The final modification period for the Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS) concluded last Saturday (19 July). Following the release of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) results, applications for Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) programmes listed as the top three choices (Band A) have increased for the fourth consecutive year, reaching nearly 18,000, a significant 21% rise compared to that of last year. The number of both applicants and applications for HKMU programmes surged by 10%, reflecting the University's growing recognition and popularity among students and educators.
Among the 48 JUPAS programmes offered by HKMU this year, the most popular Band A choices are:
1. Bachelor of Nursing with Honours in General Health Care: 2,503 applications
2. Bachelor of Nursing with Honours in Mental Health Care: 1,245 applications
3. Bachelor of Social Sciences with Honours in Psychology: 1,215 applications
Among the 20 programmes subsidised under the Government's Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP), the top five Band A programme categories are nursing in general health care, nursing in mental health care, medical laboratory science, animation and visual effects, and food testing science.
Based on overall Band A selections for HKMU programmes, the most competitive programmes are:
1. Bachelor of Applied Psychology with Honours and Bachelor of Business Management with Honours (double degree): approximately 23 applicants per place
2. Bachelor of Education with Honours in Early Childhood Education (Leadership and Special Educational Needs): approximately 22 applicants per place
3. Bachelor of Business Administration with Honours in Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality Management: approximately 21 applicants per place
Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing, HKMU President, expressed satisfaction with the sustained growth in the overall number of applications and Band A selections, which reflects the University's increasing popularity and recognition within society. “As Hong Kong's first university of applied sciences (UAS), HKMU offers a diverse range of professional applied programmes and promotes impactful research, which has garnered positive recognition in the international academic community,” he said. “The University debuted in the latest QS World University Rankings, securing a position in the range of 781–790, making HKMU Hong Kong's first self-financing university and first UAS to receive this recognition.”
Prof. Lam emphasised that the University will continue to enhance the quality of teaching and research, promote interdisciplinary collaboration, and maintain close ties with industry to equip students with the latest knowledge and skills, enabling them to excel in a rapidly evolving workplace and pursue their ideal careers.
The latest application trends indicate strong competition for places in programmes in psychology, business, education and tourism. This demonstrates HKMU's role as a comprehensive university with diverse and forward-looking programmes that lay a solid foundation for the future career development of students with varied career aspirations. In addition, demand for healthcare professionals remains robust, driven by our aging population and heightened public awareness of mental health issues. HKMU's relevant programmes, with their professional and practical focus, have become top choices for many students.
The University is planning a new campus, positioned as a “Hub for Community Health and Wellness”, to support various healthcare-related programmes, including nursing, psychology, diagnostic radiography and medical laboratory science, providing students with more and enhanced teaching spaces and facilities.
HKMU's full-time undergraduate enrolment has steadily increased in recent years, exceeding 11,500 students for the 2024/25 academic year. This growth positions HKMU as the fifth-ranked institution among Hong Kong's nine JUPAS universities, and it remains the largest self-financing university in Hong Kong.
For more details on HKMU's JUPAS final modification results, please refer to the appendix.
