The application process for a Hong Kong taught master’s is much the same at all eight public universities: choose programmes, prepare documents, submit through the university’s online system, then accept the offer, meet its conditions and get a visa. The differences are in the document details and the deadlines. Below, the process is split into 7 steps in time order, and every rule links to the university’s own page.
Timeline of the application process
Applications for 2027 entry open through summer and autumn 2026: PolyU from 2 July for September 2027 entry (PolyU FAQ), CUHK on 1 September (CUHK Graduate School), CityU on 15 September (CityU FAQ).
Deadlines come in rounds. We counted the rounds open to non-local applicants (which includes Mainland students) for the 746 programmes on this site: 310 have a single round and 377 have two or more. For September-entry programmes, first-round deadlines cluster in October 2026 and January 2027, and final rounds mostly fall between February and June 2027 (counted 2026-10-26). The deadline calendar has every round of every programme.
Step 1: Choose universities and programmes
For each programme, check three things: whether your undergraduate background fits, whether your English score is high enough, and which round you can still make. The programme library filters by university, IELTS, tuition and CET-6 acceptance; to browse by subject, start from subject pages such as Hong Kong finance master’s or Hong Kong computer science master’s.
English requirements differ a lot between universities; see English language requirements.
Step 2: Prepare your documents
Preparing documents takes the most time in the application process, although the checklist is similar everywhere. At the application stage you usually upload scans; originals are checked after an offer (HKU FAQ, HKUST required documents).
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Transcript | Graduates submit the official transcript; current students submit their latest transcript and the final one after an offer (CUHK FAQ). |
| Graduation and degree certificates | Graduates submit them with the application; current students submit them after an offer. |
| CHSI verification reports | HKU and CUHK require the Online Verification Report of Higher Education Qualification Certificate (教育部学历证书电子注册备案表) and of Higher Education Degree Certificate (中国高等教育学位在线验证报告) (HKU application procedures, CUHK documents required); CityU requires the degree report, valid until at least the enrolment date (CityU). Current students: CUHK asks for the transcript verification report, EdUHK for the student record report (EdUHK document list). |
| English test score | IELTS or TOEFL; some universities accept CET-6. See English language requirements. |
| References | Usually you enter referees’ emails in the online system and they submit online: two for most CUHK programmes, at least two nominated referees at HKUST, two at HKBU (CUHK, HKUST FAQ, HKBU). Lingnan does not accept references sent from personal email addresses (Lingnan FAQ). |
| CV, personal statement | Set by each programme; check the programme page (PolyU additional documents table). |
Step 3: Apply online and pay the fee
All eight universities take applications through their own online systems. Each programme is submitted and paid for separately: HKU asks for a separate username for each programme (HKU FAQ), CUHK and HKUST take a separate application per programme (CUHK FAQ, HKUST FAQ), while CityU takes several programme applications under one account and asks you not to open a second one (CityU FAQ). EdUHK sets no limit on the number of programmes (EdUHK FAQ).
The fee is paid on submission, mostly HK$400–800, and is normally not refunded; see deposits and application fees for each university.
Step 4: Interviews and results
Not every programme interviews (HKU FAQ, CityU FAQ). The programme office contacts you if it does; Lingnan says shortlisted applicants hear within 2 to 3 weeks (Lingnan FAQ). Results come through the online system or by email; CUHK sends no paper offers (CUHK Graduate School).
Step 5: Accept the offer and pay the deposit
After an offer you accept online and pay the deposit by the deadline. HKUST states that an offer counts as accepted only once both the online acceptance and the deposit payment are done (HKUST); HKBU withdraws the offer if either is late (HKBU). With several offers you may accept only one (CUHK Graduate School). Deposit amounts and refund rules are in deposits and application fees.
Step 6: Meet the offer conditions
In the second half of the application process, final-year students usually hold a conditional offer and must send their final transcript, degree certificate and verification reports by a set date. Dates that are written down: HKU requires the bachelor’s degree by 31 August of the admission year (HKU FAQ), Lingnan by 15 August (Lingnan FAQ); HKUST wants documents by mid-July for Fall entry (HKUST FAQ); from 2025-26, CUHK needs a positive verification result one month before studies begin (CUHK documents required). See conditional offers.
Step 7: Student visa and enrolment
For Mainland residents, the admitting university acts as sponsor and submits the visa application to the Hong Kong Immigration Department. Once all documents are in, processing normally takes six weeks; after approval you apply to the Mainland authorities for an Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao with the relevant endorsement, and show the e-Visa on entry (Immigration Department). Universities allow more time: PolyU says it may take 8 to 10 weeks and advises applying as soon as you hold a conditional or firm offer (PolyU).
If you will need to use the degree in the Mainland after graduating, you can apply for certification by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange; see CSCSE certification.
FAQ
How do I apply, and can I apply on my own?
Yes. All eight universities take online applications on their websites: you open an account, fill in the form, upload documents and pay, following the steps above. This site only collects official information and does not act as an agent.
Can I apply before I graduate?
Yes. HKU, CUHK and HKUST all say final-year students may apply with their latest transcript and send the final transcript and degree certificate after an offer (HKU FAQ, CUHK FAQ, HKUST FAQ).
How many programmes can I apply to?
HKU, CUHK, HKUST and CityU all allow several applications, each with its own fee; you can enrol in only one programme even with several offers (HKU FAQ).
Do I need to post paper documents?
Not usually at the application stage. HKU asks most applicants for originals only when they are being considered for admission (HKU FAQ); HKBU asks for official transcripts in a sealed envelope after you accept (HKBU FAQ). Follow the programme’s instructions.
When should I apply for the visa?
After accepting the offer, as the university instructs. The Immigration Department normally needs six weeks once it has every document, so start early (Immigration Department).
- Deadline calendar: every round, month by month
- Programme library: filter by university, IELTS and tuition
- Programmes accepting CET-6 · Programmes by IELTS score · Tuition
- English language requirements · Conditional offers · Deposits and application fees · CSCSE certification
- Sources and verification