By November, most Hong Kong universities have opened applications for their 2027 autumn master’s intake. Applicants often polish their personal statements but get stuck on paperwork: a CHSI report that was never requested, a referee who never received the invitation email, or an IELTS score that has expired. This checklist is based on what the graduate schools of CUHK, HKUST and CityU publish on their official websites.

The five document types most programmes ask for

• Identity document: mainland applicants usually use a Resident ID card, an Exit-Entry Permit or a passport. Your name and date of birth in the online form must match it.
• Transcripts and grading scale: cover all tertiary study, carry the university seal, and include the grading legend. Current students submit their latest transcript.
• Degree and graduation certificates: final-year students can submit these after receiving an offer.
• Proof of English: an IELTS or TOEFL report, or proof that your degree was taught in English. See our IELTS and TOEFL requirements for Hong Kong master’s programmes.
• Referees, personal statement and CV: referees are usually nominated online and submit reports directly; statements and CVs follow programme rules.

Mainland graduates: CHSI verification reports

CUHK’s Graduate School asks applicants with mainland degrees to upload CHSI online verification reports for both the graduation certificate and the degree certificate when they apply, plus a CHSI transcript verification report for current students. CityU asks for the online degree verification report at the application stage, valid until at least the enrolment date, and the transcript verification report within one month of accepting an offer. CUHK also states that, from the 2025/26 admission exercise, mainland or overseas qualifications must be positively verified at least one month before classes begin, or the student may have to defer.

In short: CUHK asks for two referee reports for taught programmes and accepts IELTS/TOEFL scores for two years from the test date (TOEFL code 0812); HKUST lets you nominate two to five referees and caps each upload at 1 MB; CityU charges HK$600 per programme choice (TOEFL code 3401).

Common sticking points: referees and English scores

HKUST asks applicants to use referees’ official (for example, university) email addresses and lets you send invitations before you submit the full application, which gives referees more time. For English scores, CUHK counts two years from the test date, while CityU requires results obtained within two years before the application period opens and does not accept formats such as the TOEFL iBT Home Edition or IELTS One Skill Retake. TOEFL scores must be sent directly by ETS using the correct institution code.

HK VirtueLead Tips

• Request CHSI reports now: degree, graduation and transcript verification reports are all issued through CHSI. Check their validity dates; CityU requires coverage up to enrolment.
• Brief referees early: confirm them at least two to three weeks before the deadline and tell them which university’s email to expect, including checking spam folders.
• Prepare files to spec: scan everything as PDF, name files clearly and compress to each school’s limit, such as 1 MB per file at HKUST. Plan around the 2027 Hong Kong master’s application deadlines.

Once you hold an offer, the next step is the student visa; see our Hong Kong student visa steps and document checklist. Always confirm programme-specific requirements on the official programme page.

For help planning a Hong Kong master’s application, contact an HK VirtueLead adviser through HK Life Hub: https://www.hklifehub.com

References:

• CUHK Graduate School: Documents Required (checked 1 Nov 2026) https://www.gs.cuhk.edu.hk/admissions/documents-required
• HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate School: Key Application Tips for TPG Programmes (updated Aug 2026) https://fytgs.hkust.edu.hk/system/files/tpgtips202627.pdf
• City University of Hong Kong: Notes for Applicants, Taught Postgraduate Programmes (checked 1 Nov 2026) https://www.cityu.edu.hk/en/pg/taught-postgraduate-programmes/apply-now
• HKU Taught Postgraduate Admissions: FAQ (checked 1 Nov 2026) https://portal.hku.hk/tpg-admissions/applying/faq