Study in Hong Kong — universities, campus life and student cities

Hong Kong flag Sukhada's Study Destination Guide

Study In Hong Kong

Everything you need to know about tuition, cost of living, post-study work rights and top universities in Hong Kong — backed by Sukhada's counselling team.

Hong Kong at a Glance

Partner Universities On request
Region Asia
Cost Tier Moderate
Post-Study Work Varies
› Study Destinations › Hong Kong

Why Study in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong is a global finance hub with several universities ranked in the world's top 100. English is the main language of teaching, and graduates can stay two years to work.

  • Several universities in the global top 100
  • English-medium teaching
  • 24-month stay-back scheme for graduates

Quick Facts

Asia Moderate cost tier Not specified
Talk to a Counsellor

Key Numbers

On request Partner Universities
Moderate Cost Tier
Asia Region
Varies Post-Study Work

Hong Kong at a Glance

Official Name Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
Capital Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region)
Population 7.5M
Currency Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
Official Language(s) Cantonese, English
Also Spoken Mandarin, English
Calling Code +852
Region Asia
Economy Developed
English Proficiency High

How Does the Education System Work in Hong Kong?

A bachelor's degree in Hong Kong usually takes 4 years and a master's takes 1–2 years. The main intakes are September.

Bachelor's 4 years
Master's 1–2 years
MBA 1–2 years
PhD 3–4 years
Academic Year Starts September
Intakes September

Grading system

4.3 GPA scale

Accepted tests

IELTS, TOEFL

What Is the Application Timeline for Hong Kong?

Most students start 10–12 months before their intake. Exact deadlines vary by university and programme.

  1. ResearchShortlist universities in Hong Kong that match your budget, course and career goals.
  2. ShortlistNarrow down to 4–6 programmes and note each deadline for your intake.
  3. TestsBook the tests your universities ask for: IELTS, TOEFL.
  4. ApplySubmit applications with transcripts, SOP, LORs and test scores.
  5. OfferAccept your offer and receive the Admission letter; the university acts as sponsor.
  6. VisaApply for the Student Visa / Entry Permit as soon as your documents are ready.
  7. AccommodationBook on-campus or private housing before you travel.
  8. TravelArrange flights, forex and insurance, and carry original documents.
  9. EnrolComplete orientation, local registration and course enrolment.

How Much Does It Cost to Study in Hong Kong?

Typical bachelor's tuition in Hong Kong: HKD 150,000–200,000/yr. Master's tuition: HKD 120,000–350,000/yr. Living costs, covering rent, food and transport: HKD 7,000–12,000/month.

Bachelor's Tuition HKD 150,000–200,000/yr
Master's Tuition HKD 120,000–350,000/yr
Living Cost HKD 7,000–12,000/month
Proof of Funds Proof of funds for tuition and living costs

Monthly budget breakdown (Hong Kong)

Rent (shared) HKD 4,500/month
Food & groceries HKD 3,000/month
Local transport HKD 500/month
Utilities & phone HKD 500/month
Personal & leisure HKD 800/month
Estimated Total HKD 9,300/month (approx.)

Accommodation options

On-campus housing HKD 3,000/month
Shared apartment HKD 6,000/month
Private studio HKD 12,000/month
Homestay HKD 8,000/month

Figures are indicative ranges for international students and change every year. Your counsellor will confirm exact fees for your shortlisted courses.

How to Get a Hong Kong Student Visa

Indian students apply for the Student Visa / Entry Permit after receiving the Admission letter; the university acts as sponsor. Visa fee: HKD 230. Typical processing time: 4–6 weeks.

Visa Type Student Visa / Entry Permit
Visa Fee HKD 230
Processing Time 4–6 weeks
Interview No

Step-by-step visa process

  1. Secure your admission Apply to your chosen university and accept the offer. You will receive your Admission letter; the university acts as sponsor, which your visa application depends on.
  2. Arrange proof of funds Proof of funds for tuition and living costs. Keep recent bank statements, loan sanction letters or sponsor documents ready.
  3. Prepare your documents Collect your passport, academic records, English test scores, Sponsor declaration, Proof of funds.
  4. Submit the visa application Apply for the Student Visa / Entry Permit and pay the fee: HKD 230.
  5. Biometrics and interview Give biometrics if requested. Visa interview: No.
  6. Get your decision and travel Typical processing time: 4–6 weeks. Once approved, book your travel and complete any local registration after arrival.

Can You Work in Hong Kong During and After Studies?

Part-time Work Up to 20 hrs/week on campus; summer jobs allowed
Work During Breaks Full-time in summer
Post-Study Work IANG scheme: 24 months
After a Bachelor's 24 months (IANG)
After a Master's 24 months (IANG)
PR Pathway Permanent residence after 7 years of continuous residence
Typical PR Timeline 7 years

Immigration rules change often — always confirm on the official government website before you apply.

Documents You'll Typically Need

Exact document requirements vary by university and visa category. This is a general checklist — we'll confirm the precise list for your course.

Checklist

Academic transcripts & certificates
Valid passport
English proficiency score (IELTS / TOEFL / PTE / DET)
Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
Proof of funds / financial statements
Resume / CV (for PG programs)
Offer letter (once admitted)
Sponsor declaration
Proof of funds

What Is the Weather Like in Hong Kong?

Subtropical with hot, humid summers. Summers: Hot and humid, typhoon season. Winters: Mild, 15–20°C.

Average temperatures in Hong Kong

January 15°C to 19°C
April 20°C to 25°C
July 27°C to 32°C
October 23°C to 28°C

How Do Students Open a Bank Account in Hong Kong?

Open an account with passport, student visa and address proof.

Popular banks for students

HSBC Hang Seng Bank of China (HK) Standard Chartered

Documents usually needed

Passport
Student visa
Proof of address
Student ID

Is Hong Kong Safe for International Students?

Safety: Very high. Healthcare: Excellent.

Health Insurance Recommended
Typical Insurance Cost HKD 1,000–3,000/yr

Common insurance options

University plans AXA Bupa

Safety tips

  • Get an Octopus card
  • Follow typhoon warnings
  • Save local emergency numbers on your phone
  • Keep digital copies of your passport, visa and admission letter

What Is the Job Market Like in Hong Kong?

Graduate job demand in Hong Kong is high. Entry-level salaries are roughly HKD 240,000–300,000/yr, rising to about HKD 400,000–600,000/yr with experience.

Top hiring sectors

Finance Very High demand
Logistics High demand
Technology Medium demand

Skills in demand

Finance Fintech Logistics

Salary figures are indicative gross annual ranges and vary by city, role and employer.

What Is Student Life Like in Hong Kong?

Fast-paced blend of Cantonese culture and international business.

Student life

  • Hiking trails
  • Food scene
  • Harbour city life

Major religions

Buddhism Taoism Christianity

Indian community

Community Size About 45,000 people of Indian origin
Indian Food & Groceries Easy

Which Scholarships Can Indian Students Get for Hong Kong?

Well-known options for Hong Kong include Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme, HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund. Eligibility and deadlines change every year, so check the official page before applying.

Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme Amounts vary; check the official page for current details
HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund Amounts vary; check the official page for current details

Scholarships for Hong Kong

Our team tracks live scholarship listings across 150+ university and government portals. Here are the common categories students in Hong Kong typically qualify for — talk to a counsellor for current deadlines and amounts.

All Levels Merit-Based

Merit Scholarships

Awarded by universities based on academic performance
Hong Kong
UG / PG Need-Based

Need-Based Financial Aid

Partial tuition waivers based on demonstrated financial need
Hong Kong
PG / PhD Government

Government & Institutional Grants

Country and institution-run funding programs for international students
Hong Kong
All Levels Sukhada

Sukhada Partner Discounts

Fee-waivers and priority processing through our university partnerships
Hong Kong

Partner Universities in Hong Kong

We're adding verified partner universities in Hong Kong. Talk to a counsellor and we'll shortlist options for your course and budget.

Use the "View All" button above to see the complete, filterable list of Hong Kong universities with courses, fees and intakes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Typical tuition for international students in Hong Kong: HKD 150,000–200,000/yr for a bachelor's degree and HKD 120,000–350,000/yr for a master's. Living costs: HKD 7,000–12,000/month, depending on the city.

The visa you need is the Student Visa / Entry Permit, and the application is based on the Admission letter; the university acts as sponsor. Visa fee: HKD 230. Typical processing time: 4–6 weeks.

Proof of funds for tuition and living costs. The exact amount is revised from time to time, so confirm it with the official immigration website before applying.

Student work rules in Hong Kong: Up to 20 hrs/week on campus; summer jobs allowed.

Post-study work in Hong Kong: IANG scheme: 24 months. Long-term settlement route: Permanent residence after 7 years of continuous residence.

Safety in Hong Kong: Very high. Healthcare: Excellent.

Recommended. Typical cost: HKD 1,000–3,000/yr.

Graduate job demand in Hong Kong is high, led by Finance, Logistics, Technology. Entry-level salaries are roughly HKD 240,000–300,000/yr.

About 45,000 people of Indian origin. Indian food: Easy.

The main intakes in Hong Kong are September. A bachelor's degree usually takes 4 years and a master's takes 1–2 years.

IELTS, TOEFL. Minimum scores differ by university and course, so check each programme page.

Ready to start your journey to Hong Kong?

Book a free session with a Sukhada counsellor — no obligation, no pressure, just a clear plan for Hong Kong.

Free Counselling Zero Hidden Charges 94% Visa Success 12,000+ Students Guided
Handpicked For You

Top Universities Worldwide

A closer look at some of the institutions our students are applying to right now.

United States flag United States Cambridge
  • IntakesFall and Spring
  • Visa SuccessNA
  • Post-Study Work12 months OPT (STEM +24 months)
  • Cost of LivingHigh
  • Work While Study20 hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, United States Est. 1861
QS WORLD#1
Annual Tuition US$66,720 avg
Acceptance NA
Placement Ratio 93%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
100/100 #4
Employer Reputation
100/100 #2
Faculty / Student
100/100 #16
Citations / Faculty
100/100 #7
Intl. Faculty
100/100 #63
Intl. Students
91.6/100 #153
Intl. Student Diversity
92.3/100 #130
Intl. Research Network
94.1/100 #98
Employment Outcomes
100/100 #7
Sustainability
93.8/100 #33
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-C4CA
United Kingdom flag United Kingdom London
  • IntakesSeptember
  • Visa SuccessNA
  • Post-Study WorkUp to 2 years (Graduate visa)
  • Cost of LivingHigh
  • Work While Study20hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish

Imperial College London

London, United Kingdom Est. 1907
QS WORLD#2
Annual Tuition £42,700 – £58,600 avg
Acceptance NA
Placement Ratio 94%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
99.6/100 #22
Employer Reputation
100/100 #9
Faculty / Student
99.3/100 #42
Citations / Faculty
95/100 #69
Intl. Faculty
100/100 #74
Intl. Students
100/100 #35
Intl. Student Diversity
100/100 #22
Intl. Research Network
97.5/100 #28
Employment Outcomes
95.9/100 #68
Sustainability
98.3/100 #7
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-C81E
United States flag United States Stanford
  • IntakesFall and Spring
  • Visa Success82
  • Post-Study Work12 months OPT (STEM +24 months)
  • Cost of LivingHigh
  • Work While Study20hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish

Stanford University

Stanford, United States Est. 1885
QS WORLD#2
Annual Tuition USD67,731 avg
Acceptance NA
Placement Ratio 90%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
100/100 #5
Employer Reputation
100/100 #3
Faculty / Student
100/100 #17
Citations / Faculty
99.7/100 #24
Intl. Faculty
94.2/100 #188
Intl. Students
73.5/100 #261
Intl. Student Diversity
76.1/100 #230
Intl. Research Network
96.5/100 #49
Employment Outcomes
100/100 #2
Sustainability
95.4/100 #19
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-ECCB
United Kingdom flag United Kingdom Oxford
  • IntakesOctober (Michaelmas term)
  • Visa SuccessNA
  • Post-Study Work2 yrs; 18 months from Jan 2027
  • Cost of LivingGBP 1,405-2,105 / month
  • Work While Study20hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish

University of Oxford

Oxford, United Kingdom Est. 1096
QS WORLD#4
Annual Tuition GBP 39,620-66,580 avg
Acceptance NA
Placement Ratio 90%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
100/100 #
Employer Reputation
100/100 #
Faculty / Student
100/100 #
Citations / Faculty
91/100 #
Intl. Faculty
98.8/100 #
Intl. Students
98.6/100 #
Intl. Research Network
100/100 #
Employment Outcomes
100/100 #
Sustainability
77.9/100 #
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-A87F
United States flag United States Cambridge
  • IntakesFall
  • Visa SuccessNA
  • Post-Study Work12 months OPT (STEM +24 months)
  • Cost of LivingHigh
  • Work While Study20hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish

Harvard University

Cambridge, United States Est. 1636
QS WORLD#5
Annual Tuition USD 62,226 avg
Acceptance NA
Placement Ratio 87%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
100/100 #1
Employer Reputation
100/100 #1
Faculty / Student
98.3/100 #50
Citations / Faculty
100/100 #1
Intl. Faculty
79.1/100 #300
Intl. Students
81.4/100 #217
Intl. Student Diversity
60.6/100 #335
Intl. Research Network
99.4/100 #8
Employment Outcomes
100/100 #1
Sustainability
77.8/100 #201
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-E4DA
United Kingdom flag United Kingdom Cambridge
  • IntakesSeptember
  • Visa Success95
  • Post-Study WorkUp to 2 years (Graduate visa)
  • Cost of LivingHigh
  • Work While Study20hrs/week
  • LanguageEnglish

University of Cambridge

Cambridge, United Kingdom Est. 1209
QS WORLD#6
Annual Tuition £29,052 – £70,554 avg
Acceptance NA
Placement Ratio 95%
Pillar Scores out of 100 · QS World University Rankings 2026
Academic Reputation
100/100 #3
Employer Reputation
100/100 #5
Faculty / Student
100/100 #23
Citations / Faculty
88.6/100 #107
Intl. Faculty
100/100 #80
Intl. Students
93.1/100 #144
Intl. Student Diversity
93.6/100 #120
Intl. Research Network
99.2/100 #12
Employment Outcomes
100/100 #5
Sustainability
78.4/100 #194
SG
Sukhada Expert Response: < 2 mins
Premium Support Free
Verified Mentor REF SGE-8F14
This Week's Picks

Scholarships worth applying to right now.

A rotating shortlist our counsellors flag as genuinely worth the paperwork.

Russia flag
Altai State University Russia
All Levels Funding + benefits

Russian Government Scholarship (Education in Russia)

Deadline: Contact counsellor for deadline
Enquire about this scholarship
Apply Now
Denmark flag
University of Southern Denmark Denmark
Master's Full tuition fee waiver

Danish Government Scholarship (Sonderborg MSc)

Deadline: Contact counsellor for deadline
Enquire about this scholarship
Apply Now
Germany flag
Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg Germany
All Levels Funding + benefits

DAAD scholarships for international students

Deadline: Contact counsellor for deadline
Enquire about this scholarship
Apply Now
United Kingdom flag
University of Bolton United Kingdom
All Levels Up to GBP 3,000 (approx.)

International Excellence Scholarship

Deadline: Contact counsellor for deadline
Enquire about this scholarship
Apply Now
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