Hong Kong public universities had more than 20,000 non-local undergraduate students in the second academic year since the government doubled quotas, a 17 per cent year-on-year increase. Education Secretary Christine Choi Yuk-lin said the authorities would monitor the situation and not rule out reviewing the quota if needed and universities' facilities are ready.
Starting in the 2024-25 academic year, the Hong Kong government doubled non-local student admission quotas at public universities to the equivalent of 40 per cent of the number of local students. Authorities plan to raise the threshold to 50 per cent in 2026-27.
In the second academic year under this policy, public universities had more than 20,000 non-local undergraduate students, marking a 17 per cent year-on-year increase. The Education University of Hong Kong (EdU) recorded the sharpest rise, with non-local undergraduate numbers jumping 90 per cent over three academic years, followed by Hong Kong Baptist University.
On Saturday, Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin told the media that some universities had nearly reached their quotas for this year, highlighting the rapid pace of development. “We will keep an eye on the situation. We will not rule out reviewing the quota if there is such a need, and the universities’ supporting facilities are ready,” she said.
Choi also noted that a supply of about 5,000 hostel places could be increased under a scheme allowing private developers or operators to convert commercial buildings into student hostels.
The policy aims to boost the international appeal of Hong Kong's higher education, but requires universities to keep pace with resources.