What International Students Need to Know
Thinking about studying in Hong Kong and worried about “initial fees” or deposits? You are not alone. Many international students are surprised that universities ask for money before they even arrive on campus.
In Hong Kong’s “Big 8” universities, an initial fee (sometimes called an admission deposit or “initial fee”) is a standard part of securing your offer. It is usually deducted from your first‑year tuition, but often non‑refundable if you simply change your mind or pick another offer after paying.
The guide and table below will help you see how this works across all 8 universities, so you can plan your budget and timeline with fewer surprises.
What is an “initial fee” in Hong Kong?
For non‑local undergraduates, an initial fee is usually:
- An admission deposit that you pay soon after you accept your offer (often within one to two weeks).
- Credited towards your first‑year tuition – so it is not an extra charge, but part of what you already owe.
- Non‑refundable in most cases if you meet your offer conditions but later withdraw or go elsewhere.
Some universities also charge a small caution fee when you enrol, which can be refundable when you leave, as well as student activity fees or programme‑specific contributions.
Initial fees at the Big 8 Hong Kong universities
Use this table to compare the eight major publicly funded universities. Tuition amounts are for non‑local undergraduates and may change each year, so always double‑check the latest official information before you pay.
| University | Typical non‑local UG tuition | Named initial / admission fee | How the initial fee works | Other small upfront fees |
| HKU | Around HKD 224,000–249,000 per year depending on faculty (higher for STEM) | Admission deposit (often cited around HKD 10,000 in guides) | Pay a deposit when you accept the offer; it is credited towards first‑semester tuition. Generally non‑refundable except if a conditional offer is not fulfilled. | Caution money HKD 350 at first registration; student activity fee about HKD 100 per year. |
| CUHK | HKD 214,000 per year for non‑local undergraduates (2026–27) | Admission deposit (amount stated in individual offer letters) | Deposit is required to confirm the offer, then deducted from tuition; non‑refundable in normal cases, but may be refunded if you fail the conditions of a conditional offer. | Caution fee HKD 450, refundable on withdrawal but usually used as graduation fee. |
| HKUST | About HKD 185,000 per year for non‑local undergraduates after recent increase | Admission deposit around HKD 20,000 for international students | Deposit is payable soon after offer acceptance and is offset against tuition. Refunded only if you do not meet conditional‑offer requirements; otherwise non‑refundable. | Standard registration‑type fees (small) as per university schedule. |
| PolyU | Around HKD 175,000 per year (government‑funded UG, non‑local, 2025/26) | “Initial fee” of HKD 15,000 for new undergraduates | Initial fee is paid once you accept the offer, is non‑refundable and non‑transferable, and is converted to part of the first‑semester tuition; you then pay the remaining balance by the debit‑note deadline. | Other minor administrative fees may apply at registration. |
| CityU | Around HKD 170,000 per year for non‑local undergraduates (reported range) | Admission deposit often reported around HKD 10,000 | Deposit is required to confirm place and is credited to tuition. Typically non‑refundable except if you fail conditional‑offer requirements. | Usual small registration‑related fees. |
| HKBU | Around HKD 175,000 per year for non‑local undergraduates after recent increase | Admission deposit (amount specified in offer) | Works as a non‑refundable deposit credited to first‑year tuition; refund only if conditions are not met, not if you change your mind. | Some programme‑specific and student fees may apply. |
| EdUHK | Around HKD 167,000 per year for non‑local undergraduates after 15.2% increase | Admission deposit (amount in offer letter) | Admission deposit is paid when accepting the offer and is offset against tuition; generally non‑refundable apart from conditional‑offer failure cases. | Additional contributions for specific programmes (e.g. immersion) plus small fees. |
| Lingnan University | Around HKD 160,000 per year for non‑local undergraduates after about 10% fee rise | Admission deposit (amount specified individually) | Follows the same pattern: early deposit to secure the place, credited towards tuition, normally non‑refundable if you simply withdraw after meeting conditions. | Standard registration and student fees (small). |
How to use this information as an overseas student
Compare total upfront costs, not just tuition.
An offer with slightly lower tuition but a very high deposit and limited scholarships might still be harder to afford in the short term.
Check your offer letter carefully.
Exact deposit amounts and deadlines are usually stated in your personal offer documents, not only on the public website.
Know when you can (and cannot) get a refund.
In most universities, you only get your initial fee back if you fail the conditions of a conditional offer – for example, if your final grades do not reach the required level.
Ask how scholarships interact with the deposit.
If you expect a high‑value or full scholarship, email the admissions or finance office and ask what happens to your deposit once the scholarship is confirmed.
Plan your timeline.
Many students underestimate how quickly they have to pay; mark the deposit deadlines in your calendar so you do not accidentally lose your place.
Final thoughts
Initial fees can feel scary, especially when you are still waiting for exam results, scholarships, or visa approval. However, seeing the full picture across all eight universities helps you make a more confident decision.
If you are comparing multiple offers in Hong Kong, using the table above as a checklist – tuition level, deposit amount, refund rules, and extra fees – can help you choose a university that fits both your academic goals and your family’s budget.