Full funding · Study in Hong Kong
HKU Presidential PhD Scholar Programme
Full tuition plus a stipend package exceeding HK$400,000 per year for the most outstanding candidates, on top of Hong Kong PhD Fellowship benefits
- Funder
- University of Hong Kong
- Level
- Doctoral
- Coverage
- Full
About this scholarship
The University of Hong Kong tops up the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship with its Presidential PhD Scholar Programme, creating one of Asia's most generous doctoral packages for elite research candidates.
Scholars receive enhanced stipends, conference funding and accommodation support at Hong Kong's oldest university, ranked among the world's top 25.
🗓️ Deadline
Apply alongside the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme, typically by 1 December
Award cycles shift year to year. Confirm the current deadline on the official site before you plan around it.
Eligibility
- Applying for full-time PhD admission at HKU
- Typically requires nomination via the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme application
- Outstanding academic record from a leading university
- Evidence of research ability — publications, awards or strong references
- All nationalities are eligible
How to apply
- Submit an initial application to the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme by early December
- Apply in parallel for HKU PhD admission naming your proposed supervisor
- HKU considers top-ranked fellowship applicants for the Presidential top-up automatically
- Interviews are typically held between December and February
- Outcomes are announced from March for a September start
Studying in Hong Kong
Top Asian universities, a global finance hub and a generous post-study stay-back scheme. Post-study work: IANG, typically 24 months initially.
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HKU Presidential PhD Scholar Programme: your questions, answered
What does the HKU Presidential PhD Scholar Programme cover?
Full tuition plus a stipend package exceeding HK$400,000 per year for the most outstanding candidates, on top of Hong Kong PhD Fellowship benefits. The University of Hong Kong tops up the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship with its Presidential PhD Scholar Programme, creating one of Asia's most generous doctoral packages for elite research candidates.
Who is eligible for the HKU Presidential PhD Scholar Programme?
Core requirements are: Applying for full-time PhD admission at HKU; Typically requires nomination via the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme application; Outstanding academic record from a leading university; Evidence of research ability — publications, awards or strong references; All nationalities are eligible. Eligibility rules are set by the funder and can change each cycle, so confirm on the official site before applying.
When is the HKU Presidential PhD Scholar Programme deadline?
Apply alongside the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme, typically by 1 December. Because award cycles shift year to year, always check the official programme website for the current date.
Is the university placement service really free?
Yes, our service is 100% free. Counselling, university matching, application support and guidance right up to your offer cost you nothing. There are no consultation fees and no agent fees, because we are funded by our university partners. The only cost you take on is the university’s own tuition or semester fees, which you pay directly to the university after you accept your offer.
What exactly do you help with?
Everything from start to finish: understanding your options, shortlisting the right programme, preparing your application and personal statement, submitting to the university, and guiding you through the offer, enrolment and visa paperwork, all with a dedicated counsellor.
Which universities can you place me into?
We place students into a range of UK and international universities, and we shortlist the best-fit options for your grades, budget and goals rather than pushing a single school. On some pages we run dedicated free placement drives for a specific partner university, and we are always adding more partners. Tell us your goals and your counsellor will map out your options.