Applying for a Hong Kong master’s involves two payments: the application fee when you apply, and the deposit when you accept an offer. Application fees are set university-wide; the deposit is mostly set by the programme and stated in the offer. Below are the amounts and rules each university publishes; where no university-wide figure exists, we say “see the offer”.
Application fees
| University | Application fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| HKU | HK$780 | 2027-2028 fee table (HKU); the FAQ still says HK$600, so the two pages disagree. Non-refundable and non-transferable, Visa or Mastercard credit card only (HKU) |
| CUHK | HK$500 | HK$500 per programme except the MBA, MBA in Finance and MSc in Finance, non-refundable and non-transferable (CUHK FAQ); the Business School’s MSc in Finance page also says HK$500 (programme page) |
| HKUST | Varies by programme | The graduate school states that fees vary for each programme (HKUST); e.g. HK$800 for the MSc in Financial Technology (programme page), HK$600 for the MSc in Big Data Technology (programme page) |
| CityU | HK$600 | Per programme choice; HK$1,000 for EMBA programmes; non-refundable and non-transferable (CityU) |
| PolyU | HK$600 | For 2027/28; HK$800 for the MBA; non-refundable and non-transferable (PolyU FAQ) |
| HKBU | HK$450 | Per application (HKBU FAQ) |
| Lingnan | HK$400 | Taught master’s programmes (Lingnan) |
| EdUHK | HK$500 | Non-local applicants (HK$400 local), as stated on the 2027/28 MEd page; other programmes may differ (programme page) |
HKU states the application fee cannot be waived, but suggests asking the programme office about scholarships that cover it (HKU FAQ).
What the deposit is
The universities call it different things: deposit, acceptance fee, admission confirmation fee, initial fee. In each case it is paid on accepting the offer to secure your place, and it is mostly part of tuition:
- HKU: the first instalment of the composition fee is payable on acceptance (HKU).
- CityU: the acceptance fee is credited to the tuition fee in the first statement (CityU fees note).
- PolyU: new students on self-financed programmes pay an initial fee covering caution money and the tuition for the initial credits (PolyU Student Handbook).
- HKBU: the admission confirmation fee includes the first tuition instalment plus other administrative fees (HKBU programme page example).
How much: programme examples
None of the eight universities publishes a single university-wide deposit. These programmes state their amount on official pages and are examples only:
| Programme | Deposit | Total tuition |
|---|---|---|
HKU Master of Finance (Business School) | HK$169,000 | HK$508,000 |
HKU Master of Accounting (Business School) | HK$156,000 | HK$468,000 |
CUHK MSc in Finance, full-time (programme page) | HK$160,000, within 2 weeks of confirming | HK$460,000 |
HKUST MSc in Information Systems Management, full-time (programme page) | HK$126,000 | See programme page |
HKUST MSc in International Management (programme page) | HK$147,000, non-refundable, offset against fees | See programme page |
To compare total tuition first, see tuition.
When to pay
The deadline is in the offer or payment notice, and missing it counts as declining: CityU treats an offer as declined if you do not accept online and pay in full by the reply deadline (CityU); HKBU withdraws the offer if payment and confirmation are late (HKBU). CUHK Business School asks you to accept within two weeks of the official email (CUHK Business School FAQ), and the MSc in Finance deposit is due within two weeks of confirming the offer (programme page).
Is the deposit refundable?
In most cases, no. The exceptions each university writes down:
| University | Refund rule |
|---|---|
| HKU | Non-refundable unless you do not meet the offer conditions (HKU FAQ); all fees refunded if the university cancels a programme for insufficient interest (HKU) |
| CUHK | All fees paid are non-refundable and non-transferable (CUHK) |
| HKUST | May be refunded case by case on official proof of a shortfall in meeting the conditions; not refunded if you did not attempt the required test (HKUST FAQ) |
| CityU | Non-refundable and non-transferable except: you accept another CityU offer for the same term and have paid its fee, the offer is withdrawn because conditions were not met, or the programme is cancelled (CityU) |
| PolyU | Not refunded except when the programme is cancelled (PolyU FAQ) |
| HKBU | If conditions are not met you can write in; a refund minus a HK$5,000 administration fee may be granted at the university’s discretion (HKBU FAQ) |
| Lingnan | Not refunded if you switch to another programme (Lingnan FAQ) |
| EdUHK | Non-refundable; amount in the offer letter (2026/27 notes on accepting an offer) |
FAQ
How much is the deposit?
There is no common figure; the programme sets it. In the examples published officially, business programmes at HKU, CUHK and HKUST range from HK$126,000 to HK$169,000 (see programme examples); for others, see your offer.
Can I switch universities after paying a deposit?
You can accept another university’s offer, but the deposit you paid is generally neither refunded nor transferred. HKU asks for proof of withdrawal from any other programme before you confirm its offer (HKU FAQ).
Does the deposit count towards tuition?
Usually. HKU, CityU, PolyU and HKBU all describe it as part of tuition or credit it to the tuition statement; see what the deposit is.
Is the application fee refundable?
Generally not. HKU, CUHK, CityU, PolyU, HKBU, Lingnan and EdUHK all say it is non-refundable (EdUHK refunds if it cancels the programme); HKU, CUHK, CityU and PolyU also say it cannot be transferred to another application.
- Tuition: programmes sorted by total tuition
- Application process · Conditional offers · English language requirements · CSCSE certification
- Programme library · Deadline calendar