Scholarships & Professional Awards (for Intake 2025)

The Merit Scholarship is awarded to exceptional candidates who demonstrate outstanding work achievements and academic accomplishments, along with a track record of leadership and evidence of continued leadership potential. Essays, references, and an admissions interview are crucial elements of the evaluation process.

For candidates with at least 2 years of global professional and/or academic experience, such as non-Asians with Asian exposure or language proficiency in Chinese or another Asian language, or Asians with international exposure.

For women candidates who can demonstrate leadership potential and a strong track record in promoting gender and viewpoint diversity.

For candidates with a strong entrepreneurial spirit who have been involved in setting up their own business for a minimum of two years and plan to scale their business post-MBA.

For business leaders with a background in technology or innovation, having at least 2 years of experience in related areas, and a strong drive to contribute to their business through technology, innovation, or related areas after completing the MBA.

For candidates with a minimum of 2 years of experience in international consulting or strategy advisory firms, showcasing good academic results and a consistent career progression.

For candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of East or Southeast Asian countries, with a strong performance and steady career progression in business management, marketing, or finance.

For candidates holding Indian citizenship with a strong performance and steady career progression in business management, marketing, or finance.

For candidates from under-represented nationalities, such as those from Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Northern and Eastern Europe, or other under-represented backgrounds, who can contribute to the diversity of the MBA cohort. Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate leadership potential in their respective industry.

For candidates holding Middle East or Central Asia countries citizenship with a strong performance, network and cultural background.

For candidates holding citizenship in Australia or New Zealand with strong performance, academic achievement and overall business leadership potential.

For candidates holding citizenship in ASEAN nations with strong leadership potential and professional achievement.

For candidates with a track record of working in the social sector or public service, or running their own business that cooperate with or support the NGO or Government business partners.

Donated by Jebsen & Co. Ltd., the Jebsen Education Foundation MBA Scholarship is available to full-time MBA students who are permanent residents of mainland China or the HKSAR. Selection is based on candidates’ academic backgrounds, work experience, and career interests.

Awarded by HKUST MBA alumnus Mr. Terry Tsang and HKUST alumnus Mr. Terence Tsang, the scholarship is offered to newly admitted candidates who demonstrate strength in work experience, international exposure, academic performance, strong references and interview performance. This scholarship can be honored in conjunction with the HKUST MBA Community Succession Scheme but not any other scholarships or awards.

For Terry Tsang MBA Admissions Scholarship and Jebsen Educational Foundation MBA Scholarship, candidates need to indicate their interest during the application (application form required for Jebsen Educational Foundation MBA Scholarship). Candidates are notified of their scholarship results when they receive an offer of admission. With the generous contribution by our MBA alumnus Mr. Terry Tsang and HKUST alumnus Mr. Terence Tsang, the Terry Tsang MBA Admissions Scholarship is open to our Full-time MBA candidates and Part-time MBA candidates. *In most cases, candidates awarded two or more scholarships can only retain one and forfeit the others. Among all scholarships or awards, only the Terry Tsang MBA Admissions Scholarship can be honored in conjunction with the HKUST Community Succession Scheme. In case of any dispute, HKUST MBA reserves the final right of decision.

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The Indonesian Education Scholarship (BPI) for Master’s and Doctoral Programs is a scholarship program funded by the Indonesian government through the National Trust for Education Development (DPPN) and is managed by LPDP to finance postgraduate education in Indonesian or overseas institutions.

This scholarship aims to support the supply of educated and qualified Indonesian human resources who also possess leadership qualities and a strong vision as future leaders in Indonesia. Such commitment is carried out through the provision of scholarship funding for Master’s or doctoral programs in top universities within and outside the country to those applicants who fulfill the qualifications established by LPDP. Visit https://www.lpdp.kemenkeu.go.id/ for more details.

The Bank of Montreal offers the Professional Student Line of Credit scheme for admitted MBA candidates from Canada. The loan is available at a competitive rate with a maximum credit limit of around CAD20,000. For more details, please visit the Student Professionals section here.

Hong Kong residents may be eligible for a non-means tested loan provided by the Government Student Financial Assistance Agency. The maximum loan amount is capped at the tuition fee payable, and the loan repayment period can extend to 10 years after program completion.

Our program is also listed as a reimbursable course by the Continuing Education Fund. This provides reimbursements of up to HK$20,000 for those who fulfill the criteria.

HDFC Credila, a non-bank finance company, offers an education loan to Indian citizens attending overseas universities. The loan is available at a competitive interest rate and can cover up to 100% of educational expenses. Please visit HDFC Credila's website here for more details.

The following two education loans are available for admitted MBA candidates from Singapore at a competitive rate.

Overseas Education Loan from Maybank

A maximum credit limit of up to eight times the monthly income of applicants. (Click here for more details)

Candidates for our Full-time MBA program (in 16-month mode with internship and international exchange) who are U.K. residents and are intending to work in the U.K., E.U., or EEA on completing the program may be eligible for a Professional and Career Development Loan (PCDL). This is a deferred repayment commercial bank loan program administered by The Skills Funding Agency, in partnership with participating banks. The loan amount ranges from £300 to £10,000. The Skills Funding Agency will pay the bank interest on the loan on behalf of successful applicants while they are studying.

For more information, visit www.direct.gov.uk/pcdl or call 0800 100 900 to order an application pack.

HKUST Business School (SBM) is honored to receive a generous donation from the Morris S. Smith Foundation. Known as “Franklin Fund for Business Competitions”, the fund aims to acquire MBA students with international business competition experiences by providing financial support. Purposes The Franklin Fund is open for application for HKUST Full-time MBA students. The fund is being established for the following purposes:

• To provide partial funding support to MBA students to engage in business case, business plan and entrepreneurship competitions outside Hong Kong (including but not limited to competition entrance fees, passport and visa costs, vaccinations, travel, lodging and meals)

• To recognize and honor Professor Laurence C. Franklin for his 20 years of teaching as an Adjunct Professor at the SBM

• To encourage alumni of SBM to consider establishing and donating to the Franklin Fund or to similar endowment funds to benefit the SBM

For enquiry, please contact Full-time MBA Program Team at mbaft@ust.hk.