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Enquiry
For enquiries about the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme, please contact us by email to HKPF@ugc.edu.hk. You may also get instant answers to the most frequently asked questions below.
As regards admission and application requirements for PhD studies, please refer to individual institutions for information.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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General Information
Q1. What is
Hong Kong
PhD Fellowship Scheme?
The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) was established by the Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong, aiming to attract outstanding students in the world to pursue PhD studies in Hong Kong's higher education institutions.
Q2. What is the award
of
Hong Kong
PhD
Fellowship?
The Fellowship provides each awardee with a monthly stipend of HK$20,000 (approximately US$ 2,600) and a conference and research related travel allowance of HK$10,000 (approximately US$ 1,300) per year for a period of three years. About 135 PhD Fellowships will be awarded in each academic year.
Q3. Which institutions are supported by the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme?
The HKPFS supports the awardees to pursue their PhD studies at the following eight University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded institutions in Hong Kong:
- City University of Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Baptist University
- Lingnan University
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- The Hong Kong Institute of Education
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- The University of Hong Kong
Q4. Am I eligible for Hong Kong PhD Fellowship?
Those who are seeking admission as new full time PhD students in UGC-funded institutions of Hong Kong, irrespective of their country of origin,
prior work experience, and ethnic background, should be eligible to apply. Applicants should demonstrate outstanding qualities of academic performance, research ability / potential, communication and interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities.
Q5. I am not sure whether I am eligible to apply for the PhD programmes in Hong Kong. How can I obtain such information?
UGC-funded institutions determine the eligibility requirements of their respective PhD programmes. Interested parties should consult the on eligibility.
Q6. I am currently a PhD student. Am I eligible to apply for the Fellowship?
You are eligible to apply for the Fellowship if you are going to apply for another PhD programme from the designated institutions as a new full time PhD student. However, it is up to the Selection Panel to decide whether the previous PhD study experience should be discounted so as to ensure a level play field for those who do not have any PhD background.
Q7. I have difficulties in obtaining transcripts/ certificates/ test results by the application deadline of the institution I selected. Am I still eligible?
We encourage students with excellent academic performance and good potential in research work to apply for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship. Institutions may give conditional offer to candidates who demonstrate outstanding ability and potential in their areas of studies. Since the candidates of the HKPF Scheme are to be nominated by institutions, applicants should consult the institutions they intend to pursue their PhD studies direct in respect of their eligibility for admission to the PhD programmes concerned in case of doubt.
Q8. Do I need to attain a required score from IELTS/TOEFL/GMAT/GRE before applying for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship?
For applicants from non-English speaking universities, unless they provide proof that English is the language of instruction for all courses for the entrance qualifications of their proposed PhD programmes, they are required to attach score results of TOEFL or IELTS in their PhD applications to the institutions concerned. This requirement is exempted if their proposed PhD studies/programmes are specifically in non-English medium, e.g. in Chinese language. On the other hand, since the UGC-funded institutions determine the admission requirements of their PhD programmes, whether applicants need to submit results of any specific tests is subject to the requirements of individual institutions. Having said that, good results obtained from an open examination widely recognised by international academic institutions will be very useful for institutions and Selection Panels of the Scheme to assess one's intellectual competence.
Application Process
Q9. What is an initial application for Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme?
An initial application is the first step in making an application under HKPFS. The initial application must be submitted through the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme Electronic System. The system will assign a reference number for an applicant to apply for admission to their selected institutions.
Q10. Am I required to submit applications to my selected institutions directly after successful submission of my Initial Application Form?
Yes. Please ensure that you have attained a HKPFS reference number assigned for your initial application, and quote the reference number when applying to your proposed institutions.
Q11. If I have forgotten to present the reference number assigned by the HKPFS, will my application still be considered as an application for HKPFS?
If no reference number is presented to an institution in an application for PhD programme admission, the institution will process the relevant application as a normal one without any consideration under the HKPFS.
Q12. I forgot to read the “Explanatory Notes for Completing the Initial Application Form” before filling out the initial application. Will it affect my application?
The Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong may stop processing your application if it does not comply with any of the requirements as set out in the Explanatory Notes.
Q13. Can I submit more than one initial application for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship?
In order to ensure consistency and fairness to all applicants, each applicant can only submit ONE initial application through the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme Electronic System.
Q14. May I print out the template of the initial application and fill it out manually for submission to the RGC?
No. All initial applications should be made online through the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme Electronic System.
Making Change to Submitted Information
Q15. After the submission of the initial application, I noticed that I have made a mistake when filling out my personal particular. What should I do?
In the event that the applicant has genuine need to access / correct his/her personal data submitted in the initial application, the procedural arrangement on personal data correction is as follows:
(i) The relevant applicant should make a request on accessing to his/her personal data, which should be made in writing and submitted via the e-mail account as mentioned in Part A of the initial application to the RGC at HKPF@ugc.edu.hk first. This request will be handled within 15 working days.
(ii) If the personal data subsequently provided by the RGC is considered to be inaccurate, the relevant applicant should make another request on correcting the relevant data in writing and submit via the e-mail account as mentioned in Part A of the initial application to the RGC at HKPF@ugc.edu.hk. This request will be handled within 15 working days.
Please also make reference to the Section 22, Chapter 486, Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance at http://www.pcpd.org.hk/english/ordinance/section_29.html on “Data Correction Request” as stipulated under the Hong Kong Law.
Q16. How many institutions and PhD programmes I can choose for an application under Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme?
You may choose up to two programmes in total in one or two institutions with priority indicated in your application.
Q17. I have changed my mind on the selection of institution(s) / programme(s) after submission of initial application. What should I do?
No change to selection of institution/ programme is allowed after submission of the initial application. Still, you may apply for other programme(s) of your interest through normal admission procedure.
Application Fee and Programme Information
Q18. Do I need to pay any fees for making an application under HKPFS?
No application fee is required for submitting initial application for HKPFS. Having said that, applicants may be required to pay a non-refundable application fee to their chosen institution(s) when making a full application subsequently.
Q19. If I have problem in paying application fee to my chosen institution, what should I do?
The Research Grants Council (RGC) does NOT have any involvement in the payment of application fee for PhD admission which is solely business between applicants and respective institutions. Furthermore, the RGC is not liable for any information or services which may appear on any websites linked to the homepage of the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme. Should applicants encounter problem arising from application fee payment, or have any enquiry regarding particular institutions, they should contact the relevant institutions direct.
Q20. Where can I get the information about PhD programmes and admission requirements of the institutions?
For details on PhD programmes and admission requirements of individual institutions, please refer to the following websites:
Application Deadlines
Q21. Is there a definite time frame for submission of my initial application?
Applicants must submit their initial applications through the HKPFSES before deadline on 1 December 2012, 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time (GMT +8 hours).
Q22. Are application deadlines for the eight institutions the same as that for the initial application?
No. As deadlines for applications concerning some of the institutions immediately follow that for the initial applications, candidates should submit initial applications as early as possible to ensure that they have sufficient time to submit full applications to institutions. Deadlines for submitting full application via chosen institutions are listed as follows:
City University of Hong Kong : 10 December 2012
Hong Kong Baptist University : 1 December 2012
Lingnan University : 3 December 2012
The Chinese University of Hong Kong : 1 December 2012
The Hong Kong Institute of Education : 5 December 2012
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University : 5 December 2012
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology : 3 December 2012
The University of Hong Kong: 1 December 2012
Selection Process and Award of Fellowships
Q23. How are the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship awardees selected?
Individual institutions may conduct interviews with applicants where necessary. Shortlisted applications, subject to their areas of studies, will be reviewed by one of the two Selection Panels with experts in the relevant broad areas - one for science, medicine, engineering and technology and another one for humanities, social science and business studies.
Q24. What are the selection criteria?
While candidates' academic excellence is the primary consideration, the Selection Panels will take into account factors such as research ability and potential, communication and interpersonal skills as well as leadership abilities.
Q25. When will the result of the HKPFS be announced?
The result of the HKPFS 2013/14 will be announced by April 2013.
Q26. If I am not awarded the fellowship, does it mean that my application for PhD admission with the institutions will also be turned down?
No. Institutions may also admit candidates not selected for the HKPFS and offer them with normal postgraduate studentship if they are considered to be qualified by the instituions.
Q27. When should I register with the institutions?
A successful candidate of the HKPFS is normally required to register with the respective institution in September / October 2013. This may be deferred to 31 January 2014 the latest if there are well justified reasons and subject to the approval of the Research Grants Council.
Q28. How can I apply for a student visa/ an entry permit?
Please refer to the Guidebook for Entry for Study in Hong Kong issued by the Immigration Department, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, at http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/id996.htm#top for detailed requirements for application for student visa/entry permit.
Further Enquiries
Q29. What can I do if I have more questions?
For enquiries about the HKPFS, please address your questions to HKPF@ugc.edu.hk. For enquiries about the PhD programmes and admission requirements, please contact the respective institutions direct for information :
City University of Hong Kong |
Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies,
Flat 7B, Block 1, To Yuen Building,Tat Chee Avenue,
City University of Hong Kong,
Kowloon, Hong Kong |
Tel: (852) 3442 9076
Fax: (852) 3442 0332
Email: sgfellow@cityu.edu.hk |
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Hong Kong Baptist University
Office of Graduate School,
Level 7, Fong Shu Chuen Library,
Ho Sin Hang Campus,
Hong Kong Baptist University,
Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong |
Tel: (852) 3411 5127
Fax: (852) 3411 5133
Email: hkpfs@hkbu.edu.hk |
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Lingnan University
Registry,
Lingnan University,
8 Castle Peak Road, Tuen Mun,
Hong Kong |
Tel: (852) 2616 8750
Fax: (852) 2572 5178 or (852) 2463 9104
Email: rpgadm@LN.edu.hk |
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The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Graduate School,
Room G01, G/F, Academic Building No.1,
The Chinese University of Hong Kong,
Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong |
Tel: (852) 3943 8976
Fax number: (852) 2603 5779
Email: gradschool@cuhk.edu.hk |
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The Hong Kong Institute of Education
Graduate School, B4-G/F-02,
The Hong Kong Institute of Education
10 Lo Ping Road, Tai Po,
New Territories, Hong Kong |
Tel: (852) 2948 7283 or (852) 2948 6611
Fax: (852) 2948 6619
Email: rpg@ied.edu.hk |
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The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Research Office,
Room M501, Li Ka Shing Tower,
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University,
Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong |
Tel: (852) 3400 3635
Fax: (852) 2355 7651
Email: roro@polyu.edu.hk |
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The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Postgraduate Outreach and Admissions Team
Room 1381, Academic Building
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong |
Tel: (852) 2623 1120
Fax: (852) 2358 2463
Email: hkpfs@ust.hk |
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The University of Hong Kong
Graduate School,
Room P403, Graduate House,
The University of Hong Kong,
Pokfulam, Hong Kong |
Tel: (852) 2857 3470
Fax: (852) 2857 3543
Email: gradsch@hku.hk |
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