Non-JUPAS Application to Hong Kong Universities 2026

Hong Kong’s eight University Grants Committee (UGC) funded universities operate two parallel admission systems: JUPAS (Joint University Programmes Admissions System) for students with the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) and Non-JUPAS for everyone else — international students with IB, A-Level, SAT, GCE, or other foreign qualifications, mainland students with Gaokao results, and Hong Kong students who have completed their secondary education through international curricula instead of HKDSE.

For an ambitious international or mainland applicant, Non-JUPAS is the only path into HKU, CUHK, HKUST, CityU, PolyU, HKBU, EdUHK, or LingU. Yet the process is substantially different from JUPAS: each university has its own application portal, deadlines differ, document requirements vary, and the interview process is often more rigorous because admission is not determined by a single standardized score. This guide walks through the entire Non-JUPAS process for the 2026/27 academic intake, with specific attention to the differences between major applicant categories.

Who Applies Non-JUPAS?

Non-JUPAS applicants fall into four broad groups:

1. International students holding IB Diploma, GCE A-Level, AP/SAT, IGCSE + A-Level, French Baccalauréat, German Abitur, Indian standard XII, or any non-HKDSE secondary qualification.
2. Mainland Chinese students holding Gaokao results or having completed alternative mainland programs (e.g., international schools in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen using Cambridge or IB curricula).
3. Hong Kong students who completed international curricula locally (e.g., students from Hong Kong International School, CDNIS, German Swiss International School, Li Po Chun UWC).
4. Transfer and articulation students who have completed some university-level study elsewhere (e.g., US community college, UK foundation year, mainland 211/985 first year).

Each group has slightly different document requirements and considerations.

The Six Application Portals

Each UGC-funded university has its own Non-JUPAS application portal. You submit separate applications to each university you are interested in — there is no central clearing house like JUPAS.

• HKU: www.hku.hk/admissions — HKU is the most selective; applications open in September of Year 12 and close in mid-November for the first round, with a second round closing in late December.
• CUHK: admission.cuhk.edu.hk — Opens September, closes early January.
• HKUST: join.hkust.edu.hk — Opens September, closes late November for Early Round, late January for Regular Round.
• CityU: www6.cityu.edu.hk/admission — Opens October, closes end January.
• PolyU: www.polyu.edu.hk/admission — Opens October, closes early February.
• HKBU: admissions.hkbu.edu.hk — Opens October, closes mid-February.
• EdUHK: www.eduhk.hk/acadprog/admission — Opens October, closes end February.
• LingU: www.ln.edu.hk/admissions — Opens October, closes early March.

Application fees are HKD 450-600 per application. For international applicants applying to 4-6 universities, the total application fee is approximately HKD 3,000.

Application Timeline for 2026/27 Intake

Critical insight: Early applications are generally more successful than late ones, especially at HKU and CUHK where scholarship pools fill up rapidly. Applying in the first round gives you roughly 15-20% higher admission probability at comparable academic levels.

Required Documents for Non-JUPAS

Regardless of which university you apply to, the core document set is:

1. Academic Transcripts

• Complete high school transcripts (grades 9-12 or equivalent)
• For IB students: predicted grades + IB coordinator’s confirmation letter
• For A-Level students: AS and A2 results, predicted grades, school forecast letter
• For SAT/AP students: SAT score report, AP score reports, high school GPA
• For Gaokao students: official Gaokao score slip (once available) and mainland high school transcripts
• Official translations into English if originals are in a language other than English or Chinese

2. English Language Proficiency

Most programs require one of the following:

• IELTS Academic: 6.0-7.0 overall depending on program (Medicine, Law, Journalism typically require 7.0; STEM typically 6.0-6.5)
• TOEFL iBT: 80-100 depending on program
• PTE Academic: 58-68
• Cambridge English Proficiency / Advanced: Grade C or above
• IB English A/B: Grade 5 or above (may waive external test)
• GCE A-Level English Language: Grade C or above (may waive external test)

Mainland Gaokao students with English subject score 130+/150 can sometimes waive IELTS at CUHK and HKUST, but the safer approach is to take IELTS regardless.

3. Personal Statement / Statement of Purpose

Typically 500-1000 words. Each university has a slightly different prompt, but most ask:

• Why this university and program?
• Academic and extracurricular achievements
• Career goals
• What unique contribution will you make to campus community?

Some programs require additional program-specific essays:

• HKU Medicine: “Describe a clinical experience that influenced you”
• CUHK Law: “Discuss a legal issue that interests you”
• HKUST Computer Science: “Describe a technical project”
• HKU Business: “Discuss a business ethics dilemma”

4. Letters of Recommendation

• 2 letters from high school teachers (academic subjects preferred)
• 1 additional letter from a supervisor in a significant extracurricular, research project, or work experience (optional but recommended)
• Letters should be written in English or Chinese

5. Extracurricular and Achievement Portfolio

A CV-style summary including:

• Leadership positions (student council, club president)
• Research experience (especially for STEM applicants)
• Competition wins (math/physics/chemistry Olympiads, music competitions, robotics, debate)
• Community service
• Published work (articles, research papers, creative writing)
• Awards and scholarships
• Internships and work experience

For mainland applicants: Competition participation at Provincial and National levels carries significant weight. National-level first prizes in Math, Physics, Chemistry, or Biology Olympiads are near-guarantees of scholarship offers at HKUST.

6. Program-Specific Requirements

• Music programs (HKU, CUHK): audition recording (piano, violin, voice)
• Fine Arts (HKBU Academy of Visual Arts): portfolio of works
• Architecture (HKU, CUHK): design portfolio
• Journalism (HKBU, CUHK): writing samples, ideally published in school or local media
• Design (PolyU School of Design): portfolio
• Film (HKBU Academy of Film): video reel or script samples

7. Identity Documents

• Passport copy (photo page)
• HKID if you are a permanent Hong Kong resident
• For mainland students: Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (港澳通行证) or the Chinese national ID card (身份证)
• Photo (passport-style)

The Personal Statement — Where Non-JUPAS Is Won or Lost

Non-JUPAS admission places substantial weight on the personal statement because standardized scores (IB points, A-Levels, Gaokao) are often clustered tightly among competitive applicants — the difference between an IB 42 and an IB 44 is small. The personal statement is where admissions committees decide which students will thrive at their specific program.

Strong personal statements:

• Open with a specific story, not a generic statement of interest. “When I was 14, I watched my grandmother lose her ability to swallow after a stroke” is much stronger than “I have always been interested in medicine.”
• Focus on intellectual curiosity, not just extracurricular lists. Describe a specific problem you worked on, a book that changed your thinking, a research question that keeps you up at night.
• Connect to the program specifically, showing you have researched what makes HKU / CUHK / HKUST different. Name specific courses, professors, or facilities that attract you.
• Demonstrate growth, not perfection. Admissions readers prefer an honest reflection on a failure and what you learned from it, over a polished list of successes.

Common mistakes:

• Starting with a cliché (“Since I was a child, I have always loved science”)
• Listing achievements without analysis
• Claiming to want to study at the university because “it is world-ranked”
• Using exaggerated language (“I am passionate about everything”)
• Submitting the same statement to multiple universities without customization

The Interview Process

Most HKU, CUHK, HKUST, CityU, and PolyU programs conduct interviews for shortlisted Non-JUPAS applicants. Interviews are typically:

• Individual interview: 20-30 minutes with 2-3 faculty members or admissions officers
• Group interview: 4-6 candidates discussing a case or topic for 45 minutes
• Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI): for Medicine, Dentistry — 6-8 short stations on ethics, problem-solving, communication
• Subject test: Written test in a specific subject (Math for Engineering, Biology for Medicine)

Interviews are conducted in English (except at EdUHK and LingU where they may be in Cantonese or Mandarin for students applying to Chinese-language programs). HKU is known for the most academically rigorous interviews; CUHK for the most personality-focused; HKUST for the most problem-solving oriented.

Common interview questions:

• Why Hong Kong? Why this university?
• Why this specific major?
• Describe an academic project you are proud of.
• Who is a person you admire and why?
• How do you handle failure?
• What current event in your country most concerns you?
• Case question: “You are a manager with a limited budget… how do you decide?”

Preparation strategy:

1. Practice the common questions out loud with a teacher or parent.
2. Read newspapers (SCMP, BBC, The Economist) for current events.
3. Research the specific faculty members at your target university — their research interests often become interview topics.
4. Prepare 2-3 personal stories that demonstrate leadership, problem-solving, and growth.
5. Have questions ready for the interviewer.

Gaokao Students — Specific Pathway

For mainland Chinese students applying with Gaokao results, the Non-JUPAS process has unique features:

Gaokao Cut-offs (2025 Reference)

English subject score requirement: 120/150 minimum, 130/150 competitive, 140/150 for waiving IELTS consideration.

Mainland Application Channel Options

Mainland students have two application channels:

Option A: Mainland Admission Scheme — applies through HKU, CUHK, HKUST, CityU, PolyU, HKBU, EdUHK, and LingU direct recruitment in mainland China. Does not count against Gaokao normal admission (非第一批录取, i.e., if you don’t get offered by HK universities, you can still be admitted by mainland universities through Gaokao).

Option B: Non-JUPAS Direct Application — same process as international Non-JUPAS applicants, requires IELTS/TOEFL, interview, and personal statement. Does not affect Gaokao result usability for mainland universities.

Most mainland applicants use Option A because it is free and automatic with Gaokao. Option B is used by students with strong English proficiency and extracurricular profiles who want early conditional offers (before Gaokao results are known).

International Student Visa Process

Once you accept an offer, you must apply for a Student Visa (Label N) from the Hong Kong Immigration Department. The process takes 6-8 weeks:

1. University issues the electronic admission letter and the sponsor form (学生签证担保函）
2. You submit ID-995 application form, passport copy, financial proof (HKD 150,000+ in parent’s account), academic certificates
3. Pay HKD 230 visa fee
4. Receive the approval letter by mail (usually to your home address)
5. Attach the approval letter to your passport page for immigration entry

For mainland students with a student visa approval letter, you can enter Hong Kong 30 days before your program start date. Upon arrival, you register for HKID within 30 days and apply for a Hong Kong SIM card and bank account.

Cost Estimate

Tuition (Non-local student fees, 2026/27):

• HKU / CUHK / HKUST: HKD 175,000/year
• CityU / PolyU / HKBU / EdUHK / LingU: HKD 145,000/year

Living costs (Hong Kong):

• Accommodation (dorm): HKD 18,000-40,000/year
• Food: HKD 36,000-60,000/year
• Transport (with student Octopus): HKD 3,500-6,000/year
• Books and supplies: HKD 3,000-5,000/year
• Personal: HKD 20,000-30,000/year

Total per year: HKD 230,000-325,000 (before scholarships).

Scholarships — Most Important for Non-JUPAS

Non-JUPAS applicants are generally MORE eligible for scholarships than JUPAS applicants, because each university reserves substantial funding specifically for non-local students to recruit international talent. The main scholarships to apply for:

• HKU Foundation Entrance Scholarship: Full tuition + living allowance
• CUHK Global Scholarship: Full tuition + travel allowance
• HKUST Academic Excellence: Full tuition + living
• HK SAR Government Belt and Road Scholarship: HKD 120,000/year + stipend

See the separate guide on Non-local Student Scholarships for details.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Applying only to one or two universities. A well-prepared applicant should apply to 4-6 universities for optimal odds.

2. Using the same personal statement for every school. Each university has its own character — an HKU statement should feel different from a PolyU statement.

3. Missing interview invitation emails. Interview invites are sent to the email you registered with. Check spam folders daily during the application period.

4. Underestimating the interview. Non-JUPAS interview performance can double or halve your admission probability. Practice seriously.

5. Waiting until the last minute to take IELTS. IELTS results take 13 days; book your test in September or October to have backup time if you need to retake.

6. Not applying for scholarships proactively. At most universities, scholarship consideration is automatic once you submit your application — but check the portal and submit any supplementary essay required.

7. Forgetting to mention leadership or community service. Hong Kong universities, especially CUHK and HKBU, emphasize “well-rounded” applicants — pure academics alone is rarely enough for the most competitive programs.

Resources

• HKU admissions: www.hku.hk/admissions
• CUHK admissions: admission.cuhk.edu.hk
• HKUST admissions: join.hkust.edu.hk
• CityU admissions: www6.cityu.edu.hk/admission
• PolyU admissions: www.polyu.edu.hk/admission
• HKBU admissions: admissions.hkbu.edu.hk
• EdUHK admissions: www.eduhk.hk/acadprog/admission
• LingU admissions: www.ln.edu.hk/admissions
• Hong Kong Immigration Department: www.immd.gov.hk (for student visas)
• British Council HK (for IELTS bookings): www.britishcouncil.hk
• IDP IELTS HK: www.idp.com

The Non-JUPAS pathway is more work than simply entering a single Gaokao or DSE score, but it also offers more control over how you present yourself, more scholarship opportunities, and more chances to demonstrate what makes you unique. Start early, apply to multiple universities, invest serious effort in your personal statement, and prepare carefully for interviews — those are the four fundamentals that distinguish successful Non-JUPAS applicants from unsuccessful ones.