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

Rising the rankings chart at a spectacular rate, Study in Hong Kong is quickly becoming the favored choice among millennials and Gen-Z. With around 50 universities and 6 globally ranked institutes, Hong Kong has featured among the world’s top 15 cities for students and is becoming the new regional hub of education. With lower tuition rates (145,000 HKD or 18,700 USD) 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 6 universities in Hong Kong is composed of international candidates. Worrying if is it safe to study abroad in Hong Kong? Absolutely! The country has established itself as a safe haven in terms of COVID-19 (coronavirus) and has remained unaffected because of the pandemic with hardly any casualties. Thus, the country is all set to welcome international students for the year 2021 but will adhere to strict quarantine procedures, if required.

Study in Hong Kong University: Top institutes for international students

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

Why Study in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong is regarded as an international financial center that is a proud parent to some of the multinational financial institutions and a hub where the gap between the east and west fades. The country is quickly becoming a favorite study-abroad destination because of the following reasons:

• Higher Education Powerhouse: It is home to some of the highest-ranked universities. 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: The government of Hong Kong spends more than 20% of its expenditure on education. This is an attempt to make the country an educational hub. 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.

What to study in Hong Kong?

The nation offers a range of courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Some of the popular programs favorite 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 elaborate Hong Kong University application process for the same has been described below. The nation is extremely student-friendly when it comes to the admission process and has a straightforward list of requirements and criteria that needs 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.

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 which are as mentioned below.

Study in Hong Kong in English: Test score requirements

Since Hong Kong has 2 official languages one of which is English, it is mandatory that to successfully enroll in a program taught majorly in English, the students fulfill certain language requirements which are as 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: 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 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 successfully 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

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 95% 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 as compiled below.

Tuition Fee

Cost of living

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

Study in Hong Kong Scholarships

To facilitate education for aspirants in the country, Hong Kong offers a range of scholarships for international students. The detailed list of some of the popular awards in the nation is as tabulated below.

Jobs after studying in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is gradually shifting its approach towards placements and is quickly becoming flexible in terms of recruitment. The gradual shift towards protecting soft skills among the workforce has opened new doors for the fresh graduates in the country.

Digital Marketing, IT, Banking and FinTech & InsurTech are some of the sectors expected to see a rise in the upcoming years. Few of the top recruiters in the country to work after study in Hong Kong include Hudson, IBM, Korn/Ferry International, Russell Reynolds Associates, Pacific Bridge Inc., among others.

Salaries in Hong Kong (stream-wise)

From affordable tuition rates, flexible visa process, range of scholarships to endless placement opportunities, Hong Kong is a complete package when it comes to considering options for studying abroad. The country has proven its effectiveness in its splendid fight against the current pandemic and in terms of its rapidly rising rankings when it comes to its universities, thus adding credibility to its merit and making it a go-to destination for studying overseas.