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The HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship 2027/28 is fully funded. It pays a monthly stipend of HK$28,700 (about US$3,660), waives your full tuition for the whole PhD, and adds money for research, for conference travel, and a guaranteed room on campus in your first year. It is for people ready to start a doctorate at the University of Hong Kong.
It is open to students of all nationalities. You do not fill in a separate form. When you apply for a full-time PhD at HKU, you are considered for this scholarship automatically.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Host country | Hong Kong |
| Provider | The University of Hong Kong (HKU) |
| Study level | PhD (full-time, any field) |
| Funding | Fully funded (stipend, full tuition waiver, research and travel allowances, first-year hall place) |
| Who can apply | Students of all nationalities with a strong academic record and research potential |
| Application fee | None for the scholarship |
| Deadline | 1 December 2026 (Main Round) |
What is the HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship?
It is HKU’s own top scholarship for its best PhD students. HKU is one of the highest-ranked universities in Asia, and this is the award it uses to bring strong researchers from around the world to Hong Kong.
The HKU Graduate School handles it. There is no extra scholarship form. You apply for a PhD place through the Graduate School portal, and every full-time PhD applicant is considered for this scholarship as part of that. The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme is a separate award from the Research Grants Council, and both share the same early-December deadline, so you can be in line for both.
What you get
- A monthly stipend of HK$28,700 (about US$3,660)
- A full waiver of your tuition for the whole normal length of your PhD
- A research and living allowance of HK$40,000 in year one, then HK$20,000 a year
- HK$14,400 a year for conference and research travel
- A guaranteed hall (dorm) place in your first year
The listings put the first-year package at around HK$445,800 (about US$57,150), and about HK$428,300 a year after that. It is enough to study and live without a side job pulling you away from your research.
Who can apply
- Students of any nationality.
- You are applying for, and able to win, a full-time PhD place at HKU.
- You have a strong academic record and clear research potential.
- For most programs you need a good master’s degree, or a bachelor’s with strong results. Each department sets its own bar.
Is there an age limit?
No age limit is stated. PhD study suits people at different stages of life, and many strong doctoral students start in their thirties or later.
Do I need IELTS or TOEFL?
HKU teaches in English, so it asks for proof of your English unless your last degree was taught in English. Check the exact score for your program, and if you do not have a result yet, book the test now and keep preparing your application at the same time.
Can I apply with a low CGPA?
A PhD is not decided by grades alone. Your research proposal, any papers or projects you have done, and whether a supervisor wants to work with you all carry real weight. Put your energy into a sharp proposal and into finding the right supervisor.
How many PhD programs can I apply to?
You apply to the program that fits your research, and the portal may let you name a first and second choice. One strong, well-matched application with an interested supervisor beats several thin ones.
Required documents
- Degree certificates and full transcripts
- A research proposal
- Your CV
- Two or more academic references
- Your English test result, if your degree was not taught in English
- A copy of your passport
How to write your research proposal
The proposal is the heart of a PhD application, so give it real time. State the question you want to study, why it matters, and how you would approach it. A clear proposal that a supervisor believes in does more for you than perfect grades.
How to apply, step by step
- Decide your research area, then find a professor at HKU whose work matches yours and email them early.
- Write your research proposal.
- Create an account on the HKU Graduate School application portal.
- Complete the PhD application. You are considered for the Presidential PhD Scholarship automatically, and can opt in for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme.
- Upload your documents and ask your referees to send their letters in good time.
- Submit before the main round deadline.
Selection process
Your chosen department reviews your application first, and some hold interviews. Strong candidates are put forward, and the faculty and Graduate School decide who gets the scholarship. Results take a few months.
Deadline
1 December 2026 (Main Round).
This is the same window as the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme. The part that takes the most time is lining up a supervisor and a proposal, so start reaching out to professors now.
Have a question?
Drop your question in the comments and we will do our best to help.
Related reading
- Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027/28 (Fully Funded)
- KAUST Scholarship 2027 in Saudi Arabia (Fully Funded)
- Yenching Academy Scholarship 2027 (Fully Funded)
- ADB-Japan Scholarship 2027 at APU (Fully Funded)
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