Scholarships for International Students in Hong Kong

How funding for international students works in Hong Kong

Hong Kong's universities are internationally focused, and financial support for non-local (international) students comes from three broad places: the universities themselves, a territory-wide research scheme, and the government scholarship funds administered through the Education Bureau.

Most awards fall into two families. Merit or entrance scholarships help with tuition and, in some cases, living costs at the undergraduate and taught-postgraduate levels. Research funding — chiefly the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme — supports doctoral students with a stipend and travel allowance.

Amounts, coverage and deadlines differ by university and by scheme and are reviewed each cycle, so treat any figure you read elsewhere as indicative only and verify the current value on the official website before you rely on it.

University entrance and merit scholarships

Each Hong Kong university runs its own scholarship programmes for non-local students. Some are awarded automatically to high-achieving admitted applicants; others need a separate application, an essay or an interview. Coverage ranges from a partial tuition waiver to a full-tuition-plus-living package for a small number of top candidates.

Because criteria and closing dates are set by each institution, the reliable approach is to open the admissions and scholarships pages of the specific universities you are applying to and read their current terms.

• Check the 'scholarships and financial aid' page of each university you apply to
• Note whether the award is automatic on admission or needs a separate application
• Confirm what is covered (tuition only, or tuition plus a living stipend)
• Track the closing date — scholarship deadlines can differ from admission deadlines

The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS)

The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme is a territory-wide award administered by the Research Grants Council (RGC). It is aimed at attracting outstanding students from around the world to full-time PhD study at Hong Kong's universities, and it provides a stipend plus a conference and research travel allowance for a set period.

Application is a two-step process: you first submit an initial expression of interest through the RGC's HKPFS system to obtain a reference number, then complete a PhD application to your chosen HKPFS-participating university quoting that reference number. The number of institution or programme choices allowed under one reference is set by the RGC each cycle — check the current HKPFS rules.

The stipend value, the number of fellowships and the application window are set by the RGC each year. Confirm the current details and timeline on the official RGC HKPFS pages before applying.

Government and targeted scholarship schemes

Beyond the universities, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government supports several scholarship funds through the Education Bureau, some of which are open to non-local students on publicly-funded programmes.

Eligibility for these funds is defined by the official rules of each scheme, and coverage is usually partial. The Education Bureau's 'Study in Hong Kong' portal is the neutral starting point for finding which government-supported schemes currently exist and who can apply.

As with all funding, the amounts and eligibility conditions are reviewed periodically — always read the current, official scheme page rather than a third-party summary.

Eligibility, English requirements and how to apply

Scholarships are decided on academic merit and on the specific criteria each scheme publishes — never on religion, community or background. Most programmes are taught in English, so you will normally need to evidence English proficiency (for example, an accepted IELTS or TOEFL score, or an English-medium education), with the exact requirement set by the university.

The practical route is: secure your admission first, then apply for the scholarships attached to that admission. Some awards are considered automatically; others need their own form. Keep your transcripts, degree certificates, statement of purpose and references ready, because scholarship panels often re-use your admission documents.

Deadlines, required documents and score thresholds vary by university and scheme and change year to year, so verify each one on the official website before submitting.

Set realistic expectations and avoid scams

Full scholarships are competitive and limited in number. No genuine university, government body or agent can promise you a scholarship, an admission or a visa in advance — treat any 'guaranteed scholarship' or paid 'guaranteed seat' offer as a warning sign.

Official scholarship applications are free or charge only the standard university application fee. If someone asks for a large payment to 'secure' an award, stop and verify directly with the university or the awarding body.

Apply to a realistic mix of programmes, budget for the possibility of self-funding part of your studies, and cross-check every claim against the official source listed below.