Application Procedure

Application Deadline for 2027/28 Fall intake (September 2027)

Main Round Deadline: 1 Dec 2026 (HKT noon)

Clearing Round Deadline: 30 Apr 2027 (HKT noon)

Application Pathways

Applicants to the MSc(CompSc) programme should select one of the following application pathways when submitting their application:

1. Master of Science in Computer Science (AI & Decentralized Technologies Stream), with Delta X Fellowship

This pathway is for applicants seeking admission to the AI & Decentralized Technologies Stream, which covers artificial intelligence, Web3 and decentralized technologies.

Admission through this pathway includes the Delta X Fellowship and Semester 1 study at the HKU-CDS Shanghai Teaching & Research Site. The fellowship experience includes industry immersion, networking and internship opportunities, a support package and travel subsidy subject to prevailing arrangements, and cross-border learning in Hong Kong and Shanghai.

Apply HERE.

2. Master of Science in Computer Science (General, Cyber Security, Financial Computing and Multimedia Computing Streams), with Delta X Fellowship

This pathway is for applicants seeking admission to one of the following streams WITH the Delta X Fellowship:

  • General Stream
  • Cyber Security Stream
  • Financial Computing Stream
  • Multimedia Computing Stream

Admission through this pathway includes Semester 2 study at the HKU-CDS Shanghai Teaching & Research Site. The fellowship experience includes industry immersion, networking and internship opportunities, a support package and travel subsidy subject to prevailing arrangements, and cross-border learning in Hong Kong and Shanghai.

Applicants will be invited to indicate their preferred stream during the application process.

Apply HERE.

3. Master of Science in Computer Science (General, Cyber Security, Financial Computing and Multimedia Computing Streams)

This pathway is for applicants seeking admission to one of the following streams WITHOUT the Delta X Fellowship:

  • General Stream
  • Cyber Security Stream
  • Financial Computing Stream
  • Multimedia Computing Stream

Applicants will be invited to indicate their preferred stream during the application process. Applications submitted through this pathway will NOT be considered for the Delta X Fellowship.

Apply HERE.


How to Apply

  1. Review the HKU Taught Postgraduate Admissions application procedures.
  2. Select your preferred application pathway from the options listed above and complete the online application form accordingly. The selected pathway should correspond to the programme/stream you wish to apply for.
  3. Application fee: HK$780 per application (for the 2027/28 intake).
  4. When completing the online application form, please provide a valid mailing address and email address to ensure the secure and successful delivery of application-related correspondence.
  5. After submitting the online application and paying the application fee, you will receive an email notification within approximately five working days with instructions for accessing the TPG Online Admission System of the School of Computing and Data Science.
  6. Log in to the TPG Online Admission System and upload the required supporting documents.

Supporting Documents

Along with the application the following documents are required to be submitted:

  1. Graduate transcript(s) with grading system of all tertiary level studies issued by the Registry of institution (or interim transcript if graduate transcript is not available yet)
  2. Graduation certificate(s), if available
  3. Degree certificates (For applicant with Mainland China qualification)
    (i) Online Verification Report of Higher Education Qualification Certificate issued by CSSD (學信網); and
    (ii) Certificate of Bachelor’s Degree* (學士學位證書) issued by the Registry of awarding institution; OR Online Verification Report of Higher Education Degree Certificate (中國高等教育學位在線驗證報告) issued by CSSD (學信網)
  4. English Language proficiency test score report, such as TOEFL or IELTS (only for applicants with qualifications from institutions outside HK where the language of instruction and/or examination is not English)
  5. Proof of Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) / average grade / average mark (If the transcript does not show the cumulative GPA / average grade / average mark, or no school proof is available, please complete the online form).
  6. Official proof of class ranking, if available
  7. A curriculum vitae (C.V.)
  8. Identity documents; Visa / Entry Permit (if applicable)

Applicants are NOT required to submit original documents during the application stage. Should an applicant be given an admission offer by the Programme, he/she will receive notification of the need to submit original documents.

Please note that documents once submitted will not be returned, and will be destroyed if the application is unsuccessful.

Admission Requirements

Admission University Entrance Requirements
Language English Language Requirement

Composition Fees

Programme Fee for 2027/28 Intake

MSc(CompSc)
General Stream, Cyber Security Stream, Financial Computing Stream, Multimedia Computing Stream

Tuition Fees*Admission Deposit
Local full-timeHK$275,000HK$137,500
Local part-timeHK$275,000HK$68,750
Non-local full-timeHK$375,000HK$187,500
Non-local part-timeHK$375,000HK$93,750

MSc(CompSc)
AI & Decentralized Technologies Stream

Tuition Fees*Admission Deposit
Local full-timeHK$275,000HK$137,500
Non-local full-timeHK$375,000HK$187,500

* Subject to the University’s approval.

Fee notes

Payment shall be made by two identical instalments for full-time study within the normative period of study (one year) and four identical instalments for part-time study within the normative period of study (two years).

Upon acceptance of the offer of admission, applicants are required to pay a deposit consisting of the first instalment of the composition fee, the caution money (HK$350), and the student activity fee (HK$100, applicable to full-time students only). The first instalment will be applied toward the total composition fee. Fees once paid are not refundable.

On leaving the University, student's caution money (HK$350) shall be used to offset the graduation fee or, if the student is not graduating, be returned to the student.

Scholarship & Financial Aids

Scholarships

We offer scholarships to attract and reward the best students. These scholarships encompass both admission-based and merit-based awards. The number and the value of each scholarship shall be determined by the Selection Committee based on the funds that are available in each year.


Part-Time Support

Computer Science Taught Postgraduate Scholarship for Part-time Students

The Computer Science Taught Postgraduate Scholarship for Part-time Students partially supports part-time students reading for a Master of Science in Computer Science, Master of Science in Electronic Commerce & Internet Computing or Master of Science in Financial Technology and Data Analytics at The University of Hong Kong. The value of each scholarship shall be at least 25% of the tuition fee. It shall be awarded to students who:

  • are admitted to the MSc(CompSc), MSc(ECom&IComp) or MSc(FTDA) programme as part-time students for 2027/28 intake;
  • have outstanding academic performance.
HK$60,000

HKU-SCF Scholarship in Financial Technology

The HKU-SCF Scholarship in Financial Technology* partially supports full-time or part-time local students reading for a Master of Science in Computer Science [Financial Computing Stream] at the University of Hong Kong. The value of each scholarship shall be HK$60,000. It shall be awarded to local students who:

  • are Hong Kong permanent residents;
  • hold a Bachelor’s degree;
  • have outstanding academic performance.

*Supported by Standard Chartered Hong Kong 150th Anniversary Community Foundation (SCF).

Up to 3 × HK$100,000

Tongcheng Travel Scholarship

Tongcheng Travel Holdings Limited, an innovator and market leader in China’s online travel industry and a listed company in Hong Kong, pledged a donation of HK$3 million to establish a Scholarship in support of outstanding postgraduate students pursuing the Master of Data Science, Master of Science in Computer Science, Master of Science in Electronic Commerce and Internet Computing, and Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence programmes. Up to three scholarships, valued at HK$100,000 each, shall be awarded annually to students in the four programmes, based on academic merit (with CGPA 3.8 or above).

Overseas Students

International Postgraduate Scholarship for Computer Science

The International Postgraduate Scholarship for Computer Science fully or partially supports full-time overseas students reading for a Master of Science in Computer Science at the University of Hong Kong. It shall be awarded to overseas students who:

  • are non-Hong Kong residents;
  • hold a Bachelor’s degree from an overseas university;
  • have maintained consistently good performance in academic results.

Financial Aids

Continuing Education Fund (CEF)

For Hong Kong Residents

Some courses have been included in the list of reimbursable courses for Continuing Education Fund (CEF) purposes. The Continuing Education Fund (CEF), which was set up by the HKSAR Government, subsidizes adults with learning aspirations to pursue continuing education and training courses. The maximum entitlement for new applicants is HK$25,000. The co-payment ratios by learners (i.e. the percentage of fees to be borne by learners) for the first HK$10,000 subsidy is 20% of the course fee and that for the remaining HK$15,000 subsidy is 40% of the course fee. For details, please refer to CEF website: https://www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/en/ce/cef/overview.php

For more information, go to CEF Courses section.

Information Sessions

CDS Shanghai Open Day

CDS Shanghai Open Day

Discover Our Master’s Programmes: Join the Open Day @Shanghai Site – Gain insights into HKU’s innovative “one school, two teaching sites” model, spanning Hong Kong and

Read More »

FAQ

1. I’m an undergraduate student in the final year. Can I apply to your programme?

You can submit an application if you expect that you will complete your current study and obtain official certification on your graduation by August. Non-local students should however note that the official offer letter of admission could be issued only after you have submitted the official certificate on graduation and the complete transcript. This official offer letter is required for your student visa application which will take at least 6 to 8 weeks. Therefore, you may have to reserve enough time for visa application.

2. Do I need to post the hardcopy of supporting documents to HKU during application?

No. Applicants are not required to post hardcopies of supporting documents during the application stage. Please upload softcopies to the TPG Online Admission System under the School of Computing and Data Science: https://tpgadmission.cds.hku.hk as soon as possible.

Should an applicant be given an admission offer by the Programme, he/she will receive notification of the need to submit original documents.

3. Are photocopies of the TOEFL or IELTS reports accepted?

During the application stage, applicants are recommended to provide the softcopy of all supporting documents to the Taught Postgraduate (TPg) Programmes Online Admission System under the School of Computing and Data Science: https://tpgadmission.cds.hku.hk as soon as possible.

Should an applicant be given an admission offer by the Programme, he/she could ask the Examination Authority to send the TOEFL / IELTS official report directly to HKU.

4. Do I need to submit a C.V. or a personal statement?

Yes, you are required to submit a C.V.

Personal statement is optional.

5. Do I need to submit reference letters? Is there any form for referees?

You do not need to submit reference letters or ask your referees to complete a form at the time of application. The Master Programmes Office will contact you or the referees directly afterwards if reference letters are required.

6. When will I know the application results?

The admission selection committee works continuously for months to review the large number of applications and to conduct interviews in order to select top candidates for admission to this MSc programme.

Successful applicants will be notified of the result once it is ready.

However, if you have not heard from us by 31 July 2027, you may assume that your application is not successful.


Visa Related (Non-local Applicants)

1. How to apply for the student visa?

Non-local students, including those from the Mainland China, must obtain a visa in order to study in Hong Kong. Without a valid visa, they cannot register for their study in the University. The student visa will also enable students to enter Hong Kong as students.

Admissions Office of the Registry can assist students in obtaining visas. Details can be found at: https://www.studentvisa.hku.hk/.

2. I’m a non-local applicant. How do I get information about student visa, finance, accommodation and life in HKU?

– Composition fees of MSc(CompSc): Composition Fees (on this page)

– Support to Non-local Applicants: https://engg.hku.hk/Teaching-Learning/MSc/Student-Resources-Support (information provided by the Faculty of Engineering)

– A Glimpse of Student Life @HKU: https://www.cedars.hku.hk/nonlocal/publication/glimpse2425.pdf (information provided by the Centre of Development and Resources for Students)

3. If I have a valid work visa or tourist visa, do I need a student visa for studying in Hong Kong?

Holder of Work Visa

– If you have a valid work visa for Hong Kong that covers the programme period, you will not need another visa to study in the part-time MSc Programme.

Holder of Tourist Visa

– Tourist visa does not allow you to study in Hong Kong. Students who do not have the right to abode in Hong Kong are required to apply for a student visa for entering into Hong Kong and studying on a full-time master degree programme.