How to Apply to Hong Kong's Top Five Universities with International Qualifications or as a Transfer Student: A Complete Non-JUPAS Guide

The one-sentence answer: Applicants holding international qualifications such as the IB, GCE A-Level, SAT/AP, as well as current undergraduates seeking to transfer, apply directly to each university online through the unified Non-JUPAS (International and Other Qualifications) route. Admission is based on a holistic review of academic performance, English proficiency, personal statements, references, and (for some programmes) an interview, mostly operating on a rolling admissions basis, with offers made on meritHKU International Qualifications^※. The English threshold across the five universities is roughly IELTS 6.0–6.5 / TOEFL 79–93. The application window for international qualifications typically opens in the autumn of the preceding year, earlier than the mainland China gaokao route.

# What is Non-JUPAS? Who Should Use It, and What Qualifications Are Accepted?

Non-JUPAS (Non-Joint University Programmes Admissions System) is an admissions route for 'International and Other Qualifications' outside the JUPAS system. It is managed independently by each university, which sets its own policies. Unlike the JUPAS system, where one application can be made across eight institutions and places are allocated based on the HKDSE, Non-JUPAS applicants must apply online to each university separately. Each institution conducts its own independent assessment and issues its own offers. It is primarily for three types of applicants:

• Holders of international high school qualifications — such as the IB Diploma, GCE/International A-Level, SAT/AP, and various national high school diplomas (e.g. from Canada, Australia, Singapore);
• Holders of qualifications other than the HKDSE or mainland China's gaokao — this includes students in Hong Kong studying an international curriculum;
• Transfer / advanced standing applicants — those currently enrolled at another university applying for senior-year entry based on credits already earned (Advanced Standing; see the dedicated section below for details).

HKU categorises these applicants under its 'International Qualifications' route, accepting applications directly via its online portal from holders of IB, GCE A-Level, SAT/AP and many other overseas qualificationsHKU International Qualifications^※. CityU has an 'International Students / Non-JUPAS Admissions Scheme', through which anyone holding qualifications other than the HKDSE or the mainland gaokao can applyCityU International Admissions^※.

A crucial clarification: Holders of mainland China's gaokao scores do not use the Non-JUPAS route. They should apply through each university's specific gaokao pathway (CUHK's unified system, and independent applications for HKU, HKUST, CityU, and PolyU). See Five University Pathways for Mainland Gaokao. Non-JUPAS is intended for international qualifications and transfer students.

# What Are the Official Non-JUPAS Entry Points for the Five Universities?

Each university's international/non-JUPAS admissions page is the starting point for your online application. The table below provides the official entry points for all five (for specific sub-pages and the current year's requirements, always defer to the official sites).

Note: CUHK places holders of qualifications other than the HKDSE and the mainland gaokao under the Non-JUPAS route. Local students studying international curricula apply via Non-JUPAS (Local Year 1), while overseas/international applicants are handled by a separate international admissions team. Follow the specific guidance on CUHK's Non-JUPAS pageCUHK Non-JUPAS Overview^※.

# What Are the English Language Requirements? A University-by-University Comparison

English is the primary medium of instruction at all five universities. Applicants with international qualifications from a non-English-medium background must typically submit standardised English test scores (IELTS/TOEFL or equivalent). The table below summarises the published minimum undergraduate English language requirements for international qualifications at each university, with official sources linked for every entry.

Two hard rules that are often overlooked, so read them carefully:

• HKU has an additional stipulation: standardised test scores must be obtained within two years before 1 September 2026, and IELTS Indicator (Home Edition) / IELTS Online are not acceptedHKU English Requirements^※.
• CUHK similarly states that IELTS One Skill Retake, IELTS Indicator, and IELTS Online are not acceptedCUHK Language Requirements^※.

Clarification on policy: The table above shows the general undergraduate threshold for Non-JUPAS applicants with international qualifications. Some programmes (such as Law, Medicine, Translation, and English) have higher requirements, and there are often separate minimum band scores for each IELTS sub-test (e.g. no less than 6.0 in any individual paper). For holders of the IB/A-Level where English was the language of instruction and examination, some institutions may grant an exemption from the standardised English test requirement. The specific waiver conditions depend on the current year's official information for the programme you are applying to.

# How Does Transfer / Advanced Standing Work?

Applicants already studying at another university who wish to transfer to one of Hong Kong's top five institutions generally apply for 'senior-year entry (Advanced Standing)' via the Non-JUPAS route, using their earned credits. Here are a few key realities:

• Places are few and granted based on remaining capacity. Advanced Standing depends on senior-year vacancies in a given programme and is far more competitive than first-year entry.
• Credit transfer is evaluated on a case-by-case basis by each department. The number of credits that can be exempted and the year of entry into which a student can insert are determined by the faculty's assessment of the content and grades of already-completed courses, which can lead to vastly different outcomes.
• The process still uses the Non-JUPAS online application and is holistic. University transcripts, course syllabi (for credit assessment), English scores, and personal statements must be submitted. Some programmes require an interview.

For specific entry requirements and credit policies, you must check the Advanced Standing notes on each university's international/non-JUPAS admissions page. Also, be aware that the application window for transfers often closes earlier than for first-year international students. Miss it, and you wait another year.

# How Are Admissions Decisions Made? Rolling Admissions and Interviews

Non-JUPAS mostly operates on a rolling admissions basis: applications are reviewed in the order they are received, offers are made on merit, and the process continues until places are filled or the deadline passes. This is entirely different to the centralised allocation logic of JUPAS. A few practical points:

• Early application is advantageous. With rolling admissions, popular programmes can fill up well before the official deadline. The earlier you submit a complete set of materials, the better your position.
• Conditional offers are common. For applicants who do not yet have final results (e.g., those still sitting IB/A-Level exams), institutions often issue a conditional offer first, which converts to a firm offer once final grades meet the requirements.
• Some programmes require an interview. Programmes in design, architecture, medicine, journalism, and those aimed at leadership development often have interview or portfolio requirements.
• The review is holistic. Beyond academic scores and English, personal statements, references, and extracurricular and competition experience all count. This is where the Non-JUPAS system gives space to a 'well-rounded' applicant.

# What Are the Tuition Fees and Scholarships for International Students?

Applicants with international qualifications pay non-local tuition fees, which are set at the same level as for mainland Chinese gaokao applicants. Fees are determined independently by each university and vary by discipline. The table below gives a quick overview of the non-local undergraduate tuition fees (annual) for the 2026/27 intake. For detailed amounts and sources, see the Tuition Fees section in Five University Pathways for Mainland Gaokao.

Scholarships: All five universities offer entrance scholarships for outstanding new international students. The amounts range from covering part of the tuition to full 'tuition + accommodation + living stipend'. Many are awarded automatically without a separate application, with the offer made alongside the admission letter. Some international-student-specific programmes (like HKUST's Global Learners and Future Leaders scholarships) have their own separate deadlinesCityU International Admissions^※. For scholarship amounts and selection methods by university, see the Scholarships section in Five University Pathways for Mainland Gaokao.

# Application Timeline for International Qualifications

The Non-JUPAS timeline is different from both JUPAS and the mainland gaokao route — the window opens in the autumn of the preceding year, admissions are rolling, and final grades are submitted later in line with the release of international exam results. Using the timeline for a September intake as an example (it adjusts slightly year to year):

Note: Different international exams release results at different times (IB in early July, GCE A-Level in mid-August, etc.), and each university schedules the final verification of conditional offers based on these dates. The precise deadlines and rounds published on each university's international admissions page for the current year are the only definitive guide. Popular programmes may fill up earlier than the general deadline.