Hong Kong has eight publicly funded universities under the University Grants Committee (UGC): the University of Hong Kong (HKU), the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), the City University of Hong Kong (CityU), the Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), the Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), and Lingnan University. For the 2024/2025 academic year, the annual tuition fee for local undergraduate students at all UGC-funded programs is fixed at HK$42,100. Non-local students pay significantly more, typically between HK$160,000 and HK$220,000 per year depending on the institution and program. This article details the fee structures, recent trends, and related costs for students and families navigating higher education in Hong Kong.
UGC-Funded Undergraduate Programs: Local Student Fees
The Hong Kong government subsidizes the bulk of tuition for local students at UGC-funded institutions. The annual fee of HK$42,100 has remained unchanged since the 2018/2019 academic year, following a period of annual increases that began in the early 1990s. Before 1991, local students paid only HK$2,000 per year. The current fee represents approximately 18% of the actual cost of a university place, with the government covering the remainder.
For a typical four-year undergraduate degree, a local student pays a total of HK$168,400 in tuition. Some programs, such as medicine at HKU or CUHK, require six years of study, bringing the total to HK$252,600. Architecture and certain dual-degree programs may also extend beyond four years.
Local students who apply through the Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS) are eligible for these subsidized fees. For a detailed explanation of the JUPAS timeline and strategies, see JUPAS Application Timeline 2025.
Fee Increases Over Time
The UGC last raised the annual fee from HK$42,100 to HK$44,500 for the 2025/2026 academic year, but this increase was reversed in February 2025 after public consultation. As of March 2025, the fee remains HK$42,100. The government has indicated that future increases will be tied to the Composite Consumer Price Index, with a cap of 3% per year.
For context, in 1997 the annual fee was HK$33,350. Adjusted for inflation, the 2024 fee is roughly 26% higher in nominal terms but lower in real terms when accounting for the 80% cumulative inflation over that period.
Non-Local Student Fees at UGC Institutions
Non-local students, defined as those who do not hold a Hong Kong permanent identity card or who have not resided in Hong Kong for the three years immediately before the start of their program, pay unsubsidized fees. Each university sets its own non-local fee, which varies by program and faculty.
The table below shows the annual tuition for non-local undergraduate students at each UGC-funded university for the 2024/2025 academic year:
- HKU: HK$182,000 (most programs); HK$218,000 for medicine and surgery.
- CUHK: HK$145,000 (most programs); HK$210,000 for medicine.
- HKUST: HK$170,000 (all programs).
- PolyU: HK$160,000 (most programs).
- CityU: HK$160,000 (most programs).
- HKBU: HK$145,000 (most programs).
- EdUHK: HK$140,000 (most programs).
- Lingnan: HK$145,000 (most programs).
Non-local students also face higher living costs, as they are not eligible for government rent allowance or certain subsidies. For a broader overview of education pathways, see The Complete Guide to Hong Kong Education Pathways.
Self-Financing and Private University Programs
Not all degree programs in Hong Kong are UGC-funded. Self-financing programs, offered by both UGC institutions and private universities such as the Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU), the Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK), and the Hong Kong Shue Yan University (HKSYU), charge fees that are not government-subsidized. These programs are often more expensive than UGC-funded places for local students but may be cheaper than non-local fees at UGC institutions.
For local students, self-financing undergraduate programs typically cost between HK$70,000 and HK$120,000 per year. Examples include:
- HKMU: HK$85,000 to HK$110,000 per year for most bachelor's programs.
- HSUHK: HK$95,000 to HK$110,000 per year.
- HKSYU: HK$75,000 to HK$90,000 per year.
- PolyU SPEED: HK$80,000 to HK$100,000 per year for top-up degree programs.
Non-local students in self-financing programs pay similar or slightly higher fees, typically HK$100,000 to HK$150,000 per year.
Non-JUPAS Admissions and Tuition Implications
Students who do not apply through JUPAS, including those with international qualifications (IB, GCE A-Level, SAT, etc.), mature students, and transfer students, are classified as non-JUPAS applicants. Non-JUPAS local students may still be eligible for UGC-funded places at the same HK$42,100 fee, but competition is fierce and the number of places is limited. Most non-JUPAS local students end up in self-financing programs or, if they gain a UGC-funded place, pay the same fee as JUPAS entrants.
Non-JUPAS non-local students pay the full non-local fee as described above. For a detailed comparison of the two admission routes, see Non-JUPAS vs JUPAS: Pros and Cons.
Additional Costs: Accommodation, Living Expenses, and Books
Tuition is only one component of the total cost of university. Students must also budget for accommodation, food, transport, textbooks, and personal expenses. The UGC estimates that a local student living away from home needs approximately HK$50,000 to HK$70,000 per year for living costs. Non-local students may require HK$80,000 to HK$120,000 per year, depending on lifestyle and accommodation type.
Accommodation
University halls of residence cost between HK$15,000 and HK$40,000 per year for a shared room. Private rental in areas near campuses, such as Hung Hom (PolyU), Ma Liu Shui (CUHK), or Clear Water Bay (HKUST), ranges from HK$6,000 to HK$12,000 per month for a room in a shared flat. A studio apartment can cost HK$12,000 to HK$18,000 per month.
Other Expenses
- Textbooks and course materials: HK$3,000 to HK$8,000 per year, though many students buy second-hand or use library copies.
- Transport: HK$500 to HK$1,500 per month for students who commute, depending on distance and use of MTR or buses.
- Food: HK$3,000 to HK$5,000 per month for meals on campus and local eateries.
- Health insurance: Non-local students are required to have health insurance, costing HK$1,000 to HK$3,000 per year if purchased through the university.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
The Hong Kong government and individual universities offer a range of financial assistance schemes for local and non-local students. These include grants, loans, and scholarships that can significantly reduce the net cost of attendance.
Government Schemes for Local Students
- Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-secondary Students (FASP): Provides means-tested grants and loans for students in UGC-funded and self-financing programs. The maximum grant for 2024/2025 is HK$91,040 per year, covering tuition and living costs.
- Non-means-tested Loan Scheme (NLS): Offers loans of up to HK$10,000 per year at an interest rate of 1% per annum, available to all local students regardless of family income.
- Tertiary Student Finance Scheme, Publicly Funded Programmes (TSFS): Provides means-tested grants and loans for students in UGC-funded programs.
University Scholarships
All UGC-funded universities offer entrance scholarships for high-achieving local and non-local students. For example, HKU's HKU Foundation Scholarship covers full tuition and living expenses for top JUPAS and non-JUPAS entrants. CUHK's Admission Scholarship for local students ranges from HK$10,000 to full tuition. Non-local students are often eligible for separate scholarship schemes, such as the Hong Kong Government Scholarship Fund, which awards HK$80,000 per year to outstanding non-local students.
Tuition Fee Trends and Policy Debates
Tuition fees at Hong Kong universities have been a subject of public debate for decades. The government's policy of keeping local fees low (at 18% of cost) is intended to ensure broad access to higher education. However, critics argue that the subsidy disproportionately benefits middle- and upper-income families, while low-income students still face barriers due to living costs and the complexity of financial aid applications.
In 2023, the Education Bureau proposed a gradual increase of local fees to 25% of cost over five years, which would have raised the annual fee to approximately HK$58,000. This proposal was met with strong opposition from student groups and some legislators, and it was shelved in early 2024. As of March 2025, no further increases have been announced.
For non-local students, the fee gap between Hong Kong and other major study destinations such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States has narrowed. A non-local student at HKU pays roughly HK$182,000 per year, compared to an international student at the University of Melbourne paying approximately AUD$45,000 (HK$235,000) for a similar program. This makes Hong Kong relatively competitive for attracting international talent, though the high cost of living offsets some of this advantage.
Comparison with Other Education Pathways
Students and families considering higher education in Hong Kong often weigh the costs against alternative routes, such as studying abroad or attending a local self-financing institution. For a detailed look at school-level options that lead to university, see Direct Subsidized vs Aided Schools and International School Options in Hong Kong.
For students who completed the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) examination, the JUPAS system is the primary route to UGC-funded places. Understanding the DSE grading system and score conversion is essential for planning. See DSE Score Calculator and Conversion for more information.
Non-JUPAS applicants, including those with IB or GCE qualifications, should familiarize themselves with the specific requirements of each university. The application process and fee structures for non-JUPAS are explained in Non-JUPAS Admissions Explained.
Practical Tips for Managing Tuition Costs
For local students and their families, the following steps can help manage the financial burden:
- Apply for government financial aid early. The FASP and TSFS applications open in September for the following academic year. Late applications may result in delayed disbursement.
- Check university-specific scholarships. Many universities have separate scholarship applications with earlier deadlines. For example, HKU's Early Admissions Scheme requires submission by November of the year before entry.
- Consider part-time work. Local students on student visas are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during summer. Non-local students may also work up to 20 hours per week with a no-objection letter from the Immigration Department.
- Use the student discount schemes. The MTR student fare, which is half the adult fare, can save HK$500 to HK$1,000 per month for commuters.
- Buy second-hand textbooks. Platforms such as Carousell and Facebook groups for university students often have textbooks at 30% to 50% of retail price.
For students who are still in secondary school and planning their DSE subject choices, the choice of electives can affect eligibility for certain programs and thus the total cost of study. See DSE Subject Selection Tips for guidance.
Future Outlook
The Hong Kong government is expected to review the UGC funding model and tuition fee policy again in 2026. Demographic trends, including a declining number of secondary school graduates (from a peak of 55,000 in 2014 to approximately 42,000 in 2024), may lead to increased competition among universities for local students, potentially keeping fees stable. At the same time, the government aims to attract more non-local students to maintain the international character of Hong Kong's universities, which may result in more scholarship programs for non-local students.
For the most up-to-date information on application timelines and fee changes, consult JUPAS Application Timeline 2025 and the official websites of individual universities.
Related Articles
- The Complete Guide to Hong Kong Education Pathways
- JUPAS Application Timeline 2025
- Non-JUPAS Admissions Explained
- DSE Score Calculator and Conversion
- DSE Subject Selection Tips
- International School Options in Hong Kong