Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme

Established in 2009 by the Research Grants Council (RGC), the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) aims at attracting the best and brightest students in the world to pursue their PhD programmes in Hong Kong’s universities.

The Fellowship Scheme will provide a competitive annual stipend and conference and research-related travel allowance.

What the Fellowship and CityUHK Offer?

In HKPFS 2025/26, each Fellowship recipient will receive:

  • A monthly stipend of HK$28,100 (approximately US$3,600)
  • A conference and research-related travel allowance of HK$14,000 (approximately US$1,790) per year for a maximum of three years
  • An additional entrance scholarship of HK$95,496 (approximately US$12,243) covering students' full-time tuition fees and university student hall accommodation expenses in their first year of studies
  • Additional financial subsidies/ awards supported by RGC may be given to eligible Fellowship recipients 

 

How to apply to CityUHK?

Step 1:
Applicants should first submit an initial application at the RGC's Online Application System to obtain an RGC reference number (RGC’s deadline: 1 December 2024 [12:00 noon GMT + 8 hours]).

Step 2:
Applicants are required to submit a full application, including supporting documents, to CityUHK's Online Admission System, and quote the RGC reference number (CityUHK’s deadline: 1 December 2024 [23:59 GMT + 8 hours]).

 

CityUHK's Entrance Requirements

Applicants seeking admission to PhD studies at CityUHK should satisfy the following minimum entrance requirements:

  • Hold a higher degree by research (or equivalent qualification) from a recognised university; or
  • Hold a Master's degree (or equivalent qualification) from a recognised university; or
  • Hold a Bachelor's degree with first class honours (or equivalent qualification) from a recognised university.
 

English Proficiency Requirements

Applicants from an institution where the language of teaching is not English should satisfy the following minimum English proficiency requirements:

  • A minimum TOEFL* score of 79 in one single internet-based test (sum of Reading, Listening and Writing section scores); or
  • A minimum overall band score of 6.5 in IELTS*.

* TOEFL and IELTS scores are considered valid for two years from the test date and must be valid at the time of submission of application to CityUHK.

 

Useful Information

Please visit the website of our School of Graduate Studies at www.cityu.edu.hk/sgs/hkphd or contact our departmental research degree coordinators.

Cost of Living and Finance

Each fellowship recipient will receive a monthly stipend of HK$28,100 (approximately US$3,600).

The tuition fee for full-time PhD students per annum is approximately HK$44,496 (US$5,705) in the 2024-25 academic year. (The tuition fee for the first year of study will be covered by an entrance scholarship offered by CityUHK.)

Rough estimate of the yearly cost (2 semesters) of studying PhD at CityUHK (2024-25)

Expenses

University Student Hall Accommodation Amount1

Off-campus Accommodation

Tuition fee2

 HKD$44,496 HKD$44,496

Living costs (meals, transport, laundry, and education expenses for books, stationery, etc.)3

HKD$50,000

HKD$50,000

Accommodation

HKD$36,0004

HKD$50,000-60,0005

Total cost per academic year

HKD$130,496 (~US$16,730)

HKD$144,496-154,496 (~US$18,525-19,807)
 

  1. Applications for residence places are subject to availability of residence places and other criteria specified by the University. 

  2. Tuition fee for 2024-25. The tuition fee is subject to an annual review and is normally adjusted in September every year.

  3. Actual costs will vary depending on individual lifestyle choices. Students may also need to budget emergency medical expenses, etc.

  4. Residence fee for a double room at the Student Residence on campus. All fees are subject to annual review. Room rates will vary depends on room types, please refer to https://www.cityu.edu.hk/sro/StudentHousing/PGHalls/HallAdmission/FeePay.htm for details.

  5. Estimated costs for private renting. Students may refer to https://www.cityu.edu.hk/sro/StudentHousing/oca.htm for some off-campus accommodation options.

Department of Chemistry (www.cityu.edu.hk/chem)

Department of Mathematics (www.cityu.edu.hk/ma)

Department of Physics (www.cityu.edu.hk/phy)