Last updated: January 24, 2026
This guide summarizes major HKU scholarships and funding for undergraduate and postgraduate study, including award value, eligibility highlights, and renewal conditions. Scholarship terms can change year to year—always confirm details on the official HKU pages before you apply.
Quick takeaways
- Non-local undergraduates: HKU may offer entrance scholarships that can cover full tuition plus allowances.
- Research postgraduates (MPhil/PhD): common funding routes include HKU Postgraduate Scholarship (PGS), HKPFS, and HKU-PS.
- Exchange support: schemes like ROA and semester exchange subsidies can help reduce overseas costs.
- Plan early: some competitive schemes have fixed deadlines (e.g., HKPFS application windows).
Undergraduate scholarships
Undergraduate support may include entrance scholarships for non-local students, targeted government-funded schemes, and external scholarships. Requirements vary by programme and year.
| Scholarship / fund | Category & purpose | Eligibility & selection | Award value & support | Renewal / conditions | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HKU Entrance Scholarships for Non-local Students | Entrance scholarship to attract high-calibre non-local undergraduate students | Incoming full-time non-local students with outstanding academic records; awardees must register full-time and hold student visas | Full tuition fee (HK$182,000 for 2024-25) plus accommodation allowance (HK$20,000) and living allowance (HK$50,000) | Tenable for normative study period; renewed annually when cGPA ≥3.0 (or top 25% for MBBS/BDS); covers normal study period only | HKU Conditions of Award (non-local entrance scholarships) |
| Belt and Road Scholarship (Undergraduate) | Entrance scholarship under the HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund (GSF) for Belt and Road (B&R) countries | Nationals of B&R countries; leadership/community contribution; interest in Hong Kong development | Full tuition fee (non-local) | One-off entrance scholarship; requires write-up/CV/essays as specified by the scheme | HKU Admissions (B&R scholarship information) |
| AIA Scholarships | External scholarship to support talented local undergraduates | Local Year-1 students in government-funded programmes; residency/education requirements; cGPA ≥3.2 after first semester; community service; not holding other tuition scholarships | HK$50,000 per annum (normal study duration) | Renewable if cGPA ≥3.2, community service maintained, and full-time status continues | AIA scholarship scheme information (university guidance) |
| The D. H. Chen Foundation Scholarship Programme | External scholarship with financial and non-financial support; leadership and social-good focus | Local full-time undergraduates at partner universities (incl. HKU); strong academics and leadership | Tuition fee waiver (annual fee noted as HK$42,100 for 2024/25); overseas learning allowance up to HK$80,000; means-tested living allowance up to HK$38,000; plus mentorship and programme support | Tenable for normative study period; renewal requires Year GPA ≥3.5 and annual progress reporting; participation in programme activities | D. H. Chen Foundation scholarship information |
Postgraduate scholarships (MPhil/PhD)
For research postgraduate students, funding typically includes monthly stipends, fee waivers, and travel support. The exact package can differ by programme type and year.
| Scholarship / fund | Category & purpose | Eligibility & selection | Award value & support | Renewal / conditions | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postgraduate Scholarship (PGS) | Stipend to support full-time MPhil/PhD students | Full-time PhD or MPhil students meeting HKU academic requirements (e.g., degree classification/equivalent) | HK$19,135 per month (effective 1 Sept 2025); increases to HK$19,655 per month after PhD probation confirmation | Renewable annually subject to satisfactory progress and funding availability | HKU Graduate School (PGS) |
| Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) | Government-funded fellowship to attract outstanding PhD students | New applicants to full-time PhD programmes; selection based on academic excellence, research ability, communication skills, and leadership | HK$28,400 per month + travel allowance HK$14,200 per year (up to 3 years); for 4-year PhD programmes, HKU supports year 4; HKPFS awardees admitted to HKU may also receive HKU-PS benefits | Application typically includes an initial submission to RGC then a full application to HKU (deadlines vary by year) | HKU Graduate School (HKPFS) |
| HKU Presidential PhD Scholar Programme (HKU-PS) | Enhanced package for top research students; complements HKPFS | HKPFS awardees automatically receive HKU-PS; other exceptional PhD applicants may be offered | Package noted as ~HK$439,500 (Year 1) and ~HK$422,000 (subsequent years), including cash award, fee waiver, monthly scholarship, travel allowance, and hall accommodation in Year 1 | Renewable subject to satisfactory progress; possible support for an extra year for outstanding scholars | HKU Graduate School (HKU-PS) |
| Targeted Scholarship Scheme – Belt and Road Scholarship (Research Postgraduate) | Government scholarship for first-year research postgraduates from B&R countries | First-year non-local research postgraduate students from B&R countries in full-time publicly funded programmes; selection considers merit, leadership, and commitment | Full composition fee waiver for normative study period | Renewable subject to satisfactory performance; restrictions may apply with other scholarships | HKU Graduate School (financial support and awards) |
| Tuition Waiver Scheme for Local Research Postgraduate students | Government scheme to waive composition fees for local research postgraduates | Local students enrolled in full-time UGC-funded MPhil/PhD programmes | Composition fee waiver (non-means-tested) | Typically applied automatically while enrolled | HKU Graduate School (financial support and awards) |
Exchange and mobility funding
If you are planning overseas exchange, internships, or study trips, there are government-backed awards and subsidies that may help reduce costs.
| Scholarship / fund | Category & purpose | Eligibility & selection | Award value & support | Renewal / conditions | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reaching Out Award (ROA) | Government award to support study/internship/service trips outside Hong Kong | Full-time degree students; CGPA ≥3.0; typically nominated by department; must participate in sanctioned overseas activity | Fixed HK$10,000 per award | Usually once per student; requires completion and reflection reporting | Government Scholarship Fund (ROA) |
| Subsidy on Exchange for Post-secondary Students (SSE) & Subsidy on Exchange to Belt and Road Regions (SSEBR) | Government subsidy to reduce financial barriers for semester exchanges | Local full-time undergraduates planning physical exchange; means-tested versions exist; non-means-tested SSEBR may apply for B&R destinations | Amount varies by duration/destination; examples include up to HK$25,000 for 91-180 days (SSE / means-tested SSEBR) and HK$7,500 for non-means-tested SSEBR | Subject to application rules, documentation, and caps; adjusted by other assistance | HKU International Affairs Office (exchange subsidy guidance) |
How to apply (recommended workflow)
- Shortlist programmes: identify HKU faculties/programmes and confirm whether you are applying as local or non-local.
- Check scholarship routes: entrance scholarships, faculty awards, external foundations, and government schemes may all have different requirements.
- Prepare documents early: transcripts, proof of status (local/non-local), CV, references, personal statement/research proposal (for postgraduate), and evidence of achievements.
- Track deadlines: keep a simple calendar for admissions deadlines and scholarship deadlines (they may differ).
- Confirm renewal rules: note minimum GPA/cGPA thresholds and any programme participation requirements.
Eligibility glossary
- cGPA: cumulative Grade Point Average across your completed courses.
- Normative study period: the standard duration of the programme (e.g., 4 years for many undergraduate degrees).
- Composition fee: a fee category commonly used for research postgraduate programmes.
FAQ
Do HKU entrance scholarships require a separate application?
Many entrance scholarships are assessed during admissions, but some schemes may require additional documents or separate submissions. Always confirm the current year’s process on the official HKU pages.
What’s the difference between HKPFS and HKU-PS?
HKPFS is a government-funded fellowship for outstanding new PhD applicants, while HKU-PS is HKU’s enhanced support package that can complement HKPFS and may include extra cash awards, fee waivers, and additional support.
Can I receive multiple scholarships at the same time?
It depends on the scholarship terms. Some government schemes restrict holding certain awards concurrently. Check each scholarship’s conditions and ask the relevant office if you’re unsure.
Where should I verify the latest scholarship amounts and deadlines?
Use official HKU sources (Admissions Office, Graduate School, and relevant faculty/office pages) and the Government Scholarship Fund/RGC pages for scheme-level deadlines and eligibility rules.