Applications are open for the HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship 2027 at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), providing outstanding students from around the world with an opportunity to pursue a fully funded PhD in Hong Kong.
For the 2027/28 admission cycle, selected Presidential PhD Scholars can receive a funding package worth up to approximately HK$445,800 (US$57,150) in the first year and approximately HK$428,300 (US$54,920) in each subsequent year during the normal study period.
The package combines a monthly postgraduate scholarship, full composition-fee waiver, additional cash awards, conference and research travel funding, and accommodation support.
International students are eligible, including applicants from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and other African countries.
The HKU Main Round deadline is 1 December 2026 at 11:59 PM Hong Kong Time. Applicants seeking the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) must pay particular attention to its earlier deadline of 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time on the same day.
HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship 2027 Overview
Host University: University of Hong Kong (HKU)
Location: Hong Kong
Degree Level: PhD
Study Mode: Full-time
Academic Year: 2027/28
Eligible Applicants: Domestic and international students
Applications Open: 1 September 2026
Main Round Deadline: 1 December 2026
Deadline Time: 11:59 PM Hong Kong Time
Monthly Scholarship: HK$28,700
First-Year Funding Package: Up to approximately HK$445,800
Application Method: Online
What Does the HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship Cover?
The financial package is one of the major attractions of the HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship 2027.
Selected scholars can receive up to approximately HK$445,800 in the first year and HK$428,300 in each subsequent year during the normal study period.
Importantly, this amount consists of several different benefits rather than one single cash payment.
1. HK$28,700 Monthly Postgraduate Scholarship
Presidential PhD Scholars receive a postgraduate scholarship of HK$28,700 per month.
Over 12 months, this amounts to HK$344,400 in postgraduate scholarship payments.
This provides substantial financial support for students while they undertake full-time doctoral research.
2. Full Composition-Fee Waiver
Selected scholars receive a full waiver of HKU’s composition fees throughout the normal study period.
For the 2027/28 academic year, the full-time composition fee is HK$49,500 per year. Presidential PhD scholars receive a waiver of this fee during their normative study period.
3. Additional Cash Award
Successful scholars also receive an additional cash award for research and living expenses.
The award is:
- HK$40,000 in the first year
- HK$20,000 per year in subsequent years during the remaining normative study period
This funding is provided in addition to the monthly postgraduate scholarship.
4. Conference and Research Travel Allowance
Presidential PhD Scholars receive a conference and research-related travel allowance of HK$14,400 per year.
This can support activities such as attending academic conferences, presenting research and participating in research-related travel.
5. Accommodation Support
Presidential PhD scholars are guaranteed a hall place during their first year, with the possibility of renewal afterward.
However, applicants should understand that a guaranteed hall place does not necessarily mean universally free accommodation. Students should review the exact accommodation conditions included with their eventual offer.
6. Possible Additional Year of Support
Selected outstanding students may also receive financial support for an additional year beyond the normal study period.
This additional support is not automatically guaranteed to every scholarship recipient.
Who Can Apply for the HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship 2027?
The scholarship targets outstanding candidates seeking admission to a full-time PhD programme at the University of Hong Kong.
HKU looks for applicants with excellent academic backgrounds and strong potential for research.
Importantly, applicants to HKU’s full-time PhD programmes are considered for the Presidential PhD Scholar Programme. Therefore, applicants do not normally need to submit a completely separate general Presidential Scholarship application.
However, being admitted to a PhD programme does not automatically mean an applicant will receive the Presidential Scholarship. Only selected outstanding candidates receive the award.
Can Cameroonians and Other African Students Apply?
Yes.
International applicants can compete for the scholarship, including students from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and other African countries.
Applicants are primarily expected to demonstrate academic excellence, research potential and strong alignment with their intended PhD programme and research environment.
Available Research Fields at HKU
The University of Hong Kong offers doctoral research opportunities across a broad range of disciplines.
These include areas such as:
- Architecture and urban studies
- Arts and humanities
- Business and economics
- Computing and data science
- Dentistry
- Education
- Engineering
- Law
- Medicine and biomedical sciences
- Science
- Social sciences
- Interdisciplinary research
Exact research areas and available supervisors vary between faculties, schools and departments.
Therefore, applicants should identify the specific programme and research area that best matches their academic background and proposed doctoral research.
Do Applicants Need a Supervisor?
Supervisor arrangements can vary between HKU faculties and departments.
For research degrees, however, identifying academics whose research closely matches your proposed topic can be an important part of preparing a strong application.
Applicants should examine their intended department, identify relevant researchers and study their research interests and recent publications.
Where a department encourages prospective students to contact supervisors before applying, the message should be concise and personalised.
What Makes a Competitive Applicant?
The Presidential PhD Scholar Programme targets outstanding doctoral candidates.
Factors that can strengthen an application include:
- Excellent academic performance
- Strong Bachelor’s and/or Master’s results
- Previous research experience
- A well-developed research proposal
- Undergraduate or Master’s thesis experience
- Academic publications, where available
- Conference presentations
- Research assistant experience
- Relevant quantitative, laboratory, programming or technical skills
- Strong academic recommendation letters
- Clear alignment with the proposed department and research environment
Applicants do not necessarily need to possess every item. Nevertheless, the overall application should demonstrate readiness for independent doctoral research.
Is a Master’s Degree Required?
There is no single answer that applies universally to every HKU PhD programme.
Admission requirements depend on the applicant’s qualifications and the requirements established by the relevant faculty, school or department.
Applicants should therefore check the requirements of their chosen PhD programme rather than assuming that every programme requires exactly the same qualifications.
English Language Requirements
International applicants may need to demonstrate English-language proficiency depending on their previous education and the requirements of their chosen programme.
Applicants should check the current language requirements that apply to their faculty or department.
Therefore, international applicants should not automatically assume that IELTS is compulsory in every situation. At the same time, anyone who requires an English-language test should complete it early enough to meet the application deadline.
HKU Presidential Scholarship and Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme
Applicants should understand that the HKU Presidential PhD Scholar Programme and the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) are related but distinct funding opportunities.
The Presidential programme is offered by HKU, while the HKPFS is a competitive doctoral funding scheme established by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council.
For the 2027/28 exercise, HKU states that HKPFS holders admitted to HKU will also receive the HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship.
This makes the HKPFS route particularly relevant to applicants preparing highly competitive PhD applications.
Hong Kong PhD Fellowship 2027 Funding
For 2027/28, HKPFS recipients receive:
- HK$28,700 per month
- HK$14,400 per year for conference and research-related travel
- Funding for up to three years under the fellowship
For HKPFS recipients admitted to a four-year PhD programme at HKU, the university provides the same level of support in the fourth year.
At HKU, eligible HKPFS recipients also receive the additional benefits associated with the Presidential package.
HKPFS Deadline for 2027/28
Applicants seeking the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme must first complete the initial HKPFS application.
The deadline is:
1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time (GMT+8).
After submitting the initial application, applicants receive an HKPFS Reference Number. They must then complete their HKU application and provide this reference number as required.
Applicants should be particularly careful because the Research Grants Council permits only one initial HKPFS application per applicant.
How to Apply for the HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship 2027
Applicants should begin by identifying an appropriate full-time PhD programme at HKU.
Next:
- Review the admission requirements for the chosen programme.
- Identify the relevant research area and potential supervisors where appropriate.
- Prepare academic transcripts and degree certificates.
- Prepare the required research proposal or statement.
- Arrange recommendation letters.
- Prepare English-language evidence where required.
- Complete the online HKU PhD application.
- Submit all required documents before the Main Round deadline.
Applicants do not normally need a separate general application for the Presidential PhD Scholarship, because full-time PhD applicants are considered for the programme.
Applicants pursuing the HKPFS must additionally complete the Research Grants Council stage before its separate deadline.
HKU PhD Application Fee
The online PhD application fee for the 2027/28 cycle is listed as HK$780.
Applicants should confirm the amount in the application system before payment in case the university subsequently revises its fees.
HKU PhD Application Deadlines for 2027/28
HKU organises its research postgraduate applications into several rounds.
Main Round
1 September – 1 December 2026
Deadline: 11:59 PM Hong Kong Time
First Clearing Round
2 December 2026 – 30 April 2027
Second Clearing Round
1 May – 31 August 2027
Although applications continue during the clearing rounds, HKU encourages candidates to apply during the Main Round because admission quotas are limited. Clearing-round applications depend on places remaining available after the Main Round.
Applicants seeking major funding opportunities should therefore prioritise the December deadline.
Important Dates to Remember
Applications Open: 1 September 2026
HKPFS Initial Application Deadline: 1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time
HKU Main Round Deadline: 1 December 2026 at 11:59 PM Hong Kong Time
First Clearing Round: 2 December 2026 – 30 April 2027
Second Clearing Round: 1 May – 31 August 2027
Final Thoughts
The HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship 2027 provides substantial financial support for outstanding students interested in doctoral research at the University of Hong Kong.
Selected scholars can receive up to approximately HK$445,800 in their first year and HK$428,300 in subsequent years during the normal study period, combining a monthly stipend, full composition-fee waiver, cash awards, research travel funding and accommodation support.
Applicants from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and other African countries are eligible to apply for HKU’s full-time PhD programmes and compete for this funding.
For applicants seeking the strongest opportunity for admission and funding consideration, the key date to remember is 1 December 2026.
Official Links
HKU Presidential PhD Scholar Programme:
https://gradsch.hku.hk/prospective_students/fees_scholarships_and_financial_support/hku_presidential_phd_scholar_programme
HKU PhD Application Period:
https://gradsch.hku.hk/prospective_students/application/application_period
