Hong Kong universities are outshining Tsinghua

Top universities in Hong Kong offer a good compromise for a growing number who want an alternative to China’s prestigious schools.

- Shuli Ren

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Students in Hong Kong don't have to declare their specialisations until much later, and more than half graduate with multiple majors. PHOTO: HKUST

(PHOTO: HKUST)

Hong Kong is quickly becoming a college town. The number of non-local students, mostly from China, has nearly doubled since 2021, with the surge primarily driven by a sharp increase in postgraduate studies.

The young population inflow has given a boost to a gloomy economy that has been suffering from a prolonged property downturn. Residential rents are flirting with record highs, while cash-rich universities are buying up real estate across the city to use for classroom and dormitory housing.

For many, it is a significant financial commitment. Hong Kong is an expensive city to live in, and schools have been raising tuition. Hong Kong University, for instance, is charging non-Stem (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) students about HK$198,000 (S$33,100) — a 9 per cent increase from a year ago.

Why are Chinese students suddenly so enamoured with the city’s universities, even though there are many good ones in the mainland? In the 2024-2025 academic year, more than 70 per cent of non-local students are from mainland China.