Study in Hong Kong: Find Universities, Costs, Courses, Visa, Rankings, and Scholarships

Studying in Hong Kong is quickly becoming the favoured choice among millennials and Gen-Z. According to Times Higher Education’s Hong Kong Rankings 2024, the top 3 universities in Hong Kong are the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. With lower tuition rates (HKD 145,000 to HKD 182,000) and relaxed visa policies, the country is ensuring tough competition for its fellow countries like the USA and UK.

As per the statistics revealed by QS University Rankings, nearly 30% of the student body at the top 7 universities in Hong Kong is composed of international candidates. There are many scholarships available for international students to offset the cost of studying in Hong Kong. The cost of living in Hong Kong is around HKD 36,662 (3.9 lakhs INR).

Study in Hong Kong University: Top Universities for International Students

Hong Kong is home to some of the greatest universities in the world including the following:

Why Study in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong is becoming a favourite study-abroad destination because of the following reasons:

• It Houses many top universities: Hong Kong is home to some of the highest-ranked universities. According to the 2024 QS World University Rankings, there are top 5 universities in Hong Kong which are among the top 100 worldwide. Having government-funded and internationally recognized universities that offer dozens of areas of study, there is something for each international student.
• No Language Barrier: As a former British nation and later a part of China, one of the major languages spoken in the country other than Chinese and Cantonese is English. The medium of instruction for most of the degrees is in English.
• Lower Cost of Education: Universities in Hong Kong are reasonable when compared to overseas.
• Easy Immigration: Unlike other countries that are making student visa norms stringent, entering Hong Kong for studies is relatively easier due to its simple immigration process.
• Employment Opportunities: The government of Hong Kong aims to attract talented individuals from across the globe to work in the country. This step proved to be highly beneficial for international students, wanting to pursue studies in Hong Kong.
• Work While Studying in Hong Kong: International students can take up part-time on-campus employment in Hong Kong. They are allowed to work 20 hours per week throughout the year.

What to study in Hong Kong?

The nation offers a range of courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Some of the popular programs favourite among international applicants are:

Studying in Hong Kong as an International Student

If you are an international candidate aspiring to study in the country, the elaborated Hong Kong University application process has been described below. The nation is extremely student-friendly regarding the admission process and has a straightforward list of requirements and criteria that need to be observed.

Bachelor’s degree requirements in Hong Kong

• A secondary school certificate/diploma (with at least 2 A’s).
• Satisfactory results in the homeland’s aptitude exams.
• The interview might be a mandatory specification for some courses.
• English language proficiency Score: An overall band of 6.5 or better in IELTS or a score of 93 or better in the TOEFL internet-based test.

Postgraduate studies in Hong Kong: Requirements

For a master’s degree in Hong Kong, a candidate must possess a bachelor’s degree or equivalent along with other relevant qualifications mentioned below.

When to study in Hong Kong: Application Cycle

Hong Kong’s university application deadlines are between December and May. The academic year starts in September with 2 semesters.

• Semester 1: The fall semester runs from early September to late December.
• Semester 2: Spring semester runs from mid-January to May.

Hong Kong Student Visa

Once you have received an offer of a place from a university in Hong Kong, the immediate step that follows is to apply for a visa to study in Hong Kong. Complete the ID995 A and B forms and submit the required set of documents to complete the visa application process.

Application Portal: Documents must be sent by mail/fax or submitted through a local sponsor (often prescribed by the university itself)
Application Fee: 230 HKD (2,447 INR)

Supporting visa documents

• ID995 A form and ID995 B form
• Copy of passport
• Travel itinerary with proof of flights
• Recent passport-size photo
• Proof of offer letter
• Evidence of financial support
• Evidence of accommodation arrangement
• Health insurance

It usually takes up to 6 weeks for the visa to be processed, thus, international candidates should ensure to allow enough time for the process before their term starts and must apply at the earliest possible opportunity.

Indian applicants can also seek Hong Kong study visa consultants in India when seeking to complete their visa application for the country.

Cost of Study in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is believed to be one of the most expensive cities in Asia where the cost of living is more expensive than 85% of cities across the world. But a deserving candidate can almost study in Hong Kong for free provided they have spectacular grades and can manage to grab some of the awards provided by the nation.

The detailed list of expenses comprising the cost of studying in the country is compiled below.

Tuition Fees:

Cost of living in Hong Kong

The cost of living in Hong Kong varies depending on the individual's expenses and the city one chooses to stay in. The estimated cost of accommodation is as follows: