Admissions Requirements & Schedule

Application rounds for 2025 intake are now open.

Offers will be made on a rolling basis and early applications are preferred, in the sense that a large proportion of offers will be allocated to applicants in the early stages. Candidates are therefore highly recommended to submit their applications and supporting documents as soon as possible.

Non-local students are highly encouraged to apply in the early rounds, to allow sufficient time to arrange student visas and to prepare to move to Hong Kong.

Admission decisions are generally available 1 month after the application deadline and successful applicants will be notified by email. Applicants that have not received an offer will be considered again in the following round(s), until the end of the admissions cycle.

Note there is only one intake (in August/September) per year.

Hold a recognised bachelor's or equivalent; 

Obtain statements from two referees, regarding his/her suitability for the programme; At least one of the referee must be an academic referee from the university that you have graduated or will graduate from; and 

Obtain a TOEFL/IELTS* score if you are not from an English-medium university. Minimum score requirement: TOEFL: 80 | IELTS: 6 (with no subtest below 5.5) 

GMAT/GRE scores are not required, but a good GMAT/GRE score will be favourably considered and can be helpful for marginal cases.

In general, applicants are not required to attend an interview during the admissions process.

TOEFL and IELTS score reports are valid for two years only. GMAT score reports are valid for five years. For example, if you submit your application form on October 2, 2020, then only the report of the TOEFL/IELTS test taken after October 1, 2018 is considered valid. Also, please make sure you arrange to get the official test report to us in time as the test authorities may not issue your report when the test result has expired.

To file an application, you must complete the application yourself.  You are responsible for the accuracy and authenticity of the information and materials submitted throughout the application and admission process.  The School unequivocally condemns any acts of dishonesty and reaffirms our zero-tolerance policy towards any form of academic misconduct.  The School reserves the right to take legal actions and/or report any fraudulent documents or falsified information found to law enforcement units.  

HKU Business School does not authorize any intermediary organizations to recruit or admit students.  

Master of Accounting

Course Exemption

Course exemption of up to two core courses, except the capstone course, may be granted (normally by examination) if candidates:

1.  Produce evidence, such as a transcript and course syllabus, that a course is equivalent in content to another course taken elsewhere for which a satisfactory grade has been obtained, or

2.  Are holding relevant professional qualifications which were obtained before admission to the programme.

No credits will be given for the exempted course and candidates shall be required to take an approved alternative course of the same credit value.

Master of Finance

Course Exemption

Course exemption of up to four required courses, except the capstone course, may be granted (normally by examination) if candidates:

1.  Produce evidence, such as a transcript and course syllabus, that a course is equivalent in content to another course taken elsewhere, for which a satisfactory grade has been obtained, or

2.  Are holding relevant professional qualifications* which were obtained before admission to the programme.

No credits will be given for the exempted course and candidates shall be required to take an approved alternative course of the same credit value.

Advanced Standing

Advanced standing of up to two (for single concentration) or three (for double concentration) required courses, except the capstone course, may be granted if:

1.  The course is completed at a graduate, postgraduate or master level from a recognised programme elsewhere within the last four years before admission to the programme and a good grade in the course was achieved; or

2.  The candidate possesses a relevant professional qualification* which was obtained before admission to the programme.

In such cases, no replacement courses will be required and the tuition fees will be adjusted accordingly.

Applications for course exemption and advanced standing are subject to the approval of the Master of Finance Programme Director and committees concerned.

Master of Finance in Financial Technology

Course Exemption

Course exemption of up to two required courses, except the capstone course, may be granted (normally by examination) if candidates:

1.  Produce evidence, such as a transcript and course syllabus, that a course is equivalent in content to another course taken elsewhere, for which a satisfactory grade has been obtained, or

2.  Are holding relevant professional qualifications* which were obtained before admission to the programme.

No credits will be given for the exempted course and candidates shall be required to take an approved alternative course of the same credit value.

Advanced Standing

Advanced standing of up to two (for single concentration) required courses, except the capstone course, may be granted if:

1.  The course is completed at a graduate, postgraduate or master level from a recognised programme elsewhere within the last four years before admission to the programme and a good grade in the course was achieved; or

2.  The candidate possesses a relevant professional qualification* which was obtained before admission to the programme.

In such cases, no replacement courses will be required and the tuition fees will be adjusted accordingly.

Applications for course exemption and advanced standing are subject to the approval of the Master of Finance Programme Director and committees concerned.

*Remark: Students who have successfully completed Level II or above of the CFA examination can be granted Advanced Standing and/ or Course Exemption of two of the Fundamental Core Courses. Students who have obtained other professional qualifications, including but not limited to ACCA, CGA, CPA, FRM and PRM, can also apply to be exempted from certain core courses.