🏅 QS World Rank #11
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) — Full Profile & Ranking 2026
Hong Kong’s oldest and highest-ranked university — QS World Rankings 2027 #11
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is Hong Kong’s oldest university, founded in 1911. In the QS World University Rankings 2027 (announced June 2026), HKU ranked 11th in the world, unchanged from the previous edition, and it is the highest-ranked university in Hong Kong. This guide covers HKU’s programmes, non-local admission, the official 2026–27 fees, scholarships, advice for applicants from Pakistan, and the questions prospective students ask most. Every figure is labeled with its year or ranking edition.
HKU Overview
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is a public research university in Hong Kong, founded in 1911. It is Hong Kong’s oldest university, and its main campus is on Pokfulam Road on Hong Kong Island. HKU offers programmes across architecture, arts, business, dentistry, education, engineering, law, medicine, science, and social sciences.
English is the main language of instruction at HKU. International undergraduates apply through the non-local route (often called the Non-JUPAS route), and fees for non-local students are much higher than for local students.
HKU Rankings — QS World University Rankings 2027
HKU is ranked 11th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) in June 2026. Its position is unchanged from the previous edition, and it is the highest-ranked university in Hong Kong.
QS ranks universities using academic reputation, employer reputation, citations per faculty, student-to-faculty ratio, and measures of international faculty and students. This is a QS-specific result, not one universal ranking. Times Higher Education and ARWU use different methods and can order the same universities differently.
Source: QS TopUniversities and the QS World University Rankings 2027 press release (18 June 2026).
Key Strengths & Programs
HKU offers undergraduate, taught postgraduate, research, and doctoral programmes, and it is known for:
- Medicine, dentistry, and health sciences — the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine has long historical roots in Hong Kong
- Business and economics — HKU Business School
- Law — a leading common-law faculty in Asia
- Science and engineering
- Architecture, arts, education, and social sciences
- An international campus — large numbers of exchange and non-local students
For the full list, see HKU’s official website.
Explore Related Guides & Rankings
Admission Requirements
International students apply through HKU’s non-local routes. Details below were checked in October 2026; confirm them on HKU’s admissions website before applying.
Undergraduate Admissions (Non-Local Students)
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| How to apply | Through HKU’s International / Non-JUPAS undergraduate admissions route, applying online |
| Academic level | Based on your school qualification, such as A-levels, IB, or equivalent. HKU publishes the requirements by qualification, and they differ by programme. |
| English language | Applicants usually need a recognised English test unless exempt; the usual level is commonly reported around IELTS 6.5 overall or higher, depending on the programme |
| Other requirements | Some programmes ask for interviews, portfolios, or additional tests |
| Application fee | HKU’s published figures for the application fee have varied between sources, so check the official admissions page for the current amount |
Postgraduate Admissions
Postgraduate applications go through each faculty or programme. Deadlines and requirements vary, so check the page for your programme.
Beware of unofficial agents: HKU has warned that some agents promise direct admission. Admission decisions are made by HKU only, and you can apply directly without an agent.
Official sources: HKU Admissions and the HKU General Information guide.
HKU Acceptance Rate
HKU does not publish one official headline acceptance rate for international applicants. Competition varies by programme, and courses such as medicine, law, and business are far more competitive than others.
Any single percentage you see online for HKU is an unverified estimate. Use the published entry requirements for your programme as the real guide.
Practical Application Checklist
- Choose your programme and level first, and check the non-local requirements for your qualification
- Book an English test if you need one
- Prepare transcripts, certificates, and any extra documents requested
- Apply directly to HKU through the official admissions system, with no agent required
- Look for entrance scholarships and note their deadlines
- Budget for non-local tuition, which is higher for STEM programmes, plus Hong Kong living costs
- Check visa requirements, which are set by the Hong Kong authorities
- Verify every date, fee, and requirement on HKU’s official website before submitting
Fees & Costs
HKU’s official General Information guide lists annual fees for 2026–27:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Non-local students, non-STEM programmes (2026–27) | HK$224,000 per year |
| Non-local students, STEM programmes, including the STEM fee (2026–27) | HK$249,000 per year |
| Local students (2026–27) | HK$47,000 per year |
Older figures such as HK$182,000–215,000 are out of date. Living costs, including accommodation, are additional, and Hong Kong housing is expensive, so check hall availability early.
Source: HKU General Information guide, 2026 entry. Fees can change. Confirm on the HKU admissions site.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
HKU offers financial support for non-local students:
- Entrance scholarships: awards for outstanding non-local students, up to a full tuition waiver in some cases, with an accommodation scholarship and a living allowance for some awards
- Other scholarships: faculty and donor awards; check HKU’s scholarship pages each year
- HEC Pakistan: check current Higher Education Commission funding programmes for study abroad
See also our guide to fully funded scholarships for 2027. Scholarships are not guaranteed.
HKU for Pakistani Students
Pakistani applicants use the same non-local process as other international applicants. HKU has no separate Pakistan track. Practical points:
- Qualifications: check HKU’s requirements for the qualification you hold, such as A-levels, IB, or other certificates
- English: prepare IELTS or another accepted test. Our IELTS preparation guides can help.
- Funding: plan for non-local fees of HK$224,000–249,000 a year (2026–27) and apply early for scholarships
- Visa: international students need a Hong Kong student visa, issued by the Hong Kong authorities. No outcome is guaranteed.
- Agents: HKU advises you to apply directly. A paid agent is not required.
Campus & Student Life
- The main campus is at Pokfulam Road on Hong Kong Island, with an international mix of students
- Residential halls and colleges offer accommodation, but places are limited, so apply early
- Hong Kong is a major global financial and trading hub, and English is widely used
- Student societies, sports, and exchange programmes are a big part of university life
Research & Career Opportunities
- HKU has a large research output in medicine, science, engineering, and the social sciences
- Hong Kong has major finance, law, and trade sectors close to campus, and links to mainland China
- HKU does not guarantee employment, salary, or visa outcomes
Notable Alumni
- Sun Yat-sen — studied at the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese, a predecessor institution of HKU’s medical faculty
- Leaders in Hong Kong’s medicine, law, business, and public service
Contact & Location
The University of Hong Kong
Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong
Official website: hku.hk
Frequently Asked Questions
HKU is ranked 11th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, announced in June 2026. Its rank is unchanged, and it is the highest-ranked university in Hong Kong.
According to HKU’s General Information guide, non-local students pay HK$224,000 per year for non-STEM programmes and HK$249,000 for STEM programmes in 2026–27. Local students pay HK$47,000.
Yes. HKU offers entrance scholarships for non-local students, up to a full tuition waiver in some cases, and some awards also include accommodation and a living allowance. Awards are competitive and not guaranteed.
Through the non-local (International / Non-JUPAS) undergraduate admissions route, applying online and directly to HKU.
Yes. Pakistani applicants follow the standard non-local process, with their qualifications assessed against HKU’s published requirements.
It depends on the programme. The usual level is commonly reported at around IELTS 6.5 overall or higher, so check your programme’s requirement.
HKU does not publish an official acceptance rate for international applicants. Competition varies by programme, and online percentages are unverified estimates.
No. You can apply directly. HKU has warned that some agents promise direct admission, but admission decisions are made only by HKU.
Sun Yat-sen studied at the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese, which is regarded as a predecessor of HKU’s medical faculty, rather than at HKU itself, which was founded in 1911.
Check HKU’s official admissions website and the page for your programme. Deadlines, fees, and rules are set by HKU and can change.
Compare HKU With Other Top Universities
Disclaimer: This page is based on the QS World University Rankings 2027, HKU’s official General Information guide and admissions pages, and other publicly available sources, last checked in October 2026. Fees, rankings, deadlines, and admission rules change, and no admission, funding, visa, or employment outcome is guaranteed. Always verify current details directly with HKU before applying.