Image
Sections
Text Area
Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS)
It is an internationally recognized award to draw the best PhD students around the globe to Hong Kong. HKUST has recruited the largest number of HKPFS awardees among local institutions, coming from 50+ countries and regions. 1 out of 6 PhD new students of HKUST received the Fellowship.
The University is now inviting applications for 2027/28 admissions. Successful candidates will be notified by RGC via email in May 2027. For more details about the scheme, please click here.
Stipend: HK$344,400 (~US$44,130) per year for 4 years*
Waiver of Tuition Fees for 4 years
HKUST RedBird PhD Award:
Recruitment Award of HK$40,000 (~US$5,130) in the first year
+ Academic Excellence Award of HK$20,000 (~US$2,560) per year, in the following years^
Conference Travel Allowance:
HK$14,400 (~US$1,850) per year for 4 years
* subject to continual meeting of renewal conditions and compliance to RGC’s regulations
^ renewable in subsequent years, subject to continual meeting of renewal conditions
Eligible candidates, who are not selected for the fellowship, may be considered for admission to relevant PhD program with Postgraduate Studentship, HKUST Redbird PhD Award, and a waiver of tuition fee in the first year.
Text Area
HKUST RedBird PhD Award (for International Students)
It is an award for international PhD candidates, in recognition of their outstanding academic performance and research capacity.
Recruitment Award of HK$40,000 (~US$5,130) for new PhD students plus a tuition fee waiver* in the first year
Academic Excellence Award of HK$20,000 (~US$2,560) per year, in the following years^
* Local PhD students will receive a tuition fee waiver from the HKSAR Government instead
^ renewable in subsequent years, subject to continual meeting of renewal conditions
Text Area
Asian Future Leaders Scholarship Program (AFLSP)
It is a scholarship program for young non-local students from Asia to pursue Master's studies and cross-cultural enrichment. It covers tuition, lodging and daily subsistence costs for the students' study in Hong Kong.
Visit here for more details about the program.
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
Scholarship+ of up to ~HK$279,120 (US$35,900) per year
-
from HKUST: ~HK132,430 (US$17,030) per year
-
from BXAI: ~HK$146,690 (US$18,530) per year^
Tenable for 2 years, subject to renewal conditions
+ including the prevailing tuition fee and Postgraduate Studentship of the academic year
^ The amount and other terms of the Scholarship awarded by BXAI are subject to revision at the discretion of BXAI if you receive any other or further scholarship(s), tuition waivers and/or funding support offered by HKUST and/or any third party. BXAI's decision is final and conclusive.
Master of Arts (MA)/ Master of Engineering (MEng)/ Master of Public Management (MPM)/ Master of Public Policy (MPP)/ Master of Science (MSc)
Tuition Waiver: HK$97,190 (~US$12,500) per year#
Stipend: HK$97,190 (~US$12,500) per year^
Tenable for 1 to 2 years depending on the normative program duration, subject to renewal conditions
# The amount of tuition fees that is not covered by the scholarship would be settled by the scholarship awardee.
^ The amount and other terms of the Scholarship awarded by BXAI are subject to revision at the discretion of BXAI if you receive any other or further scholarship(s), tuition waivers and/or funding support offered by HKUST and/or any third party. BXAI's decision is final and conclusive.
Text Area
Tuition Waiver Scheme for Local MPhil and PhD Students
To build up a pool of local research talents to sustain Hong Kong’s competitiveness and propel the development of our higher education, the HKSAR Government has introduced this scheme. Please visit this website for more details.
Tuition Waiver of HK$49,500p.a.#
# Tuition fees are subject to annual review by the HKSAR Government.
- Applicable to Category I 1 students enrolled in full-time UGC-funded MPhil/PhD programs, who have the (i) Hong Kong permanent identity card, (ii) other documents issued by the IMMD showing right to land/ right of abode (check for the symbol “A” or “R” in the HKSAR Smart ID), (iii) a visa label for “unconditional stay”(check for the symbol “U” in the HKSAR Smart ID), (iv) one-way Permit for entry to Hong Kong or (v) dependant visa/entry permit which the holders were below 18 years old when first issued with such visa/entry permit by the IMMD, provided that they have resided in Hong Kong for two years immediately preceding the first day of their respective programmes 2 3.
- Provided for normative period of study
- MPhil: 2 years
- PhD (with a research master’s degree): 3 years
- PhD (without a research master’s degree): 4 years
- No separate application is required.
- For details, please visit here.
1 On 31 July 2025, the HKSAR Government announced the revision of the eligibility criteria for subsidies: Introducing two categories of tuition fees and revising the eligibility criteria (i.e. Category I and Category II). Category I refers to subsidised fees.
2 The Government will put in place a transitional arrangement for the above-mentioned revision, whereby the residency requirement for the 2027/28 academic year will be set at one year. The two-year residency requirement will be implemented starting from the 2028/29 academic year.
3 Applicants should submit a Statement of Travel Records which can be obtained at a prescribed fee from the Immigration Department of the HKSAR covering the two-year period to demonstrate that the applicant is not absent from Hong Kong for a maximum of 90 days in each year of the two-year period.
Text Area
Funding and Scholarships for Current Students
Global Research Award
The Global Research Award for current PhD students aims to enrich students’ research experience by providing them with exposure to a foreign culture and environment, and widening their circle of professional contacts, so as to better prepare students for their future careers.
Awardees shall receive a monthly subsidy based on the location of the host unit as follows:
| Location of Host Unit | Monthly Subsidy (for a maximum of 6 months) |
|---|---|
| Chinese Mainland; Taiwan, China; and Macau, China |
HK$3,000 |
| Asia | HK$6,000 |
| Outside Asia | HK$10,000 |
More funding and scholarships are available to current students. Please visit here for more information.
| Smart Tip |
|---|
|
Text Area
Asian Future Leaders Scholarship Program (AFLSP)
It is a scholarship program for young non-local students from Asia to pursue Master's studies and cross-cultural enrichment. It covers tuition, lodging and daily subsistence costs for the students' study in Hong Kong.
Visit here for more details about the program.
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
Scholarship+ of up to ~HK$279,120 (US$35,900) per year
-
from HKUST: ~HK132,430 (US$17,030) per year
-
from BXAI: ~HK$146,690 (US$18,530) per year^
Tenable for 2 years, subject to renewal conditions
+ including the prevailing tuition fee and Postgraduate Studentship of the academic year
^ The amount and other terms of the Scholarship awarded by BXAI are subject to revision at the discretion of BXAI if you receive any other or further scholarship(s), tuition waivers and/or funding support offered by HKUST and/or any third party. BXAI's decision is final and conclusive.
Master of Arts (MA)/ Master of Engineering (MEng)/ Master of Public Management (MPM)/ Master of Public Policy (MPP)/ Master of Science (MSc)
Tuition Waiver: HK$97,190 (~US$12,500) per year#
Stipend: HK$97,190 (~US$12,500) per year^
Tenable for 1 to 2 years depending on the normative program duration, subject to renewal conditions
# The amount of tuition fees that is not covered by the scholarship would be settled by the scholarship awardee.
^ The amount and other terms of the Scholarship awarded by BXAI are subject to revision at the discretion of BXAI if you receive any other or further scholarship(s), tuition waivers and/or funding support offered by HKUST and/or any third party. BXAI's decision is final and conclusive.
Text Area
Hong Kong Future Talents Scholarship Scheme for Advanced Studies (FTSS)
The Scholarship Scheme is set up by the University Grants Committee to award meritorious local students to pursue further studies in areas of strategic priority for the development of Hong Kong.
Details to be announced in early 2027.
Text Area
Other Scholarships and Financial Aids
HKUST offers a variety of scholarships to postgraduate students throughout the academic year in recognition of their academic performance.
Most scholarships are awarded to students by nominations from Schools/Program Offices/Departments and application is not required.
A list of postgraduate scholarships offered by the University/named donors is available here.
Text Area
Other Financial Assistance
- Please visit the website of Scholarships and Financial Aid Office for details.
Text Area
Fees and Other Financial Assistance
Application Fees
Research Postgraduate Programs (MPhil or PhD)
- HK$180
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) & Taught Postgraduate Programs (EMBA, MBA, MA, MEng, MPM, MPP, MSc or PGD)
- Fees vary for each program. Please refer to fytgs.hkust.edu.hk/programs ("Application") for details.
Text Area
Tuition Fees
Research Postgraduate Programs (MPhil or PhD)
- HK$47,000 (full-time/part-time)#
#Tuition fees are subject to annual review by the HKSAR Government. - For Full-Time Local Students:
- The HKSAR Government has introduced the Tuition Waiver Scheme for all full-time local MPhil and PhD students. For details, please visit here.
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) & Taught Postgraduate Programs (EMBA, MBA, MA, MEng, MPM, MPP, MSc or PGD)
- Fees vary for each program. Please refer to fytgs.hkust.edu.hk/programs ("General Information") for details.
Student Visa/ Entry Permit Fees (for non-local students)
- HK$1,000
- HKUST can act as your visa sponsor and submit the application on your behalf.
- For details, please visit here.
Other Fees
Admitted students are also liable to pay for other fees and charges levied by the University according to the prevailing policy. Please refer to the website of the Academic Registry for details of the prevailing tuition rates and other related charges.
Bench fee:
- For full-time non-local self-financed Research Postgraduate (RPg) students only
- HK$150,000 for 2026/27*
* The bench fee is payable annually and is subject to annual review by the University. The bench fee, once paid, is non-refundable and non-transferrable. - Important notes:
- Once a student is admitted as full-time non-local self-financed RPg student who is required to pay bench fee, this student status will continue to last until graduation and cannot be changed.
- For more details, please refer to the website of Academic Registry.
- To learn more about self-financed student, check our FAQ.