September 2027 vs March 2027 Intake in China: Month-by-Month Timeline
Published on February 24, 2026 · Updated on November 8, 2026 | By Foorsa Team
September 2027 is the main intake. The CSC 2027/2028 cycle has been open since late October 2026, and bachelor's applicants need CSCA scores. March 2027 is the small intake: mostly self-funded, fewer programmes, and if you want it, apply now.
Bac in June, classes in September: that is why September fits most Moroccan students.
The two intakes at a glance
| September 2027 | March 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Classes start | Early to mid-September 2027 | Early to mid-March 2027 |
| When to apply | CSC: open since late October 2026, deadline set by each route. Self-funded: each university's own deadline. | Usually September to December of the previous year. Each university sets its deadline. |
| Scholarships | CSC, university and provincial | Few. Mostly self-funded |
| Programmes | Every major | Limited list |
CSCA: every Chinese Government Scholarship university requires it from undergraduate applicants since the 2026 intake (scholarship or not), and it becomes mandatory for all international undergraduates by 2028. Dates and fees: CSCA exam guide.
September 2027: month by month
| Month | What to do | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2026 | Choose your route: CSC Type A, CSC Type B or self-funded. Shortlist 3 universities. Start translations and certifications. | CSC 2027/2028 open on campuschina.org. CSCA session 14–15 Nov (registration closed 21 Oct). |
| Dec 2026 | Sit the CSCA: 19–20 Dec. | Results within 10 working days. |
| Jan 2027 | CSCA 23–24 Jan. Finish your study plan and recommendation letters. | Last session for a mid-February deadline. |
| Feb 2027 | Submit files with early deadlines. | Example: Chinese Embassy in Indonesia (Type A) closes 14 Feb 2027. |
| Mar 2027 | CSCA 13–14 Mar. Submit Type B files. | Example: Nankai University (Type B) closes 20 Mar 2027. |
| Apr 2027 | CSCA 24–25 Apr. | For routes with later deadlines. |
| Jun 2027 | CSCA 26–27 Jun. | Last session in the current CSCA calendar. |
| Jun–Jul 2027 | CSC results. Admission letter and JW201 or JW202 form. | Results usually come in summer. |
| Aug 2027 | X1 visa: online at consular.mfa.gov.cn, then the consular service in Rabat. | About 1 month before departure. Check 2027 fees with the embassy. |
| Sep 2027 | Fly, register, start classes. Apply for your residence permit within 30 days. | Foorsa's arrival package: flight from Casablanca, airport pick-up, Chinese snacks and a first meal (Harbin, Nanjing, Qingdao, Tianjin, Jinan). |
"Example" dates are not Morocco's dates. Each embassy and university sets its own deadline. Self-funded? Apply with the CSC wave anyway: some universities fill places early. Full CSC steps: CSC Scholarship 2027 guide.
March 2027: what is left
March works if you:
- Missed September or received late admission results
- Are self-funded (scholarships are very limited)
- Want a programme that runs in March (business, Chinese language, social sciences)
- Are ready to leave within weeks
The catch:
- Very few CSC places: most CSC funding goes to September
- Fewer programmes: lab sciences, clinical rotations and some engineering programmes are often unavailable
- Late-winter arrival in northern cities such as Harbin
- Smaller international cohort: fewer orientation and networking events
| When | March 2027: what to do |
|---|---|
| Now (Nov–Dec 2026) | Confirm your programme opens in March, then apply. Each university sets its deadline. |
| Jan 2027 | Some universities still accept late applications. Admission results arrive. |
| Jan–Feb 2027 | Admission letter and JW201 or JW202, then the X1 visa: online first, then Rabat, about 1 month before departure. |
| Early to mid-Mar 2027 | Arrive, register, start classes. Residence permit within 30 days. |
Scholarships by intake
| Scholarship | September 2027 | March 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| CSC | Yes: the 2027/2028 cycle | Rare exceptions only |
| University scholarships | Available | Limited, fewer places |
| Provincial scholarships | Available | Very limited |
| Confucius Institute | Mainly language programmes | Short programmes only |
| Self-funded | Always | Always |
Need a scholarship to go? Then September is your intake.
Programmes: both intakes or September only
| Usually in both intakes | Rarely or never in March |
|---|---|
| Chinese language | Clinical medicine (MBBS) |
| Business administration | Lab sciences (chemistry, biology, physics) |
| International relations | Architecture |
| Economics and finance | Art and design (some universities) |
| Computer science (fewer places in March) | Specialised engineering (aerospace, nuclear, biomedical) |
Check your field on our majors page, then confirm March availability with the university.
Which intake fits you
| Your situation | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Bac in June 2027, need a scholarship | September 2027 | CSC and the full choice of programmes |
| Want medicine (MBBS) | September only | Clinical programmes rarely open in March |
| Missed September, self-funded, business or Chinese | March 2027 | Your programme runs in March and you need no scholarship |
| Refused for 2026, still want a scholarship | September 2027 | Re-apply with CSCA scores and a sharper file |
5 mistakes that cost you a semester
- Assuming every programme has a March intake. Fix: confirm with the university first.
- Skipping September because "I'll just do March". Many programmes don't offer March.
- Choosing March without checking funding. Fix: check scholarships before you apply, not after.
- Leaving the CSCA to the last session. Fix: book December or January.
- Underestimating the visa step. Fix: apply about one month before departure. The online pre-review can send a file back for a photo or form error.
Want us to run this timeline for you? See how it works and our fees.
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