HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
HKUST Postgraduate Studentship
full · masters, phd
- Monthly stipendSupport
- HKUSTHost institution
- MPhil / PhDResearch degrees
- ~HK$18,000+/moStipend
- With admissionHow awarded
- HK PhD Fellowship routeTop applicants
At a glance
full
Funding
€32k
Max amount
Dec 1, 2026
Deadline
Any country
Country
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Provider
The HKUST Postgraduate Studentship (PGS) supports full-time research postgraduate students — those pursuing an MPhil or PhD — at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, a research university ranked among the best in Asia. The studentship provides a monthly stipend to support living costs while students focus on their research. Research postgraduate students typically receive a monthly stipend of around HK$18,000+ (roughly HK$220,000 per year), funded through the studentship; tuition is charged separately, though strong students are often supported through additional awards. Outstanding PhD applicants may be nominated for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme, which offers a higher stipend and allowance. The studentship is tied to admission to a research postgraduate programme: you apply for the MPhil/PhD programme, and funded places come with the studentship. Applications follow HKUST's research postgraduate admission cycle, with the main round commonly closing around December for the following academic year.
What's covered
- Monthly stipend — A monthly studentship stipend of around HK$18,000+ (roughly HK$220,000/year) for research postgraduate students.
- Research support — Support tied to research activity within the department/research group.
- HK PhD Fellowship (top applicants) — Outstanding PhD applicants may be nominated for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme, with a higher stipend and conference/travel allowance.
- Duration — For the normal period of the MPhil (~2 years) or PhD (~3–4 years), subject to satisfactory progress.
How to apply
Apply for an HKUST research postgraduate (MPhil/PhD) programme; funded places include the studentship. For the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship, note its earlier deadline.
- Identify a programme & supervisor — Find an MPhil/PhD programme and research area (and potential supervisor) at HKUST.
- Check deadlines — Note the research postgraduate admission deadline (~December) and the earlier HK PhD Fellowship deadline (~December, prior).
- Prepare your application — Assemble transcripts, a research statement/proposal, references, and English scores.
- Apply for admission — Submit your HKUST research postgraduate application; indicate interest in the HK PhD Fellowship if eligible.
- Selection — Departments assess applicants and allocate studentships to admitted research students.
- Offer — Funded offers include the studentship; HK PhD Fellowship nominees are assessed separately.
Eligibility
ProgrammeAdmitted to a full-time research postgraduate (MPhil or PhD) programme at HKUST.
Academic meritA strong academic and research record meeting the programme's entry requirements.
Research fitA good match with a department/supervisor and research area.
LanguageEnglish proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS) where required.
Full-timeEnrolled full-time (the studentship supports full-time research study).
The studentship comes with a funded research postgraduate place — you apply for the MPhil/PhD programme rather than a separate studentship form. Outstanding PhD applicants can be nominated for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (separate, earlier deadline).
Eligible countries
Any country
Deadlines
2027 research postgraduate intake2026-12-01
Selection
Departments select funded research postgraduate students on academic and research merit and fit with supervisors and research areas. The studentship accompanies a funded place; the most outstanding PhD applicants may additionally be nominated for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme, which has its own selection.
Verified sources
- HKUST Research Postgraduate Studentships & Fellowshipsfytgs.hkust.edu.hkofficial
About the provider
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), founded in 1991, is a research university ranked among the best in Asia, known for science, engineering, business, and innovation. It funds research postgraduate students through studentships and nominates outstanding PhD applicants for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What is the HKUST Postgraduate Studentship?
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A studentship supporting full-time research postgraduate (MPhil/PhD) students at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology with a monthly stipend while they focus on research.
Who is eligible?
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Students admitted to a full-time MPhil or PhD programme at HKUST with a strong academic and research record and a good fit with a department/supervisor.
How much is the stipend?
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Around HK$18,000+ per month (roughly HK$220,000 per year) for research postgraduate students, with outstanding PhD applicants eligible for the higher Hong Kong PhD Fellowship.
Is tuition covered?
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Tuition is charged separately from the stipend, though strong research students are typically supported; check your offer details and any additional awards.
How do I get the studentship?
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It comes with a funded research postgraduate place — you apply for the MPhil/PhD programme rather than a separate studentship form, and departments allocate studentships to admitted students.
What is the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme?
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A territory-wide scheme offering a higher monthly stipend plus a conference/travel allowance to outstanding PhD applicants. HKUST nominates strong candidates; it has an earlier deadline (~December).
When is the deadline?
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The main research postgraduate admission round commonly closes around ~December; the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship has its own earlier deadline. Confirm dates on HKUST's admissions pages.
What levels does it support?
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Research postgraduate degrees — MPhil (~2 years) and PhD (~3–4 years) — full-time, subject to satisfactory progress.
Do I need a supervisor first?
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It helps to identify a research area and potential supervisor; departments consider fit when allocating funded places, especially for PhD study.
How competitive is it?
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Competitive — HKUST is among Asia's top research universities, and funded research places (and especially the HK PhD Fellowship) are awarded to the strongest applicants.
Which fields are covered?
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Research postgraduate programmes across HKUST's schools — science, engineering, business, humanities and social science, and interdisciplinary areas.
How long does the studentship last?
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For the normal period of the degree — about 2 years for an MPhil and 3–4 years for a PhD — subject to satisfactory academic and research progress.