Mainland students turn to Hong Kong universities amid gaokao, US visa worries

Hong Kong's universities are experiencing a significant surge in applications from mainland Chinese students, a trend driven by a confluence of factors including the intense pressure of the domestic 'gaokao' college entrance examination and growing uncertainties surrounding US visa policies. This shift represents a qualitative change in the educational landscape, moving beyond an elite pathway to a complex ecosystem catering to a broader range of students seeking undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

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In the past three to five years, the scale, structure and underlying logic of mainland students pursuing education in Hong Kong have undergone a qualitative change.

The "Blue Book on Mainland Students Studying in Hong Kong" highlights that geographic proximity, cultural familiarity, and strategic career and residency planning are key motivators. Mainland students are increasingly viewing Hong Kong not just as a place for academic advancement but as a stepping stone for long-term settlement and career development. The city's commitment to offering generous non-local admission quotas further sweetens the deal, making it an attractive alternative to the highly competitive domestic university system.

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What began as an elite pathway for a small number of top-performing students has evolved into a complex ecosystem spanning schooling, multiple undergraduate admission channels, a large-scale influx into taught master’s programmes, and ever-closer links between study, career planning and long-term residency status.

Data reveals a dramatic increase in mainland student enrollment, particularly in taught postgraduate programs, which saw a 207% rise between 2020-21 and 2023-24. At the University of Hong Kong, mainland students form the vast majority of non-local undergraduates and an overwhelming proportion of taught postgraduates. With policies in place to double non-local student quotas, Hong Kong is solidifying its position as an "educational magnet" for ambitious students from across the border, offering a unique blend of academic rigor and future opportunities distinct from what is available on the mainland or in Western countries.

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Hong Kong will emerge as an “educational magnet” for mainland students, bolstered by policies that have doubled non-local student quotas to 40 per cent of local places starting from the 2024-25 academic year.