The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is a public research university founded in 1963 and the only university in Hong Kong with a collegiate system of nine colleges. It ranks 18th in the QS World University Rankings 2027. International students apply directly, and 2027/28 tuition is about $29,314 (HK$230,000) a year.
Its 138.4-hectare campus overlooks Tolo Harbour and is the largest in Hong Kong, well away from the business districts. CUHK offers eight faculties, a flexible credit system and a bilingual, multicultural education that joins Chinese and Western traditions.
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CUHK is ranked between HKU and HKUST in the QS 2027 table, and its tuition is the lowest of the three for 2027/28, which makes it the value choice among Hong Kong's top-ranked universities.
Every CUHK undergraduate belongs to a faculty for their degree and to one of nine colleges: Chung Chi, New Asia, United and Shaw, and the newer Morningside, S.H. Ho, CW Chu, Wu Yee Sun and Lee Woo Sing. Colleges run general education courses, hostels, mentoring and activities, so the choice of college affects daily life as much as the choice of hall does at other universities.
CUHK has more than 9,000 hostel places. The university estimates on-campus accommodation at about about $2,167 (HK$17,000) a year.
CUHK's eight faculties range from arts and social science to engineering, business and medicine. Medicine (MBChB) runs on its own timetable: it has no advance offer round and asks for a separate 250-word personal statement, so decide early whether it is on your list.
Because CUHK is bilingual, some courses, especially in Chinese language, literature and history, may be taught in Chinese. Check the medium of instruction in each programme's details before you finalise your list.
Non-local applicants who need a student visa or entry permit apply through CUHK's International Students Admissions Scheme. One online application covers all rounds, and applicants not chosen for an advance offer compete automatically in the regular round.
| Date | Stage |
|---|---|
| 2 October 2026 | Application opens |
| 17 October 2026 | Information Day for undergraduate admissions |
| 12 November 2026 | Deadline for the advance offer round (not for Medicine) |
| from December 2026 | Advance offers to successful applicants |
| 7 January 2027 | Regular round deadline |
| August – September 2027 | Registration and course selection |
| early September 2027 | First teaching term starts |
CUHK's advance offer exists to let strong candidates compare early offers from several universities. If your grades are already strong, the 12 November date is worth hitting.
For Russian applicants CUHK sets a minimum attestat average of 4.5 out of 5 and recommends high EGE results. IB Diploma holders need at least 30 points, A-level students three passes, and SAT candidates 1190 plus two AP tests at grade 3.
The English minimum is IELTS Academic 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 80 (4.5 on the new scale). SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 590 and several school qualifications are also accepted.
Typical errors:
| Item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, non-local students | $29,314 (HK$230,000) per year | 2027/28; annual rise for the 2027 cohort capped at 3% |
| On-campus accommodation | about $2,167 (HK$17,000) per year | CUHK estimate |
| Living expenses | about $5,735 (HK$45,000) per year | CUHK estimate |
| First fee instalment on acceptance | $1,275 (HK$10,000) | paid to confirm the offer |
| Caution fee | $57 (HK$450) | refundable or used as graduation fee |
With a hostel place, the first-year total is about $37,000 before flights, visa and insurance, noticeably below HKU and HKUST. Dual-degree programmes can cost more.
CUHK offers merit-based admission scholarships to local and non-local undergraduates. Some cover tuition and, in some cases, living expenses. There are also scholarships open for application after enrolment and a financial aid system with its own schemes.
CUHK graduates can use Hong Kong's IANG scheme, which allows recent non-local graduates up to 24 months of stay without a job offer. Business, medicine and engineering graduates tend to find work in Hong Kong or the Greater Bay Area, while others continue to master's or research degrees.
Compared with HKU, CUHK's location means more planning for term-time internships in the city centre, so students often use summers for longer placements.
For the 2027/28 academic year CUHK charges non-local undergraduates about $29,314 (HK$230,000). The university says any yearly adjustment for the 2027 cohort will be capped at 3%.
Applications open on 2 October 2026. Apply by 12 November 2026 to be considered for an advance offer, or by 7 January 2027 for the regular round. Medicine has no advance offer round and expects applications by the regular deadline.
Yes. CUHK's minimum for Russia is an attestat with an average of 4.5 on a 5-point scale, and it recommends high EGE scores to make the application competitive. You also need to meet the English requirement and any programme-specific subjects.
The university minimum is IELTS Academic 6.0 overall or TOEFL iBT 80 (4.5 on the scale used from 21 January 2026). IELTS Online, IELTS Indicator and TOEFL Home Edition are not accepted.
CUHK describes bilingualism as part of its education, so the language of teaching varies by programme and course. Check the medium of instruction for each programme you shortlist before applying.
Every undergraduate belongs to one of nine colleges in addition to a faculty. Colleges run general education, hostels, pastoral care and student activities, and they shape much of daily student life.
Successful applicants pay a first instalment of about $1,275 (HK$10,000) towards the composition fee and complete the acceptance steps by the stated date, otherwise the offer lapses. A $57 (HK$450) caution fee is paid on enrolment.
Want to study at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)?
Programme selection and application preparation are provided under an agreement with StudyU. Aiming for the 12 November 2026 advance offer? Send your attestat average and EGE results and we check them against CUHK's minimum and your programme's subjects.
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