The University of Hong Kong (HKU) Offers Summer Research Scholarship for International Students

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) Summer Research Programme is a 10-week intense research training programme for students around the world who want to pursue research postgraduate studies at HKU. It is funded by the University of Hong Kong Foundation for Educational Development and Research, and includes networking and extra-curricular activities.

Target participants are outstanding undergraduate students in year 3 and year 4 with a CGPA of 3.6 or above (or equivalent), and outstanding students in a Master’s degree programme with a Bachelor’s degree in 1st Class Honours (or equivalent). Applicants must indicate a proposed faculty/interdisciplinary area, department and field of study, and are affiliated with an academic unit and mentored by HKU professoriate staff.

Selection is based on outstanding academic performance, strong interest in research postgraduate studies, previous research experience, interest in interdisciplinary studies, high English proficiency, and being mature and independent. Applicants propose faculty, department, field of study, and mentor(s), and may be encouraged to contact proposed mentors before applying. Selection interviews, if any, are arranged by the host faculty/department.

Participants receive a scholarship of HK$10,000 upon successful completion of the programme. Financial support includes airfare up to HK$5,000 and university accommodation up to HK$5,000 on a reimbursement basis, with the accommodation-only eligibility for participants residing or currently studying in Hong Kong. A possible conditional offer of the HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship may be awarded to a small number of participants with outstanding performance and excellent academic records.

• Target undergraduate applicants: outstanding students in year 3 and year 4.
• Undergraduate academic requirement: CGPA 3.6 or above (or equivalent).
• Target Master’s applicants: outstanding students in a Master’s degree programme.
• Master’s academic requirement: Bachelor’s degree in 1st Class Honours (or equivalent).
• Must have strong interest in research postgraduate studies (selection criterion).
• Previous research experience is required for consideration (selection criterion).
• Interest in interdisciplinary studies is a selection criterion.
• English proficiency: high English proficiency is a selection criterion.
• Applicants must be mature and independent (selection criterion).
• Language test: applicants can apply even if they have not taken the English language proficiency test, but it is one of the considerations when selecting candidates.
• Enrolment/programmes: undergraduate in year 3 or year 4, or enrolled in a Master’s degree programme (as described in the target participant criteria).
• Nationality/right of abode: students without right of abode/right to land in Hong Kong must apply for a student visa for education from the Hong Kong Immigration Department after admission (visa requirement applies to non-local students).

• One-to-one mentorship with an eminent professor.
• Supervision by an HKU professoriate staff member to plan and carry out a research project, with matching support based on participants’ priorities and research interests.
• Scholarship of HK$10,000 awarded to each participant upon successful completion of the programme (amount may be adjusted pending approval of budget).
• Financial support of airfare up to HK$5,000 on a reimbursement basis (amount may be adjusted pending approval of budget).
• Financial support of university accommodation up to HK$5,000 on a reimbursement basis (amount may be adjusted pending approval of budget).
• Accommodation condition: students residing or currently studying in Hong Kong are only eligible to receive financial support for university accommodation.
• Prizes and awards for top performers.
• Possible conditional offer for the HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship for a small number of participants after completion of the current studies.
• HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship package: up to HK$433,300 (US$55,560) in the first year and up to HK$413,300 (US$52,990) in each subsequent year during the normative study period.

1. Complete the online application using the Summer Research Programme online application system during the application period.
2. Prepare required information and documents for the online application, including personal and academic information, proposed faculty/department/field of study/mentor(s), required personal statement and research interest, and supporting documents.
3. Pay the application fee online and submit the application by clicking “Pay Application Fee and Submit” in the application form.
4. After the application fee payment is authorised, an application number is assigned, and an acknowledgement email is sent on the next day after submission.
5. Submit all documents via the online application system because faculties and departments start considering applications right after the application deadline.

• Personal and academic information.
• Passport size photo.
• CV highlighting academic achievement, research experience, and professional credentials.
• Final/latest transcript and certificate of your Bachelor’s programme.
• Final/latest transcript and certificate of your Master’s programme (if any).
• Result of your English language proficiency test for applicants from institutions outside Hong Kong where the language of instruction and examination is not entirely in English.
• Personal statement (300–500 words).
• Research interest (100–200 words).
• Proposed faculty, department, field of study, and mentor(s).