The simultaneous-application restriction is explicit
CAS-ANSO’s UCAS notice says applicants may not apply through UCAS and USTC simultaneously; violating it can lead to disqualification. The USTC Level A guidance likewise restricts the candidate to one supervisor at one institution/school through either UCAS or USTC.
Reading both universities’ research information is not the prohibited activity. The distinction is between comparing options and actually maintaining parallel scholarship submissions. The decision about where to apply should follow the relevant scientific group and degree procedure, not a belief that duplicate filings automatically improve the odds.
The dated age cutoffs cannot be rolled forward
The cited UCAS 2026 notice uses 1 January 1996 inclusive for master’s applicants and 1 January 1991 inclusive for doctoral applicants. Its applicant and recommender deadline was 31 January 2026, Beijing time. These are a closed round’s exact dates.
They do not establish 2027 birth cutoffs or a 2027 deadline. The notice also excludes an applicant already pursuing the same degree level at a Chinese university. Moving to another institution would not erase that current-enrolment condition.
Put this guide into practice
Create a short record for your intended programme. Add the relevant notice or document beside each item; leave unpublished details marked “to confirm”.
- Institution choice and any restriction on parallel applications
- Supervisor contact rules and evidence of research fit
- Rules on holding another award at the same time
A host comparison should produce a scientific reason
For each possible institution, identify the research question, actual group, required preparation and where work would be done. UCAS includes CAS institutes, so selecting UCAS does not necessarily mean every research year takes place in Beijing. USTC’s cited doctoral procedure has its own application and interview steps.
A good decision record states why one environment supports the proposed work and which requirement remains unresolved. Keep the next annual notice as a separate task. An old allowance or age date should not become a personal eligibility assurance for a future round.
The cited CAS-ANSO round is historical
The published 2026 degree round closed on 31 January 2026. Its birth-date cutoffs are tied to that year. This review does not treat them as confirmed eligibility dates for an unpublished 2027 call.
Choose research fit at UCAS or USTC
Compare the research group, degree structure and supervision at each host before choosing. The call also excludes applicants already studying the same degree level at a Chinese institution. Admission eligibility and scholarship eligibility both matter.
FAQ
May I submit CAS-ANSO applications to both UCAS and USTC in the cited round?
No. The 2026 call expressly prohibits simultaneous applications at both hosts. Compare the options before selecting a host and check any new round’s wording before submitting.