JUSTCOOL PhD Program 2027 in China
JUSTCOOL is a joint PhD programme run by three of China’s top universities: Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) and Tongji University It offers up to 90 places for 2027, it’s taught in English, and it comes with a full scholarship. Applications close on 14 November 2026, so there isn’t much time.
This is for undergraduates in mathematics, physics, chemistry or biology who are about to finish their Bachelor’s degree If you’re in a different field, or you graduated earlier, you aren’t eligible.
Read More: Upcoming Fully Funded Scholarships for Asian Students 2027
What Is JUSTCOOL?
It’s a five-year PhD programme You apply once through the JUSTCOOL portal, not to each university, and Fudan runs the joint admission You pick the university you’ll attend after your interview Studies start in spring or fall 2027, with 20 to 40 places at each of the three universities.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
The programme describes its funding as “Full Scholarship Support”. The amounts for tuition, stipend and housing weren’t published in the sources I could check, so ask JUSTCOOL for the details before you plan your budget. Contact: admission@justcoolphd.cn.
Who Can Apply?
You need to meet all of these:
- You’re not a Chinese citizen, and your passport is valid until at least 1 March 2028.
- You’re an undergraduate majoring in mathematics, physics, chemistry or biology.
- You receive your Bachelor’s degree between June 2026 and July 2027.
- You rank in the top 20% of your undergraduate programme.
- You want a long-term research career in your subject.
English Language Requirement
You can meet it in two ways. Either your whole undergraduate programme was taught in English, or you have a recent test score (taken within two years before the deadline): IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 90, Duolingo English Test 110 or PTE Academic 61. So if your degree was taught in English, you don’t need a test.
Documents You Need
- Passport page
- Degree certificate, or proof of expected graduation
- Transcripts
- Two signed recommendation letters
- English proof
- A certificate showing you have no criminal record
- A foreigner physical examination form, valid for six months
Check the portal for the full list and the correct format, especially for the criminal record certificate and your ranking proof.
Also See: Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships 2027: List & Deadlines
How Selection Works
- Apply: online, from 28 September to 14 November 2026, until 24:00 Beijing time (9:00 pm in Pakistan).
- Written exam: on 12 December 2026, tentatively online. It’s closed-book, with two subject papers of 2.5 hours each, marked out of 100.
- Interview: online, in January 2027.
- Results: formal admission notices in February 2027.
How to Apply
Apply directly through the JUSTCOOL portal at apply.justcoolphd.cn Your government’s higher education body may advertise the programme, but the application is made on the portal. The sources I checked don’t mention an application fee.
Deadline
14 November 2026, 24:00 Beijing time Prepare your recommendation letters, your English proof and your medical form early, as these take the longest.
FAQs
Which universities are in JUSTCOOL?
Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Tongji University.
How long is the PhD?
Five years, taught in English.
Do I need IELTS?
Not if your whole undergraduate programme was taught in English. Otherwise you need one of the accepted test scores.
Who can apply?
Non-Chinese undergraduates in mathematics, physics, chemistry or biology, ranked in the top 20%, graduating between June 2026 and July 2027.
When is the exam?
12 December 2026, tentatively online.
