Feeling adventurous? Want to discover China for yourself? If you are 16, a British passport holder and are taking GCSEs in summer 2027 (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.

*Please note that we know that some schools in China are using our brand and the EwC Scholarship name without our consent. Get in touch with us to find out more about the schools we currently work with to ensure that you get the right support throughout your scholarship journey.

“Thank you EwC! This Scholarship has changed my life!”

Become part of the EwC Scholar family and apply through us for a a scholarship in China.

“It’s not just the big moments – the Great Wall, Shanghai – it’s the friendships and the unexpected joy in everyday life that have made this experience so powerful. China has become a home away from home.”

New for 2027: Scholars can opt to take the IB Diploma Programme or A-levels.

What we provide

We know that most of our scholar families have never been to China and do not know much about the country, its people and its language. Having spent decades working in China and speaking mandarin, our team provides local support and insights to help determine if a scholarship is right for you and your family. We provide the following services:

-Online Q&A sessions during the application process

–Assurance of the quality and standard of schools through school visits and strong relationships

-Scholar and family support throughout the on-boarding process

-Pre-departure cultural workshop

–Chaperone to China at the start of the Scholar journey

-Regular check-ins with scholars and their families

-Scholar advocacy throughout their scholarship journey

-Alumni network

–Volunteering and workplace opportunities

–Annual scholar Forum

–On-going advice and support

“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 boarding schools in China with all 6^th form subjects taught in English. Schools all boast modern and sophisticated facilities, with many native English speaking staff and are 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 – 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?

An EwC Scholarship is a life-changing opportunity. Scholars learn to navigate their way around China, enjoy an immersive two-year cultural experience, gain a nuanced understanding of China and learn to move easily between cultures whilst 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
• Academically strong with grade predictions of 7-9 across all subjects
• 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…

• Apply for a scholarship today through us for 2027-2029. You must be 16 years of age and taking your GCSE / N5 or IB exams this summer
• Complete this application form and return all required accompanying documents
• Confirm your application by emailing us: hjcolston@engagewithchina.org
• Keep an eye on our website and follow us on social media for bulletins and updates about the scholarship application process and deadlines. You can find us on @Engage with China on TikTok, LinkedIn and Facebook
• Applications are open now with a deadline of mid January. Interviews around Chinese New Year 2027.
• Join our applicant and parent(s) /carer information session to be held on Tuesday 10 November at 6pm online. Email for details using the email address above.

We look forward to hearing from you.

See if your questions can be answered in our FAQ’s here

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 starts now.