The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Hong Kong · Official website ↗
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology is in Hong Kong. Tuition for international students: HKD 260,000 (≈ US$33,100) per year (2027-28 figure). Language: IELTS 6, TOEFL iBT 80. Applying: intake: September; application fee HKD 600. Scholarships: 7 from the university.
✓ 34 facts from 14 official pages, each with the exact sentence it comes from · checked 2026-11-12 · How we verify
International students should also budget for health insurance, visa and travel costs not shown here.
Reference only. Automatically checked against the college's official pages on 2026-11-12; maintained by Jordan Lee, editor. Colleges can change policies at any time — confirm on the official page before you apply. Spotted an error? Tell us.
Quick summary
| Cost per year | tuition HKD 260,000 per year (≈ US$33,100) |
|---|---|
| Money from the college | Merit scholarships: international students can receive them. 2 named scholarship(s) confirmed open to international students; the college does not publish amounts. |
| Chances of admission | Reference: A-level grades 144-168 UCAS tariff points (middle 50% of admitted students). English minimum: IELTS 6, TOEFL (1–6) 4.5, TOEFL 80, Duolingo 125, PTE 64. |
| Application deadlines | Earliest: Nov 25 (Round 1) Last round: Rolling admission, Jun 30. |
| Where and how students live | Hong Kong · 36 km from HKG airport |
| Housing | First-year housing: Guaranteed |
| Working while studying | Full-time non-local undergraduates (locally-accredited local programmes of 1+ years, excl. exchange students) are temporarily exempted from the student employment restrictions from 1 Nov 2024: they may take up employment within their limit of stay or NOL effective period. |
| After graduation | Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG): non-local bachelor's graduates may stay/return and work in Hong Kong; recent graduates are granted 24 months without needing a job offer. |
Plain-language summary of the verified details below. Where it says “not yet determined”, we have not found it on an official page yet.
Financial aid & requirements for international students
| Merit scholarships | Yes — international students can receive merit scholarshipsSources (2)“HKUST offers scholarships for both local and non-local entrants.”sfao-dev.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Academic scholarships are also awarded to top students with other qualifications based on academic merit.”sfao-dev.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
|---|---|
| English proficiency | English test required unless an exemption applies
Sources (7)“English is the language of instruction at HKUST. All applicants must demonstrate competence in English Language prior to admissions.”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Applicants seeking admissions to undergraduate programs may satisfy English Language requirement through one of the following ways.”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“TOEFL iBT From 21 January 2026 onwards Total Score (in one sitting): 4.5”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“TOEFL iBT Prior to 21 January 2026 Total Score (in one sitting): 80”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Academic Overall Band: 6.0”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Duolingo English Test (DET) Overall score of 125”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) Overall score of 64 or above with no sub-score below 60”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| Conditional admission / English pathway | Not yet determined — check the college site ↗ |
| Degree programmes taught in English | YesSources (1)“English is the language of instruction at HKUST.”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
Scholarships for first-year students
Global Learners Scholarship
Full tuition
- Amount: Full tuition
- Renewal: Renewable
- How to apply: Automatic — considered with your admission application
Sources (2)
“Students do not have to apply for this scholarship. All undergraduate program applicants from underrepresented nationalities are automatically considered.”sfao-dev.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Successful awardees will receive a full tuition waiver, renewable for normal duration of study (subject to satisfactory academic performance).”sfao-dev.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12University Admissions Scholarship for GCE A-Level / International A-Level (5 A*)
Full tuition
- Amount: Full tuition (2026-27 figure)
Sources (3)
“GCE A-Level and International A-Level applicants are considered for scholarships based on the number of A* grades achieved in A-Level subjects, excluding Chinese.”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“No. of AL Subjects with A* (Chinese Subject Excluded) scholarship amount (for 2026/27 intake)”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“5 Full tuition, one-off”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12University Admissions Scholarship for International/Asian Olympiad Medalists (Gold)
Full tuition
- Amount: Full tuition (2027-28 figure)
- Renewal: Renewable
- How to apply: Nomination by the school
Sources (3)
“The University sets up the Scholarship Scheme to honour outstanding International/Asian Olympiad Medalists.”sfao-dev.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“International Olympiad Gold Medalists: International Biology Olympiad, International Chemistry Olympiad, International Mathematical Olympiad, International Olympiad in Informatics, International Physics Olympiad - Full tuition plus living allowance of HK$65,000 p.a., renewable for normative duration of study”sfao-dev.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Students do not have to apply for the Scheme. The University will select qualified students based on Schools' or Program Office's nominations and inform the selected students of the scholarship awards in due course.”sfao-dev.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12Beyond Academic Admissions Scholarship (BAAS)
HKD 50,000 (≈ US$6,400) one-time
- Amount: HKD 50,000 (≈ US$6,400) one-time (2027-28 figure)
- How to apply: Separate scholarship application
- Deadline: Nov 25
Sources (3)
“HKUST offers scholarships for both local and non-local entrants. Details of eligibility and application procedures for the 2027/28 cohort are as follows:”sfao-dev.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Award Details: Scholarships of HKD50,000 (one-off) Favorable admissions consideration(s)”sfao-dev.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Application Deadline(s): Applicants should submit their application for admissions and the application for Beyond Academic Admissions Scholarship (BAAS) by the respective deadline(s) as stated below. Non-JUPAS 25 November 2026, JUPAS 8 January 2027”sfao-dev.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12HKUST Future Leaders Award
Amount not published
- Who can receive it: International students only
- Financial need: Required
- Renewal: Renewable
- How to apply: Separate scholarship application
- Deadline: Dec 2
Sources (3)
“The Future Leaders Award is a distinguished scholarship that recognises exceptional non-local students with financial need who demonstrate academic excellence.”sfao-dev.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“The scholarship provides support based on students' level of financial need, which could be up to full tuition plus a living allowance, renewable for applicants with exceptional financial need.”sfao-dev.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Applicants should submit their application for admissions by the Priority Round deadline, i.e., 25 November 2026 AND the application for the Future Leaders Award by 2 December 2026.”sfao-dev.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12University Admissions Scholarship for GCE A-Level / International A-Level (4 A*)
50% of tuition
- Amount: 50% of tuition (2026-27 figure)
- Minimum grades / scores: A-level grades A*A*A*A*
Sources (3)
“GCE A-Level and International A-Level applicants are considered for scholarships based on the number of A* grades achieved in A-Level subjects, excluding Chinese.”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“No. of AL Subjects with A* (Chinese Subject Excluded) scholarship amount (for 2026/27 intake)”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“4 Half tuition, one-off”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12University Admissions Scholarship for Other Qualifications Holders
Amount not published
- Who can receive it: All applicants, including international students
- Renewal: Renewable
- How to apply: Automatic — considered with your admission application
Sources (3)
“Academic scholarships are also awarded to top students with other qualifications based on academic merit.”sfao-dev.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Awards may be one-off or renewable, and may fully or partially waive tuition fees. The largest amount of scholarship funding is equivalent to the full tuition fee plus an allowance of HKD65,000 per academic year, renewable for the normative duration of study (subject to satisfactory academic performance).”sfao-dev.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“No separate application is needed. Normally, applicants are notified of our scholarship decision when they receive their offer of admissions.”sfao-dev.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12Programmes
| Bachelor's programme | BBA in Finance · 4 years Source (2)“Finance FINA BBA in Finance”prog-crs.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Students studying a 4-year bachelor's degree are required to fulfill the following requirements:”prog-crs.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12BEng in Mechanical Engineering · 4 years Source (2)“BEng in Mechanical Engineering”prog-crs.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Normative Program Duration 4 years”prog-crs.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12BSc in Chemistry · 4 years Source (2)“Bachelor of Science in Chemistry”prog-crs.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Normative Program Duration, 4 years”prog-crs.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
|---|
Applying
| Academic entry requirement for your school qualification | Not yet determined — check the college site ↗ |
|---|---|
| Entry score guide (reference, not a minimum) | A-level grades 144-168 UCAS tariff points — middle 50% of admitted students Source (3)“2026 Entry”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“25th - 75th Percentile of Admissions Score Range”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“144 - 168 (UCAS Tariff points for Best 3 AL subjects)”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12IB Diploma points 35-41 — middle 50% of admitted students Source (3)“2026 Entry”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“25th - 75th Percentile of Admissions Score Range”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“35 - 41 (including bonus points)”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| Intakes (start months) for first-year entry | September Source (1)“The HKUST academic year starts in early September. Spring Term admissions is generally not recommended.”bmundergrad.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| Application fee | HKD 600 one-time (≈ US$76) (2027–28 figure) Source (1)“The online application fee is HK$600 for 2027/28 Entry.”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| Application requirement | English proficiency test: Required Source (1)“Certificates of public examinations, including proof of English language proficiency”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12Passport copy: Required (reference) Source (1)“Identity Document (HK ID/passport/other travel documents, documents issued by the HK Immigration Department e.g., Document of Identity, Dependant visa showing valid expiry date, and student visa if you are studying overseas)”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12Personal statement / main essay: Required Source (2)“Personal Statement”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Please note that your application will be put on hold until we receive your personal statement.”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12Teacher recommendation: Required ×1 Source (1)“All applicants must nominate at least one academic referee from your school.”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12School transcript / academic records: Required Source (1)“High school transcript for the latest 2 years of study”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
Deadlines (2027 entry)
| Round 1 — Application | Nov 25Source (1)“Nov. 25, 2026 Deadline for Priority Round Applications”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
|---|---|
| Rolling admission — Application | Jun 30 Applications are reviewed as they arrive; apply early. Source (2)“Nov. 26, 2026 onwards Application on rolling basis from Nov. 26, 2026 onwards”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“June. 30, 2027 Application Closes”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| Round 1 — Scholarship application | Dec 2Source (2)“Applicants should submit their application for admissions by the Priority Round deadline, i.e., 25 November 2026 AND the application for the Future Leaders Award by 2 December 2026.”sfao-dev.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“2 Dec 2026 Deadline for Future Leaders Award Applications”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
Dates as published by the college; check the official page for time zones and supporting-document deadlines.
Costs for international students
| Tuition | HKD 260,000 per year (≈ US$33,100) (2027–28 figure) |
|---|---|
| Tuition rule for international students at public universities (government) | From the 2027/28 academic year, non-local students (e.g. student visa/entry permit holders) are Category II and pay non-subsidised tuition fees at government-subsidised (UGC-funded) universities; each institution determines its own non-subsidised fee levels. |
| Housing and meals | Not yet determined — check the college site ↗ |
| Living costs (college estimate) | Not yet determined — check the college site ↗ |
| Student health insurance | Cost not yet determined Required — cannot be waived |
| Health insurance rule for the student visa | Health insurance is not mandatory for student-visa holders, but some institutions may require students to purchase accident, hospitalisation, medical and evacuation coverage before beginning their studies; arranging their own insurance is strongly advised. |
| Living costs you must show for the student visa (government amount, excluding tuition and travel) | Not yet determined — check the college site ↗ |
Sources (10)
“Tuition Fees Categories in 2027/28 Academic Year”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Non-subsidized tuition fees HK$260,000 Non-local students”join.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“The revision will apply to the 2027/28 academic year and thereafter (the application cycle for the 2027/28 academic year commencing in October 2026).”www.info.gov.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Category II refers to non-subsidised fees and applies to persons not meeting the eligibility criteria in the above-mentioned Category I.”www.info.gov.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Non-local students (such as holders of a student visa/entry permit; holders of a visa/entry permit under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates; dependant visa/entry permit holders who were 18 years old or above when first issued with such visa/entry permit by the ImmD).”www.info.gov.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Category II persons may still apply for government-subsidised sub-degree, undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes but have to pay non-subsidised fees.”www.info.gov.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“The institutions may determine appropriate non-subsidised fee levels, following the established principles, having regard to their own circumstances and programme costs, and taking a holistic view of various factors.”www.info.gov.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“The compulsory medical insurance fee cannot be reduced, waived, deferred or refunded. To avoid coverage gaps, students holding other medical insurance policies cannot be exempted.”sfao-dev.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Although health insurance is not mandatory for students, some institutions may require you to purchase accident, hospitalization, medical expenses (accident and non-accident) and evacuation coverage before you begin your study in Hong Kong.”www.studyinhongkong.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“In any case, we strongly advise you to make your own insurance arrangements throughout the entire period of your studies in Hong Kong.”www.studyinhongkong.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12US$ figures are approximate, converted at the European Central Bank reference rate of 2026-11-12; the college charges in its own currency.
Where students live
| First-year on-campus housing | Guaranteed Source (1)“Starting from the 2026-27 intake cohort, all students are guaranteed university accommodation for the first year of study.”bmundergrad.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
|---|---|
| Years of guaranteed campus housing | 1 (2026–27 figure) Source (1)“Starting from the 2026-27 intake cohort, all students are guaranteed university accommodation for the first year of study.”bmundergrad.hkust.edu.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
Work and after graduation
| Work allowed while studying (rule as stated by the government) | Full-time non-local undergraduates (locally-accredited local programmes of 1+ years, excl. exchange students) are temporarily exempted from the student employment restrictions from 1 Nov 2024: they may take up employment within their limit of stay or NOL effective period. (reference) government rule Source (6)“Under Regulation 2 of the Immigration Regulations, Cap 115A, permission given to a person to land in Hong Kong as a student shall be subject to the conditions of stay that, inter alia, he/she shall not take any employment, whether paid or unpaid.”www.immd.gov.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“part-time on-campus employment for not more than 20 hours per week throughout the year”www.immd.gov.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“employment during the summer months without any limit in relation to working hours and location”www.immd.gov.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Besides, with effect from 1 November 2024, non-local students (excluding exchange students) of full-time locally-accredited local programmes at undergraduate level or above whose study period is not less than one academic year are temporarily exempted from the above employment restrictions”www.immd.gov.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“they may take up employment in Hong Kong during the currency of their limit of stay or within the effective period as specified in the “No Objection Letter” (NOL) issued to them (if applicable), whichever is the shorter”www.immd.gov.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Starting from November 1, the Government will temporarily exempt full-time non-local undergraduate students from the restrictions on taking up part-time jobs”www.info.gov.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
|---|---|
| Post-study work visa (name and length) | Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG): non-local bachelor's graduates may stay/return and work in Hong Kong; recent graduates are granted 24 months without needing a job offer. (reference) government rule Source (2)“Persons who have obtained an undergraduate or higher qualification in a full-time and locally accredited local programme in Hong Kong may apply for staying/returning and working in Hong Kong under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates.”www.immd.gov.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Non-local recent graduates who wish to apply to stay and work in the HKSAR are not required to have secured an offer of employment upon application. They may be granted 24 months' stay on time limitation only without other conditions of stay provided that normal immigration requirements are met.”www.immd.gov.hk ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
Location
| City / state | Hong Kong |
|---|---|
| Nearest major airport | Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), about 36 km in a straight line |
| Map | View on OpenStreetMap ↗ |
Location from Wikidata Q1333303 (CC0); airport from OurAirports (public-domain data).