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Being praised as the perfect blend of East and West cultures, Hong Kong has established itself as one of Asia Pacific’s dominant cities and a leading study destination. Education system in Hong Kong is well developed to meet the demand from both local and foreign students, offering a wide diversity of degree or diploma programmes in recognized higher education institutions. At present, there are 20 local degree-awarding institutions in Hong Kong, of which 2 universities ranked within top 100 globally under the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2015-2016.
Institutions Funded by the University Grants Committee in Hong Kong:
City University of Hong Kong: Currently ranked 4th in world’s top universities under 50 years of age and 57th in the QS World University Rankings, City University of Hong Kong is a globally established higher education institution. In lieu of faculties, the university has set to organize its academic departments under Colleges and Schools, of which as of now are 3 and 6 in number, respectively.
Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU): Established in 1956, the Hong Kong Baptist University has been committed to nurturing and producing academic excellence through its “broad-based and creativity-inspiring education”. In addition to academic excellence, the university has also made nurturing its students to be leaders a priority through their Whole Person Education; a system of education that aims to develop its students into well-rounded future leaders.
Lingnan University: Originally founded in Guangzhou in 1888, Lingnan is the only publicly funded liberal arts university in Hong Kong. Lingnan’s vision is to become an internationally recognized liberal arts university “distinguished by outstanding teaching, learning, scholarship and community engagement”.
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK): Ranked 51st in the QS World University Rankings, CUHK is a world-renowned university with four Nobel laureates. A well-established research institution in the city, education at CUHK is both bilingual and multicultural, aiming to enrich students through their mission of not only combining tradition with modernity, but to bring together China and the West.
The Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd): Established in 1994 as the merger of 5 different colleges, HKIEd is an institution dedicated to training teachers. Its vision and aim are to become a leading university in the Asia Pacific region that focuses on education and its complementary disciplines.
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU): Ranked 116th in the QS World University Rankings, PolyU offers programmes that aim to directly meet Hong Kong’s “industrial, commercial and community needs”. Since its attainment of university status in 1994, PolyU has been offering 220 different postgraduate, undergraduate, and sub-degree programmes to more than 32,000 students every year.
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST): Established in 1991, HKUST is one of the territory’s youngest higher education institutions. Despite its youth, it has the reputation of being one of the top three higher education institutions in Hong Kong, alongside HKU and CUHK. Ranked 28th in the QS University Rankings, it is currently the highest ranked university in Hong Kong.
The University of Hong Kong (HKU): HKU is the oldest higher education institution in Hong Kong, a world-renowned university that uses English as medium of instruction. Comprises of 10 separate faculties, the university continuously strives to fulfill its vision: to be “a leading international institution of higher learning in Asia”. HKU currently ranks 30th in QS World University Rankings.
Self-Financed Institutions in Hong Kong:
Caritas Institute of Higher Education: Formerly known as Caritas Francis Hsu College, the institute was originally established in 1985 to offer advanced level courses and two-year diploma programmes. Since then, it has grown to offer a multitude of bachelor’s degree programmes in Arts, Business Administration, Science and among others. Its goal is to firmly establish itself in Hong Kong as the first Catholic university, and “to provide learning and career development opportunities to students who are presently excluded from government-funded universities and tertiary institutions”.
Centennial College: Established in 2012, the Centennial College is a member of The University of Hong Kong Group that offers full-time, self-financed, 4-year Bachelor degree programmes. The college has been accredited by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications. It aims to distinguish itself through its inter-disciplinary degree programmes and its non-traditional liberal education curriculum.
Chu Hai College of Higher Education: Established in 1947, the college was recognized as an Approved Post Secondary College under the Post Secondary Colleges Ordinance (Cap.320) in 2004. Consists of 3 faculties, the institution has provided 11 Bachelor degree programmes in various disciplines since its approval, all of which are recognized by the Hong Kong Government Qualification Framework (HKQF).
Gratia Christian College: Gratia Christian College is a newly established higher education institution that offers “an integration of Christian faith and academic learning not found in any higher education institutions locally”. On 28 April 2015, Gratia Christian College was permitted to award degrees by the Chief Executive and can offer the following degree programmes: Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) in Service Marketing and Management, Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and Bachelor of Social Work (Honours).
Hang Seng Management College (HSMC): Successor to Hang Seng School of Commerce, Hang Seng Management College was established in 2010 in response to Chief Executive’s 2009 Policy Address, which explained the need for quality private institutions in Hong Kong. HSMC has been qualified to offer both undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes under its 5 schools (Business, Communication, Decision Sciences, Humanities & Social Science and Translation). HSMC aims to become a leading private university, “an institution that advances knowledge and understanding of human activities, especially those related to business, management, and social sciences”.
Hong Kong College of Technology (HKCT): Formerly known as “Workers’ Night School”, HKCT has served the community for over 60 years since 1947. In 2014, the college became the 19th tertiary institution eligible to award degrees in Hong Kong. Currently HKCT offers a slew of full-time and part-time Bachelor and Master’s degree programmes in addition to its Higher/Professional Diploma, Diploma for Tertiary Studies, and Diploma Yi Jin programmes.
Hong Kong Nang Yan College of Higher Education (HKNYC): Recently accredited, HKNYC offers 2 Bachelor Degree programmes (Business Administration and Chinese), 4 Associate Degree programmes (Chinese, English, Marketing and Accounting) and 1 Foundation Diploma programme; all of which were accredited by Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications.
The Hong Kong Shue Yan University (HKSYU): Founded in 1971, Shue Yan offers a number of four-year degree programmes (it currently offers 12 degree programmes), which emphasizes on the “preservation and propagation of traditional Chinese culture and the educational ideals of Confucianism”.
Tung Wah College: Established in 2010 by Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, Tung Wah College currently offers 6 Bachelor Degree programmes and 1 sub-degree programme. Its campuses are located in Kings Park and Mong Kok.
Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi): THEi is a member institution under Vocational Training Council (VTC). Similarly, THEi specializes in offering programmes that are “vocational and professional in nature and developed with a great deal of help from industry”. Having only been established in 2012, THEi’s education approach differs from other institutions, aiming to free from tradition and old practices. The college has two campuses, one in Tsing Yi and the other in Kowloon Tong (the latter will be replaced by a brand new campus in Chai Wan in 2017).
The Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK): Established in 1989, OUHK offers degree programmes, sub-degree programmes and postgraduate courses through a system of open access and distance education. It is the first self-financed university in Hong Kong that offers distance education programmes. Throughout the years, OUHK’s mission is to provide high quality and flexible further education opportunities for working adults and currently it has more than 160 programs in total. Although the university is distinguished in distance education, it has a campus in Ho Man Tin.
The Sole Publicly-Funded Higher Education Institution in Hong Kong:
The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA): Established by the government in 1984, the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts is a leading tertiary institution in its field in Asia. With a focus on combining Chinese and Western traditions through interdisciplinary learning, the institute offers “professional undergraduate education and practice-based postgraduate studies in Chinese Opera Dance, Drama, Film and Television, Music and Theatre, and Entertainment Arts”. Its main campus is located in Wan Chai.
