Research Grants Council (RGC)

Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2019/20

Assessment on Individual Criteria

Academic Excellence (Weighting = 60 points)

Rating Description
5 First degree holder of 1st Class honor, or Distinction, or Near 4.0
GPA (straight A’s), or equivalent. If the applicant has a Masters level
degree, the results must be at the top of the cohort. The top 5 percentile of
students in terms of academic excellence. A most meritorious student
who would likely be recruited by top research universities. Possesses the
academic strength of PhD students of top-tier universities in the world.
4 Outstanding performer who has reached a high standard of academic
performance. Preferably holder of 1st Class honor degree, or
Distinction, or GPA slightly below that of “5 Rating” candidates. If
the applicant has a Master degree, the results must be excellent. The top
15 percentile of students in terms of academic excellence. Possesses the
academic strength of PhD students slightly below those of the top-tier
universities.
3 A promising student with attainments. Holder of 2nd Class honor or
equivalent with other academic achievements (such as awards in
academic competitions and publications in academic journals), and clear
potential to excel in research. Possesses general academic strength of the
existing PhD students in Hong Kong.
2 Average academic performance. Average candidate for the Fellowship
Scheme
1 Attain results at or just above the passing grades. Only meet the
minimum entry requirements of PhD students. Should not be considered.

1
Research Ability and Potential 1 (Weighting = 20 points)

Rating Description
5 Candidate with the strongest recommendation by universities and
demonstrates exceptional competence in his/her field of research. The top
5 percentile of students in terms of research ability, demonstrated through
peer-reviewed publications in internationally-recognised journals and/or
creative work 2 where the applicant made a major contribution, and
potential. Shows excellent ability to think critically and apply problem
solving skills. Demonstrates exceptional levels of creativity and ability.
Proven record of research ability. Great enthusiasm for research. Potential
research elite of the time.
4 A highly recommended candidate by universities and demonstrates good
potential in delivering quality research work. The top 15 percentile of
students in terms of research ability, evidenced by research outputs, and
potential. Shows very good ability to think critically and apply skills and
knowledge. Demonstrate creativity and shows enthusiasm for research.
3 Possesses acceptable levels of potential in delivering good research work.
2 Above average research ability among his/her peer.
1 Weak candidate who is only average or below in all aspects.

University’s Support (Weighting = 5 points)

Rating Description
5 Candidates with the strongest recommendation by the university with
convincing and strong justification that meets the objectives of the
Fellowship Scheme backed by solid data.
4 Highly recommended by the university with sound justification and
sufficient supporting data.
3 Recommendation by the university just falls short of highly
recommended, having regard to the assessment of the university, the
supporting data and justification.
2 Positively recommended by the university with basic supporting
information.
1 Positively commended by the university with no or little supporting
information.
1
In assessing “Research Ability and Potential”, Reviewers should exercise professional judgment and flexibility in
considering the applicants’ research ability and potential, taking into account their research background and experience.
For instance, for applicants with research experience, more emphasis could be placed on their research ability and output
as evidenced by the number of publications; while for applicants with Bachelor degrees, more emphasis on their research
potentials.
2
Applicants in the Arts or Humanities may have different kinds of evidence of scholarly potential, such as creative
works, media productions, or writing, etc.

2
Cultural Diversity 3 (Weighting = 15 points)

Rating Description
5 Candidates with the strongest recommendation by the university with
convincing justification and strong evidence that meet the objective of
adding diversity to the research student population.
4 Highly recommended by the university with sound justification and
sufficient supporting data.
3 Recommendation by the university just falls short of highly
recommended with considerable supporting data and justification.
2 Positively recommended by the university with basic supporting
information.
1 Positively commended by the university with no or little supporting
information.

Leadership ability and societal responsibility (Weighting = 10 points)

Rating Description
5 Proven experience and outstanding record in professional and/or
extracurricular activities showing strong leadership in many aspects. Has
global outlook and long-term career plans, and have strong sense of
societal responsibility.
4 Experience in professional and/or extracurricular activities demonstrating
good leadership and/or organizational skills, and shows good sense of
societal responsibility.
3 Active participation in professional and/or extracurricular activities, and
have a sense of societal responsibility.
2 Some experience of professional and/or extracurricular activities but no
evidence in possession of leadership ability.
1 No or minimal experience in professional and/or extracurricular activities,
and sense of societal responsibility is below the accepted level.

3
To enhance internationalisation of the PhD population in Hong Kong, cultural diversity should be taken into
consideration to maintain a balance mix of local and non-local students. Having regard to the PhD population that
students from both Hong Kong and overseas countries are the minority, more local students should be encouraged to
study in Hong Kong.

3
Communication, interpersonal skill (Weighting = 10 points)

Rating Description
5 Highly articulate candidate with excellent presentation skills to express
ideas and concepts logically and convincingly in written and/or oral
format.
4 Logical and fluent presentation skills in written and/or oral format to
express ideas and concepts.
3 Reasonable presentation skills in written and/or oral format to express the
idea and concepts.
2 Average presentation skills in written and/or oral format.
1 Presentation skills are below the accepted level.

Recommendation

Total Score Recommendation

(Rating x
Weighting (points))
110-120 Definitely should be awarded the Fellowship
(The type of students who would be recruited by top-tier
universities in the world.) Students whom I would
definitely admit and provide with scholarship if he/she
were applying to my university.
100-109 Highly recommended
(The type of students who will be likely accepted by high
quality universities.) Students whom I would very likely
accept for admission to my university.
90-99 Recommended 4
80-89 Can be considered for waiting list5
Below 80 Not recommended

4
The final decision will depend on the number of applicants in the top two categories.
5
The final decision will depend on the number of applicants in the top three categories.