Higher education in Hong Kong
Encyclopedia
Higher Education in Hong Kong means any education higher than secondary education
, including professional, technical, and academic. It is the highest level of education in Hong Kong, regulated under the Hong Kong Law.
-in-Council
, and then make into law by the Legislative Council
. To date, there are eight statutory universities in total, which are funded by University Grants Committee
except The Open University of Hong Kong (as a self-financing institution at present) : (Listed in the order of date of granted full university status)
It was a common misconception that The Hong Kong Institute of Education is a university-by-law as it provides degree programmes and it is Government-funded. Such misconception was mostly affected by JUPAS
, which unites almost all of the University Grants Committee
-funded-degrees admissions since 1991 and providing solely Government-funded-programmes until 2006. The uses of "八大" by media, which can both mean "eight (government-funded) universities" or "eight (government-funded) Tertiary Institutes (providing degrees)" in Chinese further confuses the matter.
For local secondary school students, the JUPAS is the main stream for entering the universities listed above.
-in-Council
, and then make into law by the Legislative Council
. To date, there are two statutory institutes in total: (Listed in the order of date of founding)
The HKIEd, though still yet to be university-by-law, they are one of the member institutes of UGC and they participate in JUPAS like other UGC-funded universities.
-in-Council
. To date, there are five post-secondary colleges in total:
(IVE) are formed and operated by the Vocational Training Council in accordance with the Vocational Training Council Ordinance (Cap. 1130).
of Hong Kong is a campus from a USA-based university.
Note:
Secondary education
Secondary education is the stage of education following primary education. Secondary education includes the final stage of compulsory education and in many countries it is entirely compulsory. The next stage of education is usually college or university...
, including professional, technical, and academic. It is the highest level of education in Hong Kong, regulated under the Hong Kong Law.
Statutory universities
Statutory universities are those educational institutes who gained approval from the Chief ExecutiveChief Executive of Hong Kong
The Chief Executive of Hong Kong is the President of the Executive Council of Hong Kong and head of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The position was created to replace the Governor of Hong Kong, who was the head of the Hong Kong government during British rule...
-in-Council
Executive Council of Hong Kong
The Executive Council of Hong Kong is a core policy-making organ in the executive branch of the government of Hong Kong.. The Chief Executive of Hong Kong serves as its President.The Executive Council normally meets once a week...
, and then make into law by the Legislative Council
Legislative Council of Hong Kong
The Legislative Council is the unicameral legislature of Hong Kong.-History:The Legislative Council of Hong Kong was set up in 1843 as a colonial legislature under British rule...
. To date, there are eight statutory universities in total, which are funded by University Grants Committee
University Grants Committee (Hong Kong)
The University Grants Committee of Hong Kong is an advisory committee responsible for advising the Government of Hong Kong on the development and funding needs of higher education institutions within Hong Kong....
except The Open University of Hong Kong (as a self-financing institution at present) : (Listed in the order of date of granted full university status)
- The University of Hong Kong (HKU, founded in 1911) - University of Hong Kong Ordinance (Cap. 1053)
- The Chinese University of Hong KongChinese University of Hong KongThe Chinese University of Hong Kong is a research-led university in Hong Kong.CUHK is the only tertiary education institution in Hong Kong with Nobel Prize winners on its faculty, including Chen Ning Yang, James Mirrlees, Robert Alexander Mundell and Charles K. Kao...
(CUHK, founded in 1963) - The Chinese University of Hong Kong Ordinance (Cap. 1109)
- The Hong Kong University of Science and TechnologyHong Kong University of Science and TechnologyThe Hong Kong University of Science and Technology is a public university located in Hong Kong. Established in 1991 under Hong Kong Law Chapter 1141 , it is one of the nine universities in Hong Kong.Professor Tony F. Chan is the president of HKUST...
(HKUST, founded in 1991) - The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Ordinance (Cap. 1141)
- Hong Kong Baptist UniversityHong Kong Baptist UniversityHong Kong Baptist University is a publicly-funded tertiary institution with a Christian education heritage. It is the sole surviving institution of 13 major Christian universities that once operated on the Chinese mainland,...
(HKBU, founded in 1956, granted full university status in November 1994) - Hong Kong Baptist University Ordinance (Cap. 1126)
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityHong Kong Polytechnic UniversityThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University specialises in professional education in Hong Kong. The University’s teaching units are grouped under six faculties and two schools; the Faculty of Applied Science and Textiles, Faculty of Business, Faculty of Construction and Environment, Faculty of...
(PolyU, founded in 1937, granted full university status in November 1994) - The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Ordinance (Cap. 1075)
- City University of Hong KongCity University of Hong KongCity University of Hong Kong is a comprehensive research university in Hong Kong. It was founded in 1984 as City Polytechnic of Hong Kong and became a fully accredited university in 1994. It has achieved fast growth in recent years and received international recognition for its academic achievements...
(CityU, founded in 1984, granted full university status in November 1994) - City University of Hong Kong Ordinance (Cap. 1132)
- The Open University of Hong KongOpen University of Hong KongThe Open University of Hong Kong is a Hong Kong university providing sub-degree, degree and postgraduate courses leading to awards and qualifications principally through a system of open access and distance education....
(OUHK, founded in 1989, granted full university status in 1997) - The Open University of Hong Kong Ordinance (Cap. 1145)
- Lingnan UniversityLingnan University (Hong Kong)The Lingnan University is a public liberal arts university in Hong Kong. It was granted full university status on 30 July 1999.The Lingnan University administration believes that it provides students with a quality education distinguished by the best liberal arts tradition from both East and West...
(LU, founded in 1967 (as Lingnan School in Hong KongHong KongHong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
), granted full university status in July 1999) - Lingnan University Ordinance (Cap. 1165)
It was a common misconception that The Hong Kong Institute of Education is a university-by-law as it provides degree programmes and it is Government-funded. Such misconception was mostly affected by JUPAS
Joint University Programmes Admissions System
The Joint University Programmes Admissions System or JUPAS in Hong Kong is a unified system for applying to the nine member institutions for full-time undergraduate programmes. In 2008 admissions, 35,298 students applied for programmes of the nine institutions under this scheme...
, which unites almost all of the University Grants Committee
University Grants Committee (Hong Kong)
The University Grants Committee of Hong Kong is an advisory committee responsible for advising the Government of Hong Kong on the development and funding needs of higher education institutions within Hong Kong....
-funded-degrees admissions since 1991 and providing solely Government-funded-programmes until 2006. The uses of "八大" by media, which can both mean "eight (government-funded) universities" or "eight (government-funded) Tertiary Institutes (providing degrees)" in Chinese further confuses the matter.
For local secondary school students, the JUPAS is the main stream for entering the universities listed above.
Statutory institutes
Statutory institutes are those educational institutes who gained approval from the Chief ExecutiveChief Executive of Hong Kong
The Chief Executive of Hong Kong is the President of the Executive Council of Hong Kong and head of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The position was created to replace the Governor of Hong Kong, who was the head of the Hong Kong government during British rule...
-in-Council
Executive Council of Hong Kong
The Executive Council of Hong Kong is a core policy-making organ in the executive branch of the government of Hong Kong.. The Chief Executive of Hong Kong serves as its President.The Executive Council normally meets once a week...
, and then make into law by the Legislative Council
Legislative Council of Hong Kong
The Legislative Council is the unicameral legislature of Hong Kong.-History:The Legislative Council of Hong Kong was set up in 1843 as a colonial legislature under British rule...
. To date, there are two statutory institutes in total: (Listed in the order of date of founding)
- The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA, founded in 1984) - The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Ordinance (Cap.1135)
- The Hong Kong Institute of EducationHong Kong Institute of EducationThe Hong Kong Institute of Education is one of eight subsidised tertiary institutes under the University Grants Committee of Hong Kong. It is the only one dedicated to teacher education....
(HKIEd, founded in 1994) - The Hong Kong Institute of Education Ordinance (Cap. 444)
The HKIEd, though still yet to be university-by-law, they are one of the member institutes of UGC and they participate in JUPAS like other UGC-funded universities.
Approved post secondary colleges
Approved post secondary colleges are educational institutes registered under the Post Secondary Colleges Ordinance (Cap. 320). This kind of colleges are allowed to give out academic awards at Bachelor degree level or above as well as to include the Chinese words ″學院″ or ″大學″ , or the English word ″University″ in the registration name with prior approval from the Chief ExecutiveChief Executive of Hong Kong
The Chief Executive of Hong Kong is the President of the Executive Council of Hong Kong and head of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The position was created to replace the Governor of Hong Kong, who was the head of the Hong Kong government during British rule...
-in-Council
Executive Council of Hong Kong
The Executive Council of Hong Kong is a core policy-making organ in the executive branch of the government of Hong Kong.. The Chief Executive of Hong Kong serves as its President.The Executive Council normally meets once a week...
. To date, there are five post-secondary colleges in total:
- Hong Kong Shue Yan University (SYU, founded in 1971, granted university status in 2006) - First private university in Hong Kong
- Caritas Institute of Higher Education (formerly known as Caritas Francis Hsu CollegeCaritas Francis Hsu CollegeCaritas Institute of Higher Education is an Approved Post Secondary College in Hong Kong, located at Caine Road, Hong Kong Island and Tseung Kwan O, New Territories respectively. The Institute is able to award Bachelor degree or below...
) - Chu Hai College of Higher EducationChu Hai College of Higher EducationChu Hai College of Higher Education is a private degree-granting institute in Hong Kong. The college is best known for its journalism and Chinese history programmes.The college plans to acquire university status in Hong Kong in or before 2012.-History:...
- Hang Seng Management CollegeHang Seng Management CollegeHang Seng Management College is an Approved Post Secondary College in Hong Kong located in Siu Lek Yuen, Sha Tin, New Territories.It was founded in 2010 by Hang Seng School of Commerce for the purpose of awarding degrees. Three degree programmes have been launched in September 2010 and another one...
- Tung Wah College
Vocational Training Council member institutions
Vocational Training Council member institutions like Hong Kong Institute of Vocational EducationHong Kong Institute of Vocational Education
The Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education is one of the member institutions of the Vocational Training Council offering vocational education to post secondary students in Hong Kong through its nine campuses located across the territory....
(IVE) are formed and operated by the Vocational Training Council in accordance with the Vocational Training Council Ordinance (Cap. 1130).
General institutes
The following educational institutes are formed under the Education Ordinance (Cap. 279) , approved by the Permanent Secretary for Education to offer higher educations, and acquired accreditation by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications for their academic awards up to sub-degree (i.e. higher diploma, associate degree) level.- Caritas Bianchi College of CareersCaritas Bianchi College of CareersCaritas Bianchi College of Careers is a community college in Hong Kong that offers associate degree in various professional fields. It is named after Bishop Lorenzo Bianchi, who was the Catholic bishop of Hong Kong from 1951 to 1968.The school has two campuses, one in Hung Hom, and one in Yau Ma Tei...
- Hong Kong Institute of Technology
- Hong Kong College of Technology
- Yew Chung Community College
Other universities
Savannah College of Art and DesignSavannah College of Art and Design
SCAD, the Savannah College of Art and Design, is a private, accredited and degree-granting university with locations in Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia, Hong Kong, and Lacoste, France.-History:...
of Hong Kong is a campus from a USA-based university.
Details
Based on the above information, ranking by status and the date of founding.| Institution | Category | Type | Funded by | Accreditation status | Academic awards(Honorary degree Honorary degree An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations... excluded) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Hong Kong (HKU) | Statutory university | Public | UGC | Self-accredited | Subject to legal regulations |
| The Chinese University of Hong Kong Chinese University of Hong Kong The Chinese University of Hong Kong is a research-led university in Hong Kong.CUHK is the only tertiary education institution in Hong Kong with Nobel Prize winners on its faculty, including Chen Ning Yang, James Mirrlees, Robert Alexander Mundell and Charles K. Kao... (CUHK) |
Statutory university | Public | UGC | Self-accredited | Subject to legal regulations |
| The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Hong Kong University of Science and Technology The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology is a public university located in Hong Kong. Established in 1991 under Hong Kong Law Chapter 1141 , it is one of the nine universities in Hong Kong.Professor Tony F. Chan is the president of HKUST... (HKUST) |
Statutory university | Public | UGC | Self-accredited | Subject to legal regulations |
| Hong Kong Baptist University Hong Kong Baptist University Hong Kong Baptist University is a publicly-funded tertiary institution with a Christian education heritage. It is the sole surviving institution of 13 major Christian universities that once operated on the Chinese mainland,... (HKBU) |
Statutory university | Public | UGC | Self-accredited | Subject to legal regulations |
| The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hong Kong Polytechnic University The Hong Kong Polytechnic University specialises in professional education in Hong Kong. The University’s teaching units are grouped under six faculties and two schools; the Faculty of Applied Science and Textiles, Faculty of Business, Faculty of Construction and Environment, Faculty of... (PolyU) |
Statutory university | Public | UGC | Self-accredited | Subject to legal regulations |
| City University of Hong Kong City University of Hong Kong City University of Hong Kong is a comprehensive research university in Hong Kong. It was founded in 1984 as City Polytechnic of Hong Kong and became a fully accredited university in 1994. It has achieved fast growth in recent years and received international recognition for its academic achievements... (CityU) |
Statutory university | Public | UGC | Self-accredited | Subject to legal regulations |
| The Open University of Hong Kong Open University of Hong Kong The Open University of Hong Kong is a Hong Kong university providing sub-degree, degree and postgraduate courses leading to awards and qualifications principally through a system of open access and distance education.... (OUHK) |
Statutory university | Public | Self | Self-accredited | Subject to legal regulations |
| Lingnan University Lingnan University (Hong Kong) The Lingnan University is a public liberal arts university in Hong Kong. It was granted full university status on 30 July 1999.The Lingnan University administration believes that it provides students with a quality education distinguished by the best liberal arts tradition from both East and West... (LU) |
Statutory university | Public | UGC | Self-accredited | Subject to legal regulations |
| Hong Kong Shue Yan University (HKSYU) | Approved Post Secondary College | Private | Self | Programme Area Accreditation | Master degree or below |
| The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts | Statutory institute | Public | Public | Programme Area Accreditation | Master degree or below |
| The Hong Kong Institute of Education Hong Kong Institute of Education The Hong Kong Institute of Education is one of eight subsidised tertiary institutes under the University Grants Committee of Hong Kong. It is the only one dedicated to teacher education.... (HKIEd) |
Statutory institute | Public | UGC | Self-accredited (only in teacher training programmes) |
Subject to legal regulations |
| Caritas Institute of Higher Education | Approved Post Secondary College | Private | Self | HKCAAVQ | Bachelor degree or below |
| Chu Hai College of Higher Education Chu Hai College of Higher Education Chu Hai College of Higher Education is a private degree-granting institute in Hong Kong. The college is best known for its journalism and Chinese history programmes.The college plans to acquire university status in Hong Kong in or before 2012.-History:... |
Approved Post Secondary College | Private | Self | HKCAAVQ | Bachelor degree or below |
| Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education The Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education is one of the member institutions of the Vocational Training Council offering vocational education to post secondary students in Hong Kong through its nine campuses located across the territory.... (IVE) |
Vocational Training Council member institution | Public | Public | Programme Area Accreditation | Higher Diploma or below |
| Caritas Bianchi College of Careers Caritas Bianchi College of Careers Caritas Bianchi College of Careers is a community college in Hong Kong that offers associate degree in various professional fields. It is named after Bishop Lorenzo Bianchi, who was the Catholic bishop of Hong Kong from 1951 to 1968.The school has two campuses, one in Hung Hom, and one in Yau Ma Tei... |
General institute | Private | Self | HKCAAVQ | Associate degree or below |
| Hong Kong Institute of Technology | General institute | Private | Self | HKCAAVQ | Associate degree or below |
| Hong Kong College of Technology | General institute | Private | Self | HKCAAVQ | Sub-degree or below |
| Hang Seng Management College Hang Seng Management College Hang Seng Management College is an Approved Post Secondary College in Hong Kong located in Siu Lek Yuen, Sha Tin, New Territories.It was founded in 2010 by Hang Seng School of Commerce for the purpose of awarding degrees. Three degree programmes have been launched in September 2010 and another one... |
Approved Post Secondary College | Private | Self | HKCAAVQ | Bachelor degree or below |
| Tung Wah College | Approved Post Secondary College | Private | Self | HKCAAVQ | Bachelor degree or below |
Note:
- UGC is abbreviation of University Grants CommitteeUniversity Grants Committee (Hong Kong)The University Grants Committee of Hong Kong is an advisory committee responsible for advising the Government of Hong Kong on the development and funding needs of higher education institutions within Hong Kong....
- HKCAAVQ is abbreviation of Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (formerly HKCAA)
- Programme Area Accreditation means the programme operator can operate specific programmes at designated subject areas and academic levels during specific period, granted and reviewed by HKCAAVQ, which prior notice and individual accreditation to HKCAAVQ are not required.
- Honour Diploma (academically equivalent to Higher diploma and Associate degree in Hong Kong, and equivalent to Bachelor degree in some countries) was an academic award issued by colleges or institutes before they were granted full university status, such as HKBU, LU and SYU. It is no longer awarded nowadays.
Further Readings
- French, N.J., (1999). The Reform of Higher Education in Hong Kong. In C.B. Teather (ed) Higher Education in a Post-binary Era: National Reforms and Institutional Responses (pp.158-180) London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 1999.
- Mok, K.H. (2001). Academic Capitalisation in the New Millennium: The Marketisation and Corporatisation of Higher Education in Hong Kong. Policy & Politics, 29(3),299-315
- Postiglione, G.A. (2002). The Transformation of Academic Autonomy in Hong Kong. In M.K. Chan and A.Y. So (eds.) Crisis and Transformation in China’s Hong Kong (pp.307-321). London : M.E. Sharpe.
- Shiev, G. (1992). Educational Expansion and the Labour Force. In G.A. Postiglione (ed) Education and Society in Hong Kong: Toward One Country and Two Systems (pp.215-234). Hong Kong: HKU Press.
- Sutherland, S. (2002). Higher Education in Hong Kong. Hong Kong: Research Grant Council.
- Tang, H.H. (2010). "Higher Education Governance and Academic Entrepreneurialism in East Asia: The Two Episodes of Hong Kong and Macau". Research Studies in Education 8: 106-124. (ISBN 978-988-19820-1-8).
- University Grants Committee. (1996). Higher Education in Hong Kong: A Report by the Universities Grants Committee. Hong Kong: Government Printer.