Hong Kong offers two kinds of postgraduate study. A taught postgraduate (TPg) master's is coursework-based, usually one year full-time, self-financed and priced for the whole programme — roughly $28,000–66,000 (HK$222,000–519,000) in PolyU's September 2027 examples. A research MPhil takes two years and a PhD three to four; fees are low and strong candidates are funded. You need a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) and English — usually IELTS Academic 6.0 for taught programmes and 6.5 for research degrees. The 2027/28 cycle is already open: PolyU's early round closes on 20 October 2026, and the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme takes applications until 1 December 2026.
This guide compares the formats, shows where to look for programmes, explains entry requirements, the calendar, real costs, funding, work rights and what the degree leads to after graduation. For a country overview, see studying in Hong Kong.
Taught, MPhil or PhD?
| Taught master's (MSc, MA, MBA) | MPhil | PhD | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time length | usually 1 year (some up to 2) | 2 years | 3–4 years |
| Format | courses, projects, sometimes a dissertation | research and thesis | research and thesis |
| Best for | a fast professional qualification and entry to the job market | testing a research path before a PhD | future researchers and academics |
| Fees | per programme, self-financed | HK$47,000–99,000 a year depending on the university | same |
| Funding | few scholarships | university studentships | HKPFS and university studentships |
| Halls | often unavailable (none at PolyU) | per university policy | per university policy |
| Selection | documents, sometimes an interview or test | documents, research potential, interview | the same plus a research proposal |
The key difference is who pays. A taught master's is almost always self-funded, whereas research degrees are built around funding, with competitive places that require a research track record.
Where to look
- PolyU offers more than 120 taught programmes for 2027/28 across eleven faculties and schools, from business and engineering to design, fashion and hotel management, including five new programmes such as Brain-Machine Interface and Advanced Photonic Technology and Materials. Some programmes also admit in January 2027. See our PolyU profile.
- CityUHK runs more than 50 master's programmes lasting one to two years, all self-financing except some government-funded places on the PCLL law programme. See our CityUHK profile.
- HKU runs most taught programmes on a self-funded basis; only a handful of professional programmes (architecture, urban planning, clinical psychology and others) remain government-funded. See the University of Hong Kong profile.
- HKUST and CUHK publish fees and requirements on each programme page. See HKUST and CUHK.
For a comparison of all eight publicly funded universities, read universities in Hong Kong.
Entry requirements
Degree. Taught programmes require a bachelor's degree from an institution the university recognises; equivalent qualifications are assessed individually. Universities do not publish lists of Russian or CIS degrees, so a five-year specialist diploma is judged by each programme's admissions team. Final-year students may apply before graduating and upload documents later.
English. If your previous study was not in English, you need a test:
| University and level | IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| PolyU, taught | 6.0 | 80, or 4.5 on the scale used for tests from 21 January 2026 | one sitting within two years; no home or online editions |
| CityUHK, taught | 6.0 | 79, or 4 on the new scale | applicants with exactly IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 4 must pass a departmental English interview |
| PolyU, MPhil and PhD | 6.5 | 80 | test-centre results from a single attempt only |
Other documents. Transcripts, a personal statement, a CV and references where requested. Business programmes often ask for the GMAT or GRE; PolyU, for example, lists institution codes for both. Check the programme page before booking a test.
PolyU research degrees: an MPhil requires a bachelor's with Second Class Honours or above (or equivalent); a three-year PhD normally requires an MPhil; a four-year PhD requires a master's or a First Class Honours bachelor's. Non-UK-style grading is converted individually, so GPA and research output matter.
Verification. PolyU verifies every qualification listed in the application. Unverified or inconsistent documents can void the offer, with no refund of fees.
2027/28 calendar
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| from July 2026 | PolyU accepts 2027/28 taught applications |
| 1 September – 1 December 2026 (12:00 noon HKT) | HKPFS application window |
| by 20 October 2026 | PolyU early round; later applications considered while places remain |
| January 2027 | January intake for selected PolyU programmes |
| early 2027 | HKU faculties publish 2027/28 fees |
| after the offer | deposit, then visa documents; universities advise allowing 8–10 weeks for the visa |
| August – September 2027 | programmes begin |
Most universities assess taught applications on a rolling basis and close when places are filled, so on popular programmes a late application may meet no remaining places at all.
What a master's costs
| Programme | University, intake | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| MSc in Computer Science | HKU, 2026/27 | $42,680 (HK$334,800) for non-local students on the established streams |
| MSc in Hospitality and Tourism Management | PolyU, September 2027 | $43,470 (HK$341,000) |
| MSc in Business Analytics | PolyU, September 2027 | $50,860 (HK$399,000) |
| MSc in Mechanical Engineering | PolyU, September 2027 | HK$9,000 ($1,150) per credit, 31 credits |
| MSc in Data Science and Analytics | PolyU, September 2027 | HK$13,500 ($1,720) per credit, 31 credits |
| Master of Design | PolyU, September 2027 | HK$7,800 ($990) per credit, 37 credits |
| MSc in Asset and Wealth Management | PolyU, September 2027 | $66,160 (HK$519,000) |
Per-credit pricing. Multiply the rate by the credits. Several PolyU programmes do not charge for the one-credit academic integrity course, so one fewer credit may be billed; the MSc in Mechanical Engineering thus comes to about HK$270,000–279,000 ($34,420–35,560).
One-off payments. Application fees are HK$600 at HKU and PolyU (HK$800 for PolyU's MBA) and HK$780 for HKU research programmes. HKU takes the first half of the fee on acceptance (HK$167,400 for the MSc in Computer Science), and PolyU charges MPhil/PhD entrants a HK$15,000 registration fee; both are credited to fees but non-refundable if you withdraw.
Research degree fees. HKU charges HK$47,000 ($5,990) a year in 2026/27 and HK$49,500 ($6,310) in 2027/28; PolyU charges full-time students without a stipend HK$94,000 ($11,980) and HK$99,000 ($12,620).
Living and housing. Universities estimate HK$45,000–60,000 ($5,740–7,650) a year for living costs. Taught master's students usually rent privately — PolyU does not house them in halls. The Study in Hong Kong portal puts a self-contained flat at HK$8,000–15,000 ($1,020–1,910) a month; sharing is cheaper. Full budgets are in the cost of studying in Hong Kong.
Scholarships and funding
Taught programmes have little funding. Some PolyU programmes note awards for outstanding applicants without publishing amounts. The government's Future Talents Scholarship (up to HK$100,000 per programme) is for local students only, and neither the government nor PolyU offers need-based aid to non-local students.
PhD applicants should look first at the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme:
- 400 fellowships are planned for 2027/28;
- in 2026/27 the fellowship pays HK$344,400 ($43,900) a year plus HK$14,400 ($1,840) for conferences and travel, for up to three years;
- you may choose up to two programmes at one or two universities, applying to each university directly;
- the window runs from 1 September to 1 December 2026, and universities interview candidates;
- applicants not selected may still be admitted with a university postgraduate studentship.
Nationality does not matter; selection is based on academic excellence, research potential, communication and leadership.
Work during and after the degree
Since November 2023, full-time postgraduates on local programmes have been temporarily exempted from restrictions on part-time work, with no limit on hours or location; ImmD confirms this in a letter issued with the visa. The government calls the measure temporary, so do not build your budget on it.
After graduation, IANG gives 24 months' stay with no other conditions and no job offer required if you apply within six months of the date on your certificate. A one-year taught master's qualifies if it is a full-time, locally accredited programme of at least one academic year. Fees and extensions are covered in the Hong Kong student visa and IANG guide.
A part-time local taught master's can also lead to a student visa, but the work relaxation applies only to full-time students.
A 12-month plan
- Autumn, a year ahead. Shortlist 3–5 programmes at two or three universities and note their degree, test and document requirements. For a PhD, contact potential supervisors and prepare a research proposal for December.
- By October–November. Take IELTS or TOEFL, plus the GMAT or GRE if required.
- October–December. Apply in early rounds — PolyU's closes on 20 October — and submit HKPFS applications by 1 December.
- Winter–spring. Interviews, offers, choosing a programme, paying the deposit.
- Straight after the offer. Visa documents, housing, proof of funds and a tested payment route; for Russia-based families see how to pay for studies abroad from Russia.
Common mistakes
- Confusing a taught master's with an MPhil. One is a paid professional course, the other funded research; admissions, cost and outcomes differ.
- Applying late to popular programmes. With rolling admissions, places run out before the formal deadline.
- Taking a home or online test edition. PolyU does not accept them and requires test-centre results for research degrees.
- Forgetting housing. PolyU does not offer halls to taught master's students, and rent is the biggest cost after tuition.
- Counting on a taught-programme scholarship. For non-local students it is the exception.
- Declaring the wrong residency status. Some PolyU programmes charge local and non-local students differently.
FAQ
Taught programmes usually take one year full-time, some up to two; CityUHK's take one to two years depending on credit load. A PolyU MPhil takes two years and a PhD three or four, depending on your previous degree.
Universities require a bachelor's degree from a recognised institution or an equivalent qualification and assess such documents individually. With no published country list, the admissions team of each programme decides.
Yes, if your previous degree was taught in English. Otherwise you need IELTS, TOEFL or another test on the university's list.
There are no free taught programmes. A funded PhD comes closest: the HKPFS pays HK$344,400 a year in 2026/27, several times the annual research-degree fee.
PolyU's and CityUHK's baseline requirement is a bachelor's degree, with no mention of work experience. Universities do consider professional experience in selection, and some programmes, especially MBAs, make it a condition — check the programme page.
Yes, through IANG: recent graduates receive 24 months without needing a job offer. An extension requires a degree-level job at market pay.
Sources
- PolyU: Admission Requirements (TPg); Tuition Fees (TPg); FAQ (TPg); Applications Open for 2027/28
- PolyU: Admission Requirements (RPg); Tuition Fee and Registration Fee (RPg)
- CityUHK: Taught Postgraduate Programmes; Entrance Requirements
- HKU: MSc(CompSc) Fees; HKU TPg: Programme Fee and Payment; HKU Graduate School: Fees
- RGC: Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme
- UGC: Hong Kong Future Talents Scholarship Scheme
- HKSAR Government press release on the postgraduate work exemption (26 October 2023)
- Immigration Department: Students; IANG
- Study in Hong Kong: Accommodation
- HKMA: Linked Exchange Rate System; ECB reference rates
USD amounts use the ECB reference rate of 28 September 2026 (HK$7.8448 per $1), rounded to $10; the Hong Kong dollar is pegged to the US dollar within a HK$7.75–7.85 band.
If you would like to compare programmes against your degree, English and budget in time for the early rounds, send us a request.
During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.
Next steps
- Cost of Studying in Hong Kong for International Students: University Fees, Housing, Living Costs and One-Off Payments for 2026/27 and 2027/28
- Hong Kong Student Visa and IANG: How Universities Sponsor Your Entry Permit, What It Costs and How to Stay After Graduation
- Universities in Hong Kong for International Students: the Eight Public Universities, Self-Financing Options and How to Choose
- How to Pay for Studies Abroad from Russia: What Works in 2026
- Studying in Hong Kong for international applicants
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)
