As well as being a unique gateway to China, education in Hong Kong offers students an East-meets-West blend of insights, teaching methods and styles. But whilst tuition fees in Hong Kong are comparatively low, if you consider living, accommodation and inescapable start-up costs then financing your studies abroad might seem tricky. Luckily, there are plenty of ways for international students to secure funding. Let our overview of three key scholarships for international students help get you on your way to studying abroad.
If you aren’t applicable for any of the scholarships listed, don’t worry: we’ve included plenty of links and tips to point you in the right direction to find the funding option for you.
Funding Bodies
Host Institution
Unfortunately, the Hong Kong government does not provide financial aid to international students. Most scholarships available then will be offered directly through your host institution, and are almost always awarded on academic merit. Specific details of all scholarships on offer can either be retrieved directly from an institution’s website, or you can search for them on our site and follow the links from there. In some cases, such as at City University of Hong Kong, students about to commence the first year of their Undergraduate studies will be automatically considered for what is called an ‘Entrance Scholarship.’ These programmes seek to entice students of the highest academic calibre to study in Hong Kong. Not all Entrance Scholarships have an automatic application process, and you should be careful to confirm these details directly with your host institution before you apply to study there.
The Study in Hong Kong website also has a comprehensive list of scholarships available by host institution.
International Partnerships and External Funding
Some government bodies and organisations from different countries work in partnership with Hong Kong institutions to provide specific funding schemes to students of a certain nationality. For example, the New Zealand Consulate-General Hong Kong provides a number of scholarships for New Zealand students to study at participating universities in Hong Kong. These schemes are often quite selective, and may require students to either be studying within a specific area or demonstrate a very particular skill set.
There are also a limited number of funding programmes available from external companies or organisations. Where they are offered, these scholarships will typically require that your study area is related to the work they do.
Click here for a list of scholarships offered by the New Zealand Consulate-General Hong Kong
Scholarships
University of Hong Kong (HKU) Entrance Scholarship
This award is available to high-achieving students about to commence their Undergraduate studies at the University of Hong Kong.
You will need to begin the application process for this scholarship just after you have applied for your study programme at HKU. To do this, you will need to create an admission account on the HKU website. After you have completed your study application, you will need to log into your account again and complete a separate online application for the scholarship. There is a comprehensive breakdown of the Undergraduate admissions process at HKU online.
Students must be accepted to study at HKU via the Non-JUPAS admissions scheme to be eligible for this award. JUPAS is a university admissions scheme that helps students holding a Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education to gain admission into participating universities. If you are an international student then it’s highly unlikely you will hold this qualification.
Amounts awarded vary, and may be up to a complete tuition fee waiver plus a living expenses allowance. Students on this award will have the opportunity to renew the scholarship at the start of each academic year, provided they maintain a high academic standard. You will find out if you have been successful at the same time you will find out whether you’ve been accepted into your study programme.
Click here for a full list of scholarships offered by the University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Award
Offered by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RCG), this scheme is available to high-calibre students wishing to complete a Doctorate programme at one of eight participating institutions. Students of all nationalities are eligible to apply, but must be seeking to complete studies in either Science, Medicine, Engineering and Technology, Humanities, Social Sciences or Business Studies. Over 200 of these awards will be granted in the 2014/2015 academic year.
Students must demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, the capacity to research, leadership potential and outstanding communication skills. To apply, you will first need to lodge an initial online application through the RCG website. When you have done so, you will receive a reference number. You will then need to apply for funding directly to your host institution and provide them with this number.
Specific application criteria will vary depending on your host, but all students will need to provide a research proposal that outlines their proposed course of study, as well as proof of all academic achievements to date.
Per year, students are awarded HK$240,000 (US$30,000), as well as a conference and research-related travel allowance of HK$10,000 (US$1,300) for up to three years. If your PhD programme is longer than three years, you may also be eligible for additional support from your host university.
Check if your host institution participates in this scheme
Non-Local Student Scholarships, Lingnan University
Students about to commence selected Undergraduate study programmes at Lingnan University in faculties of Arts, Business or Social Sciences are eligible to apply for this award. Selection is based on academic achievement, but also will take into consideration any community work or extra-curricular activities you have been involved in.
You will need to have a recognised equivalent of either a high school diploma plus a minimum of 1650 on the admissions test SAT I, an International Baccalaureate Diploma or have successfully completed the first year of a sub-degree or bridging programme. You will also need to have a TOEFL score of either 213 in the computer-based test, 550 in the paper-based test, or 79 in the internet-based test. IELTS students will need to have an overall score of 6.0.
The admissions process begins in December of the year prior to the commencement of your study programme, with exact deadlines subject to change year-to-year. You will need to apply for the scholarship at the same time as for your study programme, and should follow the application process for international students as outlined on this page. When you are completing the online application, you need to download the ‘Confidential Report Form’ at the right-hand bottom of the page. You will need to complete this form and send directly it by post to LU. You will also need to attach letters of reference to your online application in support this form.
Students on this award will receive either full or half coverage of their tuition fees, as well as accommodation costs (for those living in student hostels only), and a living allowance. You will be able to renew the scholarship at the start of every academic year if you maintain strong grades.
Click here for a full list of eligible study programmes
Now that you’ve figured out how to finance your studies, why not browse courses in Hong Kong now and kick-start your study abroad planning process?
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