MDes Fellowships

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
School of Design

The Fellowship

TPgFS 2024/25: Master of Design selected as one of the eligible programmes awarding 21 fellowships

TPgFS refers to the Targeted Taught Postgraduate Programmes Fellowships Scheme offered by the University Grants Committee (UGC). This 5-cohort pilot scheme provides fellowships for meritorious local students for designated taught postgraduate (TPg) programmes to pursue further studies to benefit Hong Kong society.

The scheme is expected to provide a maximum of 1,000 fellowships for the third cohort of students (admitted in the 2024/25 academic year). The fellowship, in the form of a subsidy, supports each of the fellowship students in their programme tuition for up to HK$120,000. The award of the fellowships is to be based on merits.

Master of Design (MDes), which operates as a scheme with four specialisms offering full-time and part-time modes of study (programme code 73035-IBD/ IDP/ ISD/ ISP/ SSD/ SSP/ TED/ TEP), is one of the 15 eligible TPgFS programmes related to the priority area of creative industries. It is also among the 17 eligible TPgFS programmes in PolyU, offering 21 fellowships for the fifth and final cohort..

MDes Fellowship students are required to pay HKD103,200 after offsetting the full programme tuition (HKD223,200) with the fellowship subsidy (HKD120,000).

Fellowship
Milestones

Policy Address 2019 and nurturing local talents

Oct., 2019

Chief Executive to propose the provision of fellowships/ scholarships for local students admitted to designated taught postgraduate programmes that meet Hong Kong's development needs.

Details of the Scheme 2020/21 announced

Feb., 2020

The Master of Design Scheme to be among the six eligible programmes in PolyU offering 15 out of 70 Fellowships places.

Results of MDes Fellowships 2020/21 released

May., 2020

Fellowship students to receive application results and confirm their acceptance.

MDes offering 22 Fellowships places in 2021/22

Oct., 2020

PolyU to have 16 eligible programmes offering 173 Fellowships places in 2021/22; Master of Design (MDes), related to the priority area of creative industries, to award about 38% of the related fellowships for the second cohort.

Results of MDes Fellowships 2021/22 released

Jun., 2021

Fellowship students to receive application results and confirm their acceptance.

Results of MDes Fellowships 2022/23 released

Jun., 2022

Fellowship students to receive application results and confirm their acceptance.

Results of MDes Fellowships 2023/24 released

Feb - Aug, 2023

Fellowship students to receive application results and confirm their acceptance.

The MDes Fellowships provide an opportunity for talented and committed local students formerly educated in Hong Kong or beyond to conduct studies and devise design and strategies to benefit the society in Hong Kong and to transform themselves professionally.

The Fellowships are awarded by the University Grants Committee (UGC).

The fellowship supports each of the fellowship students their programme tuition for up to HK$120,000.

4 specialisms of Master of Design (MDes) are eligible programmes related to the priority area of creative industries.

The Fellowships are awarded by the University Grants Committee (UGC).

The fellowship supports each of the fellowship students their programme tuition for up to HK$120,000.

4 specialisms of Master of Design (MDes) are eligible programmes related to the priority area of creative industries.

Eligibility

In addition to meeting PolyU's admission requirements and the programme's entrance requirements (if any), applicants should also fulfil the following criteria:

Local students only;
Being admitted to one of the MDes programmes offered in 2024/25; and
Not receiving other forms of government scholarship, including Continuing Education Fund (CEF), or any forms of financial aid from the PolyU, for pursuing the same programme.

Selection Criteria

The consideration is based on merits and taking into account the students’

academic achievements;
professional qualifications;
working experience;
interview results; and
the personal statement on their commitment and plan in serving for the industry of the applied programme.

Application Procedures

To apply for the fellowships, submit your application for MDes admission via eAdmission first, and then upload the completed fellowship application form in the "additional document" section of eAdmission.

PolyU reserves the right to change the terms or withdraw the above fellowships. In case of any dispute/disagreement, PolyU’s decision is final.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I submit the fellowship application?

Submit the fellowships application form at the time when submitting your MDes application on or before the application deadline (Apr. 30, 2024).

When will applicants be informed about the results of the fellowship application?

The results will be released with the issuance Notice of Offer.

When do I need to pay the tuition fee if my fellowship application is successful?

Starting from the fifth cohort, fellowship awardees are required to pay HK$42,100 upfront, with the remainder covered by the fellowship by means of reimbursement after each semester.

Can I re-apply for the fellowships in the next academic year if I am studying in one of the eligible programmes?

The fellowships are awarded to students during the time of admission. Suppose you apply to MDes 2023 (Sep 2023 Entry), you are eligible to apply for the fellowship of the same academic year.

Can I apply for other forms of financial assistance from the government or the PolyU after receiving the fellowship?

No, this is to avoid the issue of double benefit.