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Meta title: Universities in Hong Kong 2027: UGC List, Fees, Entry
Meta description: Hong Kong's eight UGC-funded universities and self-financing options: THE 2026 ranks, non-local fees of HK$175,000–590,000, halls and 2027 application dates.
Last modified: 2026-09-28

# Universities in Hong Kong for International Students: the Eight Public Universities, Self-Financing Options and How to Choose

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Hong Kong has 22 institutions that can award local degrees, but most international applicants choose among the eight universities funded by the government's University Grants Committee (UGC): HKU, CUHK, HKUST, PolyU, CityUHK, HKBU, Lingnan and EdUHK. Bachelor's degrees take four years and are taught in English. A non-local student pays from HK$175,000 (about $22,310) a year at Lingnan to HK$280,000 (about $35,690) in HKU's STEM faculties, and HKU medicine and dentistry cost HK$590,000 (about $75,210). There is no central application for international students: you apply to each university directly, usually between late September and spring.

This guide compares the eight universities on fees, housing and profile, explains which self-financing universities also award Hong Kong degrees, and shows how to shortlist. For a general overview see our page on [studying in Hong Kong](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-hongkong).

The Main Building of the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Photo: Emcc83 / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_university_of_hong_kong_01.jpg), [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

## Key facts before you choose {#section-1}

| Question | Answer |
| --- | --- |
| How many universities to consider | the 8 UGC-funded universities plus a few self-financing universities with local degrees |
| Language of instruction | English, except for Chinese language and culture subjects |
| Bachelor's length | 4 years since 2012; veterinary medicine at CityUHK takes 6 years, nursing at PolyU 5 years |
| Non-local bachelor's fee | HK$175,000–280,000 a year ($22,310–35,690) at universities that have published fees; HKU medicine HK$590,000 |
| How to apply | directly to each university; JUPAS is only for local school leavers |
| Work while studying | full-time students on local programmes at bachelor's level and above are temporarily exempt from the usual hour and location limits (see our visa guide) |
| After graduation | IANG permission to stay for 24 months without a job offer if you apply within six months of graduating |

Currency: the Hong Kong dollar is pegged to the US dollar, and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority keeps it within a HK$7.75–7.85 band per $1. All conversions here use the ECB reference rate of 28 September 2026 (about HK$7.845 per $1).

## Three groups of institutions {#section-2}

1. The eight UGC-funded universities. City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, Lingnan University, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Education University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and The University of Hong Kong. The government subsidises bachelor's places for local students only; non-local students pay a separate unsubsidised rate. These universities, however, administer the government scholarships for non-local students and hold most hall places.

2. The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA). It is publicly funded but not through the UGC, and it admits musicians, actors and dancers through auditions.

3. Self-financing universities and colleges. Several have university title and degree-awarding powers, for example Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Hong Kong Shue Yan University and The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong. They are funded by tuition, set their own fees, and their students are covered by a different government award: the Outstanding Performance Scholarship of the Self-financing Post-secondary Education Fund, HK$80,000 (about $10,200) a year for non-local undergraduates.

There are also "non-local courses": programmes of overseas universities delivered in Hong Kong. The Education Bureau registers around 739 of them, and only 93 are locally accredited. This matters for your status. Student visas are issued for full-time locally accredited programmes, and the post-study IANG route requires a full-time locally accredited degree from an institution on the Immigration Department's list.

## The eight public universities compared {#section-3}

Ranking = position in the THE World University Rankings 2026. Fee = annual non-local bachelor's fee for the most recent year each university has published.

| University | THE 2026 | Non-local bachelor's fee | What stands out |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [The University of Hong Kong (HKU)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-university-of-hong-kong) | 33 | 2027/28: HK$250,000 ($31,870) non-STEM, HK$280,000 ($35,690) STEM, HK$590,000 ($75,210) MBBS and BDS | the broadest range of faculties including medicine, law and architecture; 17 halls and colleges |
| [The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-chinese-university-of-hong-kong) | =41 | 2026/27: HK$214,000 ($27,280); annual rises for the 2026 cohort capped at 3% | collegiate system: students belong to a faculty and to a college |
| [The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-hong-kong-university-of-science-and-technology) | =58 | 2027/28: HK$260,000 ($33,140) | science, engineering, business and interdisciplinary degrees, including a technology and management dual degree |
| [City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-cityu) | 73 | 2026/27: HK$190,000 ($24,220); veterinary medicine HK$392,000 ($49,970) | Hong Kong's only veterinary degree accredited by both the UK RCVS and the Australasian AVBC; computing, creative media, law |
| [The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-polyu) | 80 | 2027/28: HK$240,000 ($30,590) | applied profile: design, fashion and textiles, hotel and tourism management, engineering, rehabilitation sciences and optometry |
| The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) | =195 | see the university's site | teacher education and related social sciences |
| Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) | 201–250 | see HKBU admissions | a smaller university offering bachelor's degrees across several fields |
| Lingnan University | 301–350 | 2026/27: HK$175,000 ($22,310) for UGC-funded programmes | the lowest published UGC fee; also self-financed degrees (animation and digital arts, business analytics, translation) at their own prices |

The gap between the cheapest and the most expensive non-medical fee in this table is about $13,400 a year. Housing moves the total just as much: if a hall is offered for year one only, renting in years two to four adds roughly another $19,000 on PolyU's estimate. Compare universities on the full four-year budget, not on a ranking line.

## Match the university to your goal {#section-4}

| If you want | Look first at |
| --- | --- |
| Medicine, dentistry or law | HKU and CUHK; expect interviews and, at HKU, HK$590,000 a year for medicine |
| Engineering, computer science, AI | HKUST, PolyU, CityUHK, HKU; compare required subjects (maths, physics) and internship options |
| Design, fashion, hospitality | PolyU, which has dedicated schools of design, fashion and textiles, and hotel and tourism management |
| Veterinary medicine | CityUHK's six-year BVM, HK$392,000 a year for non-local students admitted in 2026 |
| A moderate fee | Lingnan (lowest published UGC fee) and CityUHK (HK$190,000 for 2026/27 entrants) |
| Teacher education | EdUHK |
| Lowest housing risk | compare policies: PolyU and HKUST house non-local students in year one only, while CityUHK does not assure hall places in any year — junior years get priority and you reapply every year |

## What a Hong Kong bachelor's degree looks like {#section-5}

Many programmes start with a broad first year. PolyU, for example, admits students to a Bachelor's Degree Scheme (such as the Engineering scheme) and allocates the major later based on academic ranking. This gives time to explore but carries a risk: not everyone gets the most popular major inside a scheme.

At PolyU the year has two 13-week semesters and a 7-week summer term, and there is one bachelor's intake a year, in September. Some universities give credit for strong IB or A-level results: PolyU grants up to 25% credit transfer, and CityUHK can admit IB holders with 30+ points with Advanced Standing I, which means fewer credits to graduate.

## The full cost of a year {#section-6}

The official Study in Hong Kong portal gives these yearly ranges for non-local students: tuition HK$90,000–265,000, hall HK$15,000–45,000, living expenses around HK$50,000 and about HK$15,000 in miscellaneous costs. The tuition ceiling is already out of date — HKU charges HK$280,000 for STEM — so always use the university's own figure.

Examples of first-year budgets for a bachelor's student living in a hall:

| University and year | Tuition | Hall | Living | Total per year |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| PolyU, 2027/28 | HK$240,000 | HK$18,515 (2026/27 rate) | HK$53,040 meals + HK$18,717 personal | ≈ HK$330,272 ($42,100), PolyU's estimate |
| HKUST, 2027/28 | HK$260,000 | HK$21,000–51,000 (rates for 2026 entrants) | about HK$60,000 | ≈ HK$341,000–371,000 ($43,470–47,290) |
| HKU, 2027/28, non-STEM | HK$250,000 | HK$17,290–37,940 for 285 days | up to HK$50,000 | ≈ HK$317,300–337,900 ($40,450–43,080) |
| CityUHK, 2026/27 | HK$190,000 | HK$20,800 (double room) | HK$50,000–60,000 | ≈ HK$260,800–270,800 ($33,240–34,520) |

From the second year, non-local students at PolyU and HKUST usually rent privately; HKUST estimates HK$4,500–18,000 a month and PolyU about HK$50,000 a year. Our [cost of studying in Hong Kong](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-hong-kong) guide lists every one-off payment as well.

## How international applicants apply {#section-7}

Non-local students apply through each university's international (non-JUPAS) route online. For 2027 entry:

- HKU: applications from 23 September 2026; first-round evaluation for applications received by noon (HKT) on 25 November 2026; applications close on 25 August 2027;
- HKUST: from 2 October 2026; priority round until 25 November 2026; rolling until 30 June 2027;
- PolyU: from 23 September 2026; early round until 17 November 2026; main round until 11 February 2027; late applications until 14 May 2027.

School certificates from Russia and the CIS are accepted, with conditions. PolyU lists the Russian certificate of secondary general education together with the Unified State Exam (EGE); CityUHK asks for excellent school grades plus EGE; CUHK sets a minimum certificate average of 4.5 out of 5 and recommends strong EGE results. For Kazakhstan the same lists name the UNT or the NIS Grade 12 certificate, and for Kyrgyzstan the ORT. English minimums differ too: PolyU and CUHK ask for IELTS Academic 6.0, CityUHK for 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 79. A step-by-step guide to documents, essays and interviews is in [applying to Hong Kong universities](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-hong-kong-universities).

## Competition and the non-local quota {#section-8}

From 2026/27 the government lets UGC-funded universities admit self-financing non-local students to bachelor's, sub-degree and taught master's programmes up to 50% of their local student places, up from 40%. This is not half of all seats, and it does not mean more places on your programme: universities raise intakes gradually. Competition for medicine, law, business and computer science at HKU, CUHK and HKUST remains strong, and meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee a place.

## Scholarships to check when choosing {#section-9}

- University entrance scholarships. PolyU considers non-local applicants automatically, with packages from half tuition to full tuition plus a living allowance, up to HK$310,000 (about $39,520) a year. CityUHK announces awards in the offer letter; no separate application is needed.
- Belt and Road Scholarship. Covers full tuition for first-year bachelor's students from Belt and Road countries at UGC-funded universities. Kazakhstan has its own designated scheme since 2024/25; other countries fall under the Other Countries scheme, and the university confirms eligibility.
- Scholarship for Outstanding Performance. HK$80,000 (about $10,200) a year for top non-local students on UGC-funded programmes, nominated by the university.
- Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme. For future PhD students. In 2026/27 the fellowship pays a HK$344,400 (about $43,900) annual stipend plus HK$14,400 (about $1,840) a year for conferences and research travel, for up to three years. The Research Grants Council (RGC) will award 400 fellowships for 2027/28; the call opened on 1 September and closes on 1 December 2026 (12:00 noon HKT).

Needs-based government aid is not available to non-local students; PolyU says so explicitly. Plan a budget that works without a scholarship. For a wider view of funding see [scholarships abroad in 2026](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-abroad-2026).

## Common mistakes {#section-10}

- Choosing by overall ranking instead of programme. THE and QS positions describe the university; admission depends on required subjects, past IB or A-level scores and the structure of year one.
- Confusing CUHK with CityUHK. They are different universities with different campuses (Sha Tin versus Kowloon Tong), requirements and fees.
- Forgetting housing after year one. PolyU and HKUST house non-local students in year one only, and CityUHK guarantees nothing; budget for renting.
- Picking an unaccredited overseas programme taught in Hong Kong. Visas and IANG depend on local accreditation — check before paying.
- Arriving as a visitor and trying to enrol. Visitors may not study, and a change of status after entry is allowed only in exceptional cases. The student visa is arranged through the university before you travel.

## FAQ {#faq}

### How many universities are there in Hong Kong?

The official Study in Hong Kong portal counts 22 institutions with local degree-awarding powers and another 22 colleges that offer only sub-degree programmes. Eight universities receive UGC funding, and these are what people usually mean by Hong Kong's main universities.

### Which Hong Kong university is the best?

In the THE World University Rankings 2026, HKU is highest (33rd), followed by CUHK (=41st) and HKUST (=58th). For your application, compare the specific subject: in design, hospitality or veterinary medicine, PolyU and CityUHK may be the stronger choice.

### Can I study in Hong Kong for free?

There are no tuition-free bachelor's places for non-local students, but a full entrance scholarship or the Belt and Road Scholarship can cover all tuition. Both are competitive, so have a plan that works without them.

### Do I need to speak Chinese?

Not for admission: programmes are taught in English, and universities assess English only, apart from subjects related to Chinese language and culture. Cantonese or Putonghua helps in daily life and in the local job market.

### How is a self-financing university different from a public one?

Self-financing universities receive no UGC subsidy, so their fees are commercial for everyone and their students draw on different government awards. A degree from a degree-awarding self-financing university is still a Hong Kong degree and qualifies for IANG if the programme is full-time and locally accredited.

### When should I start preparing for 2027 entry?

In autumn 2026: HKU and HKUST first rounds close on 25 November and PolyU's early round on 17 November. Aim to have your English test and translated documents ready by October.

## Sources {#section-12}

- [Study in Hong Kong: Universities and Higher Education](https://www.studyinhongkong.edu.hk/en/hong-kong-education/universities-and-higher-education.php); [Tuition Fee and Living Expenses](https://www.studyinhongkong.edu.hk/en/hong-kong-education/tuition-fee-and-living-expenses.php); [Scholarships](https://www.studyinhongkong.edu.hk/en/hong-kong-education/scholarships.php); [Accommodation](https://www.studyinhongkong.edu.hk/en/live-in-hong-kong/accommodation.php)
- [UGC: UGC-funded Universities](https://www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/ugc/site/fund_inst.html); [UGC on the 50% ceiling from 2026/27](https://www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/ugc/about/press_speech_other/press/2025/pr20250917.html)
- [HKU: Fees](https://admissions.hku.hk/fees-and-scholarships/fees); [HKU: International Qualifications](https://admissions.hku.hk/apply/international-qualifications)
- [HKUST: Fees and Scholarships](https://join.hkust.edu.hk/fees-and-scholarships); [HKUST: International Qualifications](https://join.hkust.edu.hk/admissions/international-qualifications)
- [PolyU: Fees](https://www.polyu.edu.hk/study/ug/fees-and-scholarships/fees); [PolyU: General Entrance Requirements](https://www.polyu.edu.hk/study/ug/admissions/international-other-qualifications/international-other-qualifications-general); [PolyU 2027/28 information sheet (PDF)](https://www.polyu.edu.hk/saso/docdrive/Public/AdmissionLeaflets/HK%20PolyU_infosheet_2728.pdf)
- [CityUHK: International Admission](https://www.cityu.edu.hk/admo/admissions/international-admissions); [CityUHK: Fees and Scholarships](https://www.cityu.edu.hk/admo/fees-and-scholarships); [CityUHK: Accommodation](https://www.cityu.edu.hk/admo/accommodation); [CUHK: Fees](https://admission.cuhk.edu.hk/fees-financing-your-studies/fees/)
- [Lingnan University: Fees & Scholarships](https://www.ln.edu.hk/admissions/ug/your-future-begins-now-apply/fees-and-scholarships)
- [EDB: HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund](https://www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/postsecondary/local-higher-edu/publicly-funded-programmes/scholarship.html); [RGC: Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme](https://www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/hkpfs/)
- [Immigration Department: Students](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/study.html); [IANG](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/IANG.html)
- [THE World University Rankings 2026](https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/university-hong-kong)
- [HKMA: Linked Exchange Rate System](https://www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/key-functions/money/linked-exchange-rate-system/); [ECB reference rates](https://www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/eurofxref/eurofxref-daily.xml)

USD amounts are converted at the ECB reference rate of 28 September 2026 (about HK$7.845 per $1) and rounded to $10.

If you want to know which Hong Kong universities realistically fit your grades, English and budget, [send us a request](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply).

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.

## Next steps

- [Applying to Hong Kong Universities: School-Certificate Requirements, Documents and 2027 Deadlines for International Applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-hong-kong-universities)
- [Cost of Studying in Hong Kong for International Students: University Fees, Housing, Living Costs and One-Off Payments for 2026/27 and 2027/28](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-hong-kong)
- [Scholarships abroad 2026: where international students study for free](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-abroad-2026)
- [Studying in Hong Kong for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-hongkong)
- [The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-chinese-university-of-hong-kong)
- [Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-hong-kong-university-of-science-and-technology)

Updated: September 2026