HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship 2027-2028 in Hong Kong

HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship 2027-2028 in Hong Kong | Fully Funded

The HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship 2027-2028 offers an outstanding opportunity for talented students from around the world to pursue a full-time PhD at The University of Hong Kong (HKU). The programme is designed to attract high-achieving researchers and provides one of HKU’s most prestigious doctoral scholarship packages.

For the 2027/28 admission cycle, selected HKU Presidential PhD Scholars can receive a package worth up to approximately HK$445,800 (US$57,150) in the first year and up to HK$428,300 (US$54,920) in subsequent years during the normative study period. The package includes a monthly postgraduate scholarship, fee waiver, research and conference travel allowance, cash awards and a guaranteed hall place in the first year.

Applications for the 2027/28 Main Round are open from September 1 to December 1, 2026, and applicants are strongly encouraged to apply during this round because admission places are limited.

What is the HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship?

The HKU Presidential PhD Scholar Programme (HKU-PS Programme) is a prestigious doctoral funding programme established by The University of Hong Kong to attract exceptional research candidates from around the world.

The programme supports students undertaking full-time PhD studies at HKU and combines financial support with academic and professional development. Scholars can receive personalised academic advice, teaching training, mentorship from distinguished faculty members and opportunities to interact with leading researchers.

All applicants who apply for a full-time PhD programme at HKU are considered for the HKU Presidential PhD Scholar Programme. However, the selection is highly competitive.

HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship 2027-2028: Quick Details

Category	Details
Scholarship Name	HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship 2027-2028
Host University	The University of Hong Kong (HKU)
Study Level	PhD
Study Type	Full-time
Location	Hong Kong
Funding	Fully Funded Scholarship Package
Monthly Scholarship	HK$28,700
Fee Waiver	HK$49,500 per year
Travel Allowance	HK$14,400 per year
Cash Award	HK$40,000 in Year 1; HK$20,000 annually afterward
Accommodation	Guaranteed hall place in Year 1
Main Round Deadline	December 1, 2026
Application Period	September 1 – December 1, 2026

The official HKU scholarship package confirms these benefits for students entering in the 2027/28 academic year.

Benefits of the HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship

The HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship provides a comprehensive funding package to selected scholars. Major benefits include:

HK$28,700 per month as a postgraduate scholarship.
HK$40,000 cash award in the first year to support research and living expenses.
HK$20,000 cash award per year during the remaining normative study period.
Waiver of composition fees, currently listed at HK$49,500 per year for 2027/28 full-time study.
HK$14,400 per year for conference and research-related travel.
Guaranteed hall accommodation place during Year 1, with the possibility of renewal.
Financial support may also be available to selected outstanding students for an additional year beyond the normative study period, based on research output and progress.
Academic development through mentoring, teaching training and interaction with leading scholars.

Overall, HKU states that the scholarship package can reach approximately HK$445,800 in the first year and HK$428,300 in subsequent years during the normative study period.

Eligibility Criteria for HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship

The HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship is intended for exceptionally strong candidates who wish to pursue research-intensive doctoral studies at HKU.

To be considered:

Applicants must apply for a full-time PhD programme at HKU.
Candidates should demonstrate outstanding academic and research potential.
Applicants should have a strong interest in conducting doctoral research.
All candidates applying for full-time PhD admission are considered for the HKU-PS Programme.
Shortlisted applicants may be invited for an interview.
Candidates applying during the Main Round are strongly encouraged to also apply for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) because of the high level of competition.

HKU's general PhD admission requirements should also be checked for the specific programme because individual faculties, departments and research areas may have additional academic or research expectations.

Fields of Study

The University of Hong Kong offers doctoral research opportunities across a broad range of academic disciplines. Depending on the programme, applicants can pursue research in areas including:

Computer Science and Data Science
Engineering
Business and Economics
Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Architecture
Law
Education
Social Sciences
Humanities
Natural Sciences
Dentistry
Environmental and related interdisciplinary fields

Applicants should select a suitable PhD programme and review its specific admission and research requirements before submitting an application.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare the documents required for their selected HKU PhD programme. These may include:

Academic transcripts
Degree certificates
Curriculum vitae (CV)
Research proposal or research statement, where required
Personal or motivation statement, where required
Proof of English proficiency, where applicable
Identification/passport information
Academic or professional references
Evidence of research experience or publications, if applicable

Because documentation requirements can vary between faculties and programmes, applicants should carefully review the requirements of their chosen PhD programme before applying.

How to Apply for the HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship?

The application process is closely connected with applying for full-time PhD admission at HKU. All applicants applying for a full-time PhD programme are automatically considered for the HKU Presidential PhD Scholar Programme.

Applicants should follow these steps:

Explore the available full-time PhD programmes at HKU.
Identify a suitable research area and programme.
Review the programme-specific admission requirements.
Prepare your academic documents, CV, research materials and other supporting documents.
Submit the online PhD application through HKU's application system.
Apply during the Main Round from September 1 to December 1, 2026 for the 2027/28 admission cycle.
If shortlisted, be prepared for an interview.
Applicants interested in additional HKPFS consideration should also follow the separate HKPFS application procedure.

HKU states that applications are invited throughout the year, but applications submitted in later clearing rounds are considered only if places remain after the Main Round.

HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship Deadline 2026

The Main Round deadline for the HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship 2027/28 is December 1, 2026, at 23:59 Hong Kong Time (GMT+8). The Main Round runs from September 1 through December 1, 2026.

HKU also lists two later clearing rounds:

1st Clearing Round: December 2, 2026 – April 30, 2027
2nd Clearing Round: May 1 – August 31, 2027

However, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply during the Main Round because available admission places are limited.

Is the HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship Fully Funded?

Yes. The HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship is considered a fully funded scholarship package because it combines a substantial monthly scholarship with a composition-fee waiver, cash awards and research/conference travel support.

The package also includes a guaranteed hall place in the first year. However, applicants should understand that the scholarship package is structured as several forms of financial support rather than simply one single payment covering every possible expense.

HKU Presidential Scholarship and Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme

Applicants should also be aware of the relationship between the HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship and the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS).

HKU explains that all HKU HKPFS holders for the 2027/28 exercise will also receive the HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship. The HKPFS provides a monthly postgraduate scholarship and research-related travel allowance, while HKU adds its Presidential Scholarship benefits, including the cash award, fee waiver, and hall place.

This makes applying for both opportunities particularly attractive for highly competitive PhD applicants.

Why Apply for the HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship?

The scholarship is a strong option for students who want to pursue advanced research in Hong Kong while receiving substantial financial support.

Key reasons to consider the programme include:

Prestigious doctoral funding from HKU
High monthly scholarship of HK$28,700
Full composition-fee waiver during the normative study period
Research and conference travel funding
Additional cash support for living and research expenses
First-year hall accommodation support
Academic mentorship and training
Opportunities to work with leading researchers
Access to HKU's research environment and academic resources

Final Thoughts

The HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship 2027-2028 is one of the most competitive doctoral funding opportunities available at The University of Hong Kong. With a monthly scholarship of HK$28,700, fee waiver, research travel allowance, cash awards and accommodation support, it offers an attractive pathway for outstanding students seeking a fully funded PhD experience in Hong Kong.

Candidates should begin preparing their academic records, CV, research proposal, and other application materials well before the December 1, 2026 Main Round deadline. Since the programme is highly competitive, submitting a strong and complete PhD application during the Main Round can be particularly important. Apply Now