Research Postgraduate Studies
Scholarships and Financial Support

The Faculty has established close research collaborative links with many prestigious universities/research institutions overseas. Student exchange activities are therefore encouraged with a view to broadening the scope of collaborations. MPhil/PhD students may have opportunities to engage in research exchange at overseas universities/research institutions to allow them to acquire advanced research knowledge and technology. The maximum duration of exchange is half the period of a student's programme of study. Subsistence allowance and travel grant may be granted to eligible candidates. Students are required to consult their supervisors to explore opportunities for research exchange.

The University/Medical Faculty administers a number of scholarships which are awarded to postgraduate students for outstanding academic achievements. Applications for the scholarships will be invited throughout the year.

University

• Doris Zimmern HKU-Cambridge Hughes Hall Scholarships
• Dr Lo Kwee Seong Education Foundation Travel and Conference Grants
• HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund
• Jessie Ho Memorial Postgraduate Fellowship
• Li Po Chun Postgraduate Scholarships
• Philip K H Wong Foundation Postgraduate Fellowship
• Sin Wai-Kin Junior Fellowship
• Starr Hall Well of Ishmael Scholarships
• Swire Graduate Studentships
• Swire Scholarships
• Swire Travel Grants

Specific to the Medical Faculty

• Bau Tsu Zung Bau Kwan Yeu Hing Research and Clinical Fellowship
• Chan To Haan Prize for Research Postgraduate Students in Pathology
• Dragon Culture Doctoral Scholarship for Medicine
• HKU Postgraduate Fellowships in Integrative Medicine
• HKU Postgraduate Fellowship in Neurosurgery
• The Hong Kong Cancer Fund Scholarship in Psycho-Oncology
• The Hui Pun Hing Scholarships for Postgraduate Research
• Johnson and Johnson Asia Outstanding Graduate Thesis Award in Bio-tech
• KAN Shin Yu Chinese Medicine Postgraduate Research Prizes
• Leong Che-Hung Medical and Research Enrichment Scholarship
• Mary Sun Medical Scholarships
• Simon Wong Pharm Manufacturing Industrial Scholarship
• Wong Ching Yee Medical Postgraduate Scholarships
• Yip Cheung Yip Ka Bing Residential Scholarship and Lee Sum Ping Medical Humanities Enrichment Award
• YS and Christabel Lung Postgraduate Scholarship

MPhil and PhD students are eligible to apply for conference and/or travel grants for presenting papers/posters in overseas academic conferences or participating in other overseas educational activities. The maximum amount of funding is HK$13,500.

Students who are admitted to a UGC-funded full-time curriculum and need financial assistance for their studies may apply for the means-tested loans and grants scheme administered by the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency (WFSFAA).  

To qualify for assistance, a student must have the right of abode in Hong Kong or have resided in Hong Kong continuously for three years prior to admission to the University. (Please note students staying in Hong Kong holding student visas do not count as being ‘continuously resident’.) The value of their Postgraduate Scholarship will be counted as income. 

To apply for assistance, students should submit a completed application form to the Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS) within one month following the commencement of the course.  Application forms could be obtained from CEDARS or the WFSFAA.  

Non-means tested loan scheme is also available for application by both full-time and part-time students who meet the residency requirements.  Application forms are also available at CEDARS.

University funds are in general used to supplement government grants and loans. A limited number of means-tested bursaries and loans are available to local full-time students who are in financial need. However, these are of very limited value, and should not be seen as an alternative to Government support. The value of Postgraduate Scholarship will be counted in the assessment of their needs. 

Application through the Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS) are invited in September each year. Students facing urgent financial hardship may however apply for emergency assistance any time during the year.  

HKUMed offers an entrance scholarship for high-calibre PhD candidates who have been considered for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowships or the HKU Presidential Scholar Programme. The scholarship is valued at HK$50,000 to be payable in four half-yearly instalments starting from the 1^st year of enrolment.