennis, swimming, fencing – and music. What’s more, EwC scholars enjoy cultural visits to famous and historic tourist attractions locally or nationally and outings to local restaurants to taste authentic Chinese food enabling them to immerse themselves in Chinese culture, flourish and excel.

It will take time to adjust and to make friends. Jetlag is real and the time-difference makes it complicated sometimes to communicate with home. The food is often very different to what you might be familiar with at home and you will be surrounded by people your age for whom English is not their first language. Expect to take a few weeks to feel at home.

“When I received my email offering me a 2024 Engage with China Scholarship to Hangzhou, I knew from that moment that I was in the front seat for an amazing opportunity that would change my life forever. Fast forward 183 days, I am now living in China with nine other fantastic scholars. I have been given so many opportunities to strive to be the best version of myself … I am so thankful.”

Zoe, 2024 Scholar Cohort

What Are The Outcomes?

Scholars benefit from developing China literacy and understanding, building a global mindset and citizenship, networking and making friends for life. They also get a taste for modern China through its kaleidoscope of colour, diversity, traditions and culture. Scholars also acquire a deep level of independence for self-study and even travelling in China on their journeys home back to the UK in the holidays. Benefits to partner schools are equally numerous bringing cultural diversity and international definition to the school communities. 

“Engage with China provides the UK- China bridge; it is up to us now to cross it!”

Ivan, 2023 Scholar Cohort

What’s Included?

Scholarships are generously funded by our partner schools and generally include the items listed below. [Please check the final Terms & Conditions from the receiving school before you accept your scholarship place as they may differ].

• 2 x Annual return flights to China*
• Meet & greet and transfer from the airport to school
• Boarding accommodation
• Food
• Tuition
• 2 Extra-curricular activities
• Cultural visits
• Uniform

*(including at the start and end of the academic year and at Chinese New Year in January or February)

Your parent/carer may be required to pay a deposit to cover incidental expenses (eg for stationary, new shoes, ice creams on outings etc) at the beginning of every academic year.

Who Should Apply?

If you have read this far and are excited by the opportunity to spend two years in China, then why not consider applying? The transition to life in China will be made straightforward by your host schools but culture shock is real, exacerbated by the time difference, food, a different pace of life with long study-filled days, sports and activities at the weekends. You will need to be outstanding academically (predicted grades 7-9) with the following additional characteristics and skills:

• Sense of adventure
• Independent yet with the desire to be a team-player
• Aspirational and driven
• Desire to immerse yourself in Chinese culture
• Kind and capable of being a good friend
• Willing to make the most of this opportunity
• Be an ambassador for Engage with China and for the UK

“I wake up every morning with a smile on my face! Thank you for giving me my dream!”

Michael, 2024 Scholar Cohort

Scholars benefit from developing China literacy and understanding, building a global mindset and citizenship, networking and making friends for life. They also get a taste for modern China through its kaleidoscope of colour, diversity, traditions and culture. Scholars also acquire a deep level of independence for self-study and even travelling in China on their journeys home back to the UK in the holidays. Benefits to partner schools are equally numerous bringing cultural diversity and international definition to the school communities. 

What we expect from our scholars

Becoming an Engage with China scholar is a rare privilege. To date, only 35 young people have won this life-changing opportunity. With so much on offer, we have high expectations of you to:

• make the most of the opportunity and to give back where you can. This may take the form of volunteering in the school (perhaps reading in the kindergarten) or at an Engage with China event back in the UK
• share regular bulletins and photographs with us so that we can celebrate your milestones and support you where issues or concerns arise. We also expect you to adhere to our code of conduct and to that of your receiving school. [Pupil handbooks will be given to each scholar to be signed by them and their parent(s)
• give generously and make an annual donation (£1,000 p/a is suggested per scholar) to support the work of Engage with China as we expand the programme and build an alumni platform to create even more opportunities into the future for you and other fortunate young people. Talk to your parent/carer about this. Perhaps you could run a fundraiser in your ‘sending’ school prior to departure to help you fundraise: this could be staging a concert, doing a sponsored run or organising a clothes swap.

Accepting an Engage with China scholarship is a big commitment, a serious step – but an exciting one. We do expect scholars to stay for the two-year period and to complete their A-levels in China.

What to do next…

• Talk to your family. You will be away for the best part of two years. You will experience homesickness and your family will miss you
• Consult with your teachers and ask for their support
• Look out for further notifications about applications around Chinese New Year 2025
• Consider your family holiday plans. There are two semesters in the Chinese academic year with the Autumn term starting at the end of August with various week-long breaks during the term, including Christmas. Chinese New Year is usually two-three weeks long in January or February and you will likely come back to the UK for that period
• Complete the registration of interest form in the first instance
• Email us hjcolston@engagewithchina.org attaching your CV and a 250-word piece or a 1- minute video on why you want to study in China
• Keep an eye on our website and social media posts for bulletins and updates about the scholarship application process and deadlines

We look forward to hearing from you.

CHINESE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS

If you would like to partner with us to support you to build a truly international community in your school campus in China, please do contact us. Recruitment season takes place in the spring..