University of Macau Scholarships 2027–28 (Masters & PhD) Process of Application Guide

The University of Macau has opened its 2027/2028 postgraduate admissions, giving international applicants access to more than 90 doctoral, master’s and postgraduate programmes—and, for strong PhD candidates, a scholarship carrying MOP 20,000 per month for as long as four years.

There are two deadlines applicants should not mix up. The first batch of PhD applications closes on October 23, 2026, while Master’s and postgraduate certificate applicants have until December 3, 2026. UM officially announced the new admission cycle in August 2026.

The funding story also needs some unpacking: admission to the University of Macau does not automatically mean receiving the UM PhD Scholarship. Applicants seeking that award must request scholarship consideration while completing their PhD application, after which funding is decided competitively at university level.

University of Macau 2027/28 Applicant Snapshot

What Makes the UM PhD Scholarship Worth Checking?

The UM PhD Scholarship is open to applicants seeking full-time doctoral study regardless of nationality, ethnic background or previous work experience.

Successful scholars receive MOP 20,000 per month for up to four years. UM’s current scholarship guidelines confirm a maximum support period of 48 months.

There is one detail that deserves more attention than it usually receives: tuition is not a separate additional prize on top of the stipend under the information supplied for this cycle. Tuition charges are offset from the monthly scholarship before the remaining stipend is disbursed.

Applicants should therefore avoid describing the award as “full tuition plus MOP 20,000 cash every month.” The practical disposable stipend will be affected by tuition deductions.

Scholarship continuation is also not entirely automatic. UM’s funding rules provide for annual renewal based on factors including academic performance, duty performance and supervisor evaluation.

Who Can Apply to Macau’s 2027 Graduate Intake?

The intake is broader than the PhD scholarship alone.

UM is accepting applications for doctoral, Master’s and postgraduate certificate programmes, while international applicants can apply directly rather than through a nomination system.

The university has also expanded its science and technology structure through five faculties covering medicine, engineering, science, information science and computing, and design. For 2027/28, new postgraduate offerings are being introduced in areas including medicinal food and nutrition sciences, law and technology, and jurisprudence.

UM says English is its principal medium of instruction, but applicants still need to check the admission and language requirements of their individual programme rather than assuming that one university-wide rule covers every degree.

Does Getting Admission Mean You Have Won a Scholarship?

It does not.

This is particularly important for international PhD applicants making financial plans before receiving their result. PhD admission establishes your place in the academic programme; the UM PhD Scholarship requires a funding decision by the university-level selection committee.

UM also lists other postgraduate funding routes, including the UM PhD Teaching Research Assistant scheme, International Student Scholarship and University of Macau Scholarship for STEM Programmes.

Their existence does not mean every admitted student receives one. Applicants should wait for their specific scholarship or financial-aid decision before calculating the true cost of studying in Macao.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply to University of Macau for 2027/28

Step 1 — Choose the right postgraduate programme.
Start by reviewing UM’s available doctoral, Master’s or postgraduate certificate programmes and check the programme-specific academic and language requirements.

Step 2 — Create your UM admission account.
New applicants register through the official online application system using their name exactly as shown on their passport or identity document, passport/ID number, mobile number and a valid email address. UM then sends a reference number and password.

Step 3 — Prepare and enter your application information.
Complete the online form carefully and upload the documents required for your selected programme.

Step 4 — Request the UM PhD Scholarship if you want PhD funding.
Full-time PhD applicants seeking the scholarship should indicate their application for UMPS simultaneously with their doctoral admission application. Scholarship consideration should therefore not be left until after submitting the PhD application.

Step 5 — Review your programme choice before submitting.
UM warns that PhD, Master’s and postgraduate certificate applicants cannot change their programme choice after submitting the application.

Step 6 — Actually submit the application.
Saving or completing the form is not sufficient. UM states that applications that remain completed but not submitted will not be processed.

Step 7 — Check for your acknowledgement email.
A successful applicant should receive an acknowledgement carrying an application number. An application without this assigned number is not regarded by UM as valid. Applicants who do not receive it within two days should contact the Graduate School.

Why the First PhD Deadline Matters?

Applicants interested in the strongest funding competition should pay particular attention to the October 23, 2026 first-batch PhD deadline rather than assuming they can prepare alongside Master’s applicants until December.

Master’s and postgraduate certificate applications remain open until December 3, 2026.

UM has grown into a substantial research university, reporting more than 16,900 students, over 90 postgraduate programmes and research strengths extending across engineering, computer science, medicine and emerging technologies. The 2027/28 intake also reflects a deliberate expansion into interdisciplinary science and technology fields.

Should You Apply?

For international PhD candidates, this opportunity is most attractive if you have a strong academic or research profile and specifically want to compete for MOP 20,000 monthly doctoral funding. Master’s applicants have a wider window, but they should separately investigate which UM scholarship route applies to their programme rather than assuming the PhD funding package extends to Master’s study.

If you are confused about your degree eligibility, PhD scholarship chances, supervisor requirements, English-language proof, documents or which University of Macau programme fits your academic background, leave your question in the comments below this article. Mention your current degree, intended subject and nationality, and we can help untangle the part of the application that is causing difficulty.