Online · Hong Kong · Ages 14–18
Research Mentorship for Students in Hong Kong
A supervised research project with a doctoral or postdoctoral researcher in the student's field, scheduled in Hong Kong hours, and fitted to the school year and curriculum the student is actually on.
Now placing for November. Reviewed 6 September 2026.
What families in Hong Kong ask first
The four things that decide whether this works from Hong Kong
The academic standard is the same everywhere. What changes by city is the school year, the curriculum, when sessions happen, and how the fee is agreed. Those are answered here, before you spend time on an application.
IB, A-level and HKDSE students
Hong Kong's international schools mostly teach the IB Diploma or A-levels; local schools sit the HKDSE. The programme is matched to the student's field and readiness, not to the syllabus.
Sessions in Hong Kong time, around the school day
Sessions are scheduled in local time, around school hours and the examination calendar. The slot is agreed with the matched mentor before enrolment and confirmed in writing.
A September to July school year
An eight-week programme sits in the autumn term or after the Lunar New Year and before the spring examination window, and a longer one spaces the sessions out. We will say if the timing you have in mind collides with exams.
Published fees, confirmed in writing before you decide
Research Scholar is $6,500, a Field Seminar $4,500 and Academic Essentials, a custom plan, from $2,000, with no paid add-ons. After the interview you receive the recommended programme, the schedule and the fee in writing, and only then decide.
Curriculum fit
How a research project fits the school systems in Hong Kong
Families in Hong Kong reach us from three school systems, and the project fits each of them differently.
One rule applies across all of them: the work is the student's. Mentors guide questions, sources, methods and revision. We do not write, edit or "polish" anything the school assesses. Our academic integrity policy says exactly where the line is.
What every family receives
The same programme, the same visibility, wherever the student is
Sessions are scheduled in Hong Kong time, around the school day and the examination calendar, and the slot is confirmed in writing before enrolment.
The programme
Research Scholar is at least eight one-to-one sessions of 60 minutes over eight weeks or longer, and a longer programme spaces the sessions out, leaving more time between them for reading and written work. Field Seminars are for one to three students, over 8 to 10 sessions. Academic Essentials is shorter and skill-specific.
Visibility
Parents receive the schedule before the first session, progress updates at set points and whenever they ask, and a debrief at the end.
Session format
All sessions are video calls. A parent or legal guardian is named on the application for every student under 18, and for students under 16 we may ask that a parent is nearby during the first session.
Choose the right level
Research mentorship works best when the starting point is honest
A student with a focused question needs a different programme from a student still exploring a field or building academic English. Starting too early with an ambitious paper creates stress and shallow work; starting at the right level creates momentum.
Two minutes: which programme fits?Fees
The fee is stated in writing before you decide
Research Scholar is $6,500, a Field Seminar $4,500 and Academic Essentials, a custom plan, from $2,000, each covering the whole programme with no paid add-ons. Families receive the recommended programme, schedule and fee in writing after the interview, before deciding whether to proceed.
Scholarships are awarded by nomination, on the strength of the student's independent work rather than grades, and every application is read for one.
Questions from families in Hong Kong
When do sessions take place for a student in Hong Kong?
In Hong Kong time, around the school day and the examination calendar. The exact slot is agreed with the matched mentor before enrolment and confirmed in writing.
Can an HKDSE student join?
Yes. The programme is not tied to a curriculum. HKDSE students most often use the project as the independent work a UK or US application can point to, or as preparation for university-level study.
Can a student do this alongside the Extended Essay?
Yes, but the two are different things. The EE is supervised by the school. Mentorship builds the research skill the EE needs and produces a separate piece of work. We do not write, edit or "polish" an EE.
How much does it cost?
Research Scholar is $6,500, a Field Seminar $4,500 and Academic Essentials, a custom plan, from $2,000, each covering the whole programme with no paid add-ons. Families receive the recommended programme, schedule and fee in writing after the interview, before deciding whether to proceed.
Are scholarships available?
Scholarships are awarded by nomination, on the strength of the student's independent work rather than grades, and every application is read for one.
Find out whether Aldevere fits your student
One short interview with the academic team, under 25 minutes, free, with no obligation on either side. We review the student's interests, readiness, Hong Kong schedule and goals before recommending a programme. The interview can be booked once the application is submitted.
Apply for an Interview