Full funding · Study in Hong Kong
Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme
HK$331,200 annual stipend plus a HK$13,800 yearly conference travel allowance, for up to 3 years
- Funder
- Research Grants Council of Hong Kong
- Level
- Doctoral
- Coverage
- Full
About this scholarship
The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme attracts top research students to the city's eight publicly funded universities, including HKU and HKUST.
Fellows receive one of Asia's most generous doctoral packages, and universities typically add tuition waivers on top.
🗓️ Deadline
Initial applications close at the beginning of December each year
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 study at a UGC-funded Hong Kong university
- Open to all nationalities
- Excellent academic record, research ability and communication skills
- Meet the admission requirements of your chosen university
How to apply
- Submit an initial application to the RGC by early December
- Apply in parallel to your chosen universities with the fellowship reference number
- Universities assess and nominate candidates to the scheme
- Results are announced around March for September entry
- Your counsellor can help align the RGC and university applications
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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Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme: your questions, answered
What does the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme cover?
HK$331,200 annual stipend plus a HK$13,800 yearly conference travel allowance, for up to 3 years. The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme attracts top research students to the city's eight publicly funded universities, including HKU and HKUST.
Who is eligible for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme?
Core requirements are: Applying for full-time PhD study at a UGC-funded Hong Kong university; Open to all nationalities; Excellent academic record, research ability and communication skills; Meet the admission requirements of your chosen university. Eligibility rules are set by the funder and can change each cycle, so confirm on the official site before applying.
When is the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme deadline?
Initial applications close at the beginning of December each year. 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.