Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The scheme is explicitly open regardless of nationality, country of origin, or ethnic background. Local HK residents, permanent residents, and students from every country compete on equal terms.

No. There is no age restriction mentioned anywhere in the HKPFS eligibility criteria. The scheme is open to any qualified applicant regardless of age.

No, not as an HKPFS requirement. Whether you need a master's degree depends on the specific PhD program's admission requirements at each university. Some programs accept exceptional bachelor's graduates directly. Check with the graduate school at your target university.

No. HKPFS is for candidates "seeking admission as new full-time PhD students." If you are currently enrolled in a PhD program, you are not eligible, even at a different institution. You must be a new entrant.

Not by HKPFS itself. Individual universities and programs set their own requirements. CUHK's Business School requires GMAT or GRE for PhD applicants. Most science and engineering programs do not. Verify with your specific target program.

After you submit your initial application to RGC through the HKPFSES system, you receive an HKPFS Reference Number. This number must be included in every university application you submit. Without it, the university processes your application as a regular (non-HKPFS) application and you lose all fellowship consideration. There is no way to add it retroactively.

Yes, but only before the December 1 noon deadline. You can update your university/programme choices in the HKPFSES system before the deadline. After December 1, your choices are locked and cannot be changed.

No. If you receive nominations from both universities and you decline your first-priority offer, the second-choice offer is not automatically transferred. RGC processes only the first-priority university's nomination. This is why your first-priority choice matters — list the university you'd genuinely be happy to attend first.

Most universities give referees a slightly extended deadline — typically around December 8 — to account for the fact that referees often need a few extra days after applicants submit. However, deadlines vary by university. Ask your target university specifically, and make sure your referees know their deadline well in advance.

Yes. HKPFS includes three components: the monthly stipend (HK$28,400), an annual travel and conference allowance (HK$14,200), and a full tuition waiver for the normative study period. You are not paying tuition out of your stipend. The stipend is for living expenses.

RGC funding covers the 3-year normative PhD period. Year 4 funding is provided by individual universities. CUHK explicitly continues the HKPFS-level stipend into Year 4. HKU provides continuation support. Other universities vary — ask your specific university what Year 4 looks like before you accept any offer.

With on-campus housing (HK$2,000–2,500/month, heavily subsidized at all 8 universities), most students spend around HK$6,000–8,000/month total and have significant savings. Off-campus rent in Kowloon or HK Island ranges HK$7,000–15,000/month, which tightens the margins considerably. Securing on-campus accommodation is the single biggest factor in whether the stipend feels generous or tight.

As of late 2023, non-local full-time postgraduate students in HK can work part-time without the previous 20-hours-per-week on-campus restriction, based on a policy change that expanded working rights. Students receive a "No Objection Letter" with their visa. Verify current policy with your university's student affairs office, as conditions can change.

No. Publications are not required. Awardees without any prior publications exist. However, publications, conference papers, or other research output significantly strengthen the "research ability and potential" criterion. If you don't have publications, a compelling research proposal and strong recommendation letters that specifically address your research potential can compensate.

No, not necessarily. Universities can admit PhD students who weren't selected for HKPFS and offer them the standard postgraduate studentship instead (~HK$19,135/month). Being rejected for the fellowship doesn't mean the university rejected you for the PhD. Check with your specific university about their non-HKPFS admission and funding options.

For the 2027/28 cycle (exact dates to be confirmed — official schedule not yet published), expect the usual pattern: university interviews typically happen in January–February, university admission decisions (separate from HKPFS) may come in March–April, and the official RGC results announcement is typically in May — successful candidates are notified by email and the awardee list is published on the RGC website.

No. The fellowship is tied to the specific university named in your RGC offer letter. If you leave that university, the fellowship is discontinued. You cannot transfer the award to a different institution.

Cantonese is not required for academic work — all eight universities conduct PhD supervision and coursework in English. However, day-to-day life in HK is easier with at least basic Cantonese, and some PhD students have reported difficulty connecting with local residents who prefer Cantonese. Mandarin helps in some contexts but is not a substitute in Cantonese-dominant environments.

This is a real consideration for some researchers. Post-2020 changes under Hong Kong's National Security Law have created documented concerns about self-censorship, particularly for research on topics related to HK politics, China-HK relations, democracy, and social movements. STEM, natural sciences, engineering, and business research are largely unaffected. Researchers in social sciences, humanities, or political studies should research the current environment carefully before committing to a HK PhD.