Hong Kong’s Eight Funded Universities Expansion Policy
Hong Kong’s eight publicly funded universities are planning to raise the non-local student quota to 40% of the funded places in 2026, a substantial increase from the current 20%. The government aims to raise the proportion of non-local students to 50% in the 2026/27 academic year.
Impact on Non-local Students
This expansion will provide non-local students with more opportunities to gain admission to Hong Kong’s eight funded universities. Non-local students currently gain admission through each university’s own admissions process; with the increased intake, the level of competition may ease.
Implementation Details
At present, the universities are making relevant preparations to accommodate the increased intake. The government is also discussing supporting measures with the universities, including accommodation places, teaching facilities and scholarship arrangements, to ensure the expansion proceeds smoothly.