Hong Kong’s growing appeal: Why more students are choosing to study there

Hong Kong is becoming an increasingly popular destination for higher education, with more than half of its university students now coming from outside the territory. New research from BONARD Education and the British Council highlights how the city is stepping up its efforts to become a leading education hub in the region.

 

The numbers tell an interesting story. Hong Kong had 172,614 students enrolled in higher education during the 2024/25 academic year, marking a 12% increase on the previous year and a 24% rise compared with 2019/20.

 

Even more striking is the growth in non-local students. Their numbers jumped by 24% in just one year, reaching 88,949. They now make up 52% of Hong Kong’s total higher education student population, up from 41% in 2019/20.

 

A big part of Hong Kong’s recent rise in student numbers has come from non-local students choosing self-funded courses. In the 2024/25 academic year, these programmes attracted 62,305 enrolments, an increase of more than 13,000 compared with the previous year.

 

Mainland China continues to be the biggest source of non-local students, particularly on programmes funded by Hong Kong’s University Grants Committee (UGC). In 2024/25, students from mainland China accounted for 79% of non-local enrolments on these programmes, up from 69% in 2019/20.

 

The number of mainland Chinese students on UGC-funded programmes reached 21,104, representing an 18% increase year on year and a substantial 63% rise compared with 2019/20.

 

Hong Kong is making more room for international students as it steps up its ambition to become a leading education hub in Asia. In 2023, the government increased the quota for non-local students at universities funded by the UGC to 40%. From the 2026/27 academic year, that limit is set to rise further, reaching 50%.

 

But attracting more students is only part of the plan. Hong Kong also wants to build a more diverse international student community, with a particular focus on recruiting students from ASEAN countries, the Middle East and nations involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

 

The city is also looking to the future with plans to create additional space for universities and research in the Northern Metropolis. Proposals include three university towns in San Tin, Hung Shui Kiu and Ta Kwu Ling.

 

These new developments are intended to bring universities together with research centres, technology businesses and industry, supporting Hong Kong’s wider ambitions for economic growth and innovation.

 

For prospective students, these plans point to a higher education sector that is expanding its international reach while developing closer links between academic study, research and future career opportunities.

 

The British Council report also explores how Hong Kong’s expanding higher education sector could affect the number of students choosing to study overseas, particularly in the UK. Early signs suggest that outbound student mobility may be starting to slow, as more Hong Kong permanent residents enrol at local universities and colleges.

 

That said, interest in studying abroad remains strong. The UK continues to be a popular choice, accounting for a historically high 50% share of enrolments across the four main English-speaking study destinations.

 

For students weighing up their options, the findings suggest that while more people may be choosing to study closer to home, international education still holds considerable appeal, with the UK continuing to play a major role.