Study in Hong Kong

Higher Education Structure in Hong Kong

Study In Hong Kong

There are 22 Higher Education Institutions in Hong Kong, including three Universities ranked in the top 50 in the world according to the QS 2024 rankings. Hong Kong has several renowned institutions of higher education, including the Chinese University of Hong Kong. The top Universities in the country offer programs taught in both English and Chinese, thereby proving an attractive destination for a large number of international students who wish to study abroad in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China, and is significantly more prosperous than its parent country. It is one of the most prosperous regions of Asia, with HDI and life expectancy approaching those in the richest Western countries. As one of the major financial centers of the world, Hong Kong offers multiple long term job opportunities in the financial services sector. It has two major urban regions: Victoria City and Kowloon.

The Perks of Studying in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is highly ranked on several important indices for students and residents. Some highlights include:

  • The Special Administrative Region is ranked #19 in the world according to the WiseVoter “Best Countries for Education” report in 2023.
  • The Special Administrative Region is ranked #13 in the world by GDP per capita (PPP) in 2023.
  • The Special Administrative Region is ranked #3 in the world according to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report in 2019.

Higher Education Framework in Hong Kong

There are three main kinds of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Hong Kong:

1. Funded Universities: These receive the majority of their funding from the University Grants Committee (UGC). The oldest and highest ranked HEIs in Hong Kong fall into this category, and they award degrees at all levels, from Bachelor’s to Doctoral.

2. Self Funded HEIs: They are mostly private Institutions; there is also one public vocational HEI (Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong) which is funded by industry professionals. They receive no public funds, and receive funds from private trusts and student fees.

3. Public Institutions: The Hong Kong Government funds two HEIs directly (not through the UGC). These are the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education.

Other than the three main types of HEIs, there are also 15 sub-degree Institutions, which only offer diplomas and certificates at levels below undergraduate studies.

Certificate Programs

Certificates and Diplomas are offered at several levels of the Hong Kong higher education system. Sub-degree Institutions offer short term certifications in multiple disciplines, including continuing and professional education. The Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education offers two year diplomas in technical fields to high school graduates who wish to enter the labor market instead of spending 4 years in an undergraduate engineering degree.

Undergraduate Programs

After 2012, all undergraduate Bachelor’s degree programs in Hong Kong last four years. UGs who study in Hong Kong have more intensive programs than similar Bachelor’s courses in other countries, with a large number of courses with multiple assignments to be submitted every week. The first 2 years are usually spent in general studies; after choosing a major, students spend the final two years of the program in a specialized course of study, leading to the award of either a Bachelor’s degree or a Bachelor’s (Honors) degree, depending on the credits taken within their parent department.

Postgraduate Programs

Postgraduate Master's programs in Hong Kong Universities last one to three years, and applicants must have a recognized undergraduate degree, or a diploma backed up by work experience. Evaluation is carried out through a mixture of examinations and assignments. The final semester usually involves a Master's dissertation, which may be accompanied by a thesis defense.

Doctoral Programs

The highest degree awarded by Universities in Hong Kong is the Ph.D. Doctoral studies last between three and five years, and candidates must complete a major work of original research before preparing their Ph.D. report. Applicants must typically approach a potential faculty guide first, and decide on a research direction after consulting their mentor.

Popular Disciplines Available in Hong Kong

The Special Administrative Region has various universities that offer approximately all the disciplines of study. Some of the popular disciplines available in Hong Kong are-

Chinese Language and LiteratureInvestment Banking FinanceComputer Science and Engineering
Global Engineering and BusinessEntrepreneurship and DesignManagement Accounting
Civil EngineeringArchitectural StudiesBusiness Administration
Decision AnalyticsEarth SciencesCriminal Law
PhilosophyLandscape StudiesElectrical Engineering

Popular Cities with Most number of Universities in Hong Kong

Here are some popular urban regions that have the most universities in Hong Kong.

The name of the urban region No. of Universities 
Victoria City13
Kowloon9

Average Monthly Expenses in Hong Kong for International Students

Hong Kong is associated with a high cost of University education. For example, in the flagship Hong Kong University, the annual tuition fee for international students is 182,000 Hong Kong Dollars (HKD). 

Living costs are also relatively high, given Hong Kong's status as one of the main metropolitan areas in the world. Dormitory housing on campus can cost up to 38,000 HKD per year, while a room in a private apartment is more expensive, at 50,000 HKD. Other living expenses can exceed 50,000 HKD per year, including travel, food, entertainment, and shopping for personal items.

Students Visa Requirements

Here is the list of documents students need to have to apply for a student visa in Hong Kong.

Applicants for a long term Visa to study in Hong Kong must complete the steps listed below, and submit the following documents:

  • Completed Hong Kong student visa application form (Document ID ID995A).
  • A recent passport size photograph, affixed to the application form.
  • A copy of a valid international passport.
  • An offer letter from a University located in Hong Kong.
  • A Letter from a sponsor who lives in Hong Kong.
  • Proof of accommodation: either a dormitory allocation email from the University, or a housing agreement.
  • Proof of financial stability: photocopy of a bank statement in the student's name.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Students must pay an amount of 230 HKD with their Hong Kong student visa application. If they are applying via their University as the local sponsor, additional fees may be payable.

While submitting the Hong Kong student visa application form, candidates must attach a single photograph. This must be recent (taken within the previous six months), and show the candidate's face clearly, with no other people or objects present. The background should be a light color, and the face of the student should look straight at the camera.

If the Hong Kong Immigration Department rejects a student visa application, the candidate may appeal the decision within 12 months of receipt. During the appeal process, the student should provide any additional documents that may lead to a favorable reconsideration of his/her case. If the appeal fails, the applicant must repeat the full process again after paying the fee, but it is unlikely that a new application will succeed.

International students in Hong Kong may work up to twenty hours a week during the regular semester. In addition, they may work any number of hours during the designated internship period (throughout the months of June, July, and August every year).

Hong Kong has a very high Human Development Index, a large number of foreign students, and a safe and welcoming environment for international students. As long as foreigners are careful to stay clear of protests and not break any laws, they can be guaranteed 100% safety.

Hong Kong has several Universities ranked in the top 500 in the world, and has a high standard of living. The identity of the SAR as one of the greatest metropolitan centers in the world ensures that international students flock to Hong Kong to complete their University studies in marketing, fashion design, business management, or computer science.

Three Universities are ranked in the top 50 in the world in the latest QS Rankings: the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), and the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

The most prestigious funding scheme for international students in Hong Kong is the HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund. This provides tuition fee waivers and living stipend assistance for outstanding students who have proven their academic and extracurricular excellence in their previous studies.

All the major Universities in Hong Kong, including HK University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, have part time versions of their flagship MBA programs. Some of these can be completed over a two year period in distance mode, while others involve intensive evening and weekend classes and are completed in one year (intended for business professionals).

Hong Kong has a flourishing job sector, and the graduates of the top Universities in the country are highly sought after during campus placements. International students who receive a job offer can stay in Hong Kong and start working if their employers sponsor their work visa applications.