Study in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is the amalgamation of Eastern and Western culture, and a globally connected cosmopolitan administrative region of China. Over the years Hong Kong has also emerged as a study abroad destination for students across the world. 

The renowned academic institutions offering first class education and exposure attracts many students to study in Hong Kong. The government of Hong Kong spends more than 20% funds on the education sector in order to deliver the best to their students. 

Keeping in mind the close proximity of Hong Kong to the dominant Asian market, it is also a suitable place for your career to flourish. Many international students who study in HK acquire the guidance and exposure for start-ups and other business ventures too.       

Hong Kong As a Study Destination: Highlights

Here’s an overview of all the factors that an international student must know about studying abroad in Hong Kong: 

Why Study In Hong Kong?

Due to its proximity to China and other Asian markets, Hong Kong has emerged into an international financial hub. Thus, as a student studying in Hong Kong you will get enough exposure to develop your social and professional network. Now let us look at some other benefits of studying abroad in Hong Kong:

• The culture of Hong Kong is a perfect blend of traditions and modernity. This coming together of various influences offers a diverse urban experience to explore and grow. 
• Hong Kong has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. The government also takes extra care of international visitors to ensure their safety and well being. 
• The universities in Hong Kong have a global reputation. They specialise in providing world class education with all modern facilities. 
• The government of Hong Kong offers various scholarships and grants to international students every year. These funds are of great help to international students to finance their expenses in Hong Kong. 
• Although Cantonese is the regional language of Hong Kong, the medium of instruction at most high education institutes in Hong Kong is English. Hence there is no language barrier for international students to study in HK. 

The government of Hong Kong lays special emphasis on the educational sector. There are a number of renowned colleges and universities in Hong Kong that offer various degrees in a wide range of courses. The types of degrees that Hong Kong higher education institutes offer are:

• Undergraduate Degree: It is a full time degree pursued after competition of class 12th in Hong Kong. The duration of the undergraduate programs in Hong Kong is 3 - 4 years, depending upon the course you choose.  
• Associate Degree: An associate degree in Hong Kong is of 2 years that aims in equipping students with a strong educational base in the selected field. 
• Graduate Degree: A Master of Arts or Master of Science is known as a graduate degree, one that typically takes two years to complete. 
• PhD Degree: The Doctorate or PhD degree is a specialised post-graduate degree that can take anywhere from 3-4 years to complete. 

The detailed view of different types of Hong Kong higher education institutions is discussed below:

Credit System in Hong Kong

All universities in Hong Kong follow the same credit system. The credits that a student earns during the course are taken into consideration to calculate the final result.

• The universities of Hong Kong follow the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). 
• The credit system in Hong Kong is semester-based.
• For a 4 year undergraduate programme, a student is required to complete more than 240 credits. A 3 year programme on the other hand requires 180 credits. 
• All course results are included in the calculation of semester GPA, Year GPA and Cumulative GPA. 

The university you choose plays a huge role in developing your knowledge and skills. Hence, it is important to choose the best university in Hong Kong to ensure your overall growth. Let us have a look at the best universities in Hong Kong for international students:

The universities in Hong Kong offer a wide range of courses in various disciplines. All of these courses are career centric and contribute to the all round development of the students. However, there are some that are regarded as the best courses to study in Hong Kong for international students:  

• Accounting
• Finance 
• Marketing 
• Architecture 
• International Relations
• Computer Science
• Environmental Science
• Engineering 
• Law

Let us now go through the most popular programs to study in Hong Kong for international students:

In order to seek admission into a higher education institution in Hong Kong, you must follow a step-by-step process:

1. Decide the course you want to pursue and look for the best universities that suit your needs and goals. 
2. Once the universities are shortlisted, check out the official university websites of each university and gather information about the requirements and eligibility criteria.
3. Start the application process. Fill the application form and upload all required documents and certificates. Pay the required application fees.
4. Wait for the universities to revert. 
5. Once selected you will be sent the letter of acceptance. It is the document that you will need to apply for your student visa. A sponsor is needed for a student visa application process and your institute may act as one. 

Hong Kong University Admission Requirements 

To understand how to study in Hong Kong, you must understand the admission requirements for different courses in Hong Kong:

The cost of studying in Hong Kong depends upon the choice of your course and university. The lifestyle you choose also comes into consideration here. The overall cost of studying in Hong Kong can be divided into two categories – Tuition Fees and living cost in Hong Kong for international students.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fee in Hong Kong differs for local and non-local students, being higher for the latter. Other than the tuition fee, international students in Hong Kong also need to pay some other charges for student services and other school-related activities.

Cost of Living

The Hong Kong living cost for international students depends upon the kind of lifestyle one choses. If you have a tight budget, you must opt for student accommodations and apply for different scholarship programmes. But, there are some costs that are unavoidable. The main components of cost of living in Hong Kong for international students are discussed below:

A student visa is a must for all international students willing to pursue any course in Hong Kong. The visa process to study in Hong Kong for Indian students is quite simple. Given below is a step-by-step guide to follow while one applies for Hong Kong student visa: 

1. The first step is to get a sponsor. This local sponsor can either be the educational institution who grants you admission or an individual who is of legal age (18 and above). He/she must also be a Hong Kong resident, and be financially capable to support you during the course of your study. 
2. Complete the application process by filling the form ID 995A while your sponsor fills out the form ID 995B. Both can be downloaded online from the official website of Hong Kong’s immigration department. 
3. Upload all required documents and pay the fees.
4. After the online process is completed, you will be called to attend your student visa interview at the embassy office you choose. 
5. The Visa processing may take anywhere from six to eight weeks. There, you should apply for a student visa as soon as you receive your university acceptance letter.

The government of Hong kong ensures to offer a smooth studying and living experience to their international students. One way of doing it is by providing scholarships to cover tuition fees, accommodation and other charges. Most of them are merit-based and fully-funded scholarships. Some top scholarships to study in Hong Kong for Indian students and other international students are discussed below:

Hong Kong Government Scholarships

• International students pursuing undergraduate or graduate courses at the top universities in Hong Kong.  
• Amount/ Benefit: Fully Funded  with annual stipend of up to  HK$309,600 

Self-financing Post-secondary Education Fund

• Students pursuing full-time locally-accredited self-financing sub-degree or bachelor’s degree.
• Amount/ Benefit: Amount and benefit varies with the course and citizenship

Diversity Grant for International Students at City University of Hong Kong

• Meritorious international students undertaking an undergraduate degree at City University of Hong Kong.

• Amount/ Benefit: HK$120,000

Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Hong Kong Scholarship

• International students pursuing graduate and undergraduate courses at GIA.

• Amount/ Benefit: Tuition Fees (Varies with respective courses)

ASEAN Countries Admission Scholarships, Hong Kong

• International students belonging to ASEAN member countries to pursue undergraduate programmes at Lee Woo Sing College, Hong Kong.
• Amount/ Benefit: HK$20,000

International Award at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)

• Outstanding students with decent JEE scores to pursue undergraduate courses at HKUST. 
• Amount/ Benefit: HK$50,000

Full-Tuition Entrance International Awards at Hang Seng University of Hong Kong

• International students to undertake undergraduate courses at Hand Seng University of Hong Kong.
• Amount/ Benefit: Tuition Fees (Varies with respective courses)

School of Communication and Film International Awards in Hong Kong

• Meritorious international students pursuing undergraduate courses under School of Communication and Film in Hong Kong Baptist University. 
• Amount/ Benefit: HK$70,000

Your student visa grants the permission to take up different part-time jobs. There are many part-time jobs in Hong Kong for international students. However, you must acquire a “No Objection Letter” (NOL) from the Hong Kong immigration department for the same.  

A student visa along with an NOL permits 20 hours per week of part-time jobs in Hong Kong for international students. 

Some other requirements to avail part-time job opportunities for international students in Hong Kong are:

• He/She must be enrolled to a full time undergraduate or above programme at a recognized university of Hong Kong.
• The duration of the course should not be less than one year.
• Must have a student visa and valid NOL.  

Some popular part time jobs for HK students are - 

Post Study Work Options For International Students In Hong Kong

The government of Hong Kong allows a 12 months stay for international students to search for jobs. However, you must apply for an extension 4 months before your student visa expires. You will also have to submit your work offer letter within a span of 2 months. Once you have a job, you can stay in Hong Kong for 2-3 years without any additional conditions. 

Job Outlook for International Students after Studies

Here’s a quick look at the top areas where  jobs after MS in Hong Kong are available to international students-

Work Visa and PR in Hong Kong

A work visa in Hong Kong is valid for one year that can be renewed till your tenure as an employee continues. If you change your job and start working in another company in Hong Kong, then your work visa/permit will not be transferred to the new company. In that case you need to apply for a new work visa.

You may apply for a work visa by fulfilling the following requirements:

• You must have a relevant job that suits your academic qualification and work experience.
• Documents to prove your educational background - degrees in the relevant field, achievements, technical qualifications, work experience, etc.
• A salary that includes income, medical, accommodation and other benefits that are provided to professionals in Hong Kong. The salary must be at par with the salaries paid to locals in Hong Kong.
• Necessary documents to prove that you have no criminal records. 

If you live in Hong Kong for at least 7 years, then you are also eligible to seek permanent resident status. The PR status allows residents to come and go from Hong Kong,  to take any job, to study or to establish any business.

With world class universities offering quality education,  top-notch research, and a safe environment, Hong Kong is definitely an amazing study-abroad destination. Students studying in HK have access to the best of both east and west and also to numerous employment opportunities. So, if you too are thinking of moving to this city-state, get in touch with our counsellors at Yocket and get set to become a part of the beautiful and dynamic culture of Hong Kong! 

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