CEDARS-Careers and Placement
The University of Hong Kong
Introduction
The Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) has set up the STEM Internship Scheme (“Scheme”) to encourage STEM students to gain innovation and technology (I&T)-related work experience during their studies and to foster their interest in pursuing a career in I&T after graduation, so as to enlarge the local I&T talent pool.
Student Allowance
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Each eligible student will receive an allowance of HK$11,490 per month (i.e. 30 calendar days) (Updated as of April 2025)
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Capped at three months (i.e. 90 days, maximum at HK$34,470) in each academic year (from 1 September to 31 August of the following year)
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Includes employee’s MPF contributions upon 60 days or more of employment period
Internship Requirements
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*Full-time position (at least 5 working days with 35 working hours/week)
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At least four consecutive weeks (i.e., 28 calendar days)
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At least 3 days of onsite work per week
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Maximum 90 days in an academic year
Student’s Eligibility
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Current full-time local and non-local students at The University of Hong Kong
- For definition of local students, refer to the classification of the Education Bureau for the purpose of admission to post-secondary programme. -
Undergraduates and postgraduates who are majoring in one of the eligible STEM programmes
- For programmes that require a declared major to become eligible for participating in the Scheme, students are only eligible when they have officially declared the major. -
Internship periods funded by the Scheme must NOT be used to fulfill any compulsory requirement of the degree programme (e.g., COMP3410, Capstone etc.). However, internship periods that do not conflict with the compulsory graduation requirement could be covered by the Scheme.
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Non-local students are capped at a quota of 40% of all HKU participants.
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Quota is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the quota is met, further non-local applications will be put on hold or rejected without additional notifications. These applications may proceed only if quota becomes available.
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In general, final year non-local students in their last semester are NOT allowed to participate the Scheme after the last scheduled class or submission of the project or dissertation, whichever is later. Otherwise, supporting documents from the Faculty confirming the exact final grade release date or validity of student status throughout the internship period must be provided. Testimonial will not be considered.
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Non-local students can take up internships in Hong Kong only.​
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Guidelines and faq
For more details about the internship requirements and eligibility of employers and students, please refer to the Guidelines and FAQ below:
stem INTERNSHIP Guidelines Quiz (For Students)
To ensure students are familiar with the eligibility criteria and requirements of the Scheme, starting from Summer 2026, students are required to read through the Guidelines for Employers and Students, and pass an online quiz a score of at least 80% as a prerequisite for participation in the Scheme.
Timeline
Summer 2026
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Employers Job Posting & Students Applying Job: 17 March 2026 to 29 June 2026
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Employers Offer Application Submission Deadline^: 6 July 2026 (5:00 PM)
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Internship Period*: from May 2026 after student's examination to 31 August 2026
Winter 2026/27 (tentative)
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Employers Job Posting & Students Applying Job: 21 September 2026 to 30 November 2026
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Employers Offer Application Submission Deadline^: 5 December 2026 (5:00 PM)
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Internship Period: from December 2026 after student's examination to 15 Jan 2027
2nd Semester 2026/27 (Tentative)
For internships that fall in the 2nd semester, undergraduate students must apply for Leave of Absence and taught postgraduate students must ensure that there are no daytime classes scheduled on working days.
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Employers Job Posting & Students Applying Job: 21 September 2026 to 22 January 2027
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Employers Offer Application Submission Deadline^: 29 January 2027 (5:00 PM)
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Internship Period*: from 18 January 2027 to 30 April 2027
^The employers offer application must be submitted at least 10 calendar days before the planned internship start date.
*Final year local students who are in their final semester must commence their internships in the first week of June (Summer) or in December (Winter).
The Scheme is not open during 1st semester in 2026/27.
Training and Coaching
(1) Career Readiness Training & (2) One-on-One Career Coaching Sessions
Targeting at various stages of students' internship journey to address their demand for guidance and support in preparing for their internship applications as well as capitalizing on their learning experience ready for embarking on their career journey after graduation.​
Employers can refer to the NETjobs User Guide for Employers below for detailed instructions on job posting and application submission under the Scheme on NETjobs.
What are the advantages
to join the scheme?
For Students
✓ Acquire paid work experience
✓ Understand I&T industry in real-life
✓ Build and expand your network
✓ Train interpersonal & communications skills
✓ Grow confidence to build future career
✓ Reimbursement on Student's Salary Allowance
✓ Hire young talents with relevant knowledge
✓ Enlarge talent pool of your company
✓ Explore potential candidates for long-term hiring
✓ Gain new perspectives from young generation
For Employers
Useful Information
+852 3917-4055
Disclaimer: Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication (or by members of this institution) do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or the Innovation and Technology Commission.