With the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) results announcement approaching, the 48 Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS) programmes offered by Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) this year continue to be popular among students, with enthusiastic application responses. Over the past three years, the number of applicants selecting HKMU programmes as their top three choices (Band A) after results day has consistently increased. As of the latest round of programme choice modifications this year, Band A applications surged by 22.5% compared to those in the same period last year, highlighting the growing recognition and popularity of the University's professional and practical programmes among both students and educators.
Rising full-time undergraduate numbers, with HKMU ranked 5th in Hong Kong
As Hong Kong's first university of applied sciences (UAS), HKMU's programmes are closely aligned with market needs, focusing on professional orientation and practicality. This provides students with clear career-development pathways. This year's 48 JUPAS programmes span diverse fields, including arts and social sciences, business and administration, education and languages, nursing and health sciences, and science and technology. Twenty of these programmes are subsidised under the Government's Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP), significantly reducing tuition fees to levels comparable to those of publicly funded universities. In fact, half of the SSSDP programmes have annual tuition fees that are HK$6,400 to HK$35,600 lower than those of funded universities. Furthermore, the other 28 programmes are eligible for the Non-means-tested Subsidy Scheme (NMTSS), which provides up to HK$35,120 in subsidies per programme.
As of the latest round of programme choice modifications in late May, 28 JUPAS programmes at HKMU saw double-digit growth in Band A applications compared to last year. Across the five schools, there was a significant increase in Band A applications, with the School of Education and Languages achieving nearly 50% growth and the Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration growing by over 30%. This trend indicates that in addition to popular disciplines like healthcare and science, HKMU's arts, education and business programmes are well-received, nurturing diverse talent for society.
HKMU's full-time undergraduate enrolment has steadily increased in recent years, surpassing 11,500 students for the 2024/25 academic year. This positions HKMU as the fifth-ranked institution among Hong Kong's nine JUPAS universities, up one position from last year, and it remains the largest self-financed university in Hong Kong.
Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing, HKMU President, expressed his encouragement regarding the continuous growth in the number of applications and enrolment, noting that the University's programmes align with both student expectations and societal needs. “HKMU was designated as Hong Kong's first UAS and recently debuted in the QS World University Rankings, securing a position in the range of 781–790,” he said. “The University is gaining positive recognition within the global academic community, and employers across various industries are increasingly acknowledging the calibre of HKMU graduates.” HKMU welcomes and will continue to attract outstanding students and is dedicated to nurturing them into knowledgeable and creative professionals, he added.
Animation graduate contributes to Another World, shining at an international film festival
Miss Hilary Tang Yin-ting, a graduate of the Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours in Animation and Visual Effects in the School of Arts and Social Sciences, was a key animator in the Hong Kong animated film Another World. The film was selected for the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2025 in France, where it premiered to a full audience and brought recognition to the local animation industry. “The most touching moment was meeting an audience member who had travelled from Hong Kong specifically to watch Another World at the festival, saying, 'I came just for this film',” said Hilary. “That made me realise that my creative work is appreciated.”
Hilary developed a strong interest in animation production in secondary school. She was attracted to HKMU's programme because of its professional and comprehensive curriculum, further supported by the SSSDP, which helped alleviate financial pressures. She pointed out that the programme is structured like a real-world animation production pipeline. “It doesn't focus only on visual creation,” she explained. “In the first year, students learn foundational drawing, and by the senior years, we even explore sound design. This gives us a holistic understanding of the entire industry chain.”
During her studies, Hilary received recommendations from her lecturers for several commercial projects. Since graduating, she has worked on various productions, including an animated music video for a popular singer and feature films. “The Hong Kong animation industry has recently expanded local opportunities for both independent and commercial work, and is seeking passionate new talent,” she said. “My advice to younger students is to remain open to learning, value teamwork, and seize opportunities to create outstanding works that represent Hong Kong.”
Physiotherapy programme emphasises pre-employment training, with graduates enjoying broad career prospects
The Bachelor of Science with Honours in Physiotherapy programme in HKMU's School of Nursing and Health Sciences received professional accreditation last year. Graduates are qualified to practise as registered physiotherapists in Hong Kong.
First-cohort graduate Miss Cherlin Chan Cheuk-lam now works in the medical ward of a public hospital, where nearly a year of clinical experience has honed her skills and mindset. She highlighted that the HKMU campus features advanced laboratories, including simulated ward setups, allowing students to adapt to real hospital environments early in their training. “The University also emphasises developing our clinical communication skills to help build strong relationships with patients,” she said. “I apply those skills in my work. For instance, I simplify professional terms like 'lifting and transfer' into simpler language to make it easier for older patients to understand.”
An avid sports enthusiast and former captain of HKMU's women's volleyball team, Cherlin participated in the University's Sports Physiotherapy Exposure and Rehabilitation (SPEAR) programme, which is designed for physiotherapy students. She supported University sports teams in training and competitions across various sports, assisting athletes with fitness enhancement, injury assessment and first aid. Even after graduation, she continues to volunteer for HKMU teams, inspiring younger physiotherapy students and giving back to the University. These experiences deepened her interest in sports science, leading her to pursue a position at a private clinic to focus on sports rehabilitation and specialised training beyond general pain management. She hopes to work with professional sports teams and Hong Kong teams in the future.
Cherlin said physiotherapists have broad career prospects beyond public hospitals, including private clinics, elderly care homes and schools. She advises aspiring students to plan their careers based on personal interests to identify the most suitable development path.
Food science graduate helps company obtain certification and expand into overseas markets
Miss Shelen Fu Yan-yin, a graduate of the Bachelor of Science with Honours in Food Testing Science (formerly the Bachelor of Science with Honours in Testing Science (Food)) in the School of Science and Technology, currently works for a local mooncake manufacturer, overseeing food safety and quality assurance. Through her efforts, the company's mooncake products obtained certification for the internationally recognised food safety management system standard, boosting consumer confidence and facilitating the company's expansion into overseas markets. She also established standardised operating procedures for the production line to ensure food safety and prevent contaminants, like hair and glass fragments, from entering the products.
Shelen noted that HKMU's curriculum is designed to meet industry demands, helping students establish clear career directions. “The most practical part of the programme was the course on food safety standard certification, which detailed the certification scope and application process,” she said. “Another course on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) was also important, as completion qualifies graduates as 'Hygiene Managers' recognised by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, strongly enhancing their employability in food establishments and boosting their competitiveness in the workplace.”