University of Hong Kong Scholarships 2027 | Undergraduate, MPhil & PhD

University of Hong Kong Scholarships 2027 offer several ways to fund your studies in Hong Kong. Whether you are finishing high school or preparing a research application, you need to choose the award that matches your degree. HKU has undergraduate entrance scholarships, postgraduate scholarships for eligible MPhil and PhD students, and competitive PhD packages through HKPFS and the HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship. This guide explains the benefits, available degree programs, requirements and application dates so you can prepare the right documents before you apply.

Funding varies between awards. A tuition scholarship and a PhD package with a monthly stipend are different offers, so check exactly what your award covers. The 2027/28 research funding details are published, while some undergraduate scholarship pages still show 2026 terms that may change for 2027.

Comparing study options across Asia? You can also explore Monash University Malaysia Scholarships for undergraduate and research funding opportunities.

University of Hong Kong Scholarships 2027 at a Glance

• Host institution: The University of Hong Kong (HKU)
• Study destination: Hong Kong
• Degree levels: Undergraduate, MPhil and PhD
• Funding type: Funding Varies
• Applicants: Local and international students, depending on the award
• Main research deadline: December 1, 2026
• Undergraduate first-round deadline: November 25, 2026, at noon HKT

Which scholarship route should you choose?

University entrance scholarships support students starting a bachelor’s degree. HKU normally considers applicants automatically after they submit an admission application, although named awards can have extra conditions or forms.

Full-time students applying for eligible MPhil and PhD programs may receive a Postgraduate Scholarship (PGS). Outstanding full-time PhD applicants are considered for the HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship. The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme, or HKPFS, requires an initial application to the Research Grants Council as well as a full university application.

MPhil is a research master’s degree. Do not assume that the research scholarships listed here cover a taught master’s, such as an MA or MSc. Check which funding options are available for your chosen course.

What Do HKU Scholarships Cover?

Undergraduate funding options

HKU offers merit-based awards that can help with tuition, and some also contribute towards living expenses. Support may take the form of a one-time award or a scholarship that can be renewed. The amount and renewal conditions depend on your scholarship offer; there is no single funding package for every undergraduate applicant.

Some named scholarship pages still describe 2026 admission awards and say that 2027 terms may change. Use those pages to identify suitable opportunities, then confirm the updated conditions before making a financial commitment.

Postgraduate Scholarship for MPhil and PhD

The published basic PGS rate is HK$19,135 per month, effective September 1, 2026. Eligible PhD scholarship recipients receive HK$19,655 per month from the month after their probationary candidature is fully confirmed. These rates took effect in 2026 and may be revised for 2027. Renewal depends on satisfactory progress, available funding and compliance with scholarship regulations.

HKPFS and Presidential PhD funding for 2027/28

• Monthly scholarship: HK$28,700.
• Conference and research travel allowance: HK$14,400 per year.
• Presidential cash award: HK$40,000 in the first year and HK$20,000 annually during the remaining normal study period.
• Tuition/composition fee waiver: HK$49,500 per year during the normal study period under the Presidential award.
• Accommodation: A guaranteed hall place in the first year, with possible renewal; this does not mean free accommodation.

HKPFS normally supports three years, with HKU providing the same support in year four for awardees admitted to a four-year PhD. HKU states that its 2027/28 HKPFS holders also receive the Presidential scholarship. These benefits form a combined package; do not count the monthly stipend twice.

Before accepting an offer, compare the award with your likely rent, meals, visa costs and travel. A clear budget is more useful than relying only on the phrase “fully funded.” For a graduate option in Saudi Arabia, compare the KAUST Scholarship guide, paying particular attention to research fit, accommodation and stipend conditions.

Degree Programs and Eligibility Requirements

Which degree programs can you study?

HKU’s undergraduate options include the following examples, based on its Arts degree listings and Engineering options for 2027/28:

• BA (Arts)
• BA in Humanities and Digital Technologies
• BA/BEng in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
• BEng Civil Engineering
• BEng Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Electronic Engineering
• BEng Data and Systems Engineering
• BEng Mechanical Engineering

Research applicants can explore MPhil and PhD opportunities in areas such as computing and data science, engineering, humanities and social sciences. Available places depend on the department, research topic and supervisor availability. Listing a degree here does not mean that every student on it receives a scholarship.

Undergraduate applicants

You need a qualification accepted for your admission route, the required subjects and the relevant English-language evidence. HKU accepts applications based on predicted or interim results where its conditions are met. Scholarship selection is competitive, so use your application to explain achievements beyond a list of grades.

MPhil and PhD applicants

Confirm the academic entry requirements of your intended department. Applicants with a good honours bachelor’s degree, a taught master’s or both may be considered for the four-year PhD route. Those with a research master’s may be considered for the three-year route. PGS normally requires a first degree with upper second-class honours or an equivalent qualification. Master’s results may also be considered, and awards depend on available funding.

HKPFS welcomes new full-time PhD applicants from any country or ethnic background. Selection considers academic strength, research potential, communication skills and leadership. A focused proposal should show how your research interests fit the department’s work.

English requirements

For research applicants who need IELTS Academic, most faculties require 6.5 overall with no component below 6. The Faculty of Arts normally requires 7 overall with no component below 6; this requirement excludes the Centre of Buddhist Studies. Check accepted alternatives and departmental rules. HKU does not accept TOEFL iBT Home Edition or IELTS One Skill Retake for this research admission requirement.

Looking at another Asian research destination? National University of Singapore Scholarships can help you compare the available routes.

Documents Required for HKU Scholarships

Prepare the documents required for your chosen degree. Undergraduate and research applications ask for different evidence, so use the checklist for your own program.

• Passport or accepted identity document.
• Academic transcripts, certificates and the grading scale where required.
• Predicted or interim examination results for relevant undergraduate applications.
• English-language results or other accepted evidence, where applicable.
• Research proposal or statement of research interest for MPhil and PhD, following faculty instructions.
• Academic references; HKU research applications require two academic referees.
• CV, publications, awards or other supporting achievements where relevant.
• Certified English translations for documents that are not in English, where required.
• Any additional faculty documents, such as a writing sample or required test score.

Ask your referees before entering their details. After you submit your research application, the system contacts your referees and normally gives them 14 days to send their reports. Check your application status to confirm that both references have been submitted.

Your research statement should explain a question you want to investigate, why it matters and how you might approach it. Read the department’s guidance before deciding the length. If you use AI while preparing research application materials, follow HKU’s disclosure requirements and check every factual statement yourself.

Use our scholarship application document checklist to organize your files before uploading them.

How to Apply and Important Deadlines

1. Start by choosing an undergraduate or research degree and checking its admission requirements on the official HKU website.
2. Review the relevant scholarship terms. Applicants are normally considered automatically for undergraduate entrance scholarships, but some named awards require additional steps.
3. For MPhil or PhD, review research areas and any supervisor-contact instructions from your department. Prepare the proposal and arrange your references early.
4. If applying for HKPFS, complete the initial RGC application first and obtain your HKPFS reference number.
5. Submit the appropriate HKU online application. HKPFS applicants must enter their reference number and complete the university application as well.
6. Upload the required documents, pay any applicable application fee and monitor your account for further requests or interviews.

Application deadlines for 2027/28

• Undergraduate International/Non-JUPAS first round: November 25, 2026, at 12:00 noon HKT.
• Undergraduate final application closing date: August 25, 2027, at 12:00 noon HKT. Later applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, subject to availability.
• HKPFS initial RGC application: December 1, 2026, at 12:00 noon HKT.
• HKU MPhil/PhD main-round application: December 1, 2026, at 23:59 HKT. HKPFS applicants also need to complete their full HKU application by December 1.
• Research first clearing round: April 30, 2027, at 23:59 HKT.
• Research second clearing round: August 31, 2027, at 23:59 HKT.

All times above are Hong Kong time, UTC+8. Clearing rounds depend on remaining places and are not extensions of the HKPFS deadline. Some faculties set additional document deadlines, so check your department’s instructions too.

Official sources and application guidance

Use HKU undergraduate admissions for the international bachelor’s application route. Research applicants should follow the Graduate School application guidance, the HKPFS instructions and the Presidential scholarship details. Review the postgraduate scholarship rates and research application calendar before submitting.

Details reviewed on October 19, 2026. Award values and course requirements can change; your official offer determines the funding you receive.