HKU aims for 50pc non-local student ratio next year

The University of Hong Kong expects non-local students to comprise 50% of its undergraduate population next academic year, following the increased quota announced in the latest Policy Address.

Bennett Yim, HKU's Director of Undergraduate Admissions and International Student Exchange, revealed the university anticipates enrolling over 1,600 non-local students in 2025/26 - approximately 400 more than last year.

The increase stems from higher acceptance rates, which rose from 30% to 50%, along with strong interest in the new "Delta+ Tech Immersion Fellowship" from the School of Computing and Data Science.

Yim confirmed all first-year non-local students received hostel placements this year, but acknowledged ongoing accommodation challenges if enrollment remains at 1,600. The university is actively seeking external housing solutions and hopes for increased government resources for teaching facilities.

HKU is expanding its global presence with a Shanghai building opening next month, already hosting some master's students, and a HK$300 million Barcelona facility beginning operations in months. Plans for a Middle Eastern campus are also underway.

The university recently hosted a cultural carnival promoting international student interaction. Second-year Kenyan biomedical engineering student Brian cited Hong Kong's educational quality and career opportunities as key reasons for choosing HKU, planning to eventually apply his knowledge to improve Kenya's healthcare system after gaining work experience.