Hong Kong performs strongly in many public services, including public health. In 2024, life expectancy at birth in Hong Kong was 82.7 years for males and 88.2 years for females, while the infant mortality rate was 1.7 deaths per 1,000 registered live births.
One contributing factor is Hong Kong’s extensive public healthcare system. Public hospitals and clinics run by the Hospital Authority use subsidized rates for eligible persons, including most Hong Kong Identity Card holders, Hong Kong resident children under 11, and other persons approved by the Hospital Authority. Non-eligible persons are charged under separate fee categories.
This public health environment is reflected in the range of public health-related courses available in Hong Kong. Read on to learn more about the top universities in public health in Hong Kong!
Top Schools Offering Public Health Programs in Hong Kong
1. Chinese University of Hong Kong
The Chinese University of Hong Kong is an excellent school for public health in Hong Kong. Through the Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, CUHK offers undergraduate, taught postgraduate, and research postgraduate options in public health. One of its main taught postgraduate programs is the Master of Public Health, which is offered as a one-year full-time or two-year part-time program.
The Master of Public Health combines theory and practice for holistic training in contemporary public health issues. Students may choose one of five concentrations: Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Environmental/Occupational Health and Infectious Diseases; Health Promotion and Social Behavior; Health Systems, Policy and Management; and Population and Global Health.
The school also provides specialized training in disease investigation and health research through the Master of Science in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. This program equips students with skills in clinical and health research, including the design, conduct, and analysis of studies, and the application of research findings to patient care and policy.
CUHK also offers the Master of Science in Health Services Management for working professionals who want to strengthen their skills in the delivery, quality, and costs of healthcare services. This program is offered part-time and normally takes two years to complete.
Program structure varies by degree. For example, Master of Public Health students complete core courses, concentration courses, elective courses, and a supervised capstone project, while the Master of Science in Health Services Management requires 36 units.
2. Hong Kong Baptist University
Hong Kong Baptist University offers the Master of Science in Environmental and Public Health Management, a public health-related program that focuses on sustainable management, environmental health, and risk management. The program examines the relationship between human health, environmental protection, regulation, policy, economics, management techniques, social and ethical values, health risk analysis, and environmental conservation.
Using an interdisciplinary approach, students learn how management techniques and risk assessment can support environmental and public protection. Featured courses include Principles of Environmental Management, Management of Public Health Risks, Sustainable Management Systems, and Occupational Health and Safety Management.
The program consists of 27 units: 6 units of required courses, 15 units of elective courses, and a 6-unit dissertation. It is offered on a full-time basis for one year and a part-time basis for two years.
3. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology is a highly ranked university in Hong Kong. It applies its research and technological strengths to public health-related training through the Master of Science in Environmental Health and Safety.
This program is designed for current and prospective environmental professionals. It provides multidisciplinary training in scientific, technical, legal, and social issues related to environmental health practices, food safety, hazard and risk assessment, and occupational health and safety. HKUST describes it as the only environment-related MSc program in Hong Kong that focuses on health and safety issues.
The program is available full-time or part-time. Full-time students normally complete it in one year, while part-time students normally complete it in two years. Students must complete at least 30 credits of coursework, including foundation and elective courses.
4. Hong Kong Polytechnic University
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University offers a Doctor of Health Science, a professional doctoral program for experienced healthcare professionals. PolyU describes it as the first professional doctoral program of its kind in Hong Kong. Unlike traditional Ph.D. programs that focus primarily on research, this Doctor of Health Science emphasizes health science practice, healthcare service development, leadership, and applied research.
Students may graduate with the generic Doctor of Health Science award or with one of seven specialism awards: Medical Imaging and Radiation Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Physiotherapy, or Prosthetics and Orthotics.
The program has a normal duration of three years for full-time study and four years for part-time study. Students admitted from 2024/25 onward complete a 25-credit coursework component, which includes nine subjects, and a 24-credit equivalent thesis. A total of 49 credits is required for graduation. Students seeking a specialism award must complete a thesis related to that specialism plus a 3-credit specialty subject.
5. City University of Hong Kong
City University of Hong Kong offers a Master of Public Health through the Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health. The program focuses on One Health, particularly the control and prevention of emerging zoonotic diseases at the interface of humans, animals, and the environment.
The program equips students with skills in epidemiological data analysis, public health research, infectious disease modeling, statistical analysis, and evidence-based prevention and control policies for human and animal populations. Graduates may pursue public health-related roles in research, healthcare, policy, and government or non-government organizations.
Students are required to complete 30 credit units for graduation, including core and elective courses.
FAQs: Public Health Studies in Hong Kong
Is Hong Kong a good location for international students who want to study Public Health?
Yes, Hong Kong is a well-developed region that international students can consider for public health studies. It has several internationally recognized universities with public health-related options at undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels.
Hong Kong’s public health landscape is closely connected with areas such as environmental hygiene, hospitals, infectious disease control, community health, and health services management. For international students, studying public health in Hong Kong is worth considering.
We hope this article on the Best Universities for Public Health in Hong Kong was helpful. If you are interested in learning more about studying abroad, you can check out the Study in Hong Kong and Available Programs for International Students!
