Hong Kong Admissions

Who Can Apply to Hong Kong Universities

What students from India and Pakistan need to apply, using the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) as the main example. Each university and programme sets its own rules. Many students apply, so meeting the minimum does not guarantee a place.

Example Eligibility Check

Example: bachelor's applicant from India

School results

Verified

Example: Class 10 and Class 12 (Standard X and XII) with an 80% average

English

Verified

Example: IELTS 6.0

Programme subjects

In Progress

Example: checking the programme's subject rules

Application

Required

Example: apply by 12 November 2026 (CUHK advance offer round) or 7 January 2027 (CUHK regular round)

Example only, not your result

Example

Example only. Check your own results against each programme.

Key Requirements

The main things universities check.

School results (bachelor's)

CUHK: an 80% average in all subjects in your school results (India), or in six subjects of the Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC, Pakistan).

Degree (master's)

CUHK: a bachelor's degree from a recognised university, normally with Second Class honours (a UK-style degree grade) or an average grade of B.

English

IELTS and TOEFL iBT are English tests. CUHK bachelor's: IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 80 (4.5 on the 1 to 6 scale). CUHK master's: IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 79 (4.5 on the 1 to 6 scale).

Programme rules

Many programmes add their own subject rules and may hold interviews.

Rules differ

Each university in Hong Kong decides admissions itself, so rules vary by university and programme.

Requirements by Level

What each level asks for.

Minimums at CUHK unless stated

1Bachelor's

India: Class 10 and 12 with an 80% average (CUHK).
Pakistan: Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) with an 80% average in six subjects (CUHK).
Age 25 or over by 1 September: the University of Hong Kong (HKU) treats you as meeting its entrance rules.

2Master's

A bachelor's degree from a recognised university.
Normally Second Class honours or an average grade of B (CUHK).
English: IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 79 unless your degree was taught in English.

3Doctoral (PhD)

Normally a master's degree. A strong bachelor's degree can be enough if you apply for a research degree (MPhil-PhD) that leads to a PhD (CUHK).
Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS), money for PhD students: applicants also apply to their chosen universities.

Tests and Exams

Standardized Testing Requirements

Undergraduate Tests

1Indian school boards (Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) or a state board)

The main school results for Indian applicants.

CUHK asks for an 80% average in Class 10 and 12.

2Pakistan Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC)

The main school results for Pakistani applicants.

CUHK asks for an 80% average in six subjects.

Graduate Tests

1GMAT (Verbal part)

CUHK accepts it as one way to show English for postgraduate study.

Valid for five years from the test date at CUHK.

Note: Most bachelor's programmes look at your school board results. Some master's programmes also accept GMAT, a test for master's study, to show English at CUHK.

English Requirements

English Proficiency Requirements

If English is not your first language, you usually show a test score or an accepted school English result. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) asks for IELTS 6 or TOEFL iBT 80 (tests taken before 21 January 2026) for bachelor's study.

Test	Undergraduate	Graduate	Notes
IELTS (Academic)	6.0 (CUHK, PolyU)	6.5 (CUHK)	IELTS Online and One Skill Retake are not accepted for CUHK bachelor's.
TOEFL iBT	80, or 4.5 on the 1 to 6 scale (CUHK, PolyU)	79, or 4.5 on the 1 to 6 scale (CUHK)	TOEFL iBT tests taken from 21 January 2026 use a 1 to 6 scale. Home Edition is not accepted for CUHK bachelor's.
Indian board Class 12 English	80% (CUHK)	-	India only. Central or state board.

Important Considerations

Score Validity

Check the test provider’s score validity rules and your university’s requirements.

Possible Exemptions

You may be exempt from English proficiency requirements in certain cases:

Master's at CUHK: a letter from your university's records office that says your degree was taught in English can replace a test.

For Students from Abroad

International students face several additional requirements beyond those for domestic applicants. These ensure that you can successfully transition to studying in Hong Kong SAR and comply with immigration regulations.

Checking your qualifications

Universities check that your papers are real.

CUHK must confirm your degree is real at least one month before your course starts.
You sign a form that lets the university check your degree.

Chinese language

You may not need Chinese.

If your school certificate is from outside Hong Kong and CUHK accepts it, you may not need to show Chinese.
You do not need to apply for this: CUHK considers it automatically.

Distance learning degrees

CUHK may ask for an extra check.

If your degree was by distance learning or a short course, CUHK may ask a Hong Kong body to check it. This body is the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ).