Kathmandu: The Chinese government has opened applications for 33 scholarships for Nepali students, offering opportunities to study in China in a wide range of subjects, including medicine.

Nepal’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the Medical Education Commission say the application process is now under way. Among the total scholarships, four seats are reserved for students wishing to study MBBS.

Beyond medicine, the scholarships cover undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programmes in fields such as engineering, information technology, economics, management, agriculture and animal sciences, and educational management.

Students applying for the MBBS programme must submit their applications online. The Medical Education Commission says only those who have passed the integrated entrance examination and secured a place on the merit list will be eligible.

Applicants for other programmes are required to submit their academic certificates, a copy of Nepali citizenship, passport details and other required documents to the Scholarship Section of the Ministry of Education in Sanothimi, Bhaktapur.

Age limits apply, with candidates required to be under 25 for undergraduate courses, under 35 for postgraduate studies and under 45 for PhD programmes.

Nine of the scholarships are set aside for PhD studies in subjects including economics, engineering, medical sciences, information technology, management, educational management, and agriculture and animal sciences.

Authorities have reminded interested students that application deadlines vary depending on the level of study and have urged them to apply on time and follow all required procedures.