HK master's degree fees soar nearly $100,000 in three years, sparking concerns over local student access

Hong Kong's university master's programs have witnessed dramatic fee hikes in recent years, with some courses increasing by nearly HK$100,000 over three years, raising concerns about affordability for local students.

Sharp fee increases across universities

Last academic year, nearly 70,000 students were enrolled in self-funded postgraduate programs in Hong Kong, where six-figure tuition fees have become the norm—with many programs increasing costs almost annually.

At the University of Hong Kong (HKU), the Master of Economics program cost HK$268,000 in 2020/21. Over the next three years, fees rose by HK$20,000 to HK$40,000 per intake, reaching HK$360,000 for the latest cohort.

Similarly, the Hong Kong Metropolitan University’s (HKMU) Chinese-language MBA program now charges HK$430,000—a 50 percent increase, which is HK$140,000 higher compared to three years ago.

Universities cite rising demand and rankings

Tuition fees for postgraduate programs are determined independently by universities. Legislative Council member and Lingnan University Vice-President Lau Chi-pang noted that beyond operational costs, demand plays a key role in setting fees.

He mentioned that over the past five years, Hong Kong universities have significantly climbed in global rankings like QS. As their international reputation grows, so does the demand for their programs. He added that even with fee increases, applications continue to rise, partly due to geopolitical factors that drive more students to Hong Kong.

Concerns over local student accessibility

The government has been promoting Hong Kong as an international higher education hub. Last year, nearly 70 percent of postgraduate students were non-local, predominantly from mainland China, while overseas students accounted for just 1.6 percent.

Legislative Council Panel on Education vice-chairman Dennis Leung Tsz-wing expressed concerns that further fee hikes could deter local students, potentially harming their career prospects.

He suggested that if local youths can't afford these qualifications, employers might turn to overseas talent, disadvantaging Hong Kong’s young professionals. He proposed that universities consider dual fee structures—charging non-local students higher rates to offset additional costs like dormitory provisions.