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Hong Kong, Macao and GBA Reading Competition Scholarship

The University of Birmingham is pleased to announce scholarship awards of £5,000 for students who competed in the 2025 GBA Reading Comprehension Competition.
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Award details

    • Award type
      University
    • Award value
      £5000
    • Application deadline
      19 July 2026
    • Study level
      Undergraduate
    • Qualification level
      Bachelors
    • Campus
      Birmingham (Edgbaston)

This scholarship recognises outstanding academic potential and exceptional performance in the University of Birmingham Hong Kong, Macao and GBA Reading Comprehension Competition, delivered in collaboration with IDP IELTS Hong Kong.

The award aims to encourage talented students across the region to pursue undergraduate studies at a leading Global university.

Who can apply?

Applicants must:

• Be ranked in the 85th percentile (top 15%) or above in the Reading Challenge.

• Be a current Form 6 / Year 13 student applying for September 2026 entry to any undergraduate programme at the University of Birmingham.

• Submit a UCAS application on or before 14 January 2026 (equal consideration deadline).

• Hold and meet a conditional offer by 15 August 2026.

• Be classified as an international fee-status applicant.

• Shortlisted finalists must be available for an online interview between 20–24 July 2026.

Eligible countries

Open to all nationalities but must be living in (domiciled) in Hong Kong and Macao.

How to Apply

This is a competitive scholarship; please ensure you have fulfilled the eligibility requirements outlined above.

To apply for the scholarship, students will need to be registered with IDP Hong Kong by 19 July 2026, have accepted an offer from the University of Birmingham by the scholarship deadline of 15 August 2026 .

Shortlisted finalists will be invited for an online interview between 20–24 July 2026.

The University of Birmingham reserves the right to change any of these dates and process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the value of the award?

The scholarship is £5,000 awards towards tuition fees (for the first year only) of a full-time Undergraduate degree programme at the University of Birmingham UK campus, starting September 2026.

Who are our agent partners / local representatives?

For further information please contact our local representatives:

IDP Education Limited (Hong Kong)
Room 2807, 28th Floor, Harbour Centre
25 Harbour Road
Wan Chai, Hong Kong
T. (+852) 2827 6362
E. info.hongkong@idp.com
W. www.hongkong.idp.com

When will successful candidates be notified?

Decisions will be announced by Monday 27 July 2026 at the latest, and the scholarships will be awarded upon the student’s enrolment in September 2026.

Please note if we have not contacted by this time, your scholarship application has not been successful.

Can this scholarship be combined with other scholarships?

Students who receive a scholarship through the Hong Kong, Macao and GBA Reading Competition are not eligible to hold any additional regional scholarships issued for the same academic year.

This scholarship can be held in conjunction with scholarships issued by other University of Birmingham departments, terms and conditions of both scholarships permitting, but not with any full University of Birmingham scholarship or any partial or full external scholarship.   

When reviewing and accepting scholarships please review the terms and conditions for each scholarship as they may differ.  Please notify the team issuing your scholarship of your acceptance or rejection as applies. 

What are the Terms and Conditions for this scholarship?

Scholarship recipients must enrol in September 2026; deferral of the scholarship is not permitted. Candidates must maintain satisfactory academic progress and adhere to all University regulations. Failure to meet the conditions of the offer will result in withdrawal of the award.

By accepting the award, the scholar will agree to support the University by helping with future student visits, being available for testimonials/ photos/videos for marketing purposes and engaging in other activities such as blogging (if required).

Our International Recruitment Scholarships general terms and conditions also apply to this scholarship 

Ask a Question

For all general queries about becoming an international student at Birmingham, or if you have any questions about the scholarship, please email eastasia@contacts.bham.ac.uk