Hong Kong Shue Yan University
香港樹仁大學
A private liberal arts university on Braemar Hill that calls itself Hong Kong's first private university and admits non-local students through its own portal.
- Tuition
- HK$111.2K
- From · 2027-28
- Founded
- 1971
- QS World Ranking
- 1001-1200
- 2027 edition
- Campus
- Urban
About HKSYU
Hong Kong Shue Yan University began in 1971 as Shue Yan College, founded by Dr Henry Hu and Dr Chung Chi-yung in Happy Valley. It was registered under the Post-secondary Colleges Ordinance in 1976, and on 19 December 2006 it became Hong Kong Shue Yan University, which the university's own history page calls the first private university in Hong Kong. It receives no government funding and describes its vision as a liberal arts education for the digital era, rooted in Confucian values. Its motto is 敦仁博物, 'Cultivating virtues of benevolence; broadening horizon and knowledge'.
The university offers 20 four-year undergraduate degrees across four faculties: Arts, Commerce, Communication, Information and Creative Industries, and Social Sciences. Majors range from Chinese Language and Literature, History and Journalism and Mass Communication to Accounting, Law and Business, Psychology, Forensic and Investigative Psychology, Social Work and Applied Data Science. It has 75 exchange partner universities in 30 regions, ten university societies, 16 interest groups and 16 sports teams. Its campus is on Braemar Hill in North Point, 15 to 20 minutes by bus from Causeway Bay.
Local students enter mainly with the HKDSE, through the E-APP system or the university's own portal; only three programmes funded under the government's SSSDP (Financial Technology, Applied Data Science, and Digital Solutions for Entertainment and Game Applications) are also open through JUPAS. Non-local applicants, including IB and GCE A-level holders, apply directly to the University Admissions Office and pay non-local tuition. It suits students who want a small, teaching-focused liberal arts university in Hong Kong.
敦仁博物
“Cultivating virtues of benevolence; broadening horizon and knowledge” — university motto
Why students choose HKSYU
Non-local applicants can enter with the IB Diploma (24 points) or two GCE A-levels at grade E, and English proof starts at IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 79.
The university offers 20 four-year undergraduate degrees in Arts, Commerce, Communication, Information and Creative Industries, and Social Sciences.
Undergraduate residence halls provide about 1,270 places, with separate application periods for non-local freshmen.
It has 75 exchange partner universities in 30 regions and is placed in the QS World University Rankings 2027 in the 1001-1200 band.
Admissions
2027/28 entry (Year One)
Selectivity
HKSYU publishes no acceptance rate. Admission is by qualification-based conditional offers; the Bachelor of Social Work requires an on-site interview, and current HKDSE applicants below the minimum language level may sit an on-site written test.
Typical entry requirements
| HKDSE (local and non-local) | Level 3 in Chinese and English, Level 2 in Mathematics, 'Attained' in Citizenship and Social Development, and Level 2 in one elective (2027/28 entry) |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | Diploma with an overall score of at least 24 points |
| GCE A-level | At least 2 A-level subjects at grade E or above, excluding Chinese (3 for Applied Data Science) |
| Mainland Gaokao | Through the separate mainland admissions route (see the University Admissions Office) |
| English language | IELTS 5.5 · TOEFL iBT 79 For IB and GCE applicants: DSE English Level 3, IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 79, IB English grade 4 (HL or SL) or A-level English grade E. Applicants without a recognised qualification may be asked to sit an English written exam. |
Deadlines
- JUPAS (Financial Technology, Applied Data Science, Digital Solutions for Entertainment and Game Applications only) Non-binding Next deadline · In 57 days7 October to 2 December 2026
Local current-year HKDSE candidates; JUPAS main round offers on 4 to 5 August 2027.
- HKSYU online portal and E-APP main round Non-binding In ~7 monthsOpens 3 December 2026; E-APP main round closes 18 May 2027
E-APP second round runs 21 May to 6 July 2027; HKDSE results are released on 14 July 2027.
- Non-local applicants (DSE, IB, GCE) Non-binding In ~9 months30 June 2027 (non-local GCE and IB applicants with incomplete qualifications not accepted after 15 June 2027)
Non-local IB applicants register on 9 July 2027 after the claim-offer period closes on 7 July; non-local DSE applicants register on 15 to 16 July 2027 (GCE page: non-local registration 9 July).
Dates are from the University Admissions Office pages for 2027/28 entry and are subject to change if the Education Bureau or JUPAS Office changes its schedule.
How to apply
Non-local applicants apply through the University Admissions Office online application portal (sims.hksyu.edu/admissions), upload a photo, ID, proof of qualifications (IB or A-level results sent directly by the exam board), school reports, and pay the non-refundable application fee of HKD 650 (HKD 250 for local applicants). Current-year local HKDSE candidates can also apply through E-APP, and JUPAS for the three SSSDP programmes only.
What admissions looks for
- Meeting the basic language requirement: Level 3 in Chinese and English for HKDSE applicants, or an English qualification for IB and GCE applicants.
- A recognised secondary qualification with results sent directly by the exam board.
- For Social Work, motivation shown at an on-site interview.
- For non-Chinese speaking local students, an alternative Chinese qualification such as GCSE, IGCSE or A-level Chinese.
Tips for applying to HKSYU
- 1 Non-local GCE and IB applicants without full and complete qualifications are not accepted after 15 June 2027, so check your exam session against that cutoff.
- 2 Ask your IB or exam board to send results directly to the University Admissions Office (IB institutional code 010755).
- 3 The Bachelor of Social Work has a separate on-site interview and second-round arrangement, so contact the admissions office early.
- 4 Apply for residence separately: non-local freshman hall applications for 2026/27 ran from 6 to 20 July 2026, so expect a similar summer window.
- 5 Check the programme page for department-specific requirements, since minimum entry rules can vary by programme.
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in HKD
Local full-time undergraduates under 30 can apply for government financial assistance (FASP) and the Non-means-tested Subsidy Scheme, and the Office of Student Affairs offers scholarships, bursaries and interest-free loans. The FAQ lists FASP and scholarships as for local students only, so non-local students should ask the University Admissions Office about scholarships.
- About HK$46,000 per year
- Local tuition after subsidy (most programmes, 2027/28)
- HK$650 non-local, HK$250 local
- Application fee
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters
Journalism and Mass Communication (BA)
Among the programmes with the most applications on the first day of 2026 local admissions.
Social Work (BSW)
Uses on-site interviews and was among the most popular programmes in 2026.
Law and Business (BCom)
Recommended by the university for non-Chinese speaking students.
Applied Data Science (BSc)
A JUPAS-listed programme funded under the government's SSSDP scheme, needing three A-levels for GCE applicants.
Forensic and Investigative Psychology (BSocSc)
One of the specialised programmes with a higher tuition band (HK$87,655 local, HK$117,655 non-local).
Media Design and Immersive Technology (BA)
A newer arts programme with a graduate showcase in 2026.
Research
- The Research Complex houses research centres, a multi-purpose hall and additional bed spaces.
- The university describes its aim as research in the humanities and social sciences, and in 2026 it noted progress in digital humanities.
- Postgraduate programmes include Master's and MPhil/PhD degrees through the Graduate School.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Commerce
- Faculty of Communication, Information and Creative Industries
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Graduate School
The FAQ says graduates are sought by employers in marketing, banking, finance, auditing, journalism, social services and other sectors; no employment-rate figure is published.
Student life
The Braemar Hill campus has study rooms, common rooms, computer rooms, cafes and a sky garden, and the Research Complex added 500 bed spaces, doubling the earlier total. The university lists ten societies, 16 interest groups (including drama, music and sound production) and 16 sports teams. Undergraduate halls hold about 1,270 residents, with separate application windows for local and non-local freshmen, and the Office of Student Affairs runs events such as an Adventure Activity Day.
- About 1,270 undergraduate residence places in two complexes.
- Ten societies, 16 interest groups and 16 sports teams.
- General Education across four areas, including Chinese Culture in the 21st Century and Global Citizenship.
- 75 exchange partner universities in 30 regions.
Housing. The Residential and Amenities Complex (556 places) and the Research Complex (714 places) provide on-campus undergraduate housing, applied for separately by local and non-local freshmen.
Location
The main campus is on Braemar Hill in North Point on the eastern side of Mid-Levels on Hong Kong Island. It is 15 to 20 minutes by bus from Causeway Bay, Tin Hau and North Point, and Hong Kong offers dense public transport and easy access to the rest of the city. The university's address is 6 Wai Tsui Crescent, Braemar Hill.
Nearest airport: Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
Frequently asked questions
Does Hong Kong Shue Yan University take part in JUPAS?
Only for three SSSDP-funded programmes: Financial Technology (JSSY01), Applied Data Science (JSSY02) and Digital Solutions for Entertainment and Game Applications (JSSY03). Other programmes are applied for through E-APP or the university's own portal.
How do non-local students apply to HKSYU?
Through the University Admissions Office online portal, opening 3 December 2026 for 2027/28 entry. Non-local applications close on 30 June 2027, and the application fee is HKD 650.
What are HKSYU's requirements for IB and A-level students?
IB applicants need the Diploma with at least 24 points. GCE applicants need two A-level subjects at grade E or above, excluding Chinese, and all need English proof such as IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 79.
How much is tuition at Hong Kong Shue Yan University for non-local students?
For the 2027/28 cohort, non-local annual tuition is HK$111,210 for most programmes and up to HK$127,967 for specialised programmes, payable in two instalments.
Is Hong Kong Shue Yan University a recognised university?
Yes. It is Hong Kong's first private university (2006), and its programmes are accredited by HKCAAVQ. It entered the QS World University Rankings 2027 in the 1001-1200 band.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
- HKSYU University Admissions Office: International admissions
- HKSYU University Admissions Office: DSE applicants (2027/28 entry)
- HKSYU University Admissions Office: IB applicants
- HKSYU University Admissions Office: GCE applicants
- HKSYU University Admissions Office: FAQ (tuition, programmes, facilities)
- HKSYU University Admissions Office: First-year entry
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