What HKPFS Provides
(HK$28,400/month)
These three components are provided by RGC for up to three years. Duration matters: the RGC funding runs for the normative 3-year PhD period. What happens in Year 4 depends on your university.
Tuition Waiver — The Part Many Students Miss
The HKPFS is not just a monthly stipend. It includes a full tuition waiver for the entire normative study period. For non-local students this is especially significant — non-local tuition at HK universities is considerably higher than local tuition rates.
How HKPFS Compares to the Regular Studentship
PhD students who are not HKPFS awardees typically receive the standard postgraduate studentship. Here's the difference:
| Component | HKPFS Award | Standard Studentship |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly stipend | HK$28,400 | HK$19,135 |
| Annual stipend | HK$340,800 | HK$229,620 |
| Travel allowance | HK$14,200/year | None |
| Tuition waiver | Full waiver | Varies by program |
| Duration (RGC) | Up to 3 years | Per university policy |
HKPFS pays approximately 48% more per year than the standard studentship. Over a 3-year PhD, the gap adds up to roughly HK$333,540 in stipend alone — before accounting for tuition and the travel allowance.
University Top-Up Awards
Several universities add their own awards on top of what RGC provides. These vary significantly:
HKU (University of Hong Kong)
HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship provides an additional HK$40,000 cash award in Year 1 and HK$20,000 per year in Years 2 and 3. HKU also covers on-campus hostel fees in Year 1 for HKPFS awardees.
CUHK (Chinese University of Hong Kong)
CUHK continues the HKPFS-level stipend and travel allowance into Year 4 for 4-year PhD programs, covering the gap left when RGC funding ends at 3 years.
Other universities
Top-up arrangements at CityU, HKUST, PolyU, HKBU, Lingnan, and EdUHK vary. Contact the graduate school at your target university directly to confirm what supplementary support they provide.
Year 4 Funding — The Question Everyone Has
RGC funding covers the normative 3-year PhD period. Most HK PhD programs are actually 3–4 years in practice. The gap between when RGC funding ends and when students finish is real.
Universities bridge this gap differently. Some match the HKPFS stipend in Year 4. Others provide continuation support at a lower rate. Some require students to apply for university scholarships separately. Ask your target university specifically what Year 4 looks like for HKPFS students before you commit.
Cost of Living Reality
Hong Kong is an expensive city. Here's what PhD students actually spend, based on student accounts:
| Expense | On-campus housing | Off-campus housing |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | HK$2,000–2,500/month | HK$7,000–15,000/month |
| Food (canteen meals) | HK$30–45/meal; ~HK$2,500–4,000/month | |
| Transport (Octopus card) | HK$500–1,000/month | |
| Phone & internet | HK$200–400/month | |
| Estimated monthly total | ~HK$6,000–8,000 | ~HK$12,000–22,000 |
With on-campus housing (highly subsidized at all eight universities), most HKPFS students have significant money left from their HK$28,400 monthly stipend. With off-campus housing, the margins get tighter — especially in Kowloon or on Hong Kong Island.
Part-Time Work
As of late 2023, Hong Kong expanded part-time work rights for full-time non-local postgraduate students. Foreign PhD students receive a "No Objection Letter" with their visa that allows part-time work without the previous 20-hours-per-week on-campus restriction. Teaching assistant roles, research assistant positions, and external part-time work are all possible — subject to your supervisor and university's policies.
Tax on the Fellowship
Hong Kong generally does not tax scholarship and fellowship income. However, the tax treatment depends on the specific nature of payments and individual circumstances. Verify with your university's student finance office when you arrive — don't rely on assumptions.