The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is inviting applications for the CUHK-MAICS Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship for the 2027–2028 academic year, offering eligible postgraduate applicants the opportunity to pursue a Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies with substantial financial support.
The scholarship is designed to increase representation and inclusion within postgraduate education in Hong Kong by supporting members of underrepresented communities who demonstrate academic potential, cultural leadership or a strong commitment to contributing to Cultural Studies and related fields.
For successful applicants, the award provides full tuition valued at HK$190,000 per year, together with a monthly cost-of-living stipend of HK$9,000, providing up to HK$90,000 in living support. This makes the opportunity particularly attractive to prospective international students seeking postgraduate study in Hong Kong with significant financial assistance.
About the CUHK-MAICS Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship
The scholarship is offered through the Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies (MAICS) programme within CUHK’s Department of Cultural and Religious Studies.
The programme seeks applicants who bring diverse cultural perspectives and experiences to postgraduate education. It is particularly interested in leaders and trailblazers working across different fields of cultural work whose race, ethnicity, gender, religion or nationality is not fully represented within the existing student body.
The scholarship also welcomes aspiring scholars who intend to pursue doctoral research and whose proposed academic trajectory could make a significant contribution to Cultural Studies and related disciplines.
Priority is given to applicants who demonstrate financial need and are citizens of eligible Belt and Road Initiative countries in Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and Africa.
Scholarship Benefits
Successful scholars will receive substantial financial support toward their postgraduate studies at CUHK.
The scholarship provides:
- Full tuition scholarship of HK$190,000 per annum.
- Monthly cost-of-living stipend of HK$9,000.
- Total stated living support of HK$90,000.
- Financial support throughout the student’s study period, beginning from the start of the first semester.
- The opportunity to study for a Master’s degree in Intercultural Studies at a leading university in Hong Kong.
The scholarship therefore combines tuition support with living assistance, potentially reducing two of the major financial barriers faced by international postgraduate students.
Who Can Apply?
The scholarship is intended for prospective students applying to the Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies programme.
Priority will be given to applicants who:
- Are citizens of eligible Belt and Road Initiative countries in Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, Latin America or Africa.
- Can demonstrate financial need.
- Come from groups that are underrepresented in postgraduate programmes in Hong Kong universities.
- Have demonstrated leadership or achievement in cultural work or related fields.
- Can present strong academic qualifications and professional or creative work.
- Have potential to contribute to Cultural Studies or related areas.
- May have aspirations to continue into doctoral-level research.
Applicants are assessed on a combination of their academic qualifications, work portfolio, financial circumstances and potential contribution.
Required Application Materials
Applicants must complete the relevant scholarship application requirements and provide supporting evidence of their qualifications and achievements.
A key component is a portfolio of work. Depending on an applicant’s background, this may include critical or scholarly work, creative work, newspaper articles, press releases or other materials demonstrating accomplishments.
Applicants must also complete the scholarship application form.
Importantly, prospective scholars must first submit an application to the MAICS programme through the CUHK Graduate School online application system, pay the applicable application fee and obtain an application number before applying for the scholarship.
Supporting documents for the scholarship should be uploaded through the CUHK Graduate School’s online system.
Selection Process
The scholarship selection process is competitive. Applications are reviewed according to several factors rather than academic performance alone.
The selection committee considers the applicant’s academic qualifications, portfolio of work, financial need and potential contribution.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in a panel interview as part of the selection process.
The programme may decide not to award the scholarship if no candidate is considered suitable.
Study in Intercultural Studies at CUHK
The MAICS programme provides students with an opportunity to explore culture and intercultural issues through an interdisciplinary academic environment.
For students interested in cultural diversity, identity, society, globalisation and related areas of inquiry, the programme can provide a pathway for developing advanced academic and professional expertise.
The scholarship’s focus on underrepresented communities also creates an opportunity for students to bring perspectives and experiences that can enrich conversations around culture and society.
For aspiring researchers, the programme can additionally provide a foundation for future doctoral study in Cultural Studies and related disciplines.
Application Deadline
The deadline to submit application materials for the CUHK-MAICS Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship is 15 January 2027.
Applicants should begin the process early because they must first apply to the MAICS programme through the CUHK Graduate School system, pay the application fee and obtain an application number before submitting the scholarship application.
The selection results are expected to be announced by March 2027. Successful fellows will receive the scholarship throughout their period of study, beginning with the first semester.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should first review the admission requirements for the Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies programme and submit their postgraduate application through the CUHK Graduate School online application system.
After completing the programme application, paying the required application fee and obtaining an application number, applicants can proceed with the scholarship application and upload the required supporting documents.
Applicants should carefully prepare their portfolio and ensure that their materials clearly demonstrate their academic achievements, cultural or professional work, leadership, financial need and potential contribution to the field.
For scholarship-related enquiries, prospective applicants can contact the MAICS programme by email
