Universities in Hong Kong

Hong Kong has a compact but varied university sector. According to Study in Hong Kong, the Education Bureau's portal for non-local students, there are 22 local institutions with degree-awarding power: 9 publicly funded and 13 self-financing. A further 22 post-secondary institutions offer locally accredited sub-degree programmes such as higher diplomas and associate degrees. English is widely used in tertiary education, which makes Hong Kong a common choice for international students who want to study in English in Asia.

Our directory lists two examples: The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), a publicly funded university founded in 1963, and Hong Kong Chu Hai College, a self-financing degree-awarding college in Tuen Mun.

How the university system works

Since 2012, undergraduate programmes in Hong Kong last four years instead of three, a structure that the government describes as more aligned with systems worldwide. Institutions offer programmes from sub-degree to doctoral level. Students who complete a sub-degree can continue to a top-up degree, the "2 + 2" pathway, to obtain a bachelor's degree. Taught and research postgraduate programmes follow the bachelor's degree.

The publicly funded institutions include eight universities funded through the University Grants Committee, among them CUHK, the University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, plus the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. The self-financing sector includes private universities and colleges such as Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Hong Kong Metropolitan University and Hong Kong Chu Hai College.

Quality assurance differs by sector. Programmes at self-financing institutions are accredited by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) and placed on the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework. Chu Hai College, for example, was registered as an Approved Post Secondary College in July 2004 and received approval to award degrees in October 2004; its 14 bachelor's and 12 master's programmes are accredited by the HKCAAVQ. Hong Kong also hosts 739 non-local courses run by institutions from outside Hong Kong, which must be registered with the Education Bureau.

CUHK illustrates the publicly funded model: it combines a flexible credit unit system, bilingual teaching and a college system with nine colleges, on a 138.4-hectare campus overlooking Tolo Harbour.

Admission for international students

Local school-leavers with Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) results apply through the Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS), which covers the eight UGC-funded universities and Hong Kong Metropolitan University. Applicants with international qualifications usually apply directly to each institution. Institutions set their own requirements, which can vary by programme. In general, you need to have completed secondary school with satisfactory results in your country's school-leaving exams, such as A Levels or the International Baccalaureate. If English is not your mother tongue, you need TOEFL, IELTS or an equivalent test. Some institutions invite applicants to interviews.

Deadlines vary by institution and programme. Applications usually fall in the spring semester before entry, but can be as early as December of the previous year or as late as May. The academic year has two semesters: autumn from early September to late December, and spring from mid-January to May.

After acceptance, all non-local students need a student visa or entry permit. The institution usually acts as local sponsor, and processing normally takes about six weeks once all documents have been received. Students on full-time locally accredited programmes are normally granted a stay that matches the length of the programme, up to six years.

Costs and funding

Study in Hong Kong gives a normal range of HK$90,000 to HK$265,000 (about US$11,500 to US$34,000) per year in tuition for non-local students. A place in a student hostel costs HK$15,000 to HK$45,000 a year, and living expenses are around HK$50,000 a year.

Government scholarships are available. The HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund offers non-local students on degree programmes at publicly funded institutions a Scholarship for Outstanding Performance of HK$80,000 a year, and the Self-financing Post-secondary Education Fund offers the same amount to non-local undergraduates at self-financing institutions. The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme provides an annual stipend of HK$344,400 in the 2026/27 academic year. Universities also run their own scholarships.

Non-local undergraduate and postgraduate students on full-time local programmes may take part-time work. Since 1 November 2024 they have been temporarily exempted from the usual employment restrictions. After graduation, the Immigration Arrangement for Non-local Graduates (IANG) allows graduates to stay for 24 months to look for work.

How to choose

• Sector: a publicly funded university or a self-financing institution
• Accreditation: check that a self-financing programme is accredited and on the Qualifications Framework
• Level: sub-degree with a top-up route, or a four-year bachelor's degree
• Language: confirm the language of instruction of each programme
• Cost: tuition, hostel places and eligibility for scholarships
• Campus: city-centre sites or larger campuses further out, such as CUHK by Tolo Harbour or Chu Hai College at Castle Peak Bay in Tuen Mun

Frequently asked questions

How many universities are there in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong has 22 local degree-awarding institutions, 9 publicly funded and 13 self-financing. Another 22 post-secondary institutions offer accredited sub-degree programmes.

Do I need to apply through JUPAS?

JUPAS is mainly for applicants with HKDSE results. Students with international qualifications usually apply directly to each university.

How much does university cost in Hong Kong for international students?

Tuition for non-local students normally ranges from HK$90,000 to HK$265,000 per year, according to Study in Hong Kong. Hostel accommodation and living expenses come on top.

Can I work in Hong Kong after graduating?

Yes. Under the IANG scheme, non-local graduates can stay in Hong Kong for 24 months after graduation to look for work without restrictions.