Hong Kong as an international education hub
23 October 2025
Dr Stan Ho looks at what’s driving the emergence of Hong Kong as an international education hub.
Hong Kong is aiming to grow its reputation as an international education hub, building on the reputation of the five universities it already has ranked in the world’s top 100 (based on QS Ranking 2026) and in Asia’s top 20 (based on Times Higher Education 2025).
The Hong Kong government announced a new policy in September which means starting from the 2026/27 academic year, the enrolment ceiling for self-financing non-local students of each funded post-secondary institution will be raised from the current 40% of local student places to 50%. The Hong Kong government currently provides, and will keep, 15,000 funded places for local students in Hong Kong.
Alongside growing numbers, the government also announced policies to promote Hong Kong as a hub for innovation and technology, and to strengthen industry-university research collaborations.
As an adjunct professor teaching in undergraduate, Master and MBA programs in five universities in Hong Kong, I have observed the benefits international students can bring to classes. First, the international students can bring their overseas experience and perspective to teachers’ raised questions. When I mentioned the HK government initiative on sustainable transportation in one of my ESG classes, our European students shared their country experience which led to a productive comparison (regulatory and impact) discussion between Europe and Hong Kong.
Besides, international students in general are more proactive in class participation and more willing to intellectually challenge teachers’ views versus local students. International engagement helps bring a more engaging class and more interesting teaching experience for the teachers, and learning experience for the students.
International students are also an important component of a university ranking. The QS University ranking states that if an institution is attracting a sizeable population of international students this has benefits in terms of networking, cultural exchanges, a more diverse learning experience, and alumni diversity. In addition, if an institution is attracting a sizeable number of overseas students it suggests that it has a positive reputation and is viewed as a good place to study. This can be reinforced if graduates return to their home country with a positive experience to relay to future prospective students. Hence, the QS International Student Ratio (which measures the total number of international students vs. overall students) contributes 5% of QS university ranking scores.
The 2025 CarringtonCrisp Business of Branding study also touches on some interesting perspectives of international students. First, government policy can have a significant impact in terms of students’ views and perceptions about a study destination. Second, cost of living during study, as well as the job market opportunities, which are directly related to the strength and dynamic of an economy, are also important considerations for students when deciding where to study. Hence every government, including the Hong Kong government, needs to consider these factors when implementing their international education initiatives.
Dr. Stan Ho is an Adjunct Professor of HKU Business School and APAC Senior Advisor for CarringtonCrisp, EFFAS CESGA®, MBA (Cambridge) and DBA (CityU HK)