• MPhil and PhD programs are research postgraduate programs (RPg) which involve intense research work and preparation of a thesis under the guidance of a supervisor.
• Taught postgraduate programs (TPg) lead to EMBA, MBA, MA, MSc, MPP and PGD degrees. TPg programs place more emphasis on coursework and are generally more career-oriented than RPg programs.

• All full-time MPhil and PhD students should not take up any employment or internship on top of their research studies.

• For full-time research postgraduate students, the University will provide guaranteed university accommodation in the first 2 years of full-time studies.
• In general, taught postgraduate students are required to arrange their accommodation off-campus. Please contact the Off-Campus Housing Section of Student Housing & Residential Life Office, which provides general assistance for students who are looking for off-campus accommodation.

• English proficiency is one of the University admission requirements for all postgraduate programs. You will need to take either TOEFL or IELTS (Academic Module), unless
  • You are a native English speaker, or
  • You obtained a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from an institution where the medium of instruction was English.
• Visit here for the general test score requirements.
• The following programs have different English proficiency requirements:
  • MSc in Global China Studies
  • MA in International Language Education (Teaching English as a Second Language)
  • MA in International Language Education (Teaching Chinese as a Second Language)

• You are not required to take the English Proficiency Test if you obtained a master’s degree from an institution where the medium of instruction was English.

• State your scheduled test dates in the online application.
• Update the test record and upload the score report once the result is available.
• The test score is an essential factor in assessing your application. You are highly recommended to take relevant test and upload score report as soon as possible.

• Yes. IELTS for UKVI is accepted as long as it is in “Academic Module”.

• Only a few programs require applicants to submit GMAT or GRE score for application.
• You may refer to the information on “Admission Requirements” tab in the individual program page.

• Submit the application online. Be sure to observe different deadlines.
• Follow the step-by-step guideline for online application:
  • Research Postgraduate Program
  • Taught Postgraduate Program

• Yes. Please first submit your latest transcript online for assessment.
• Programs may extend conditional offers to selected applicants before the required qualifications are obtained.
• If you receive a conditional offer, you are required to submit the official, final transcripts and degree certificates for verification when available.

• Yes. Applicants may submit more than one application. However, we see the advantage of staying focused and getting prepared accordingly.
• You need to submit an application, pay application fee, upload supporting documents and invite referees for each program you apply.

• Application procedures and admission requirements are the same for both local and non-local applicants.
• However, some taught postgraduate programs may have different tuition fees for local and non-local students. Please click here and refer to “General Information” tab of individual program page for details.
• For definition of non-local students, please click here.
• Also, most non-local students require student visa/ entry permit to study and stay in Hong Kong. For details, please click here.

• Visit here to find out what application materials are required to upload for application.
• We require hard copies of the documents for further verification only after you are given an offer.

• This document shows transcript legends/ keys/ grading scales which are helpful in assessing your candidacy.
• It is normally found at the back of the transcript or in the student handbook.

• For research postgraduate studies, CV/ personal statement is optional.
• For taught postgraduate studies, please check directly with the Program. Their contact information is available in the “General Information” tab of individual program page.

• All applicants of MPhil/PhD programs are required to outline their proposed research plan and past research experience in the application.
• It is mandatory for applicants of MPhil/PhD programs in Humanities and Social Science to submit an additional research proposal in a specific format.
• You may wish to learn some tips on writing the research plan here.

• After submissions, only the following changes are allowed:
  • Change personal contact details,
  • Input final GPA/average mark after program completion,
  • Add new scores of IELTS/TOEFL or other public examinations which are not available earlier,
  • Upload supporting documents, and
  • Invite referees.

• Click “Forgot password/username” in the login page and follow the procedures.
• Be sure to add “pgadmit@ust.hk” in your email address book so that you will not miss our email notification.

• Use another internet browser and disable any pop-up blocker.
• If the total file size exceeds the allowed size, you may try to reduce the file size (e.g. reduce resolution/ change to black and white version). Each file should not exceed 1 MB.

• Supporting documents cannot be deleted after your application is submitted.
• You may upload the new version of your documents with clear indication in the file name.

• Changing program choice is not allowed after submission.
• You will need to submit and pay for another online application for the right program choice.

• Nominate at least two referees who can comment on your academic ability, personality and capacity for postgraduate study.
• For MPhil or PhD applicants, at least two academic referees are expected.
• For TPg applicants with extensive work experience, professional referee(s) may be accepted.

• Please “add a referee” in the system, invite the same referee but use the correct email address.
• If your referee has already submitted the online reference report for you with the correct email address, please ignore any related system-generated email reminder.

• We expect referees to send us the referee report online within 14 days of the invitation.
• For Hong Kong PhD Fellowship applicants, your reference reports should reach us by early December.

• We only consider reference report/letters received via the online system. Please let us know in case your referee needs assistance in online submission.

• Check if the referee’s email address is input correctly.
• Ask your referee to check his/her junk/spam mail folder.
• Make use of the "Resend" button to send another invitation to your referee.

• If the referee's report has been received, the status will display "Reference report received" under the "References" page in the Online Admission System.

• Successful applicants will receive an email notification. Please log in to the online system to keep track of your application status.
• Individual program offices will issue offers according to their own schedules.
• Unsuccessful applicants will normally be notified of the outcome towards the end of the admission cycle. For instance, unsuccessful applicants who seek admission in Fall term will normally be notified in the summer before program commencement.

• HK$180. Please settle the application fee online by credit card (Visa or MasterCard). If you don’t have a credit card, you can use a third-party credit card upon the cardholder’s consent.

• Most of our full-time MPhil and PhD students are granted studentship.
• For details of scholarship and funding schemes, please visit http://pg.ust.hk/funding.

• All full-time MPhil/PhD students are automatically considered for the Postgraduate Studentship. No separate application is required.

• HK$42,100 per year for both full-time and part-time MPhil/PhD studies.
• The HK Government has introduced the Tuition Waiver Scheme for Local Research Postgraduate Students. Please visit http://pg.ust.hk/funding for details.

• The University will waive the tuition fees for eligible in-time local students who enroll in full-time MPhil or PhD programs. No separate application is required.
• Please visit http://pg.ust.hk/funding for details.

• Yes, but the studentship should well cover your tuition fee.
• The HK Government has introduced the Tuition Waiver Scheme for Local Research Postgraduate Students. Please visit http://pg.ust.hk/funding for details.

• HK$42,100 per year for PhD studies.
• The HK Government has introduced the Tuition Waiver Scheme for Local Research Postgraduate Students. Please visit http://pg.ust.hk/funding for details.

• Yes for non-local students, but the fellowship should well cover your tuition fee and living costs here.
• The HK Government has introduced the Tuition Waiver Scheme for Local Research Postgraduate Students. Please visit http://pg.ust.hk/funding for details.

• The Asian Future Leaders Scholarship Program (AFLSP) is open to new students from East, Southeast, and South Asia only (except Hong Kong).
• For details, please visit http://pg.ust.hk/aflsp.

• Application fees vary for each program, please visit here (“Application” tab of individual program page) for more details.
• Please settle the application fee online by credit card (Visa or MasterCard). If you don’t have a credit card, you can use a third-party credit card upon the cardholder’s consent.

• Individual programs may offer program-specific scholarships. Please check directly with the Program (see contact information under “General Information” tab of individual program page).

• Tuition fees vary for each program, please visit here (“General Information” tab of individual program page) for details.

• The deposit will be refunded upon provision of official documents showing that there is a shortfall.
• If you did not attempt to take the test specified in the admission condition, the deposit will not be refunded.
• The refund process will take time. Refund will normally be made in November for Fall admission and April for Spring admission.

• The cost of living varies with each student, depending on the accommodation and lifestyle choices. Please visit here for more ideas about the living cost in Hong Kong.

• Accept the offer online by the offer acceptance deadline.
• Pay the deposit to confirm your acceptance.
• Follow through with other important actions as stated in the offer letter.

• Submit relevant documents as proof as early as possible and no later than mid-July for Fall admission, or end December for Spring admission.

• Deposit payment instructions will be available after you click “Accept Offer and Pay” in the Online Admission System.
• Please upload the payment proof by the deadline.

• Check the Document Checklist which will appear after you have accepted the offer online.
• Refer to Document Requirements for details and tips.
• Arrange official documents to be sent before the deadline stipulated in the Document Checklist.
• Check the document receipt status in the Document Checklist.

• Copies officially imprinted, signed and certified by the issuing authority concerned, or
• Documents that have been duly declared as true copies before a notary public (for example a Commissioner of Oaths at any local District Office in Hong Kong).

• You should submit the official supporting document, accompanied with officially certified English translations.
• The translator should sign and stamp on the translation and certify that the document is a true translation of the original.
• For details, please refer to http://pg.ust.hk/doc.

The codes below apply to all HKUST PG programs:

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

• Score Recipient Code: 0170
• Dept Code: any code other than 00, e.g. 01 = Educational Administration

IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

• Name of department: Office of Postgraduate Studies
• Name of institution: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
• Address: Room 6418 (Lifts 25/26), Academic Building, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong (No postal code is required for Hong Kong)
• Please request your test center to add our details to your score report and make sure they reprint the TRF.

GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)

• The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology - HKUST Business School
• Select:
  • PhD degree programs or
  • Other master's programs, Full-Time or
  • Other master's programs, Part-Time

GRE (Graduate Record Examination)

• University Code: 3834
• Dept Code: any code

Please send your documents to the Office of Postgraduate Studies with your application number and program:

Office of Postgraduate Studies
Room 6418 (Lifts 25/26), Academic Building
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Clear Water Bay, Kowloon
Hong Kong

Application Number: 6XXXXXXXXXX
Program: PhD in XXXX

• Check the delivery status with the issuing authority or courier service provider; ensure that the documents have been sent to the right mailing address.
• Login to the application system to check the document receipt status.

• Most non-local students are required to obtain the following for studying in Hong Kong:
  • student visa (if you are from an overseas country)
  • entry permit (if you are from Macao, Taiwan or Mainland China)
• Please visit here for details.

• You can apply through HKUST by Lodging your application via HKUST Visa System. The University will act as your sponsor.
• Please visit here for the Application Timeline.
• For students from Taiwan, Macao or an overseas country, you may choose to file an application on your own (e.g. through the consulate general of your country). You will need to find a sponsor and make your own arrangement to collect the visa label.

• Application period:
  • Fall admission: March or soonest possible
  • Spring admission: mid-October or soonest possible
  • For exchange program, PG visiting student program and visiting internship: apply right after you have accepted the admission offer
  • For MBA, EMBA, HKUST-NYU MSc in Global Finance: respective program offices will advise you of the details separately
• It is important to submit your application early to ensure that you can obtain the visa/entry permit in time for program commencement.
• Please visit here for a rough application timeline based on our past experience, for reference purpose only. The processing and approval processes rest with the Hong Kong Immigration Department and situation may vary from case to case.

• Send us the required paper documents as soon as possible.
• Please refer to the Checklist of Documents Required for Visa/ Entry Permit Application for details.
• You can check your application status in the Visa System.

• Log in to the Visa System which shows the latest visa/ entry permit application status
• Approved visa/ entry permit must be activated within 3 months. For Fall intake (commencing in September), the University will collect the visa/ entry permit on your behalf no earlier than June.
• Once the label is available, the University will send it to you by courier and the courier service provider will send you an email for delivery tracking.

• Yes, you can log in to the Visa System and change the delivery address before the approved visa/ entry permit is sent out. 

• Click here for guidelines to activate your student visa. These instructions will be sent to you together with your student visa/ entry permit. It is important that you do the steps right.

• You have to make your own arrangement to apply for dependent visa(s) for your family member(s).
• Also, your dependents are prohibited from taking up employment in Hong Kong unless they have obtained prior permission from the Director of Immigration.
• Visit here and submit ID997 to the Hong Kong Immigration Department.
• For more details, check with the Hong Kong Immigration Department [phone: (852) 2824 6111; email: enquiry@immd.gov.hk].

• Please refer to the Checklist of Documents Required for Visa/ Entry Permit Application. You will find more tips in the Visa System.
• Please make use of the Mailing Cover when sending the supporting documents by courier to HKUST.

• It is important to show that you are well covered financially during your studies at HKUST (see sample application form).
• The Hong Kong Immigration Department requires documentary proof showing your financial standing, e.g. a photocopy of latest bank statement or passbook.
• If you are awarded a scholarship or a Postgraduate Studentship, please indicate the monthly amount in the application form.

Please send your documents to the Office of Postgraduate Studies with your application number and program:

Office of Postgraduate Studies
Room 6418 (Lifts 25/26), Academic Building
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Clear Water Bay, Kowloon
Hong Kong

Application Number: 6XXXXXXXXXX
Program: PhD in XXXX

• Login to check the status in the Visa System.
• Our office will closely monitor the progress of your application and update status in the system accordingly:
  • "Pending documents from applicant" – please check with the courier service provider about the delivery status and ensure that you have sent the documents to the correct mailing address.
  • If mailing address is correct, please re-check the status in the Visa System a week from now.
  • “Processing by UST/Immigration” – things are in good order and we will further contact you when the application is approved.
  • Otherwise, please write to us and provide us the following information in your message:
    • Name and Application No.
    • Screenshot which could show the delivery status, tracking no., delivery address and recipient’s signature

• You should currently be a registered postgraduate student at a recognized tertiary institution outside Hong Kong.

• Step 1: identify the School/ Program Office you are interested in.
• Step 2: seek agreement from an HKUST faculty member to accept you as a visiting intern and make use of the “Support from Home University/ Institution” Form to obtain agreement from your home institution before starting your application.
• Step 3: submit your application online at least 3 months in advance.

• PG Visiting Internship students are in general expected to have adequate financial means to support themselves while they are in Hong Kong.
• The University may provide sponsorship to selected international visiting interns. The sponsorship is subject to the agreement of supervisor and funding availability. For details, please refer to http://pg.ust.hk/ivisp.

• Most non-local students are required to obtain the following for studying in Hong Kong:
  • student visa (if you are from an overseas country)
  • entry permit (if you are from Macao, Taiwan or Mainland China)
• Please visit here for details.

• Normally, Visiting Internship students have to arrange their own accommodation off campus. Please consult the School/ Program Office you wish to apply to.

• You should currently be a registered postgraduate student at a recognized tertiary institution outside Hong Kong.

• Please visit http://pg.ust.hk/vpgs (“Application Procedures”) for details.

• Most non-local students are required to obtain the following for studying in Hong Kong:
  • student visa (if you are from an overseas country)
  • entry permit (if you are from Macao, Taiwan or Mainland China)
• Please visit here for details.

• Normally, Visiting PG students have to arrange their own accommodation off-campus. Please consult the School/ Program Office you wish to apply to.

• You should currently be a registered postgraduate student at our partner institutions.
• You should be nominated for the program by your home institution.
• For details, please consult the School/ Program Office you wish to apply to.

• Please visit http://pg.ust.hk/exchange (“Application Procedures”) for details.

• Most non-local students are required to obtain the following for studying in Hong Kong:
  • student visa (if you are from an overseas country)
  • entry permit (if you are from Macao, Taiwan or Mainland China)
• Please visit here for the details.

• Normally, exchange students will have to arrange their own accommodation off-campus. Please consult the School/ Program Office you wish to apply to.

• You should have a recognized bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification.
• You should meet the University’s English proficiency attainments. For details, please visit here.

• Please visit http://pg.ust.hk/assopgs (“Application Procedures”) for details.