To qualify for admissions to HKUST, applicants must meet all of the following requirements. Admission is selective and meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

1. General Admission Requirements

Applicants seeking admission to a master's degree or postgraduate diploma program should have:

• Obtained a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution, or an approved equivalent qualification.

Applicants seeking admission to a doctoral degree program should have:

• Obtained a bachelor’s degree with a proven record of outstanding performance from a recognized institution; or presented evidence of satisfactory work at the postgraduate level on a full-time basis for at least one year, or on a part-time basis for at least two years.

2. English Language Requirements

Applicants have to fulfill English Language requirements with one of the following proficiency attainments:

• TOEFL - Internet-based Test (iBT): 80 *
• TOEFL - Paper-based Test (pBT): 550
• TOEFL - Revised Paper-delivered Test: 60 (total scores for Reading, Listening and Writing sections)
• IELTS (Academic Module): Overall score: 6.5 and all sub-score: 5.5 *

* Refers to scores in one single attempt only. Test at home option is not accepted.

Applicants are not required to present TOEFL or IELTS score if

• Their first language is English, or
• Their bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) was awarded by an institution where the medium of instruction was English.

3. Program-Specific Admission Requirements

Some programs may stipulate additional requirements for admissions. For more information on the program-specific admission requirements, please click here.