Five universities in the world top 100
In the QS World University Rankings 2026, five Hong Kong universities rank in the world top 100: HKU (11th), CUHK (32nd), HKUST (44th), PolyU (54th) and CityU (63rd, and 2nd globally for Citations per Faculty).
A world-class education hub
“Study in Hong Kong” is government strategy
The HKSAR Government states that Hong Kong “has sound education infrastructure and our overall competitiveness in education ranked top five in the world,” and that it strives to build the “Study in Hong Kong” brand to develop the city into an international post-secondary education hub.
Growing international community
Non-local enrolment in locally-accredited undergraduate-and-above programmes grew from 61,923 (2022/23) to 71,910 (2023/24) to 88,914 (2024/25). The Government has doubled the cap on non-local students in publicly-funded institutions to 40% and increased scholarship quotas.
Hong Kong’s post-secondary sector includes eight UGC-funded universities and a government-supported self-financing sector. The HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to outstanding local and non-local students, and the Education Bureau maintains the iPASS portal for accredited self-financing programmes. Tung Wah College is registered under the Post Secondary Colleges Ordinance (Cap. 320) as a degree-awarding higher education institution — see Why TWC.[1]
Safety and quality of life
Official crime statistics
According to HKSAR Government figures issued 11 February 2026, a total of 89,137 crimes were recorded in 2025, a decrease of 5.9% year on year. Violent crimes dropped by 15.9% to 8,823 cases, and robbery and burglary were among the categories at record lows, with the vast majority of major crime categories recording decreases.[2]
Urban, connected campuses
TWC’s four campuses — King’s Park, Mongkok, Kwai Hing and Tsim Sha Tsui — are all urban Kowloon locations with MTR access, putting classrooms, labs and student accommodation minutes from one of the world’s most efficient public transport networks.
Gateway to the Greater Bay Area
Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge
The 55-km Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge (HZMB) is the longest bridge-cum-tunnel sea crossing in the world. Operating 24 hours a day, it puts major cities in the Pearl River Delta within a three-hour commute from Hong Kong; the approximately 42 km journey from the Hong Kong Port to the Zhuhai Port and Macao Port takes about 40 minutes.[3]
High-speed rail link
The Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link (Hong Kong Section), opened in September 2018, connects West Kowloon directly to the Mainland’s national high-speed rail network — a practical route for exploring the Greater Bay Area during study breaks.
Working during your studies
Degree-level non-local students in Hong Kong may, subject to Immigration Department conditions, take part-time and vacation work. Under the standard arrangements, students with a No Objection Letter issued via their institution may take study-related internships (up to one academic year or one-third of the programme duration), part-time on-campus work of up to 20 hours per week, and unrestricted summer work from 1 June to 31 August.
Since 1 November 2024, full-time non-local undergraduate students in locally-accredited programmes of at least one academic year (non-exchange) are temporarily exempted from these work restrictions under the Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address. This is a current temporary arrangement that may be reviewed by the Government.[4]
Staying and working after graduation (IANG)
Under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG), non-local students who obtain an undergraduate or higher qualification in a full-time and locally-accredited programme in Hong Kong may apply to stay or return to work. The IANG is quota-free and non-sector specific.[5]
Recent graduates
Applicants who apply within six months of their graduation date do not need a job offer; they may be granted 24 months’ stay on time limitation only, without other conditions of stay.
Non-recent graduates
Applicants who apply beyond six months of graduation need a degree-holder-level job offer at market-rate remuneration; successful applicants are granted 24 months’ stay.
TWC graduates are on the IANG institution list
Tung Wah College is explicitly listed in Annex I of the Immigration Department’s ID(E) 991 Guidebook (April 2026 edition) under “Post Secondary Colleges registered under the Post Secondary Colleges Ordinance (Cap. 320)” — TWC graduates may therefore apply under IANG, subject to the Immigration Department’s rules.
Nationality conditions apply. IANG does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. For nationals of Laos, Nepal and Vietnam, IANG applies only to graduates of UGC-funded universities’ full-time locally-accredited local programmes (excluding self-financing programmes such as TWC’s) or to graduates of GBA campuses — so TWC graduates holding these nationalities would not be IANG-eligible. Eligibility always depends on the Immigration Department’s current rules and the individual’s circumstances.[6]
Common questions
Why study in Hong Kong instead of elsewhere in Asia?
Hong Kong combines five QS-2026 world-top-100 universities, a government-backed “Study in Hong Kong” strategy, a growing non-local student community (88,914 in locally-accredited undergraduate-and-above programmes in 2024/25), official low-crime statistics and direct access to the Greater Bay Area — all in a compact, MTR-connected city where English is widely used in higher education.
Is Hong Kong safe for international students?
Official HKSAR Government figures issued 11 February 2026 show 89,137 crimes recorded in 2025, down 5.9% year on year, with violent crimes down 15.9% and robbery and burglary at record lows. Students should still exercise normal urban precautions.
Can international students work while studying in Hong Kong?
Degree-level non-local students may take part-time on-campus work (up to 20 hours per week), study-related internships and summer work under the Immigration Department’s arrangements. Since 1 November 2024, full-time non-local undergraduates in locally-accredited programmes are temporarily exempted from these restrictions; this temporary arrangement may be reviewed. All work arrangements are subject to Immigration Department conditions.
Can I stay and work in Hong Kong after graduating from TWC?
TWC is listed in the Immigration Department’s IANG institution list (ID(E) 991 Annex I, April 2026 edition), so TWC graduates may apply under IANG — quota-free and non-sector specific — subject to Immigration Department rules and nationality conditions. Recent graduates applying within six months of graduation do not need a job offer and may be granted a 24-month stay. See the nationality conditions above.
Do I need a student visa to study in Hong Kong?
Most non-local students need a student visa or entry permit to study in Hong Kong, and it is unlawful to study on a visitor visa. Visa arrangements depend on the Immigration Department and the student’s nationality; check the latest official Immigration Department information before applying.
Next step
Explore studying at TWC in Hong Kong
Youth Dorm HK supports international students from first enquiry to arrival — official TWC recruitment and accommodation partnership, dormitory included. See which TWC programmes are open to non-local applicants, or share your study profile and YD will guide the next step. TWC makes all eligibility, admission, scholarship and offer decisions.
Sources and notes
All facts on this page come from official HKSAR Government, Immigration Department, Education Bureau, HK Talent Hub, HZMB Authority or TWC official sources. Figures are historical data / requirement and subject to change in future academic years and/or student circumstances. This page will be updated as new official information is published.
- QS World University Rankings 2026: HK Talent Hub (HKSAR Government). Education hub policy and non-local enrolment: EDB LegCo reply (info.gov.hk, June 2025); EDB post-secondary overview.
- 2025 crime statistics: official HKSAR Government figures for 2025 — HKSAR Government press release (issued 11 February 2026).
- HZMB connectivity facts: HZMB Authority.
- During-study work arrangements: Immigration Department IANG page, HKSAR Government press release (18 Oct 2024), TWC Non-local Students’ Campus and Living Guides 2026-27.
- IANG details: Immigration Department — IANG; ID(E) 991 Guidebook and Annex I (April 2026 edition).
- All immigration-related matters, i.e. student visa / IANG, are subject to Hong Kong Immigration Department approval; requirements and limitations are subject to change without notice.