The University Grants Committee report "Higher Education in Hong Kong", which was published in October 1996, described the 'current' landscape of higher education in Hong Kong, largely based on data for the academic year 1994-95 in the following terms:

"Taking students as the descriptor, we have 40,000 on full-time first degree courses in Hong Kong and a further 28,000 on full-time undergraduate courses overseas. In addition, there are some 16,000 fte students studying part-time for first degrees, half of them through the Open Learning Institute of Hong Kong (now called the Open University of Hong Kong). In the sub-degree area, 22,000 fte students are taking higher diploma or other high level courses, 2,500 fte are studying for higher certificates or their equivalents and 1,000 fte for a variety of other qualifications. Some 6,700 fte students are engaged in postgraduate work in Hong Kong, either on taught courses or as research students, and there are a further 12,000 overseas. The largest category of those enjoying higher education is, however, the 46,000 fte students in CPE (continuing and professional education). About half of this number are working in UGC institutions and half in other subvented or private colleges or in-house at their employers."

This description of the Hong Kong higher education system remains largely accurate today, but there have been some changes.

The purpose of this "supplement" is to present a description of the current landscape of higher education in Hong Kong updated as far as possible to the 1997-98 academic year. The format of this supplement is based on Chapters 10-15, 21-22, and 34-37 of "Higher Education in Hong Kong". Changes in figures, charts and tables, as well as textual amendments necessitated by those changes, are highlighted in bold face type.

It is our intention to update this supplement periodically for general information and reference.

UGC Secretariat
May 1999