As an international student looking to build a successful career, studying at the University of Hong Kong can be a strong place to start. HKU was incorporated in 1911 and officially opened in 1912; its Faculty of Medicine traces its roots to the Hong Kong College of Medicine, founded in 1887. In 2025/26, HKU enrolled 25,051 non-local students across all study levels, excluding exchange students.
Important considerations include tuition and other study-related costs. International students should ensure that they can cover tuition, housing, living expenses, and additional charges for the full length of their program. This article summarizes the main costs of studying at the University of Hong Kong. Because fees are reviewed regularly, applicants should confirm all amounts on HKU’s official program pages before applying.
Study Costs at the University of Hong Kong
Application Costs
The nonrefundable undergraduate application fee for applicants with international or overseas qualifications is HK$600.
Applicants to research postgraduate programs also pay a nonrefundable online application fee of HK$600.
Application fees for taught postgraduate programs vary by program and intake. Many HKU programs listed an application fee of HK$600 for the 2026/27 intake, while HKU Business School lists an application fee of HK$780 for its 2027 intake. Applicants should check the relevant program page for the exact amount.
Tuition Costs
Tuition costs at the University of Hong Kong depend on your study level, fee status, subject area, program, and year of admission.
Bachelor’s Tuition Costs
For students admitted in 2026/27, annual undergraduate tuition is HK$47,000 for local students. Non-local students pay HK$224,000 per year for non-STEM programs and HK$249,000 per year for STEM programs.
The non-STEM rate applies to programs offered by Architecture, Arts, Business and Economics, Education, Law, Social Sciences, and the School of Future Media. The STEM rate applies to Dentistry, Engineering, Medicine, Science, the School of Biomedical Engineering, the School of Computing and Data Science, and the School of Innovation. It also applies to STEM-related double-degree programs jointly offered with the Faculty of Arts. Certain self-funded or collaborative programs may have separate fee arrangements.
Master’s Tuition Costs
Tuition for taught master’s programs is program-specific. Government-funded and self-funded programs have different fee structures, and applicants should consult the official program page rather than relying on a university-wide tuition range.
For example, the total Master of Education composition fee for the 2026/27 intake is HK$234,000, or HK$249,000 for International Baccalaureate-related specializations. The total fee for the Master of Expressive Arts Therapy is HK$369,600, payable as HK$184,800 per year for the two-year full-time program or HK$123,200 per year for the three-year part-time program. HKU Business School’s current admissions information lists a proposed fee of HK$438,000 for the 2027 Master of Economics intake.
Ph.D. Tuition Costs
The annual composition fee for full-time MPhil and Ph.D. students is HK$47,000 for 2026/27. The University Grants Committee waives composition fees for local students enrolled in full-time, UGC-funded research postgraduate programs.
Eligible full-time MPhil and Ph.D. students may be considered for a Postgraduate Scholarship, subject to academic qualifications, satisfactory progress, and available funding. Effective September 1, 2025, the basic scholarship is HK$19,135 per month, while Ph.D. students who have passed their probationary period receive HK$19,655 per month.
Professional doctorate programs have separate fee structures. For 2026/27, the Doctor of Education costs HK$114,480 per year for full-time study or HK$95,400 per year for part-time study. The Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology and the Doctor of Psychology in Educational Psychology each cost HK$193,650 per year for full-time study or HK$129,100 per year for part-time study. For the Doctor of Nursing, local students pay HK$111,600 per year for full-time study or HK$83,700 per year for part-time study, while the annual non-local fee is HK$116,520.
Other Academic Costs at the University of Hong Kong
In addition to tuition, students should budget for books, course materials, accommodation, meals, transportation, and personal expenses.
Books and Miscellaneous Expenses
HKU does not publish a single university-wide textbook budget. Book, printing, equipment, laboratory, field-trip, and other course-material costs vary by program, so students should check the information provided by their faculty or department.
For students living in university accommodation, HKU’s 2026/27 hall schedule estimates meal expenses at HK$3,000 or more per month. It also lists miscellaneous hall charges of approximately HK$1,000 to HK$1,500 per semester, excluding laundry and in-room air-conditioning charges. Personal spending on travel, clothing, internet access, stationery, and other items varies by student.
Accommodation and Transportation
University accommodation costs vary significantly by residence and room type. For 2026/27, standard undergraduate halls charge HK$26,186 for a shared room or HK$34,278 for a single room during the main residential period. Other examples include HK$20,777 for Student Flats, HK$51,215 for an undergraduate single room at Jockey Club Student Village IV, and HK$75,200 for an undergraduate single room at High West Student Village.
The main 2026/27 residential period generally runs from August 19, 2026, to May 28, 2027, and summer accommodation normally costs extra. Some halls also require a meal plan or charge additional fees. Students choosing private accommodation should consult current CEDARS listings because rent varies widely by district, room type, lease length, and occupancy. Transportation costs similarly depend on where a student lives and how frequently they travel.
Living Expenses
HKU lists personal living expenses separately from tuition and accommodation and estimates that they can total up to HK$50,000 per year for an average student. Actual spending depends on food choices, transportation, lifestyle, and other personal needs.
Knowing the cost of studying at the University of Hong Kong will help you prepare for the full length of your program. You should account for tuition, accommodation, living expenses, and program-specific charges and review the university’s latest published fees each academic year.
Scholarships can help reduce the cost of attendance. HKU offers merit-based scholarships that may cover tuition and, in some cases, living expenses. Eligibility, coverage, and renewal conditions vary by award. If you are interested, check the Study in Hong Kong guide and the list of Available Programs for International Students!
