In order to attract top candidates from around the world to pursue full-time PhD studies at HKU, the HKU Presidential PhD Scholar Programme (HKU-PS) offers the most prestigious scholarship package to selected outstanding full-time PhD students admitted to The University of Hong Kong.
Alongside financial support, HKU Presidential PhD Scholars will also receive strong academic and training support from the University, e.g. individualised advisory service, training in teaching, chances to rotate among different research labs/disciplines, and more opportunities to interact with leading scholars. A group of distinguished Faculty members also give advice, provide additional mentorship and training opportunities, and oversee the academic career paths.
The HKU-PS scholarship package (valued up to around HK$439,500 in the first year and up to around HK$422,000 in each of the subsequent years) includes:
- Cash Award to support research and living expenses: HK$40,000 in Year 1; HK$20,000 per year in the remaining normative study period
- Conference & Research-related Travel Allowance of HK$14,200 per year
- Postgraduate Scholarship (PGS) of HK$28,400 per month
- Waiver of tuition fees for the whole normative study period (i.e. HK$44,500, HK$47,000 and HK$49,500 per year for 2025/26, 2026/27 and 2027/28 respectively)
- Financial support to selected outstanding students for an additional year of study beyond the normative study period to reward their outstanding research output and progress
- A hall place guaranteed in Year 1, with possibility of renewal
The HKPF Scheme, established by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC), aims at attracting the best and brightest students across the world to pursue their PhD studies in Hong Kong.
All HKPF holders will be awarded the HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship (HKU-PS) as well.
For more information on the eligibility and application procedure for the HKPF, please click here.
New and current local students pursuing a full-time UGC-funded Research Postgraduate programme of any discipline in local institutions will be provided a non-means-tested ‘Tuition Waiver Scheme’ to cover their composition fees over their normative study period. Eligible students need not apply for this Scheme.
For more information, please refer to the University Grants Committee (UGC) website.
More information about the eligibility and selection for the HKU-PS Programme can be found here.
Full-time MPhil and PhD students who hold a first degree with second-class honours first division or above are considered eligible to receive a Postgraduate Scholarship during the normative study period. Results in candidates’ Master’s degrees may also be considered.
The basic level of scholarship is HK$19,135 per month (wef 1/9/2025) while the higher PGS rate (provided after the confirmation of probationary PhD candidature) is HK$19,655 per month (wef 1/9/2025). For more information, please click here.
