The Best MBA Programs in Hong Kong – Head to Head (2025)
Looking for the best full-time MBA programs in Hong Kong? Here’s your ultimate guide! Now you can compare the city’s best MBA programs head-to-head and get the inside scoop from Admissions Directors, MBA alumni and more from Hong Kong’s best MBA programs.
last updated November 2024
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Why Hong Kong for your MBA?
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Top Full-time MBA Programs in Hong Kong
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Insider Interviews with Hong Kong MBA Admissions Directors
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Touch MBA Admissions Tips for Hong Kong MBA Programs
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MBAs Share What It’s Really Like at Hong Kong MBA Programs
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Post-MBA Careers in Hong Kong – Visas, Taxes and More
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HKU vs HKUST vs CUHK MBA – Head-to-Head Comparison
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Get Help with Hong Kong MBA Programs
Why Hong Kong for your MBA?
Five Reasons to Get Your MBA in Hong Kong:
1. Hong Kong is one of the world’s major banking and finance hubs, featuring 75 of the world’s largest 100 banks, and is consistently ranked one of the top 5 financial centers worldwide and top 3 in terms of funds raised through IPO. Hong Kong is the largest international asset management hub in Asia, and the largest cross-border private wealth management and hedge fund centre in Asia.
2. Hong Kong hosts more than 9,000 multinational companies, 1,300 of which have have regional headquarters in the city. The IMD World Competitiveness Center ranked Hong Kong the world’s 5th most competitive economy in 2024, based on economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency and infrastructure.
3. Hong Kong has the world’s busiest cargo airport, the world’s largest container port, and state-of-the-art business infrastructure. Hong Kong is one of the world’s most efficient cities, renowned for its logistics.
4. Hong Kong is a gateway to China, the world’s second largest economy – the territory originates and intermediates two-thirds of China’s inward foreign direct investment and outward direct investment as well as most financial investments. Hong Kong is the largest global offshore renminbi (RMB) business hub; over 70% of the world’s RMB payments are settled through Hong Kong.
5. Hong Kong is a dynamic place to live and study! More than 9,000 restaurants provide a mouth-watering choice of dining options from all over the world. Hong Kong is known as a shopping paradise, offering everything from high-end shopping malls to street markets. Its public transport system is one of the best in the world. Country parks cover 40% of Hong Kong’s territory and, with the outlying islands, provide plenty of walks, trails and beaches for those who wish to experience the greener and calmer side of Hong Kong.
Top Full-time MBA Programs in Hong Kong
HKUST, HKU and CUHK are the top-ranked MBA programs in Hong Kong, consistently placing in the top 60 in the Financial Times Global MBA ranking. All universities have outstanding reputations too, placing top 50 in QS worldwide university rankings.
Click on school name to get a full writeup and in-depth podcast interview exploring what makes each program unique
Hong Kong University (HKU) MBA
- Founded over 100 years ago, HKU is Hong Kong’s oldest and most prestigious university. QS ranked the university #17 worldwide in 2025; it is consistently ranked top 5 in the Asia-Pacific region
- After finishing 8 months of core courses at HKU, students choose from 3 tracks: the London track (at London Business School), the New York track (at Columbia Business School) or the Hong Kong/China track (at Fudan University) to study for 4 months
- 12-month program with 45-50 students/year, to offer a student-centric experience and personalized career services tailored to each student’s unique background and potential.
- HKU Business School is ranked Asia’s #1 and #13 in the world in research by Financial Times Aggregated Research Ranking. HKU has its own Asia Case Research Centre; HKU case studies are focused on business in China and Asia
- Centrally located and closer to Central Business District than HKUST or CUHK
- MBA program ranked #1 in Hong Kong for 5 consecutive years by QS Global MBA Rankings 2021-2025; MBA program ranked #45 worldwide and #2 in Hong Kong by the Financial Times in 2024
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST) MBA
- Founded in 1991, HKUST is well known for its science, engineering and business and management research faculties. HKUST was ranked #47 worldwide by QS in 2025.
- 12 or 16-month options, and participants are guaranteed exchange spots with nearly 60 MBA programs around the world
- Larger class (55-65 students) than HKU and CUHK
- In 2024, The Financial Times ranked the HKUST MBA #1 in Hong Kong and #35 worldwide; HKUST MBA graduates have the highest average salaries amongst Hong Kong business schools.
- Ranked #1 MBA program in the Asia-Pacific region by Bloomberg Businessweek for two consecutive years in 2023-24 and 2024-25, which reflects feedback from students, alumni, and corporate recruiters
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) MBA
- CUHK was founded in 1963 to bring together China and West and is known for its research; four Nobel Laureates are associated with the university. It has the largest campus of any university on Hong Kong
- Longest established Asia MBA Program and Hong Kong’s oldest business school – launched in 1966 with over 45,000 business school alumni and 7,000 MBA alumni
- 12 or 16-month options with 50 students per year, with exchange relationships with 40 b-schools
- Elite Mentorship Program pairs full-time students with successful, senior alumni who match their career interests and aspirations
- Practical curriculum with 6 optional concentrations: Business Analytics, China Business, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Finance, Information and Technology Management and Marketing
Insider Interviews with Hong Kong MBA Admissions Directors
Listen to our in-depth interviews about what makes each MBA program unique and what you can do to give yourself the best chance of getting in:
Touch MBA’s Admissions Tips for Hong Kong MBA Programs
- Hong Kong MBA programs are looking for diversity – applicants from Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa & Middle East are highly sought
- As all programs have a China focus, demonstrating interest in region is key; experience with Hong Kong/China and Mandarin or Cantonese-skills a plus
- Demonstrating well-researched and achievable post-MBA career plans is important as Hong Kong is one of the world’s most open labor markets
Get free school selection help and an expert profile review from Touch MBA.
Plus, get feedback from from CUHK MBA before you apply. Thank you CUHK for supporting Touch MBA’s mission to make expert MBA guidance accessible to applicants worldwide.
MBAs Share What It’s Really Like at Top Hong Kong MBA Programs
MBA students and alumni share their experience:
Post-MBA Careers in Hong Kong – Visas, Taxes and More
- Visa – Non-local MBA graduates can apply for a visa to stay and work in Hong Kong for up to 24 months. Visa holders can also bring their spouse and unmarried dependent child under the age of 18 to the Hong Kong.
- Taxes – Very low income taxes with 17% for the highest income bracket
- Geography – 40-70% of graduates at HKU, CUHK and HKUST stay in Hong Kong to work. Other popular post-MBA destinations for Hong Kong MBA grads are Mainland China and the rest of Asia Pacific.
- Industry – the majority of Hong Kong MBA grads enter Finance (30-40%) and Consulting (10-20%)
- Return on Investment – HKUST ranked #31 for value for money by Financial Times in 2024; HKU and CUHK were ranked in the #60 and #85 worldwide. All three have strong exchange relationships. Hong Kong MBA programs are generally less expensive than US and European programs, so you get a discount on your semester abroad
"All too often foreigners are hired and quickly leave, deterring employers from bringing them on board. The more successful you are at demonstrating you seriously want to live and work in Asia, the higher your chances are of being hired.”
- Tanya Vucetic, Business Development Manager, Asia Jet (China), HKUST MBA '17
Head to Head – HKU MBA vs. HKUST MBA vs. CUHK MBA
Comparison table best viewed on bigger screen. Last updated November 2024
| HKU | HKUST | CUHK | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degrees Offered | MBA | MBA Dual Masters of Advanced Management with Yale | MBA Dual MBA degree with HEC Paris JD/MBA |
| Class Size | 45-50 | 55-65 | 50 |
| GMAT (avg) | not available | 660 Avg GRE (322) | 650 |
| Age (avg) | 29-30 | 29 | 30 |
| Work Exp (avg) | 6-7 | 6 | 6.2 |
| No. Nationalities | 15-20 | 15-30 | 15-20 |
| Start Date | August | August | September |
| Length | 12 months | 12 or 16 months | 12 or 16 months |
| RANKINGS | |||
| Financial Times MBA Ranking 2024 (2023, 2022) | 45 (41, 59) | 35 (42, 36) | 75 (64, 50) |
| Notable Rankings | Ranked #1 Hong Kong MBA for 5 consecutive years by QS | Ranked #1 MBA in Asia-Pacific by Bloomberg-Businessweek 2024-25 | 1st MBA in Hong Kong with 50 year history |
| ADMISSIONS | |||
| Requirements | Bachelor’s Degree GMAT/GRE Min 2 years workexp English Language Proficiency: Minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based)/80 (Internet-based) or IELTS band 6.5, with no subtest score lower than 5.5 | Bachelor’s Degree GMAT/GRE Min 2 years workexp TOEFL/IELTS/DuoLingo | Bachelor’s Degree GMAT/GRE optional (good score would strengthen application) Min 2 years workexp English Language Proficiency: TOEFL (79), IELTS (6.5), GMAT (21 Verbal), GMAT Focus (78 Verbal) or degree taught in English |
| Deadlines | Rolling admissions with Early Round Application Deadline of Nov 24 | 4 rounds, typically Rd 1: Oct 15 Rd 2: Jan 2 Rd 3: Feb 18 Rd 4: May 6 | 5 rounds, typically Rd 1: Oct 31 Rd 2: Dec 15 Rd 3: Jan 31 Rd 4: Mar 15 Rd 5: Apr 30 |
| Application Fee | 300 HKD | 500 HKD | 800 HKD |
| Tuition | 588,000 HKD | 600,000 HKD | 605,000 HKD |
| Est Living Costs (taken from school websites) | 15,500HKD/month | 21,500 HKD/month | 16,500-32,000 HKD/month |
| Application Materials | Online application Resume 2 recommendations Academic transcripts Official GMAT/GRE report TOEFL/IELTS score report (if applicable) | Online application Resume 2 essays 2 recommendations Academic transcripts GMAT/GRE score report TOEFL/ IELTS score report (if applicable) Proof of employment | Online application Resume 3 short questions 2 recommendations Academic transcripts GMAT/GRE score report TOEFL/IELTS score report (if applicable) |
| Exchange | Partnership tracks with guaranteed participation: London Business School, Columbia Business School, and Fudan University | 60 schools in 18 countries | 40 schools in 19 countries |
| Scholarship | Merit scholarships ranging from 25-60% of tuition available | 10 types of merit scholarships up to full tuition available | 5 types of merit scholarships available; 3 grants available |
| Location | HKU station - 15-20 minutes to city center by public transportation | Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, beautiful view of bay - 45 minutes away from CBD using public transportation | Shatin, New Territories, beautiful view of bay - 45 minutes away from CBD using public transportation |
| PROGRAM | |||
| Core Curriculum | CORE (10) Accounting for Business Decisions Analytics for Managers Business Ethics Capstone Project China and the Global Economy Competitive Strategy Corporate Finance Managing Digital Innovation Managerial Economics Marketing Strategy | CORE (9) Corporate Reporting Marketing Strategy Technology Strategy & Management Strategic Management Corporate Finance Operations Management Managerial Microeconomics Responsible Leadership Preparing to Lead | CORE (10) Management: Competencies and Current Perspectives Corporate Financial Reporting Statistical Analysis Financial Management Marketing Management Leadership Development Macroeconomics for Business Executives Strategic Management Operations Management |
| Electives | Choose 6 from 37 electives at HKU and electives at 3 partner schools (London Business School, Columbia Business School, Fudan) | Choose 9-10 from 70 electives | Choose 9 from 50+ electives |
| Concentrations | Managing in China & Asia Business Tech & Innovation Finance Marketing & General Management Strategy & Consulting | Not available | Business Analytics Entrepreneurship & Innovation Information & Technology Management Finance China Business |
| CAREERS | Class of 2022 & 2023 | Class of 2023 | Class of 2023 |
| Placement w/in 3 months | 93% | 100% | 91% |
| Average Salary | Not available (136,499 USD average salary 3 years after graduation - Financial Times) | 124,000 USD (30,000 USD average signing bonus) (169,265 USD average salary 3 years after graduation - Financial Times) | Not available (133,504 USD average salary 3 years after graduation - Financial Times) |
| Salary Increase, 3 years after graduation | 128% | 138% | 122% |
| Top Geographies | 71% Hong Kong 15% Mainland China 4% North Asia 4% North America | 47% Hong Kong 38% Mainland China 9% Other Asia-Pacific 3% Europe 3% Middle East | 69% of students secured offers in Asia |
| Top Industries | 43% Financial Services / Fintech 16% Consulting 7% Sales & Marketing 5% Energy & Utilities | 34% Financial Services 13% Consulting 11% IT/Technology 8% Manufacturing 7% Construction/Real Estate | Not available |
| Top Functions | 24% Branding, Business Development, Marketing 22% Finance 15% General Management 9% Planning & Strategy 5% Product Development | 40% Finance/Accounting 17% Consulting 17% Marketing/Sales 10% Logistics | Not available |
| Alumni | 4,500+ with 18 regional chapters; HKU has 280,000+ alumni in 150 countries | 6,300+ across 70 countries; HKUST has more than 20,000 alumni | 7,000+ in 25 countries; CUHK Business School has more than 45,000 alumni worldwide |
Need More Help with Hong Kong MBA Programs?
Get free school selection help and an expert profile review from Touch MBA.
Plus, get feedback from from CUHK MBA before you apply. Thank you CUHK for supporting Touch MBA’s mission to make expert MBA guidance accessible to applicants worldwide.
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