The required length changes with the application
The general CGS guide lists at least 200 words for undergraduates, 500 for visiting scholars and 800 for graduates. Beihang’s 2026 graduate notice required more than 1000 characters or words and a supervisor signature. Yenching separates a personal statement of no more than 750 words from a research-interest statement of no more than 1500 words, excluding citations.
These documents are not one essay with three university names. A graduate applicant using only the general 800-word baseline would need to expand and adapt it for the cited Beihang procedure. A long CSC plan cannot simply be uploaded unchanged into Yenching’s shorter personal-statement field.
Turn a broad interest into a researchable question
Illustrative outline, not a real funded proposal: instead of saying an applicant wants to study urban sustainability, a proposal could identify one city-level question, the documents or data needed, a comparison method and the reason that method can answer it. The example must then be adapted to actual knowledge and feasible access.
A useful plan explains prior preparation, a bounded question, the method, available evidence, expected limitations and a schedule. It should not assert guaranteed interviews, laboratory access or a supervisor’s commitment when none has been obtained. The content is stronger when the reader can see what would actually be done.
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 Add the relevant notice or document beside each item; leave unpublished details marked “to confirm”.
- Exact writing prompt, language and word limit
- Research question, preparation and suitable methods
- Final submitted version you can explain accurately
Your next step
See how a comparison report is structuredRecommendations and the plan should support the same account
The recommendations should corroborate academic preparation or research potential relevant to the proposal. For the cited Beihang process, the supervisor signature is an additional requirement on the plan; two academic recommendations do not replace it. For Yenching, the two statements serve different functions even when they share the same personal background.
Before submission, compare programme title, qualification dates and research interests across the plan, CV and recommendations. A promised experiment absent from the proposal, or conflicting study dates, signals an unresolved file rather than ambition. Keep the applicant’s actual experience intact when adapting the narrative.
A study plan is not a universal document
| Application | Published length | Additional distinction |
|---|---|---|
| CGS undergraduate baseline | At least 200 words | Use the recipient’s current format |
| CGS visiting-scholar baseline | At least 500 words | Different from a degree application |
| CGS graduate baseline | At least 800 words | Host can require more |
| Beihang graduate example, 2026 | More than 1000 characters or words | Supervisor signature required in that notice |
| Yenching personal statement | No more than 750 words | Separate from the research-interest statement |
| Yenching research-interest statement | No more than 1500 words, excluding citations | Programme-specific, not a general CSC requirement |
Keep the stated word/character distinction and the source intake. Do not treat this table as one common 2027 format.
Connect your background to a specific programme
Open with your educational background and the question or subject you want to study. Explain why the named programme is appropriate using verified courses, facilities or research interests. Keep claims proportionate to evidence. A bachelor applicant can describe learning goals; a research-degree applicant normally needs a more precise question and scholarly context. Follow the host’s requested length and language.
Make the research proposal feasible
For research, outline the problem, what existing work leaves unresolved, a plausible method, data or material access and expected contribution. Describe a schedule compatible with the degree duration. Mention a supervisor only if the connection is genuine and relevant. Do not claim an agreed laboratory place, publication, internship or funding source that you have not obtained.
FAQ
Can I reuse one study plan for several scholarship applications?
You can reuse truthful background information, but the programme rationale, research question and requested format should fit each application. Changing only the university name usually leaves the most important part of the argument unaddressed.