Overview

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is a research-oriented comprehensive university founded in 1963, guided by its mission to assist in the preservation, creation, application, and dissemination of knowledge, with a global vision to combine tradition with modernity and to bring together China and the West. As a civic university, CUHK aspires to serve the needs and enhance the well-being of the citizens of Hong Kong, China, and the wider world community. 

The 138.4-hectare CUHK main campus overlooking the beautiful Tolo Harbour is the largest, greenest, and most sustainably designed in Hong Kong. It houses a comprehensive range of learning facilities as well as cultural, sports, and social amenities essential for an all-round campus experience. Located in Sha Tin, in the New Territories — 30 minutes by MTR rail from downtown Kowloon and 20 minutes from the Lo Wu border with mainland China — CUHK's breathtaking mountain-and-harbour campus is widely considered one of the most beautiful university campuses in Asia, with wooded hills, stunning sea views, and an architectural blend of East and West. 

CUHK plays an active part in international academic networks and alliances, including the Worldwide Universities Network, the Association of Pacific Rim Universities, and the International Universities Climate Alliance. Strong links have been forged with over 460 universities and strategic partners in some 40 countries and regions around the world. CUHK connects the world with the rapidly emerging Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with the University the first to establish a campus in Shenzhen in 2014. 

CUHK boasts faculty members who are recipients of prestigious accolades including the Nobel Prize, Fields Medal, and Turing Award — unique among Hong Kong universities. CUHK has identified four strategic areas of research anchoring its Strategic Plan, and leads several projects under the University Grants Committee's Areas of Excellence scheme, receiving preferential funding. CUHK focuses on integrating research, innovation and entrepreneurship into a dynamic and productive continuum. 

CUHK Business School blazed a trail for business education in Hong Kong and Asia since 1963, cultivating high-achieving graduates who shape the global business landscape. It is the first business school in Asia to offer a full suite of BBA, MBA, and Executive MBA programmes. CUHK's unique collegiate system — modelled after Oxford and Cambridge — divides undergraduate students into nine constituent colleges, each offering a rich residential life experience, mentorship, and a strong identity and community unique to CUHK. 

Intakes

CUHK operates on a Hong Kong academic calendar with one primary annual intake.

Primary Intake — September — The main intake for all undergraduate and most postgraduate programs.

• Application for UG programs: usually starts in September and ends in December or January for September entry; Application for PG programs: generally begins in September and closes by December or January 
• Most popular postgraduate programs (MBA, MSc Finance, Computer Science): competitive early application by November–December strongly recommended

January Intake — Available for select taught postgraduate programs only; verify availability on cuhk.edu.hk.

Important for Indian Students:

• Application fee: approximately HKD $450–600 (approximately ₹4,950–₹6,600) depending on program 
• Hong Kong Student Visa / Entry Permit required; students must demonstrate sufficient funds to cover tuition and living costs
• International students can work part-time on campus during their studies; off-campus part-time work also possible with visa conditions 
• Post-Study Work: IANG (Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates) — graduates can stay and work in Hong Kong for up to 1 year after graduation (renewable)
• CUHK is a bilingual university (English and Chinese); most postgraduate programs are taught entirely in English; some undergraduate programs are taught in Cantonese or Mandarin — check program language carefully

Note: Polygon Campus primarily assists with graduate-level admissions. Students are encouraged to confirm specific intake dates and program availability on cuhk.edu.hk.

Top Courses

CUHK offers a wide range of undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs across various disciplines including arts, business, engineering, medicine, and social sciences. CUHK is organised across eight faculties and a Graduate School: 

Faculty of Business Administration (CUHK Business School — First in Asia for BBA, MBA, EMBA)

• BBA in Finance / Accounting / Information Management / Marketing / Professional Accountancy
• Master of Science in Finance (MScFin) — flagship; highly popular for Indian students
• Master of Science in Business Analytics
• Master of Science in Marketing
• Master of Science in Accountancy
• MBA (full-time and part-time) — FT top-100 ranked
• Executive MBA (EMBA) — #39 globally (FT 2025) / #1 in Hong Kong

Faculty of Engineering

• BEng in Computer Science / Electronic Engineering / Systems Engineering / Mechanical and Automation Engineering
• MSc in Computer Science — English-taught; highly popular for Indian students
• MSc in Artificial Intelligence
• MSc in Financial Engineering
• MSc in Information Engineering
• MSc in Biomedical Engineering

Faculty of Medicine (Prince of Wales Hospital — Teaching Hospital)

• MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) — highly selective
• MSc in Public Health
• MSc in Biomedical Sciences
• MSc in Epidemiology and Biostatistics
• PhD in Medical Sciences

Faculty of Law

• LLB (Bachelor of Laws)
• JD (Juris Doctor) — graduate entry law program
• LLM in Chinese Business Law / International Law
• LLM in Technology Law

Faculty of Science

• BSc / MSc / PhD in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Statistics, Computer Science, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Biology

Faculty of Arts

• BA in English / History / Cultural Studies / Japanese Studies / Linguistics / Philosophy
• MA in Cultural Studies — English-taught
• MA in Translation
• MPhil / PhD in Arts disciplines

Faculty of Social Sciences

• BA in Economics / Government and Public Administration / Geography / Journalism / Psychology / Sociology
• MSc in Economics
• MSc in Journalism and New Media
• MSc in Psychology

Faculty of Education

• MEd in various specialisations
• MSc in Educational Technology

Cost of Studying at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)

The annual tuition fee at CUHK for all programs is approximately HKD 182,000. Application fee is HKD 300–450. The tuition fee for top programs at CUHK ranges from HKD 132,000–560,000 for graduate programs. 

Half of CUHK's undergraduates live in college dorms. The residence halls provide a multicultural living environment for local, non-local, and exchange students. The yearly rent for student accommodation at CUHK ranges from HKD 13,360–17,070. CUHK's Sha Tin location — while spectacular in setting — is well-connected by MTR to Hong Kong's urban centres and significantly more affordable for accommodation than Hong Kong Island. Note: 1 HKD ≈ ₹11. 

Note: All INR conversions calculated at 1 HKD = ₹11. CUHK's on-campus accommodation in college dorms (HKD 13,200–18,000/year) is among the most affordable in Hong Kong, and half of all undergraduates live on campus — making the residential experience exceptional value for money. PhD students benefit from government-subsidised domestic rates. Please refer to CUHK's official admissions fees page (cuhk.edu.hk) for the most current 2025–26 fee schedule.

Scholarships

CUHK offers a wide range of scholarships for students looking for financial aid in Hong Kong. These scholarships are merit-based, with students having outstanding academic or non-academic performance being eligible. Students can apply for scholarships after admission.

Key funding opportunities include:

• CUHK Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships for Excellence — Highest academic honour at CUHK; awarded to exceptional UG international students on merit; covers significant tuition reduction and potentially living expenses; automatically considered upon UG admission
• CUHK Entrance Scholarship (International UG) — Merit-based partial or full tuition fee scholarships for incoming international undergraduate students; awarded automatically upon acceptance; selection based on academic achievement and non-academic accomplishments
• CUHK Non-academic Achievements Scholarship — International students who succeed in non-academic achievements such as sports and games, music and performing arts, art and design, innovation, science, and technology/STEM may be given one-time full-tuition scholarships; unique recognition for talented students beyond academics 
• Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) — Prestigious Hong Kong Research Grants Council fellowship; annual stipend of HKD 331,200 (approximately ₹36.43L/year) plus travel allowance; covers 3 years of full-time PhD; open to all nationalities applying to CUHK for PhD; application deadline typically December 1 annually; extremely competitive
• CUHK Postgraduate Scholarship — For admitted research postgraduate (MPhil/PhD) students; covers full tuition at domestic rates plus monthly stipend of approximately HKD 18,000 (approximately ₹1,98,000/month); government-funded; automatically considered upon research program admission
• Belt and Road Scholarship — For students from Belt and Road Initiative countries including India; covers tuition and/or living support; apply through CUHK International Office
• CUHK Business School MBA Scholarship — Merit-based partial tuition waiver for outstanding MBA applicants; awarded during the MBA admissions process based on GMAT/GRE scores, professional experience, and leadership potential
• Exchange and Sports Scholarships — Available for students with exceptional performance in sports, arts, and other areas; apply through CUHK's student affairs office 

Note: Indian students should apply for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme — the most prestigious and generous PhD funding in Hong Kong with HKD 331,200/year. For taught postgraduate programs, the CUHK Business School and Engineering faculty scholarships require strong academic records and early application.

Admissions

The Chinese University of Hong Kong's acceptance rate is 11%, making it one of the most selective universities in Asia. 

For Graduate (Master's / Doctoral) Programs:

• Bachelor's degree equivalent to a Hong Kong Honours Bachelor's degree; normally minimum Second Class Honours or B grade; competitive programs require First Class or equivalent
• IELTS typically 6.5 or above; TOEFL around 79 or above; some programs require higher scores 
• GMAT or GRE required for MBA and most Business School programs; average GMAT for MBA approximately 650
• Statement of Purpose / Personal Statement
• CV / Résumé (MBA requires minimum 3 years professional experience; EMBA requires 8+ years)
• 2–3 Letters of Recommendation
• Research Proposal for MPhil/PhD applications
• Application fee: HKD $300–600 depending on program

For Undergraduate Programs:

• Higher secondary certificate (Class 12 / CBSE / ISC / IB) with outstanding academic record — top 10–15% of graduating class recommended given 11% acceptance rate
• IELTS 6.5 overall / TOEFL iBT 80+ / ACT 23 / SAT 590
• Extracurricular achievements, leadership, and non-academic accomplishments carry significant weight
• Application fee: HKD $450–600

Indian students can check CUHK's specific admission requirements for their chosen program directly through Polygon Campus.

Placements

CUHK's position in Hong Kong's Greater Bay Area — at the intersection of one of the world's greatest financial centres and China's vast technology and manufacturing economy — provides graduates with career opportunities spanning Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Singapore, and the global markets.

CUHK consistently records a high employment rate, with over 90% of graduates securing jobs within six months of graduation. Top hiring sectors include finance, technology, consulting, healthcare, education, and media. The average starting salary for CUHK graduates ranges from HKD 20,000 to HKD 35,000 per month, depending on the program and industry. 

Among several CUHK programs, the Executive MBA is the highest-paying degree, with alumni earning an average of HKD 745,915 (approximately ₹82.05L/year). Students have excellent placement opportunities with globally renowned companies such as Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, Google, Microsoft, and Hyatt International. 

Jobs After Graduating from CUHK

Note: All INR conversions calculated at 1 HKD = ₹11. CUHK EMBA alumni earn an average of HKD 745,915/year (approximately ₹82.05L/year), among the highest of any program in Hong Kong. Graduates entering Hong Kong's financial and legal sectors command Asia-leading salaries. Actual salaries vary by role, employer, location, and experience.

CUHK's career support ecosystem includes:

• Career Planning and Development Centre (CPDC) — CUHK's Career Planning and Development Centre offers career counselling, job placement services, and internship opportunities; through various career-focused services and programmes, the university provides students with extensive job market information and insightful counsel to assist them in achieving their professional goals 
• 90%+ Graduate Employment Rate — CUHK consistently records a high employment rate with over 90% of graduates securing jobs within six months of graduation; top recruiters include Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, Google, Microsoft, McKinsey, KPMG, and Hyatt International 
• Nobel, Fields Medal, and Turing Award Faculty — Unique among Hong Kong universities in having faculty members who are recipients of the Nobel Prize, Fields Medal, and Turing Award; these world-class researchers create direct pathways into elite academic and research careers globally 
• CUHK-Shenzhen Campus — CUHK was the first university in Hong Kong to establish a campus in Shenzhen in 2014; provides direct career pathways into China's tech and innovation ecosystem — Tencent, Huawei, DJI, BYD, and thousands of Greater Bay Area employers 
• Global Internship Programme (GIP) — A partnership between CUHK and various host organisations to provide valuable offshore internship opportunities for students to gain real-life work experience while broadening their global perspectives; placements in Asia, Europe, North America, and beyond 
• 460 University and Strategic Partners in 40 Countries — Strong links forged with over 460 universities and strategic partners in some 40 countries and regions around the world; international research and career collaboration networks spanning all major global markets 
• 130+ CUHK Alumni Associations Worldwide — CUHK's alumni have collectively formed more than 130 alumni associations, ensuring a strong sense of community and career connection throughout graduates' careers; active mentorship, networking events, and career referral programmes globally 
• IANG Post-Study Work Visa — All CUHK international graduates qualify for the IANG 1-year stay-back visa in Hong Kong; renewable; provides a pathway to Hong Kong permanent residency and access to the Greater Bay Area's vast economy

For personalised guidance on CUHK admissions, connect with the experts at Polygon Campus today.