Hong Kong's Student Population: University Enrollment Numbers Revealed

Hong Kong is home to some of the highest-ranked universities in Asia. The densely populated city state is known for its excellent academic research in a broad range of disciplines, impressive campuses, and social programmes. Hong Kong law recognises 22 accredited degree-awarding higher education institutions, with six universities in the overall Times Higher Education World University Rankings. The University of Hong Kong, ranked 35th, is the highest-ranked university in the territory. The government has also doubled publicly funded universities' quota of non-local students from 20% to 40% to help turn Hong Kong into a global hub for post-secondary education.

The University of Hong Kong

HKU has educated many notable alumni across various fields, including Dr Sun Yat-sen, the founder of the Republic of China, who was a graduate of the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese, the predecessor of HKU. HKU has produced over 40 principal officials, permanent secretaries, and Executive and Legislative Council members of the Hong Kong SAR Government. HKU graduates also hold senior management positions in many large private-sector organisations.

In the 2023-2024 academic year, HKU had a total student population of 39,166, comprising 18,491 undergraduates, 16,541 taught postgraduates, and 4,134 research postgraduates. The university has become a popular choice for mainland and international students, with 19,145 non-local students (excluding exchange students) on campus in 2023, making up 47.2% of the total students. HKU is committed to providing a world-class curriculum, with English as the medium of instruction, and has achieved an impressive graduate employment rate of over 99.4% for the last 11 consecutive years.

HKU is highly selective, receiving around 40,000 applications for undergraduate studies in 2016, with over 16,000 of those coming from outside the Hong Kong schools' system. The university offers a flexible cross-discipline learning approach, allowing students to customise their programmes by choosing from a range of majors, minors, and electives offered by its ten faculties. HKU also provides innovative Common Core Courses open to all students, enabling them to pursue interests and knowledge outside their primary discipline.

HKU is recognised as a leading global university, ranked 26th in the world overall and 3rd globally for its international outlook. It excels in several academic programmes, ranking 1st in Dentistry for two consecutive years, 9th in Civil and Structural Engineering, 10th in Architecture, and 10th in Social Policy and Administration. HKU's research output is impressive, with 111 of its professors ranked as the world's top 1% of scientists by Essential Science Indicators, Thomson Reuters. The university has the largest number of research postgraduate students in Hong Kong, comprising approximately 10% of its total student population.

HKU has a strong commitment to internationalisation, partnering with over 340 leading universities across 43 countries. In 2015, more than 4,000 HKU undergraduate students participated in exchange programmes, service learning projects, field trips, research programmes, or internships overseas. HKU's global connections provide its students with diverse opportunities to expand their horizons and gain valuable international experiences.

Chinese University of Hong Kong

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is a public research university in Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong. It is the second oldest university in Hong Kong, established in 1963 as a federation of three colleges: Chung Chi College, New Asia College, and United College. The university is organised into nine constituent colleges and eight academic faculties, including the Faculties of Arts, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Science, and Social Science. It is the only collegiate university in Hong Kong and operates in both English and Chinese.

CUHK has a strong reputation and is consistently ranked as one of the top two universities in Hong Kong. In 2024, it was ranked 42nd in the Best Global Universities category and 5th in Best Global Universities in Asia. It also received eight Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards (Science and Technology) from mainland China's Ministry of Education in 2014.

The university has a large and green campus, spanning 138.4 hectares, and offers a range of facilities such as libraries, art museums, music halls, sports fields, and a Water Sports Centre. It is accessible by the University station of the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) and multiple bus routes.

CUHK is known for its emphasis on both English and Chinese languages and its research centres, such as the Childhood Bilingualism Research Centre and the Universities Service Centre for China Studies. The Yale-China Chinese Language Centre, founded in 1963, is responsible for teaching Chinese languages (Putonghua and Cantonese) to university students and other learners.

CUHK has produced four Nobel laureates, including Chen Ning Yang, James Mirrlees, Robert Alexander Mundell, and former vice-chancellor Sir Charles K. Kao. Other notable faculty members include mathematician Shing-Tung Yau, computational theorist Andrew Yao, and surgeon James Ware.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Hong Kong is home to 22 accredited degree-awarding higher education institutions, one of which is The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). HKUST is a public research university located in the Sai Kung District, New Territories, Hong Kong. Founded in 1991, it was the third institution in the territory to be granted university status. HKUST's campus is situated in a picturesque coastal setting in Clear Water Bay, offering modern facilities alongside natural beauty. The campus features state-of-the-art research laboratories, lecture halls, and amenities for students, including 21 catering outlets and recreational facilities.

HKUST is organised into four main schools: the School of Science, the School of Engineering, the School of Business and Management, and the School of Humanities and Social Science. The university fosters a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to education, allowing students to integrate knowledge from multiple fields. The School of Engineering is the largest among the four schools, followed by the School of Business and Management, the School of Science, and the School of Humanities and Social Science.

HKUST has established itself as a powerhouse for research and innovation, with numerous centres dedicated to advancing knowledge. The university actively collaborates with industry partners, providing students with real-world experience and contributing to groundbreaking research. HKUST's research output is globally recognised, with many faculty members receiving prestigious awards. The university also has a new campus in Guangzhou, focusing on artificial intelligence, data science, and smart manufacturing.

In the 2023-24 academic year, HKUST enrolled around 10,000 undergraduates and 6,800 postgraduates, with over 40% of the total enrolment being non-local students. The university provides a dynamic and enriching experience for its diverse community of over 17,000 students, including more than 7,000 international students. HKUST offers a wide range of student organisations and activities, catering to various interests and promoting holistic development.

HKUST graduates enjoy exceptional career prospects, reflecting the institution's strong reputation and industry connections. The university's global standing and high rankings in employability surveys suggest a high employability rate for its alumni. HKUST's focus on cutting-edge research and innovation in fields like artificial intelligence, engineering, and business further enhances the career prospects of its graduates.

City University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong is home to 22 accredited degree-awarding higher education institutions. One of these is the City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), a leading global university with a reputation for innovation and professional education.

CityUHK is located in the heart of Hong Kong and is dedicated to many disciplines, including business, creative media, energy and environment, law, liberal arts and social science, science and engineering, and veterinary medicine. The university is committed to providing undergraduates with a professional education that leads to career success.

The university curriculum encourages students to learn, communicate, and share new knowledge for the benefit of society. It gives students the opportunity to make original discoveries and inspires a passion for knowledge and innovation. CityUHK offers a wide spectrum of undergraduate, taught, and research postgraduate programmes.

The university has established itself as one of Asia's most innovative universities, pioneering research in diverse fields, including One Health, Digital Society, Smart City, Matter, and Brain. CityUHK has also set up Research Institutes, Centres, and Laboratories to advance scholarly activities through collaborative research.

CityUHK has top-notch buildings and facilities, including world-class labs and state-of-the-art teaching facilities. The Run Run Shaw Creative Media Centre, designed by the architect Daniel Libeskind, was selected as one of the 10 most spectacular university buildings in the world. The university also has 11 halls at Cornwall Street and Jockey Club House, providing quality services and an amiable ambiance for students.

In addition, CityUHK promotes international education and fosters innovative academic and scientific research. It has global partnerships with top-notch universities and welcomes applications from all over the world.

Hong Kong Polytechnic University

PolyU offers over 150 programmes (including Higher Diploma, Bachelor's degrees with honours, and postgraduate programmes) through its 8 faculties and schools. These faculties and schools include the Faculty of Applied Science and Textiles, Faculty of Business, Faculty of Construction and Environment, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, School of Design, and School of Hotel and Tourism Management.

PolyU has approximately 25,800 students enrolled every year, with 915 sub-degree students, 14,961 undergraduate students, and 10,369 postgraduate students as of 2020. The university has a broad range of courses covering more than 150 postgraduate and undergraduate programmes. It is committed to providing a professionally-oriented education that equips graduates with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their chosen fields.

PolyU is one of the top universities in Hong Kong and is recognised for its academic excellence. It has been ranked among the world's top 100 institutions and has achieved notable results in various subject rankings. The university has a strong focus on interdisciplinary research and impactful innovations, with researchers working across fields such as aerospace, aviation, big data, AI, food safety, health science, and sustainability.

The university's main campus in Hung Hom, Kowloon, was designed by James Kinoshita and his team from P&T Group in 1972. It features over 20 buildings with red-brick walls and interconnected structures, creating a dense and unique educational campus.

PolyU also provides a range of facilities for students, including classrooms, laboratories, a multi-purpose auditorium, recreational and catering facilities, medical facilities, a bookstore, and banks. With its rich history, diverse programme offerings, and dedication to research and innovation, PolyU plays a significant role in higher education in Hong Kong.

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