Study in Hong Kong: Admissions, Scholarships and Student Visa
Studying in Hong Kong: how we help
Global Careers guides students from Surat and across India on studying in Hong Kong: choosing the course and universities, preparing the applications, applying for scholarships and preparing the student visa application. Hong Kong has eight universities funded through the University Grants Committee, among them HKU, HKUST and CUHK. Students from outside Hong Kong apply to each university directly.
Our advice begins with the student: the right course first, then the right country and university. For how we work, see study abroad consulting. For the visa, see student visa guidance.
Studying in Hong Kong: the essentials
- Applying: directly to each university. Requirements and deadlines differ between universities and between programmes.
- Where: Hong Kong has 22 institutions that award degrees, nine of them publicly funded. Eight universities are funded through the University Grants Committee: HKU, CUHK, HKUST, PolyU, CityU, HKBU, Lingnan University and EdUHK.
- Length: four years for an undergraduate degree.
- What is assessed: completion of secondary school with satisfactory results, and an English test such as the TOEFL or IELTS where English is not the applicant’s first language. Some universities interview applicants.
- Student visa: the student needs a local sponsor, which is normally the university. The Immigration Department says an application normally takes six weeks to process once all the documents are received. The applicant must show the means to pay the fees, living costs and accommodation.
- Work during study: students on full-time degree programmes of at least one academic year may work part time on campus for up to 20 hours a week, take summer jobs from 1 June to 31 August, and take study-related internships endorsed by the university. The No Objection Letter issued to each student states what is permitted.
- After the degree: under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG), a graduate who applies within six months of graduating may be granted 24 months’ stay without a job offer.
- Scholarships: the HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund makes awards to outstanding non-local students on publicly funded programmes, and the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme funds PhD students.
Sources: Immigration Department (study and IANG pages), University Grants Committee and Study in Hong Kong. Checked in October 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm them on the official website before you apply.
How we work with students applying to Hong Kong
Families usually consider Hong Kong alongside Singapore. In both, places for students from outside are limited and the competition for them is strong, so we advise applying there together with universities in another country or in India.
Each university in Hong Kong runs its own application and sets its own requirements, and some interview applicants. We check the requirement for each programme on the shortlist and prepare the student for each application.
The full process, from the choice of course to the visa, is described under study abroad consulting.
Frequently asked questions
Directly to each university, through its own online application. Universities ask for school results, an English test where it is required, and the other documents that programme lists. Some hold interviews. Requirements and deadlines differ, so we check each university and programme.
Students on full-time degree programmes of at least one academic year may work part time on campus for up to 20 hours a week, take summer jobs from 1 June to 31 August, and take study-related internships endorsed by the university. The No Objection Letter issued to each student states what is permitted. This was the rule on the Immigration Department’s website in October 2026.
Yes, under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG). A graduate who applies within six months of graduating may be granted 24 months’ stay without a job offer. To extend the stay after that, the graduate needs a suitable job. The current terms are on the Immigration Department’s website.
Tuition for students from outside Hong Kong differs by university and programme, and rent is a large part of the cost. We prepare a cost sheet for every university on the shortlist: tuition, living costs, insurance and travel for each year of the degree. Plan on meeting the full cost without income from part-time work.
No. Global Careers guides students on admissions and student visas only. Permanent residency and work visas are immigration matters decided by the government of Hong Kong, and the rules change often. Please check the official government website.
With an introductory session with our team, which is free. A consultation with Dr. Manish Mittal is paid and is by appointment only. Call +91 99250 33239 or +91 95105 33239, or send a message from the contact page. Our office is at S-8, 3rd Floor, Central Plaza, opposite St. Thomas School, New Citylight, Surat 395007. Students outside Surat work with us online.
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