Study Abroad in Hong Kong for Pakistani Students

If you’re looking for a right study destination which is renowned for its academic excellence, then Hong Kong is a really wise choice.

About Hong Kong:

Hong Kong is known to be the centre of excellence and research in Asia second to Singapore. It has also ranked 12th best city for overseas and International students by QS. Hong Kong offers vast and broad career opportunities for students who have completed their graduation, as it is the financial and business hub of Asia having proximity to China.

Related: Study Abroad in China for Pakistani Students

Another interesting and beneficial thing is that Hong Kong offers visa application and policies which are flexible and accommodating for students such as fresh graduates from universities of Hong Kong. Although Hong Kong is well recognized for gaining worldwide acclamation and prestigious reputation for the institutes situated in Hong Kong, the tuition fee is quite affordable.

Famous Hong Kong Universities

University	Location	International Ranking
University of Hong Kong (HKU)	Pokfulam, Hong Kong Island	22 (QS World University Rankings 2022)
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)	Clear Water Bay, Kowloon	30 (QS World University Rankings 2022)
Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)	Sha Tin, New Territories	39 (QS World University Rankings 2022)
City University of Hong Kong (CityU)	Kowloon Tong, Kowloon	53 (QS World University Rankings 2022)
Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU)	Kowloon Tong, Kowloon	281-290 (QS World University Rankings 2022)

It’s worth noting that university rankings can vary depending on the source, methodology, and criteria used, so these rankings should be taken as a general guide.

Admission Requirements for Pakistani Students of Universities in Hong Kong:

• The procedure followed by major universities in Hong Kong is entirely merit-based followed by a rigorous selection process.
• For the admission into universities, applicants are tested through entry tests, interviews, language tests and academic records.
• It is to be noted that that entry requirements for each university in Hong Kong may vary from one another and also according to the study program.
• For every degree program, the procedure is different for example there will be additional requirements for undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate degree programs.

Admissions in Hong Kong as Pakistani Students for Under Graduate Program:

• For undergraduate degree program, you should make sure that all your previous academic records are of high merits and passed in high grades.
• The subject wise grades (minimum) would be according to the chosen study program.
• IELTS, TOEFL and other English Language proficiency test certificates will be required.
• All the interviews will be conducted online through Skype.

Admission in Post Graduate Program (Masters), (PhD) for Pakistani students:

• You should at least own a Bachelors honour degree with a minimum of 30 credit hours earned from your previous institute.
• It must be noted that you have passed with good grades.
• All the entry requirements and admission procedure will differ from university to university depending on your choice of university.
• IELTS, TOEFL and other English Language proficiency test certificates will be required.
• A research proposal will be required if you are taking admission in a research degree along with your CV.
• For previous PhD applicants, previous research experience will be required too.

Hong Kong Student Visa for Pakistani Students Requirements:

• First, you will receive an offer letter or a letter of acceptance from the university you applied in Hong Kong if you meet their eligibility criteria.
• The acceptance letter plays an integral role in the admission procedure and everything starts after you receive your acceptance letter. Things will start moving forward from that point onwards.
• After receiving the letter, you will have to visit the Hong Kong embassy and attain all the information for visa and documents list which will be required to submit with the visa application.

The Documents Required for This Procedure Are as Following:

• Recent, coloured passport-sized photographs of the applicant
• Visa application form
• The acceptance letter or the offer letter from the University of Hong Kong
• A Bank Statement (to provide proof that the candidate has enough financial assistance to cover his/her living and study expenses)
• A detailed transcript of your academic record including certificates, degrees and diplomas
• You will also be required to present a proof of the accommodation arranged in Hong Kong (address and rental contract of where you live)
• Language Proficiency Test Certificate
• Pubic Examination Certificate (GRE, GMAT, SAT, ACT etc.)

How to Get Permanent Residency Visa of Hong Kong:

• You can attain a permanent residency in Hong Kong if you have lived in the country for more than 7 years (continuous) providing legal documents and have met the requirements of a responsible citizen.
• If the student has passed their degree from an accredited university in Hong Kong, then he/she can apply for 12 months visa under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) program.
• Once the candidate has continuously lived for 7 years in Hong Kong, he/she gets eligible to apply for PR visa of Hong Kong.

Study and Living Expenses Hong Kong vs Pakistan:

Although the study expenses in Hong Kong is affordable for an average Pakistani it is one of the most expensive cities to live in the world. This is because the bills of rent, food, accommodation and utility bills are extremely high, even higher than in the UK, Australia and USA.

A student needs to spend almost HK$45,000 in the duration of 12 months while living in Hong Kong, that too, excluding the study expenses, approximately. Public transport is being used by the majority of the population for day to day travelling. The food there is of great variety and cuisines because of the diverse population situated in Hong Kong with different cultures and traditions.

Study Expenses:

• The average tuition fee of the undergraduate program is around HKD 70,000 to HKD 120,000 (US$ 9,000-US$ 10,300) per annum.
• The average tuition fee of postgraduate (Masters) program is around HKD 42,100 (US$ 5,428) per year.
• An average tuition fee of postgraduate (PhD) program is known to be around HKD $90,000 to $265,000 (USD $11,478-$33,797) per year.

Living Expenses:

Accommodation Rents:

• On-Campus: US$1,900 to US$5,800 per year
• Shared bedroom (Off-Campus): US $2,333.56 per month
• Studio Apartment (Off-Campus): US $1, 642.55 per month
• 3-bedroom apartment (Off-Campus): US $4, 941.39 per month

Part-time jobs for Pakistani Students:

Hong Kong does not allow international students to work part-time in the country unless and until it is university-related like internships and traineeship related to the degree and curriculum. If the student does an internship, it can be both paid and not paid and lasts for about 6 months.

During summer vacation, students can do part-time jobs; that too on campus. They can work up to 20 hrs./per week and the salary is deduced by the hosting university in Hong Kong.

Here are some part-time job options that Pakistani students can consider:

1. Tutoring: Pakistani students who excel in a particular subject or language can offer private tutoring services to other students in need. This can be a great way to earn extra income while also gaining teaching experience.
2. Retail or food service: Many stores and restaurants in Hong Kong hire part-time staff, especially during peak seasons or holidays. Pakistani students can consider working in these industries, which can also help improve their language skills and customer service experience.
3. Office assistant: Some companies may hire part-time office assistants to perform administrative tasks such as data entry, filing, or answering calls. Pakistani students who are proficient in English and/or Cantonese may be able to find such opportunities.
4. Freelancing: Pakistani students who have skills in areas such as graphic design, writing, or programming can consider freelancing, which allows them to work on their own schedule and earn income based on their skill set.
5. On-campus jobs: Many universities in Hong Kong offer on-campus part-time job opportunities such as research assistant, library assistant, or student ambassador. Pakistani students can check with their university’s career center for such opportunities.

Studying abroad in Hong Kong can be a great opportunity for Pakistani students who are interested in exploring a new culture, gaining an international education, and expanding their career prospects.