Cost and structure of education in Hong Kong
Type of Education | Age | Duration | Min. cost | Avg. cost | Min. language proficiency | Exams |
---|
Summer campMainly for locals, check with the camps directly | 6+ | 1-9 weeks | 352 USD/week | 637 USD/week | - | - |
Language schools | 12+ | 1-52 weeks | 349 USD/week | 841 USD/week | A1 | On-site at schools |
Language courses at universityonly available to university students or Hong Kong residents |
| 5 to 30 weeks | 319 USD/week | 854 USD/week | - | - |
Secondary education | 12+ | 1-12 years | Freestate school, education in Cantonese | 1,912 USD/year | B1 | Exam/interviewprivate schools conduct those to evaluate English proficiency |
Foundation | 17+ | 1-2 years | 4,844 USD/year | 15,298 USD/year | B2 | IELTS 5.5 |
Bachelor's | 17+ | 3-4 years | 11,729 USD/year | 17,848 USD/year | B2 | TOEFL 79/IELTS 6.0 |
Master's | 20+ | 1-3 years | 5,354 USD/year | 19,123 USD/year | C1 | TOEFL 80/IELTS 6.5 |
MBA | 20+ | 1-2 years | 21,928 USD/year | 72,667 USD/year | C1 | TOEFL 80/IELTS 6.5 |
Doctoral | 20+ | 2-4 years | 10,734 USD/year | 31,872 USD/year | C1 | TOEFL 80/IELTS 6.5 |
Additional costs
Expense | Average cost |
---|
Registration fees | 38 USD |
Visa | 24 USD |
AccommodationDorm/apartment | 2,295 USD/17,848 USD per year |
Insurance | 229 USD/year |
Food | 382 USD/month |
Public transport | 51 USD/month |
All prices and requirements are approximate. Data must be clarified on the websites of universities.
Options and schemes for admission to Hong Kong
Admission and requirements at universities in Hong Kong
Universities in Hong Kong have a high degree of autonomy in the admission of students. Therefore, there are no uniform requirements for admission, they vary from university to university and from program to program. Educational institutions accept students based on academic and other achievements. Depending on their specialty, candidates are additionally invited for interviews.
As a rule, the main list of documents includes:
To apply, the student needs to get acquainted with the educational institutions of Hong Kong and choose the appropriate program. Usually, all the necessary information is indicated on the websites of universities which include admission requirements and application deadlines. If you have questions, you can contact the admissions office of the university.
Legalization and recognition of a diploma in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a part of the Hague Convention on the legalization of documents, therefore if your country is also a member of the Convention, your certificate/diploma must be apostilled. Otherwise, you may need to go through consular legalization. The exact requirements depend on the country.
Foundation programs in Hong Kong
In addition to an IB Diploma and A-Levels, students can attend pre-university Foundation programs to enter the university. They help to improve the level of English and enhance the student's knowledge in specialized subjects. For example, in the natural sciences and humanities, mathematics and medicine. Typically, such courses last 1 year. The qualifications of most programs allow graduates to enter not only Hong Kong but also British, American and Chinese universities. To enrol, the applicant must provide a certificate of secondary education and transcript with grades from high school, language certificate (TOEFL/IELTS) and the results of final exams in the native country. Additionally, the administration may schedule an interview.
Some educational institutions offer summer preparatory courses before the admission to the university. As a rule, they are modular and prepare students for a certain specialty, for example, law. In the classroom, students master the basics of the field of study, read educational material and learn the intricacies of the future learning process. Upon completion, students receive certificates and confidence in their knowledge. To enrol in the courses, the applicant must provide a transcript of current grades, a letter of motivation and a language certificate (TOEFL/IELTS). Such programs supplement knowledge but are not a key condition for admission to bachelor’s studies.
Colleges — Vocational Education in Hong Kong
High school graduates can enrol in sub-degree programs — associate degree or Higher Diploma. After graduation, students can continue their studies and after another two years (that is, "2 + 2") receive a bachelor's degree. Another way is to immediately start working in a specialty. Graduates of sub-degree programs can find employment not only in private organizations but also in public service.
Vocational Training Council (VTC) and the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, along with other higher education institutions, offer professional programs. VTC brings together 13 training institutions in Hong Kong. The motto of the Council "Think and Do" reveals the ideology of schools — to train students for further employment. Programs are offered in the following disciplines: design, creative media, business, engineering, information technology, hotel business and tourism, Chinese cuisine, etc. You can find a list of programs here.
Most institutions also work with large companies. Partners not only participate in curriculum development but also provide scholarships and internships for students.
There are two types of professional qualifications in Hong Kong:
| Associate's degree (AD) | Higher Diploma (HD) |
---|
Goal | Knowledge | Practice |
Content ( 60%) | General subjects (language, IT, etc.) | Specialized subjects (by profession) |
Upon completion | Continuing education (and employment) | Employment (and education) |
Higher diploma programs are usually accepted with an education certificate of 11 years of school, and for the degree of associate and bachelor’s, it is often necessary to provide an equivalent of 12 years of school education:
If these documents are not available, then you must contact the college administration and send a school certificate along with the results of your final exams. Further, the educational institution will make decisions on a case by case basis. Additionally, you need to provide a language certificate (TOEFL/IELTS), a motivation letter and an interview.
Bachelor’s in Hong Kong — Undergraduate
For bachelor’s studies, the applicants are selected based on academic performance, exam results, motivation letter, personality traits, talents and achievements. For some programs, applicants are interviewed or present a portfolio.
Students at Hong Kong schools study for 12 years, which differs from the educational system in some countries. Therefore, in order to enter a bachelor's program, it is necessary to request the information directly from universities. Often, on official websites, admission committees indicate lists of countries and equivalent diplomas. Many universities, such as Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong City University and the University of Hong Kong, accept 11-year certificates, but only with honours (GPA — from 4.5 and above). And for some, passing A-Levels, International Baccalaureate (IB), associate degree or higher diploma is required. Additionally, a package of documents usually includes:
There are no unified requirements for exam results. On average, for SAT exams, a score of 1350 is required, and for the SAT Subject test — 550 for each subject, an acceptable result for ACT is 23 and for the Advanced Placement Test — level 3 for each subject.
All documents in languages other than English or Chinese must be accompanied by a notarized translation. The starting date for receiving applications depends on the program, often in late December — early January.
Master’s in Hong Kong — Graduate/Postgraduate
Master’s in Hong Kong is either standard or research-based. Standard ones are similar to bachelor’s studies and consist of lectures, seminars, group and individual term papers. A research master's program prepares students for research at the PhD cycle.
Students are evaluated by written exams, projects, and dissertations.
Since Hong Kong is a global commercial centre, MBA programs are very popular here. Moreover, the teaching of business and management at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology is ranked 16th among the best in the world according to the QS ranking.
The academic year in Hong Kong begins in September and ends in August. As in other countries, master's programs in Hong Kong usually last 1-2 years.
To submit documents to a master’s program, you will need:
The application process is done online.
Master’s programs in Hong Kong are taught in both English and Cantonese. If you want to learn the local language, most universities offer Cantonese and Putonghua language courses.
Doctoral studies in Hong Kong — Postgraduate
Hong Kong doctoral studies are similar to British and other countries of the Anglo-Saxon education system. Most PhD programs in Hong Kong last 3-4 years. There is a three-year program designed for students with a master's degree in research (MRes), and the four-year program for bachelor’swith honours and master’s degree holders. Foreign students can also study part-time. However, in order to get a visa, a study must take place at a state university funded by UGCUniversity Grants Committee. Then the three-year part-time program will last 4.5 years, and the four-year — 6 years. The full-time academic year consists of two semesters: autumn (September-November) and spring (January-April).
PhD programs include studies and research. Students attend classes related to the specialty, and basic doctoral courses. The finale of study is the defence of a dissertation in front of an internal and external examiner.
As Hong Kong has a small number of universities, the region has no unified application procedure. Applicants apply directly to the university and there they learn about the requirements:
If the previous education of the student took place in English, then taking language exams is optional. All other documents must be translated and notarized (check the requirements for your country).
Universities conduct interviews for many programs. For foreign students — by a conference call. However, some applicants arrive in the country for 3-4 days to go through it and at the same time see the university and the city. At the interview, the commission asks questions about the personality of the candidate, his strengths/weaknesses, about previous and upcoming studies.
Academic career in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is not only the heart of industry in the Asia-Pacific region but also a research and development centre. In 2009, the Hong Kong government established an 18 billion USD Research Fund to develop and support research at public universities
[5]. The country's universities are focused on industry and are among the most advanced in the world. In the
QS ranking 2021, 7 of 8 Hong Kong state universities have a spot, 5 of which were in the top 100.
Academic freedom is one of the basic principles of education in Hong Kong, and each university provides the physical environment and intellectual support for a flourishing study. The teaching career is open to expats. Despite the fact that local professors easily switch from Mandarin to Cantonese and English, you can work here, knowing only English. However, to get a job you must have the following qualifications:
-
PhD degree;
-
Research and teaching experience;
-
Publications in scientific journals.
For some part-time positions, the applicant may have a master's or bachelor's degree, for example,
tutor /
teacher / l
ecturer or
research /
teacher assistant.
In the position of
chair /
full /
associate /
assistant professor the applicant
already needs to have solid experience in research and teaching, and, of course, a doctorate. But in order to get a long-term or permanent position, the academician will have to work for several years as an assistant. It is also worth noting that, like in many other countries, Hong Kong universities have a lot of bureaucracy.
Universities indicate current vacancies on their official websites. Candidates apply for vacancies online: fill out questionnaires, attach a resume and all the necessary documents. Universities also conduct interviews. Many positions are offered on a contract basis for several years. Contracts may subsequently be extended. The main responsibilities of academic positions include research, teaching, student research management and administrative functions at the department.
Universities in Hong Kong are hiring based on the professional qualifications of the candidate, regardless of gender, nationality or other characteristics. View current vacancies
here. The average salary for a
lecturer position
is 5,609
USD per month
[6].
Scholarships and grants in Hong Kong
The government of Hong Kong, universities, public and private organizations offer scholarships and grants to international students. Some are issued to all students, regardless of nationality but are awarded on a competitive basis.
The HKSAR Government Scholarship is intended for local and foreign distinguished high-performing students from:
The grant is awarded for full-time study programs in all degrees and amounts to 10,199 USD per year. Learn more about the scholarship here.
The Belt and Road Scholarship covers the tuition costs of outstanding students from the countries of the "Belt and Road" Initiative. The list includes Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Macedonia, Qatar and many others. A full list of countries is available on the site. Scholarships are available only for full-time programs of public universities. Source of funding is the Government Scholarship Fund.
Degree | Number for 2020-2021 |
---|
First year of bachelor‘s | Up to 35 |
First year of master’s/doctoral | Up to 25 |
The applications for grants are sent directly to universities.
The Self-financing Post-secondary Education Fund provides scholarships to outstanding local and international students studying at associate, diploma, or bachelor’s programs full-time. There are 5 types of scholarships:
Name | Criteria | Amount per year |
---|
Outstanding Performance Scholarship | High academic performance, leadership and communication skills | 10,199 USDbachelor's/ 3,825 USDassociate/diploma |
Best Progress Award | Students who have achieved improvement and progress in their studies | 1,275 USD |
Talent Development Scholarship | Talented students in sports, music, art and design; innovation, science and technology; or STEMscience, technology, engineering, mathematics | 1,275 USD |
Reaching Out Award | Students nominated for national and international events and competitions held outside of Hong Kong | 1,275 USD |
Endeavour Scholarship | Students with special needs (intellectual disabilities, autistic disorders, physical disabilities, etc.) | 1,275 USD |
Hong Kong PhD fellowship scheme is designed for applicants of the following universities:
The program provides 39,470 USD for training and 1,645 USD for travel related to conferences and research. Each scholarship holder receives this amount throughout 3 years. For longer periods, universities may additionally provide funds. In the 2020-2021 academic year, 250 scholarships were awarded.
Criteria for selecting candidates are as follows:
-
Excellent academic knowledge;
-
Research abilities and potential;
-
Communicative and interpersonal skills;
-
Leadership skills.
Universities directly oversee the grant. Detailed information can be found on the official website.
Other scholarships are issued by educational institutions. University administration or international offices may advise you on types of grants and application procedures.
Find scholarships in Hong Kong
Student visa in Hong Kong
To obtain a visa, foreign students must have a sponsor: the educational institution that accepted the applicant, or an individual living in Hong Kong. Typically, the registration process takes 6 weeks.
Documents required from the student:
-
Application for study (ID995A);
-
Copy of the passport;
-
Photograph;
-
Hong Kong Identification Card (if any);
-
Letter of acceptance;
-
Confirmation of financial viability, for example, a bank statement (if the sponsor is an educational institution).
If the student is under 18
If the student is a minor, one of the parents must authorize the sponsor or relative/friend in Hong Kong to be the student's guardian. Additionally required documents:
-
Written consent signed by the guardian and the parent;
-
A copy of the document confirming the address of residence.
Documents from the sponsor:
-
Form ID995B filled out and signed by the sponsor;
-
The obligation that the sponsor is ready to provide housing to the student during the training period (if an applicant is a minor).
If the sponsor is an individual
If the sponsor is an individual, then the documents listed above must be accompanied by:
-
A copy of the sponsor’s Hong Kong identification card;
-
A copy of the sponsor's passport (if the sponsor is not a permanent resident of Hong Kong);
-
A copy of a document confirming a sponsor’s financial viability, for example, bank statements;
-
A confirmation of the sponsor’s commitment to providing financial support to the student during his / her study period in Hong Kong.
You can apply by mail or through a sponsor to the Hong Kong Immigration Department or the nearest Chinese Consulate. Universities provide information to students and help with the submission of documents. For more information, see the Hong Kong Immigration Department website.
Opportunity to work while studying
In the past, international students in Hong Kong were not allowed to work. Recently, however, restrictions have been lifted when it comes to internships, part-time jobs, and summer jobs. This was done in order to attract more students and develop Hong Kong as a regional educational centre.
Foreign full-time students, whose term of study is at least one academic year, can undergo an internship if it is:
-
Related to the field of studies;
-
Organized/approved by the university;
-
It lasts up to 1 year or makes up no more than a third of the curriculum time.
There are no restrictions on the nature of work, wages and the number of working hours of the internship.
International full-time students at all levels of education can work part-time:
-
No more than 20 hours a week;
-
On-campus only.
In the summer, you can work any number of hours and anywhere, but only from June 1 to August 31.
Opportunity to stay and immigration to Hong Kong
Hong Kong encourages the immigration of international graduates from local universities. The government has introduced special Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates. Visiting students with a full-time degree obtained in Hong Kong can apply for a work permit through the Department of Immigration website.
Graduates who apply within 6 months after graduation receive a 1-year permit and have the right to stay in the region and seek work. Those who apply after a 6-month period are classified as "returnees" — they need to get a job first, and only then can they get the permit. The work must be related to education and degree.
The permitting process takes about 2 weeks. For returning graduates — 4 weeks. However, the waiting time depends on the number of applications and their individual characteristics. The peak of applications is in the summer from June to August. The cost is 29 USD.
After the expiration of the permit, expats can extend their stay in Hong Kong if they have work and apply for an employment visa. Jobs can be found at career fairs, online or through consultation with a specialist at the university.
Prospects and employment opportunities
The Hong Kong government is actively attracting international talent. To this end, it has developed employment programs for foreign professionals and entrepreneurs, and immigration programs for foreign graduates of local universities[7]. Many international corporations are based in Hong Kong, so the job market offers a large number of vacancies. Foreigners are free to work only with the knowledge of English. If you speak Cantonese, you can work in local companies as well. Expats are also involved in entrepreneurship: favourable conditions have been created in the region for foreign businessmen.
Hong Kong is one of the most expensive cities in the world in 2020[4]. To live here comfortably, you need to be aware of your future salary in advance. The most popular areas are finance and information technology. For example, a digital marketer earns an average of 28 USD/hour, a financial analyst — 23 USD/hour, a software engineer and business analyst — 20 USD/hour. The unemployment rate is 5.20%, and the minimum wage is 1 USD/hour in 2019[8].
Hong Kong is a major financial and trade centre of Asia and the world. This was made possible thanks to the efforts of the government: a free market, low taxation and almost free port trade led to financial prosperity and a highly developed economy. According to the rating of the Heritage Fund, Hong Kong ranks 2nd in the world in economic freedom[9]. In Hong Kong, there is no VAT, capital gains and dividends tax . The income tax rate is the same for foreign and local companies — 17.5%, and for wages it is a maximum of 16%[10]. Key sectors of Hong Kong's economy are financial services, trade and logistics, tourism, manufacturing and professional services[11].
Diplomas of Hong Kong universities are accepted around the world, so graduates can find work almost everywhere.
Photographs of Hong Kong universities
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