In response to a notable increase in the number of Chinese students in Hong Kong, public universities in the city are actively seeking to enhance their international student population. Currently, Chinese students constitute a significant portion, comprising 70 percent of the non-local student body across universities in Hong Kong.
According to the data from the University Grants Committee (UGC), there are approximately 14,800 international undergraduate students enrolled in the eight higher education institutions in Hong Kong. Of this total, 10,358 students are from China, while the remaining 4,400 hail from other parts of the world.
The UGC plays a pivotal role in funding Hong Kong’s public universities, which include:
- City University of Hong Kong
- Lingnan University
- Hong Kong Baptist University
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- The Hong Kong Institute of Education
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- The University of Hong Kong
- The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Between the academic sessions of 2019–20 and 2021–22, these universities collectively experienced an increase in international or non-local student enrollment, rising from 12,349 to 13,376. Notably, approximately 65 percent of these students originate from China.
The inflow of Chinese students into Hong Kong’s universities has been steadily rising. However, since the academic session of 1996–97, only five international students have been enrolled in Hong Kong universities.
Perhaps Hong Kong universities are now eyeing India as a potential market to recruit more international students. They acknowledge the competitive landscape, considering India’s significance as a primary source of international students for top study destinations worldwide.
Additionally, Hong Kong authorities have implemented policies aimed at attracting talented immigrants, including international students. One such initiative is the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS), launched in 2022. Under the TTPS, individuals need to meet specific criteria. The criteria include earning a sufficient income and holding diplomas from the world’s top 100 universities, along with a minimum of three years of relevant work experience in the past five years, to be eligible for visa grants.
