A few years ago, Hong Kong was considered one of the best-value destinations for higher education. Families with Hong Kong residency could enrol their children in local universities as “local students”, enjoying priority admission, low tuition fees, and flexible commuting. Studying in Hong Kong was even seen as an “affordable alternative” to elite UK and US institutions. But in recent years, tightening policies have gradually eroded these advantages.
01 Shrinking Benefits for Local Students, Rising Costs
On 31 July 2025, Hong Kong’s Education Bureau announced that starting from the 2028/29 academic year, students must have lived in Hong Kong for at least two years to qualify for subsidised local university places. The current one-year rule will be abolished after the 2027/28 academic year.
This means families who had planned for their children to take the DSE in Mainland China and then apply as local students will now have to:
Enrol them in formal schooling in Hong Kong two years earlier; or
Apply as “non-local students” for just 6,000 available places.
Meanwhile, DSE exam fees have seen a historic 140% increase, with 7 subjects now costing over HK$10,000. Thinking Hong Kong study is “cheap for a good degree”? Not anymore.
02 Hong Kong vs. UK: The Costs Are Similar
Non-local student at a Hong Kong university:
Tuition: HK$640k–880k / 4 years
Accommodation + living: HK$360k–500k
Total: HK$1–1.6 million
Local student (must live in Hong Kong 2 years prior):
Two years’ tuition + living: HK$600k–700k
Undergraduate stage: HK$500k–900k
Total: HK$1.1–1.6 million
And that’s before factoring in the “time cost” and “transfer adjustment cost”. For the same budget, what can you get in the UK?
03 UK Study: The Best Balance of Quality and Value
World-class education, globally recognised
The UK boasts one of the world’s leading higher education systems: Oxford and Cambridge consistently rank in QS Top 10; Imperial, UCL, KCL, and Edinburgh feature in the global Top 50; the G5 universities anchor academic excellence; UK degrees are globally recognised and respected for careers or further study.
Shorter degrees, saving time and money
Most UK undergraduate degrees take three years, with master’s just one year—shorter than the US, Canada, or Australia (4-year undergrad + 2-year master’s). Graduating a year earlier can save at least RMB 200k. Even in London, with careful planning, three years of undergraduate study cost around RMB 1–1.3 million—similar to, or even less than, Hong Kong.
Friendly visa policies, broader career paths
The UK offers a 2-year PSW post-study work visa, with STEM, Education, and Business graduates able to switch to skilled worker visas for long-term stay. In contrast, Hong Kong’s IANG visa faces rising barriers for non-Cantonese speakers or non-local graduates.
04 Studying Abroad Is About More Than Just “Cheap”
In the past, families chose Hong Kong for being “close, familiar, and stable”. But with changing policies and a shifting global education landscape, it’s the destination that offers real career and personal growth opportunities that deserves investment.
In today’s globalised education market, the UK is regaining its place as the top choice: graduate a year earlier, access abundant internships and jobs, secure a globally recognised degree, and enjoy elite academic networks.
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We’ll tailor the best academic path for your child based on your family background, interests, and goals—avoiding short-term trends and policy risks. For families with sufficient resources or plans for long-term UK settlement, many are already using the “Property for Education” strategy to offset tuition and build wealth:
Property appreciation + rental income ≥ tuition + living costs + start-up fund
In short:
Live in your own property to save rent
Rent it out to cover other living costs
Use appreciation to offset study expenses
lansha Tip: The key is leveraging property to fully or partially cover education costs, while generating long-term returns.
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Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Paddington, London, Lansha Group has become one of the top 100 seafarers in the industry in the past 10 years, providing one-stop services for international property. We have many years of professional experience in dealing with all aspects of the property market, from choosing a property to opening a home, loans, solicitors, tenancy management and second-hand property sales. We provide 24-hour real-time service to our global clients, assisting them in dealing with the cumbersome formalities of property purchase and home inspection, so that they can move into their homes or invest in them with peace of mind. If you are looking to invest in the UK, Lansha Group has a professional investment team to assist you in selecting the best properties, analysing the housing information and regional development, and making a comprehensive assessment to choose the ideal home. Visit Lansha Group's website now to view our selection of properties and choose your dream home!
If you have any questions about buying a property in the UK, please feel free to contact us directly.
