Admissions·East & Southeast Asia· 9 min read

University of Hong Kong (HKU) Admission Guide

Applying to the University of Hong Kong as an international student: the non-JUPAS route, English-medium entry requirements, documents, and timeline.

Last updated 12 July 2026

Key facts

Location: Hong Kong
Instruction: English-medium
International route: International / Non-JUPAS scheme
English proficiency: IELTS/TOEFL or an accepted qualification — verify current minimum
Application: Online via admissions.hku.hk; first round + rolling rounds
Tuition & scholarships: Non-local fees and entrance scholarships — verify current details officially

HKU and the international / non-JUPAS route

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is Hong Kong's oldest university and teaches its programs in English, which makes it a natural destination for international students. Local students with the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) apply through the JUPAS system; international applicants apply through the International / Non-JUPAS route.

The International/Non-JUPAS scheme is for students holding an international qualification — such as A-Levels, the IB Diploma, or another national curriculum — rather than the local HKDSE. This is the route most students from India and elsewhere will use.

Program requirements and deadlines are updated each cycle, so treat this as orientation and confirm every detail on HKU's official Admissions Office site.

HKU teaches in English; oldest university in Hong Kong
Local HKDSE students use JUPAS; international students use Non-JUPAS
Non-JUPAS suits A-Levels, IB and other national qualifications

International admission requirements

HKU assesses international applicants holistically. Important sources of information usually include your past academic records (both school-internal and public-examination results), predicted or final grades, a personal statement, references and, for some programs, an interview.

Entry is competitive and program-specific: some faculties and programs (for example medicine, law or business) have higher or additional requirements. Check the exact expectations for your intended program rather than relying on a general figure.

Accepted qualifications include a range of international curricula; confirm on the official 'International Qualifications' page how your specific qualification is considered.

Assessed on academic records, grades, personal statement, references, possible interview
Program-specific requirements — some faculties expect more
Check how your qualification (A-Levels, IB, etc.) is treated officially

English-medium study and language requirements

Because HKU teaches in English, you must show English proficiency. This can be met through recognized English-qualification results (such as IELTS or TOEFL) or through the English component of certain qualifications you already hold — the accepted evidence and minimums are set by HKU and revised regularly.

Some programs set a higher English requirement than the university minimum, so verify the requirement for your specific program.

If English is not your first language and your qualification does not itself satisfy the requirement, plan to take an accepted English test in good time before the deadline.

English proficiency required (e.g. IELTS/TOEFL) — verify current minimum
Some qualifications' English components may satisfy the requirement
Certain programs set higher English thresholds

How to apply: documents, rounds and timeline

International applicants apply online through HKU's admissions system. HKU typically runs a first-round evaluation with an earlier deadline, followed by further applications considered on a rolling basis subject to places — so applying early can help.

Prepare your transcripts and examination results, predicted grades where relevant, a personal statement, references and identity documents, and follow the official checklist for your program.

Because deadlines and rounds shift each cycle, always work from the current dates on HKU's Admissions Office site and submit well before the closing time.

Apply online via HKU's official admissions system
First-round (earlier) deadline, then rolling rounds subject to places
Prepare transcripts, results, predicted grades, statement, references

Fees, scholarships and the student visa

Tuition for non-local students and living costs should be checked on HKU's official pages for the current year rather than from older figures. HKU and external bodies offer entrance scholarships for international students, some awarded automatically on admission and others by separate application — verify eligibility and amounts officially.

Admitted non-local students generally need a student visa/entry permit to study in Hong Kong, usually sponsored by the university after you accept an offer. This is general information, not immigration advice — verify the current process on the official Hong Kong Immigration Department website before acting.

Always confirm fee, scholarship and visa details from official sources close to your application, as they are revised regularly.

Non-local tuition and living costs — verify current figures officially
Entrance scholarships (automatic or by application) — verify eligibility
Student visa/entry permit usually university-sponsored (verify on the official immigration site)

Applying safely and avoiding scams

HKU has publicly stated that offers of admission 'through an agent' — with promises of low entrance requirements or direct admission without the standard grades or English scores — are unfounded, and that it does not operate any 'internal recommendation' shortcut. There is no route that bypasses the official requirements.

Apply only through HKU's official admissions channels, never pay anyone who 'guarantees' a place or a scholarship, and keep your own login and documents under your control.

If an offer sounds too good to be true — a guaranteed seat, waived tests, or a fee for 'special access' — treat it as a red flag and confirm directly with the university.

No agent can offer 'guaranteed' admission or waived requirements
Apply only through official HKU channels
Treat any 'guaranteed seat' or 'special access fee' as a scam signal

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between JUPAS and Non-JUPAS?

JUPAS is the admission system for local students holding the HKDSE. International applicants — including those with A-Levels, the IB or other national qualifications — apply through the International/Non-JUPAS route. Most students from outside Hong Kong use Non-JUPAS.

Is HKU taught in English?

Yes, HKU's programs are taught in English, and you must demonstrate English proficiency, for example through IELTS or TOEFL or the English component of an accepted qualification. Verify the current minimum, as some programs set higher requirements.

When should I apply?

HKU usually holds a first-round evaluation with an earlier deadline, then considers further applications on a rolling basis subject to available places. Applying in the first round can help — always check the current dates officially.

Are scholarships available for international students?

Yes — HKU and external bodies offer entrance scholarships, some automatic on admission and others by separate application. Eligibility and amounts change yearly, so verify on official sources and never pay for a 'guaranteed' award.

Can an agent guarantee me admission to HKU?

No. HKU has publicly stated that promises of guaranteed admission or waived requirements through agents are unfounded. Apply through official channels only and treat any 'guaranteed seat' offer as a scam.

Official sources

This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.

Verified against: HKU Admissions Office — Overview; HKU Admissions Office — International Qualifications; HKU Admissions Office — Home.

Last verified: 12 July 2026.