HKUST Student Portal, Tuition, Scholarships & Application Requirements
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is a leading research university in Hong Kong in the fields of science, engineering, technology, business, data science and interdisciplinary education. International students should be aware of the HKUST student portal, tuition cost, scholarships and admission and application deadlines prior to their application.
With a focus on both research and applied academics, HKUST has close ties to technology, entrepreneurship, business and industry. It is also situated in Hong Kong, the other major financial and innovation centre in Asia, which provides students with access to one of the most important financial and innovation centres in Asia. Indian students will have different admission criteria based on their qualifications from the school, programmes of choice, subject preparation, and English language proficiency. This guide covers current 2026–27 tuition costs, scholarships, ranking, IB requirements, deadlines, English-language criteria, and application procedures.
Table of Contents
Why Study at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology?
HKUST is a strong choice for students interested in innovation, research, entrepreneurship, and international careers.
Strong STEM and Business Programs
At HKUST, students can choose from over 45 undergraduate majors in: Science Engineering Business and management Humanities and social science Interdisciplinary studies Students can access via the school based, department based, or selected program based pathways. School-based admission allows the student to expand on his/her interests before deciding on a major, and department-based admission is for students who are certain of what they wish to study.
Research and Innovation
Students can participate in Research Projects, Entrepreneurial Activity, laboratory activity, Innovation Competition, etc., and in Interdisciplinary Projects. Students with an interest in AI, Computing, Engineering, Biotechnology, Sustainability, Finance and Entrepreneurship will find HKUST particularly appealing.
By maintaining a highly competitive acceptance rate, HKUST cultivates a remarkably selective and high-achieving academic community.Â
HKUST Undergraduate Tuition Fees and Cost of Study ​​
The HKUST international student fee is more expensive than what is available on the internet. For the 2026–27 academic year, HKUST lists undergraduate tuition for non-local students at: HK$215,000 per academic year This replaces older estimates of HK$140,000–160,000.
Accommodation Costs
HKUST’s estimate for the new non-local students’ accommodation provided by the university is around: HK$19,162–33,462 per residential year The university has facilities for the first year of accommodation for the non-resident students. Afterwards, students should expect to pay for private housing, which can cost anywhere between about HK$4,500 to HK$18,000 per month.
Personal Living Expenses
HKUST has an estimate of personal living expenses of approximately: HK$60,000 per academic year Students should also budget cost of airfares, visa fees, insurance, books, technology, food, transport and emergency costs. When the Indian students are calculating the costs in rupees they should take into consideration the change in exchange rate.Â
Fees & Other Expenses in HKUST
Fees
Accommodation
Personal Expenses
HKUST Undergraduate Scholarships and Financial Aid
A Hong Kong University of Science and Technology scholarship can significantly reduce the total study cost for academically strong applicants. HKUST considers applicants with international qualifications for academic admissions scholarships, and a separate application is generally not required for standard merit-based awards.
Scholarship categories include:
- International Baccalaureate students
- GCE A-Level students
- SAT/AP applicants
- Other international qualifications
- Olympiad medalists
- Students from underrepresented nationalities
IB Diploma Scholarships
Global Learners Scholarship
Need-Based Financial Aid
Given the selective nature of scholarships, students must maintain a practical budget independent of potential funding.
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Acceptance Rate
Many students search for Hong Kong University of Science and Technology acceptance rate; however, the institution does not publish a single overall admission figure for international undergrads. Therefore, claims such as a fixed 15–20% acceptance rate should not be presented as official. HKUST reviews applications holistically based on:
- Academic qualifications
- School performance
- Program requirements
- English proficiency
- Personal statements
- References
- Achievements
- Interviews where applicable
Students should focus on their qualification-specific competitiveness rather than unofficial acceptance-rate figures.
HKUST Application Deadlines
For applicants using international qualifications, the 2026–27 timeline includes:
| Application Round | Application Deadlines |
|---|---|
|
Applications opened |
3 October |
|
Early Round deadline |
20 November |
|
Early offers began
|
Late December |
|
Main Round deadline
|
8 January |
|
Main Round decisions
|
February |
|
Late Round deadline |
30 June |
Applications after the Main Round may be considered on a rolling basis depending on availability of seats. Students wishing to participate in competitive programs or scholarships should try to promote to Early Round or Main Round. Registered applicants can check the status of applications, handle documents via the HKUST student portal or the online application system.
English Proficiency Test Requirements
English is the chief instructional language at HKUST. Candidates who have recognised Indian qualification can also prove English proficiency by their school results. HKUST recommends the following for the All India Senior School Certificate or Indian School Certificate:Â
| Tests | Score |
|---|---|
|
IELTS Overall |
More than 6.0 |
|
TOEFL iBT |
80–100 |
|
SAT |
1530 or Higher |
|
ACT |
34 or More |
Class 12 English: 80% – If students fulfill this requirement they may not have to take IELTS or TOEFL for the purpose of meeting the university-wide English requirement.Â
Indian students applying mainly through CBSE, CISCE, or another recognised Indian qualification should follow the corresponding admissions route rather than assuming SAT or ACT scores are necessary.
Undergraduate Application Requirements
International applicants submit applications through HKUST’s online admissions system. Common requirements include:
- Identity or travel document
- Personal statement
- School reports from Grade 10 onward
- English proficiency evidence
- Public examination results where available
- Academic awards or achievements
- At least one academic referee
- Predicted grades where applicable
- HK$600 application fee
Applicants who have finished their IB, A-Level, Cambridge Pre-U or Indian High School qualifications may also require to provide the contact details of a school counsellor / IB coordinator / authorised person who will provide predicted grades. It is possible for students to choose either of 2 applications, which they can normally pick.
Application Fee
The undergraduate application fee is: HK$600 The fee is non-refundable.
How the HKUST Online Application System Works​
The HKUST student portal plays an important role after the application is submitted. Students can use the system to:
- Check application status
- Upload additional documents
- Update contact details
- Resend reference requests
- Monitor important dates
- Review admission updates
Admission decisions are released on a rolling basis. Successful non-local students are generally required to pay an acceptance deposit of HK$20,000 within the stated deadline. The deposit is then considered a part of the tuition. Upon acceptance, students are provided with additional information regarding visas, official documents, housing, enrolment in course and orientation.Â
UniRely: Your Partner for HKUST Admissions
Planning an application to HKUST University involves an orderly approach to university selection, academic requirements, essay writing, scholarship applications, deadlines, financial support and visa preparations.
UniRely handles student personalised shortlisting, evaluation of profiles, planning applications, statement and essay review, guidance to student on scholarships, interview preparation, and student pre-departure assistance.
It uses digital tools to assist students to organise lists of universities, keep track of deadlines, review their profiles and follow up on applications. It is helpful to make early plans for students in the HKUST cost category to compare tuition, housing, scholarships, and living costs before accepting an offer. The mentorship model offered by UniRely can also offer some practical advice about academics, housing, campus resources, and making it home. While the final admission and scholarship decisions are made by HKUST, there are ways to guide students in preparing for a better and more structured application.
Conclusion
HKUST provides science, engineering, technology, business and interdisciplinary research-oriented education to international students. According to the latest Hong Kong University of Science and Technology ranking, HKUST ranks at #33 on the global list in QS 2027, and the tuition fee for non-local undergraduate students for 2026–27 is HK$215,000 per year. There is no one official international acceptance rate for HKUST, so students should take into account academic readiness, English requirements, program requirements, documents, and general application quality. It is to be noted that the recent middle 50% admitted range for IBs is 35-40 points, and the English requirement for qualifying Indian students is 80% in Class 12 English. Applicants need to keep themselves organized during the admission process, for which they should prepare documents early, research scholarships, and review the HKUST student portal regularly. Indian students can navigate their way to the HKUST applications with more confidence with the help provided by UniRely.
Need Help with Your Application?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate of HKUST?
HKUST overall acceptance rateis about 10% - 15%. However, admission is considered competitive, particularly for programs such as Engineering, Computer Science, Business, and Data Science.
How do I apply to HKUST as an international student?
Students can apply directly through the HKUST Online Application Portal, where they can create an account, upload documents, submit their application, and track its progress.
Does HKUST offer scholarships for international students?
Yes. HKUST offers a wide range of merit-based admissions scholarships. Many academic scholarships are awarded automatically, while certain non-academic scholarships require a separate application.
When should students apply to HKUST?
Applications for international qualifications usually open in October, with a Priority Round deadline in late November. Applications continue on a rolling basis until the closing date, subject to available places.
How can UniRely help you get into HKUST?
UniRely provides complete admission support, including profile evaluation, university shortlisting, SOP and LOR guidance, application review, scholarship guidance, interview preparation, and visa assistance to maximize your chances of securing admission to HKUST.