Record high acceptance rate for Hong Kong universities this year, but many students eyeing programmes overseas

A record high proportion of Hong Kong secondary school graduates will secure spots in local universities this year amid a drop in competition, but some analysts predict many students will be looking beyond the city for higher education, prompted in part by recent political developments.

Official statistics released by the city’s joint university admissions body show that 38.1 per cent – or nearly 15,500 – of this year’s more than 40,600 applicants will be offered first-year bachelor’s programme places in publicly funded or self-financing local universities.