Hong Kong is home to five universities ranked among the global top 100 on both the QS and Times Higher Education world university rankings. World-class universities are defined not only by academic excellence but also by the diversity of perspectives, cultures and experiences represented on campus.
The total number of nonlocal students enrolled in publicly funded undergraduate programs rose to 20,093 in the 2025-26 academic year, up from 17,161 the previous year. Despite this strong growth, the proportion of Chinese mainland undergraduates remained at 72 percent, while exceeding 90 percent in many taught postgraduate programs. The next challenge for Hong Kong is therefore to broaden the diversity of its international student community.
The first barrier for international students is affordability. Even with universities offering scholarships, Hong Kong’s high cost of living remains a significant burden for many families, including those from developed economies. A persistent shortage of student accommodation often pushes international students into the private rental market, where housing and basic living expenses can exceed HK$15,000 ($1,913) per month. As a result, the city’s affordability challenge limits access for talented students from a wider range of backgrounds, undermining efforts to build a more diverse international student community.
The second barrier is the perception gap about student life in Hong Kong. Before deciding where to study, international students naturally research what life in a destination is actually like. While university rankings, admissions information and promotional materials are readily available, authentic student perspectives are often harder to find. Prospective students increasingly rely on social media, online communities and peer-generated content to understand what studying, socializing and building friendships in a city might feel like. While local and mainland students generally make genuine efforts to be welcoming, the predominance of Chinese-language communication can make it difficult for prospective international students to envision how they would fit into everyday campus life. The challenge is therefore not a lack of goodwill but a lack of accessible pathways that help international students imagine themselves living, studying and belonging in Hong Kong.
The third barrier is career visibility. Hong Kong offers abundant opportunities for international graduates, particularly in multinational corporations, international schools and industries connected to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Yet these opportunities are often poorly understood by potential applicants. For an 18-year-old student considering whether to study in Hong Kong, uncertainty about post-graduation career prospects can be a significant deterrent. Many assume that limited Chinese language proficiency will restrict their options, even though Hong Kong remains one of Asia’s most international business cities where English is widely used. Without clearer pathways and stronger career signaling, Hong Kong risks losing talented international students to competing destinations that communicate their long-term career opportunities more effectively.
World-class universities are defined not only by rankings, but also by their ability to attract talent from diverse cultures, backgrounds and perspectives. Around the world, leading higher education institutions have shown that a broadly diversified international student body strengthens both academic excellence and global reputation. Hong Kong has already established a strong foundation through its success in attracting mainland students. The next step is to broaden diversity, strengthening the city’s role as a global talent hub and a bridge between the mainland and the wider world.
To address the bottlenecks, immediate attention should be paid to the financial realities facing international students, particularly those from Belt and Road Initiative partners and emerging economies. In addition to expanding living-expense bursaries, universities could explore innovative accommodation models, including structured homestay programs. Such arrangements would not only alleviate housing pressures but also provide valuable opportunities for cultural exchange and deeper community integration.
We should also reach out to international students earlier. Many prospective overseas students know Hong Kong through rankings, yet have limited exposure to what living and studying in the city is like. To bridge this gap, the Education Bureau should support schools and universities in building partnerships with institutions in strategic overseas markets. Direct Subsidy Scheme schools, international schools and other local institutions could expand exchange programs, joint projects and cultural activities with schools across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Central Asia and other emerging economies. Building on these relationships, universities could offer summer programs and short-term study opportunities that expose students to Hong Kong before they make university decisions. Firsthand experience, authentic peer interactions and student-generated content are often far more persuasive than institutional marketing materials.
Finally, Hong Kong must do more to clarify the relationship between Chinese language proficiency and career opportunities. While Chinese proficiency can certainly open additional doors, its absence does not prevent capable graduates from succeeding in many professional environments. Yet many prospective international students assume otherwise, causing them to underestimate the opportunities available in Hong Kong. Universities can help address this misconception through practical Mandarin training, career guidance and immersive cultural experiences that deepen students’ understanding of Chinese society and business culture.
Hong Kong already has world-class universities. The challenge now is to become a destination where talented students from around the world can imagine themselves studying, building careers and creating lives. Achieving this will require sustained efforts from government, schools and universities alike.
The author is a senior lecturer at the Hang Seng University of Hong Kong and co-chair of the Advocacy and Policy Research Committee, the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
