CUHK Global Scholarship 2027

Overview

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) offers some of the most generous merit-based scholarships available to international undergraduate and postgraduate students in Asia. Ranked consistently among the world's top 50 universities, CUHK attracts talented students globally with awards ranging from partial fee waivers to full-tuition coverage with living allowances. For the 2026 entry cohort, annual tuition for non-local undergraduates stands at about HK$214,000, making scholarships a critical pathway for many international applicants.

At the undergraduate level, CUHK awards Admission Scholarships automatically to incoming students who show strong academic or non-academic achievement. These merit-based awards can cover 25%, 50%, or 100% of tuition and may include an annual living allowance of up to HK$66,000. The university also participates in the HKSAR Government Scholarship scheme, providing HK$80,000 per year to outstanding non-local students. No separate scholarship application is required for most awards; the university identifies eligible candidates directly from the admissions pool during its review process.

For doctoral students, CUHK participates in the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS). HKPFS recipients receive a total package exceeding HK$1.79 million over the normative study period, including a monthly stipend of HK$28,400, a full tuition waiver, and conference travel support. These programmes make CUHK one of the most financially accessible top-ranked universities in Hong Kong for international students at all levels.

Key Facts at a Glance

Detail	Information
Funding Body	The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), HKSAR Government, and Research Grants Council of Hong Kong
Host Country	Hong Kong SAR, China
Degree Levels	Bachelor's, Master's, PhD
Value	Undergraduate: 25%-100% tuition waiver (up to ~HK$214,000/year) + living allowance up to HK$66,000/year. HKSAR Government Scholarship: HK$80,000/year. HKPFS (PhD): ~HK$1.79 million total package
Deadline	November 2026 / January 2027
Duration	Undergraduate: Up to 4 years (normative period, renewable). PhD: 3-4 years
Eligible Nationalities	Open to all nationalities (international and non-local students)
Official Website	https://admission.cuhk.edu.hk/fees-financing-your-studies/scholarships/

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Requirements

Undergraduate Admission Scholarships require outstanding academic performance in secondary school qualifications. No minimum GPA is published, but recipients rank in the top percentile of their cohort. Full-tuition awards go to the strongest applicants as assessed during admissions review. For the HKPFS, applicants must show strong academic and research potential, typically equivalent to a first-class honours degree or above.

Nationality Requirements

All scholarships are open to non-local (international) students. Applicants must be classified as non-local by CUHK to qualify for Admission Scholarships and the HKSAR Government Scholarship. Hong Kong permanent residents are not eligible for non-local scholarship schemes. The HKPFS is open to applicants of all nationalities who have not previously enrolled in a PhD programme at a UGC-funded institution in Hong Kong.

Language Requirements

Applicants must meet the English language requirements of their chosen programme. Most CUHK programmes require IELTS 6.5 overall or TOEFL iBT 79 or above. Some programmes in business and law may require higher scores. Programmes taught in Chinese (Cantonese or Mandarin) have corresponding language requirements.

Work Experience

No formal work experience is required. Undergraduate selection is based on academic merit and overall application strength. HKPFS selection emphasises academic excellence and research potential.

Other Requirements

Transfer students are not eligible for Admission Scholarships. Undergraduate scholarships are awarded automatically based on the admissions assessment, with no separate scholarship application needed. All undergraduate programmes except Music are eligible for scholarship consideration.

Scholarship Benefits

• Full tuition waiver (up to ~HK$214,000/year) for the highest-performing undergraduate scholarship recipients, renewable for the normative four-year study period
• Partial tuition waivers at 50% or 25% for strong candidates who do not receive a full award
• Annual living allowance of up to HK$66,000 for top undergraduate scholarship recipients
• HKSAR Government Scholarship of HK$80,000 per year for outstanding non-local undergraduate students, awarded on CUHK's nomination
• One-off non-academic achievement awards from HK$50,000 to HK$178,000 for students excelling in sports, music, art, or science and technology
• HKPFS package for PhD students totalling about HK$1.79 million, including a monthly stipend of HK$28,400 and full tuition waiver
• Conference and research-related travel allowance of HK$14,200 per year for HKPFS recipients
• Access to one of Asia's most scenic hillside campuses with guaranteed on-campus housing for non-local students in the first year
• Membership in a global alumni network of over 280,000 graduates

How to Apply

1. Choose your programme and submit your admission application: Apply through the CUHK Online Admissions System for undergraduate programmes. Select your preferred programme(s). For the advance offer round, submit by 13 November 2025. For the regular round, the deadline is 8 January 2026.
2. Upload supporting documents: Submit all required supporting documents through the online portal: academic transcripts, English language test scores, a personal statement, and a copy of your passport. Upload everything before the deadline for your chosen round.
3. Automatic scholarship assessment: No separate scholarship application is needed for undergraduate Admission Scholarships. CUHK's admissions committee evaluates all applicants for scholarship eligibility based on academic results, interview performance, and overall application strength.
4. Attend an interview if invited: Shortlisted candidates may be invited to an admissions interview (online or in person). Your interview performance factors into both your admission offer and your scholarship level. Prepare to discuss your academic interests, extracurricular achievements, and reasons for choosing CUHK.
5. Receive and accept your offer: Advance round applicants may receive firm or conditional offers from December 2025 onwards. Regular round results come from March to June 2026. If you receive a scholarship offer, accept it within the specified timeframe and begin your student visa application.

Required Documents

• Completed online admission application through the CUHK admissions portal
• Official academic transcripts from secondary school (with certified English translation if not originally in English or Chinese)
• Predicted or final examination results (A-Levels, IB, SAT, ACT, or equivalent national qualifications)
• Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent)
• Personal statement or essay outlining academic interests, achievements, and career goals
• At least one academic reference letter from a teacher or school counsellor
• Copy of valid passport or travel document
• Portfolio or evidence of non-academic achievements (if applying for non-academic excellence awards in sports, music, art, or science)
• Research proposal and CV (for PhD/HKPFS applicants only)

Important Dates & Deadlines

Milestone	Date
Applications Open	September 2025 (for 2026 entry)
Application Deadline	Advance round: 13 November 2025. Regular round: 8 January 2026. HKPFS (PhD): 1 December 2025
Results Announced	Advance round: From December 2025. Regular round: March-June 2026. HKPFS: March-April 2026
Course Start	September 2026

Tips for a Strong Application

Personal Statement Tips

• Name specific CUHK programmes, research centres, or faculty members that match your academic interests
• Highlight cross-cultural experiences, community involvement, and leadership roles that show what you would bring to CUHK's campus
• Quantify your achievements: include rankings, competition results, or percentile standings that put your performance in context
• Explain your interest in studying in Hong Kong specifically, not just at any international university

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Assuming you need to submit a separate scholarship application for undergraduate awards. Most are assessed automatically during the admissions review.
• Missing the advance round deadline of 13 November 2025 and losing the chance for an early offer with stronger scholarship consideration
• Submitting unofficial or untranslated transcripts, which delays processing and scholarship evaluation
• Writing a generic personal statement that could apply to any university, instead of showing specific knowledge of CUHK
• Overlooking the non-academic excellence awards (up to HK$178,000) if you have strong achievements in sports, music, art, or technology

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to apply separately for CUHK undergraduate scholarships?

For most undergraduate Admission Scholarships, no separate application is required. CUHK automatically evaluates all international applicants based on their admission profile, academic results, and interview performance. You are notified if selected alongside your admission offer.

What is the total value of a full CUHK undergraduate scholarship?

A full Admission Scholarship covers 100% of tuition (about HK$214,000 per year for the 2026-27 cohort) and may include an annual living allowance of up to HK$66,000. Over four years, this can total over HK$1.1 million (about USD $140,000). Recipients may also be nominated for the HKSAR Government Scholarship of HK$80,000 per year.

What are the different scholarship tiers available?

CUHK offers Admission Scholarships at three main tiers: full tuition (100%), half tuition (50%), and quarter tuition (25%). The tier depends on the strength of your academic record and admissions assessment. Some recipients also qualify for a living allowance on top of the tuition waiver.

Are CUHK scholarships renewable?

Most undergraduate Admission Scholarships renew for the normative study period of your programme (usually four years) as long as you maintain satisfactory academic progress. Renewal conditions are specified in your scholarship offer letter.

Can international students receive the HKSAR Government Scholarship?

Non-local undergraduate students are eligible for the HKSAR Government Scholarship of HK$80,000 per year. CUHK nominates suitable students to the Education Bureau; you do not need to apply separately. This award can be held alongside other CUHK scholarships.

What is the difference between the advance round and regular round?

The advance round deadline is 13 November 2025, and successful applicants may receive firm or conditional offers from December 2025. Applicants not selected in the advance round are automatically considered in the regular round (deadline 8 January 2026) on equal footing with all other applicants. The advance round gives you an earlier decision and potentially stronger scholarship consideration.

What qualifications are accepted for admission and scholarship consideration?

CUHK accepts a wide range of international qualifications: A-Levels, International Baccalaureate (IB), SAT/ACT with AP exams, and many national secondary school qualifications. Outstanding performance in any recognised qualification system can make you eligible for scholarship consideration.

Are there scholarships for non-academic achievements?

CUHK offers one-off scholarships from HK$50,000 to HK$178,000 for non-local students who excel in sports, music, art, science, or technology. These are awarded in addition to academic merit scholarships and require evidence of your achievements.

What is the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme at CUHK?

The HKPFS is a fellowship funded by the Research Grants Council, available at CUHK and other UGC-funded universities. At CUHK, the total package exceeds HK$1.79 million over the normative study period: a monthly stipend of HK$28,400, full tuition waiver, and conference travel allowance of HK$14,200 per year. The application deadline is 1 December 2025.

Is on-campus housing guaranteed for scholarship recipients?

CUHK guarantees on-campus hostel accommodation for all non-local students during their first year, regardless of scholarship status. The annual hostel fee is about HK$17,000. After the first year, housing is allocated competitively, though scholarship recipients may get priority.

What are the living costs in Hong Kong for international students?

Beyond tuition and hostel fees, CUHK estimates living and personal expenses at about HK$48,500 per academic year. This covers food, transport, books, and personal spending. The total annual cost for a non-local student without a scholarship is roughly HK$280,000 (about USD $36,000) including tuition, housing, and living expenses.

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