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Elizabeth Turner

Some options help more than others, but every bit counts in a country where expenses can be high and quality education comes at a price

BRITAIN IS ONE of the most expensive places Hong Kong people can choose for studies. The cost of a postgraduate degree   can go up to as much as $400,000 for a year.

This can be a huge chunk of savings for many, but there are options available to help finance studies.

One way is scholarships, many of which support overseas students for a postgraduate or doctorate degree in Britain.

British Chevening Postgraduate Scholarships, overseen by the British Council, make up the biggest scholarship programme for permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macau who plan to take up a postgraduate degree in Britain.

The programme encompasses up to 31 full scholarships, some covering any subject or university, while others are for specific subjects or institutions.

The scholarships will cover tuition fees up to #14,000 ($205,123), return airfare and an amount for living costs.

British Chevening Shorter Specialist Scholarships provide up to six scholarships for people working in the business sector and journalism to study designated short-term courses on their specialities in Britain. Applications for all British Chevening scholarships must be in by January 31 (see www.british

council.org/hongkong-education-scholarships-chevening.htm).

Hong Kong permanent residents who have received at least seven years of continuous education in Hong Kong, have a good honours degree and speak good English and Chinese, are qualified to apply for Sir Edward Youde Memorial Scholarships and Fellowships for Overseas Studies.

The scholarships and fellowships provide a maximum of $232,000 or $251,000 respectively a year for recipients to complete their undergraduate or postgraduate studies overseas within three years.

The Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund, founded in 1987, will give 10 overseas scholarships and fellowships a year, according to the Student Financial Assistance Agency.

Applications for the 2006/2007 academic year will open in July (see www.info.gov.hk/sfaa/en/schemes/seym3.htm).

Hang Seng Bank Overseas Scholarships are awarded to at least three outstanding secondary school students each year to study at a leading university in the United States or Britain.

The scholarships will cover all expenses, including tuition fees, living and textbook costs up to the completion of studies.

Those eligible to apply are permanent residents up to the age of 25 who have studied in Hong Kong for at least three years and have already been offered a place in their chosen university.

Recipients are required to return to Hong Kong after completing their studies to work in Hong Kong for three years (see main.hangseng.com/eng/abo/cc/e/schdtl/main.html).

Local residents who have lived in Hong Kong for at least seven consecutive years can apply for the Li Po Chun Charitable Trust Fund - Overseas Postgraduate Study and Professional Training Scholarship.

The scholarship provides a maximum of $120,000 a year for a period of no longer than two years and no less than six months.

Candidates should also have a degree from a university in Hong Kong and practical working experience in the field in which they plan to study. They must also be available to attend an interview in Hong Kong.

Applications for the 2006/07 academic year will open in the middle of December (see www.info.gov.hk/sfaa/en/schemes/content10.htm).

The Sir Robert Black Trust Fund provides scholarships of varying amounts to about 10 residents who have lived in Hong Kong for five consecutive years to study a postgraduate degree at local or overseas institutions every year.

Applicants require a person in an official position to be their guarantor, guaranteeing the applicant will work in Hong Kong for at least three years after completion of studies.

Applications open today  through to February 18 (see www.info.gov.hk/sfaa/en/schemes/content12.htm).

Universities in Britain may also provide scholarships for their own overseas postgraduate students.

Check ahead if the institution you want to apply to has scholarships or fellowships (see the Education UK website www.educationuk.org/scholarships/).



Variety of scholarships to ease financial burden of British courses