Hong Kong is highly ranked on several important indices for students and residents. Some highlights include:
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 Literature | Investment Banking Finance | Computer Science and Engineering |
Global Engineering and Business | Entrepreneurship and Design | Management Accounting |
Civil Engineering | Architectural Studies | Business Administration |
Decision Analytics | Earth Sciences | Criminal Law |
Philosophy | Landscape Studies | Electrical Engineering |
Here are some popular urban regions that have the most universities in Hong Kong.
The name of the urban region | No. of Universities |
Victoria City | 13 |
Kowloon | 9 |
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.
Applicants for a long term Visa to study in Hong Kong must complete the steps listed below, and submit the following documents: