Tuition, Accommodation, and Scholarships & Financial Aid

This article presents a comprehensive overview of undergraduate tuition fees, hall charges, living costs, and the full scholarship and financial aid system for local and non-local students at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). Figures are based on the 2025/26 and 2026/27 academic years, with historical changes noted where relevant.

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# I. Undergraduate Tuition Fees

# Local Students

As noted on the HKUST Academic Registry’s tuition page^※, subsidised local undergraduate tuition fees remained frozen for an extended period before the recent adjustment.

According to the HKUST Admissions Fees and Scholarships page^※, the local tuition fee for 2026/27 is HK$47,000^※; for five-year dual-degree programmes (e.g., BEng/BBA dual degree, JS5901), the fifth year (semesters 9–10) carries a separate fee of HK$65,000 (payable in two instalments of HK$32,500 each)^※. Tuition is payable in two instalments (Autumn and Spring semesters).

# Non-Local Students

Non-local tuition fees are set by entry cohort and increase with each successive cohort. Based on the Academic Registry’s tuition schedule^※:

This means non-local students enrolling in 2026/27 will pay an annual tuition of HK$215,000^※ (approximately US$28,000), about 4.6 times the local rate.

# Comparison with Other Institutions in Hong Kong

According to a 2025/26 overview of tuition fees at Hong Kong’s eight public universities (studyin.hk)^※, subsidised local undergraduate tuition is broadly similar across the eight institutions. The fee had been frozen at HK$42,100 for several years before the recent policy-driven upward adjustment.

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# II. Hall Charges

HKUST operates a hall system, with Halls I through XIII on campus, plus the Jockey Club Hall (JCH). Non-local first-year students are required to stay in university housing; local students may apply for housing, but accommodation is not guaranteed.

# Local Undergraduate Students (New Entrants, 2025/26)

Based on the HKUST Student Housing and Residential Life (SHRL) official page for new local undergraduate hall charges^※, calculated for a full academic year (approximately 278 residential nights):

# Non-Local Undergraduate Students (2025/26)

Per the HKUST Admissions Fees and Scholarships page^※, on-campus hall charges for non-local students range from approximately HK$19,162 to HK$33,462 per year (about US$2,500–4,300). From the second year onwards, if on-campus housing is not secured, the estimated monthly rent for off-campus accommodation is HK$4,500–18,000, depending on location and room type.

# Projected Hall Charges for 2026/27

According to the same official source^※, selected hall charges for 2026/27 are expected to be adjusted as follows:

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# III. Living Expenses Estimate

Based on the HKUST Admissions Fees page^※, the estimated personal and miscellaneous living expenses for one academic year are approximately HK$60,000 (about US$7,700), covering meals, transport, communications, and personal spending.

For non-local students, the total estimated annual cost (using the 2026/27 cohort as an example):

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# IV. Scholarship System

HKUST offers a multi-tiered scholarship framework, including entry scholarships based on academic merit that require no separate application, continuing scholarships for current students, and targeted scholarships for athletes, women in STEM, students from underprivileged backgrounds, and others.

# 4.1 Entry Scholarships for Local Students

# University Admissions Scholarship Scheme for HKDSE Holders

According to the official scholarship page^※, any candidate who achieves 5* or above in at least one Category A subject (or the M1/M2 extended modules) in a single sitting of the HKDSE (Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education) will be automatically considered; no separate application is required. Award tiers are based on a score total:

Note: Category A applied learning and other language subjects are not included in this score calculation. Individual schools and departments may top up awards for particular students, but the total cap is full tuition plus HK$60,000 per annum.

# WISE Scholarship (Women in Science/Engineering)

Per the Admissions Fees and Scholarships page^※, this is aimed at female JUPAS applicants who apply to science or engineering programmes and achieve 5** in at least one Category A subject. The University considers candidates automatically; awardees may also concurrently receive the HKDSE-based academic scholarship described above. The WISE award provides an additional HK$10,000–20,000 per year, renewable.

# School Nominations Direct Admission Scheme (SNDAS) Scholarship

According to the SNDAS Scholarship page^※, students admitted through the School Nominations Direct Admission Scheme (SNDAS) automatically receive a one-off award of HK$50,000.

# Beyond Academic Admissions Scholarship (BAAS)

Per the SFAO official page^※, this scholarship is for students with outstanding achievements in extracurricular or non-academic areas. A separate application is required (early round deadline: 20 November; main round: 8 January). The award is a one-off HK$50,000, and recipients also receive additional consideration during the admissions process.

# Student Athlete Admissions Scheme (SAAS) Scholarship

According to the Admissions Fees page^※, this is designed for elite athletes. A separate application is required. The maximum award is full tuition plus HK$60,000 annual living allowance, renewable.

# 4.2 Entry Scholarships for Non-Local Students

# Global Learners Scholarship

According to the dedicated official page^※, all undergraduate applicants from "under-represented" countries or regions are automatically considered (no separate application is necessary). The scholarship is a full tuition waiver, renewable for the normal duration of the programme, subject to maintaining satisfactory academic standing. Individual schools or departments may add a stipend, subject to the same overall cap of full tuition plus HK$60,000 per annum.

# International / Non-Local Academic Merit Scholarship

Per the International Qualifications Scholarship page^※, outstanding international applicants holding IB, GCE A-Level, SAT/AP, or other recognised qualifications are automatically considered for academic merit scholarships at the time of admission. No separate application is required. Awards can reach full tuition plus HK$60,000 annual living allowance, renewable.

# Future Leaders Award (FLA)

According to the SFAO Admissions Scholarships page^※, this award is specifically for non-local applicants who demonstrate exceptional talent, academic merit, and financial need. A separate application is required after the early admission round (deadline: 30 November). There are two award tiers: a one-off HK$50,000, or full tuition plus a renewable living allowance.

# Mainland China Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) High Scorers Award Scheme

According to the SFAO page^※, applicants with outstanding scores in the mainland China Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) are automatically considered. The award is full tuition plus HK$60,000 annual living allowance, renewable. (⚠ Note: “JEE” here refers to the examination for mainland China, not the Indian JEE. Please check with the University for specific eligibility criteria.)

# 4.3 Olympiad Scholarships

According to the SFAO Admissions page^※ and the Admissions Fees page^※, all medal winners at recognised international and Asian Olympiads (IMO, IBO, IChO, IOI, IPhO, APMO, etc.) who are nominated through their school automatically receive the following scholarships:

# 4.4 Continuing Scholarships for Current Students

# University's Scholarship Scheme for Continuing UG Students

According to the SFAO Continuing Scholarships page^※, the University established this scheme in the 2009/10 academic year to recognise current undergraduates in the top 10% of the university by academic standing:

Results are released after the previous summer session; applications open annually from September to October.

# 4.5 The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships

# Hong Kong Jockey Club Chairman's Scholarship

According to the Jockey Club Scholarships official site^※, this is one of Hong Kong's premier undergraduate entry scholarships, open to final-year secondary students from local, mainland Chinese, and international schools. Application must be made through the school principal’s nomination (up to three students per school). The ideal candidate’s academic attainment should be equivalent to an IB score of 45 or five subjects at 5** in the HKDSE. The award covers full tuition, a living allowance, overseas study support, and a leadership development programme.

# Hong Kong Jockey Club Striding On Scholarship

Per the Admissions Scholarship introduction^※, this scholarship is for Hong Kong residents who have overcome adversity and achieved outstanding results. It requires nomination by the school principal (up to two nominations per school). The award likewise covers full tuition and a living allowance.

# 4.6 Targeted Scholarships

# Step into STEM Scholarship

According to the Admissions Fees page^※, this scholarship is reserved for 10 female local secondary school students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who enrol in STEM programmes. It covers the first-year tuition fee, is sponsored by Morgan Stanley, and is subject to means-testing.

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# V. Government and University Financial Aid

# Government Schemes (Primarily for Local Students)

Based on the HKUST SFAO Government Schemes page^※:

# University-Administered Bursaries and Loans

According to the University’s Supported Financial Assistance page^※, HKUST provides the following supplementary aid:

• Bursary and/or Interest-free Loan: Means-tested local students may apply. The amount depends on individual family circumstances. Results are normally notified about two months after the application deadline. There are two application cycles each year (autumn and spring).
• Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA): For dealing with sudden financial hardship. Applications are accepted year-round and handled on a case-by-case basis by SFAO.
• Deferred Tuition / Hall Fee Payment: Students facing payment difficulties may apply for deferral at least seven days in advance.
• Off-campus Housing Loan Scheme: Helps both undergraduate and postgraduate students cover one-off expenses such as rental deposits. Applications are accepted throughout the year.

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# VI. Quick-Reference Scholarship and Financial Aid Table

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# Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the HKUST tuition fees for 2025?

A: In the 2025/26 academic year, the subsidised undergraduate tuition fee for local students is HK$44,500. Non-local tuition is set by entry cohort; for the 2025/26 cohort it is HK$185,000. All fees are payable in two instalments (Autumn and Spring semesters).

Q: How much will HKUST tuition rise in 2026?

A: According to the Academic Registry’s tuition page, local undergraduate tuition for 2026/27 is projected to increase to HK$47,000. The non-local fee for the 2026/27 entry cohort will be HK$215,000 — roughly 4.6 times the local rate. For five-year dual-degree programmes (e.g., JS5901 BEng/BBA dual degree), the fifth-year fee is charged separately at HK$65,000.

Q: Which official channels should I check for HKUST tuition details?

A: For both local and non-local fees, consult the Academic Registry’s “Tuition Rates (UG)” page and the Admissions Office’s “Fees and Scholarships” page. Hall charges are on the Student Housing and Residential Life (SHRL) “Hall Charges for New Local UGs” page. All three are primary official sources.

Q: How does the HKUST DSE entry scholarship scoring work?

A: The University Admissions Scholarship Scheme for HKDSE holders uses a point system: 5** = 2 points, 5* = 1 point. 12 points or above yields full tuition plus a HK$60,000 living allowance (renewable); 9 points gives full tuition (renewable); 8 points a one-off full tuition; 6–7 points a one-off half-tuition; 1–5 points a one-off award of HK$5,000–10,000. As long as you score 5* or above in at least one Category A subject (or M1/M2), you are automatically considered — no application needed.

Q: Besides the DSE scholarship, which awards are considered automatically without a separate application?

A: In addition to the HKDSE entry award, the following require no separate application: the WISE Scholarship for female JUPAS applicants to STEM programmes (5** in a Category A subject); the SNDAS Scholarship (one-off HK$50,000 for SNDAS admits); awards for International and Asian Olympiad medallists; and the Global Learners Scholarship for non-local applicants from under-represented regions. All are automatically reviewed during the admissions process.

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# Further Reading

• For a detailed explanation of JUPAS admission score thresholds, the 8.5-point conversion system, and the SNDAS mechanism cited in this article, see Local Admissions (JUPAS)
• For programme context on the JS5901 dual degree’s fifth-year fee differential, see Dual Degrees and Joint Admission Schemes
• For a comparison of tuition and financial structures across the other seven UGC-funded universities, see Tuition Economics and the Eight Institutions

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