Research Focus
DNA, regulatory mechanisms for damage detection and repair, genomic stability and DNA damage response, molecular control at cytological cycling points, cancer treatment target, emerging gene editing and gene therapy strategy.
Programme Structure and Funding
The project is a full-time Ph.D. project and is taught in 4 years (48 months).
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Place of study: Hong Kong
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Timing of application: The application time for the full award is9Month1from12Month1Doctors can apply all year round.
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Tuition fees: RMB 40,000 to 45,000/ year
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Language of instruction: English
The Hong Kong Ph.D. Scholarship Scheme (HKPFS) is funded by the Hong Kong Research and Assistance Board (HKRORO)2009The Year was established to attract the best students from all over the world to Hong Kong for postgraduate degree programmes. IRB awards every school year300Scholarships. New applicants, regardless of their nationality or ethnic background, may apply for full-time doctoral degree courses at government-funded institutions. Applicants are required to have excellent academic achievements and research skills. Scholarship recipients will be awarded monthly28400Post-graduate scholarships for Hong Kong Dollar and annual14200Hong Kong dollar conference and research-related travel allowance for up to four years. In addition, each recipient will receive:
- Cash Award for Supporting Research and Cost of Living: HK$ 40,000 for the first year and HK$ 20,000 per year for the remaining years of study;
- (a) Exemption from tuition for the entire doctoral period;
- For highly selected students, additional study grants are provided for more than one year of regular study.
The Hong Kong College of Medicine offers a 50,000 Hong Kong dollar entrance scholarship for full-time doctoral students, which is awarded in four stages every six months, starting in the first year of school. With the exception of the HKPFS winners, full-time eligible doctoral students are usually awarded a post-graduate scholarship (PGS) during their studies; the master’s degree is also considered in the amount of HK$ 19,135 per month.
Entry Requirements
Academic background: master’s degree in biology or other highly related fields or bachelor’s degree in related disciplines (preferably with research experience) Performance requirements: GPA 3.6/ 4 or 3.6/ 4.3 or 80/ 100 (same bachelor’s degree) Language requirements:
- IELTS6.5
- Or TOEFL total score not less than 85
- Language exemption may be requested if the master’s stage is an English-speaking country and a degree is obtained; Recommendations: two from academics
Application Period
The application time for the full award is9Month1from12Month1Day You can apply for a full year at your own expense.
Tuition and Living Costs
Study and living costs
- Housing: All newly enrolled non-local graduate students and Hong Kong master’s Doctorate students are eligible for university-designated dormitories in their first year of education, approximately5,000Hong Kong dollar/month; projected out-of-school rental6,000–8,000Hong Kong dollar/month.
- Daily expenses: The cost of living is higher in Hong Kong, where the cost of living is approximately RMB 12,000/ month.
Career Prospects
Academic careers
- Universities and research institutes: Graduates may join universities such as the University of Hong Kong or the University of Cambridge, or conduct independent research at Hong Kong Science Park. Some receive funding for overseas postdoctoral research, such as through the HKU-Cambridge joint training programme.
Industry and government
- Biopharmaceutical companies: Multinational pharmaceutical companies such as Roche and AstraZeneca have established R&D centres in Hong Kong. Graduates may participate in drug development, with annual salaries of approximately HKD 400,000–600,000.
- Public health and policy: Graduates may join the Centre for Health Protection in Hong Kong or government bodies in the Greater Bay Area, working on infectious-disease control and healthcare policy.
- Entrepreneurship support: HKU’s incubator provides seed funding and technology-transfer services. In recent years, 3 biotechnology start-ups have each secured funding at the tens-of-millions level.
Employment data
- Employment rate: Over the past three years, more than 95% of PhD graduates from the School of Biomedical Sciences have entered employment. Of these, 60% entered academia, 30% joined companies, and 10% chose entrepreneurship or public service.
