The University of Hong Kong (HKU) Graduate School
HKU Presidential PhD Scholar Programme (HKU-PS)
HKU's flagship award for incoming full-time PhD students, given to the strongest applicants in each Main Round. There is no separate form: apply for the PhD by 1 December and you are considered automatically. HKU strongly encourages Main Round applicants to apply for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme too; for 2027/28 every HKPFS holder at HKU also receives the Presidential award.
Application round
The 2027/28 Main Round runs from 1 September to 1 December 2026 at rola.hku.hk. If you also apply for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship, the RGC step closes on 1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong time (11:00 in Thailand) and the HKU application is due the same day.
The IELTS requirement
The award has no English test of its own; HKU's PhD admission requirement applies if your degree wasn't taught in English. The Faculty of Engineering, for example, asks for IELTS Academic 6.5 with no subtest below 6, or TOEFL 85; other faculties publish their own. The score goes in with your application, so have it before 1 December. Graduates of English-medium programmes may not need a test; check your faculty's page.
Where is your IELTS score now?
Your university sets the IELTS score for this scholarship. Take the free level test to get an estimated band for each skill before you apply.
What it covers
- A postgraduate scholarship (stipend) of HK$28,700 a month
- A full waiver of the composition fee (tuition) of HK$49,500 a year for the normative study period
- A cash award of HK$40,000 in year one and HK$20,000 a year after that
- A conference and research travel allowance of HK$14,400 a year
- A guaranteed hall place in year one, and support for an extra year for selected students
- Flights to Hong Kong aren't covered
Who can apply
- Open to applicants of any nationality
- Applying for a new full-time PhD at HKU in the Main Round
- Selected on academic excellence and research potential; shortlisted candidates may be interviewed
- Meet the English requirement of your faculty if your degree was not taught and examined in English
Key facts
- Provider
- The University of Hong Kong (HKU) Graduate School
- Where you study
- Hong Kong
- Study level
- PhD
- Funding
- Partly funded
- Application round
- Opens September 1, 2026 · Closes December 1, 2026
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We checked these details against the provider's official page on November 1, 2026. Rules and dates change every round, so confirm them there before you apply.
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