Policy Address 2026: Target for Non-Local Students to Increase to 100,000 by 2029/30 Academic Year; Research Programme Places to Rise by 30%

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Hong Kong is actively developing into an international education hub. Although the new Policy Address does not mention raising the proportion of non-local students at the eight publicly funded universities, the Five-Year Plan sets a target of increasing non-local students to 100,000 by the 2029/30 academic year, a 25% increase over the 24/25 academic year. In support of the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town, the Policy Address proposes a number of measures to expand capacity and enhance quality, including increasing the number of research programme places funded by the University Grants Committee by about 30%.

📈 Target for Non-Local Student Numbers: 25% Cumulative Growth Over Five Years
The government raised the non-local student admission cap at the eight universities to 40% in the 24/25 academic year and further to 50% in the 26/27 academic year. This year's Policy Address does not raise the proportion again, but the Five-Year Plan states that quality higher education will be expanded to attract more non-local students to study in Hong Kong, alongside global top talent and innovation teams settling in Hong Kong, to boost economic momentum and enhance international competitiveness. It also sets an "indicative target" to increase the number of non-local students enrolled in locally accredited full-time post-secondary programmes from nearly 80,000 in the 24/25 academic year to 90,000 this academic year (a 5% increase), and to 100,000 by the 29/30 academic year, a cumulative increase of 25%.

🎓 Research Programme Places to Increase by 30%; Doctoral Scholarship Places to Rise Gradually
To promote the expansion and quality enhancement of post-secondary education and support the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town, the Policy Address proposes increasing UGC-funded research programme places by about 30%, from the current 7,200 to 9,600 by the 30/31 academic year. Starting from the next academic year, the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme, which offers 400 places per academic year, will gradually increase to 550 places by the 29/30 academic year, with an additional HK$20 million in annual funding to support knowledge sharing. The "Science and Technology Innovation Fund" will provide HK$40 million annually from the 29/30 academic year to promote the application of AI and emerging technologies in higher education.

🌐 Deepening the International Education Hub; "Belt and Road Scholarship" Places to Increase to 200
The Policy Address also proposes deepening the development of the international education hub, including launching an international publicity campaign titled "Hong Kong: Your World-class Campus." The government's "Belt and Road Scholarship" places will increase from the current 150 per year to 200 from the 27/28 academic year. Graduates of Greater Bay Area campuses of local universities will continue to be included in the two-year pilot arrangement under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG).