Westlake University PhD Fellowship (China)

Westlake University in Hangzhou fully funds its PhD students with covered tuition and a monthly living stipend, inside a young, research-only institution built with Caltech-style density and internationally recruited faculty. Programs run in English across AI, physical sciences, engineering and life sciences, with supervisor match driving admissions.

Intakes and joint-program rounds run through the year, so applicants should email prospective labs first and apply on the portal with their support. For students wanting a funded China PhD outside the CSC machinery, Westlake is the standout modern option.

• International and Chinese applicants with a bachelor's or master's degree in sciences, engineering or life sciences.
• Research-driven profiles: Westlake is a research-only university modeled on Caltech-style density.
• English-taught environment, so English evidence rather than Chinese is the norm for internationals.
• Strong grounding in the target field, from AI and physics to structural biology and genetics.
• Willingness to relocate to Hangzhou for a full-time doctoral program.
• Positive supervisor match, since admission runs through the joint or independent PhD tracks with named labs.

• Full tuition coverage and a monthly living stipend for the doctoral duration.
• Subsidized housing options and insurance support on the Hangzhou campus.
• Labs led by internationally recruited faculty, including high-profile structural biology and AI groups.
• A new, exceptionally well-funded private research university backed by major Chinese philanthropy.
• Small cohorts with high supervision density compared with giant state universities.
• Hangzhou's tech ecosystem (Alibaba's home city) around the campus.

• Online application through Westlake's PhD admissions portal for your track.
• Transcripts and degree certificates with English translations.
• CV, research statement and publication list where available.
• Two to three recommendation letters submitted online.
• English proficiency evidence (program pages state accepted proofs).
• Passport copy.

• Explore Westlake's schools and lab pages, then email prospective supervisors with your CV and research interests.
• Apply through the PhD admission portal; intakes and joint-program rounds run through the year, making timing effectively rolling.
• Shortlisted candidates complete interviews with labs and committees.
• Offers confirm the funding package, lab placement and start date.
• Complete Chinese visa (X1) steps with the university's admission documents.
• Strong applicants unsure of fit should still write to labs, since supervisor pull drives admissions.