Number of Hongkongers applying for British universities falls for second year in a row, UCAS figures show
- Education consultants attribute contraction to Canada and Australia offering immigration pathways to Hong Kong residents
- Number of Hong Kong applicants for British universities fell 5.5 per cent year on year to 5,680 for 2023 entry
The number of Hongkongers applying for undergraduate courses at British universities has fallen for the second year in a row, largely because fewer mature students are seeking places, according to official statistics released on Thursday.
According to the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), a UK-based body that handles the undergraduate application process, the number of Hong Kong applicants for British institutions fell 5.5 per cent year on year to 5,680 for 2023 entry. Last year, the number dropped 6.1 per cent compared with 2021, when a record 6,400 applications were received.
‘Fast track to PR’ helps Canada become top choice of Hong Kong students
Despite the latest decrease, the number of applications lodged by Hongkongers is still higher than in the years before 2020, when about 5,000 were received.
The drop in the past two years contrasts with a rising trend of international students applying for undergraduate courses in UK universities.
A total of 114,910 students outside the United Kingdom had signed up for degree courses commencing this autumn, rising from 111,410 last year, UCAS said.
The deadline for most undergraduate UCAS applications was January 25.
The drop in the number of Hong Kong applicants was mostly driven by a decrease in mature students seeking places.
UCAS’ figures show Hong Kong applicants in two age groups – 25 years to 29 and 30 to 34 – registered a year-on-year drop of 33 per cent, the biggest decline among all groups. The number of applications fell from around 150 to 100.
The number of Hong Kong applicants aged 19 to 24 also dropped from 1,720 to 1,470, accounting for a 15 per cent decline.
However, the number of 18-year-old Hongkongers signing up for British universities via UCAS rose slightly from 3,100 to 3,150.
Willy Kwong, general manager of AAS Education Consultancy, said applicants eyeing migration outcomes via study routes, particularly mature students, would select Canada and Australia as study destinations rather than Britain.
“The Canadian route offers the fastest track to permanent residency as graduates can apply for permanent residence upon graduation and more people pick Australia after it reopened its international borders last February,” Kwong said.
More Hongkongers eligible for Canada’s special work permit paving way for residency
Samuel Chan Sze-ming, founder of Hong Kong-based Britannia StudyLink, noted the trend for pursuing studies in Britain was “back to normal” after the peak in 2021.
“Many students will now choose the UK as a backup plan as local universities offer many scholarships to local students to entice them to stay in Hong Kong.”
‘Fast track to PR’ helps Canada become top choice of Hong Kong students
It was the highest since records began almost two decades ago, with some analysts saying most had dropped out due to emigration.
Applications from mainland China were down 4 per cent, from 28,930 to 27,710. UCAS said it was most likely to be due to Covid-19 restrictions and disrupted learning.
