Mainland students sitting the 2027 Gaokao who want to study in Hong Kong should start planning now. Applications for 2027/28 entry are already open at HKU, HKUST, PolyU, CityU and HKBU, and the first hard deadline is close: the first round of HKU’s Multi-Excellence scheme closes on 31 December 2026. This guide summarises each university’s admission route, key dates and requirements based on official websites.

Two Routes: Independent Admission vs the National Scheme

Hong Kong universities admit Gaokao candidates in one of two ways. Under independent admission, students apply online directly to the university and upload their scores after results come out; this does not use any of their mainland preference slots. HKU, HKUST, PolyU, CityU and HKBU use this route. Under the national unified scheme, there is no separate application: students list the university in their province’s early-batch preferences after scores are released. CUHK admits this way.

Note that CityU left the national scheme from the 2026/27 intake, so 2027 applicants must apply through CityU’s own online system.

2027 Gaokao Admission Timeline at Hong Kong Universities

The table below brings together opening dates, deadlines and interview arrangements. The key dates: HKU Multi-Excellence first round closes 31 December 2026 (final deadline 22 March 2027); PolyU and CityU both close on 13 June 2027; HKU’s general Gaokao scheme closes at noon on 28 June 2027.

Where the table says “see official site”, no confirmed date was published at the time of writing. Always check the university’s latest 2027 admission guide.

HKU Multi-Excellence: The Earliest Deadline

HKU opened its 2027 Gaokao applications and the Multi-Excellence scheme on 6 October 2026. Shortlisted applicants are invited to online interviews held in batches from January to February 2027. Missing every Multi-Excellence interview round before the Gaokao means losing the scheme and its admission benefits, while strong performers may receive a conditional offer before the exam. The application fee is HK$780, payable online by credit card only.

How Requirements Differ

• CUHK: no interview; selection is based on Gaokao scores excluding bonus points. Its national admission code is 81002.
• CityU: raw Gaokao score at or above the first-tier (or special-type) cutoff, plus at least 110/150 in English. Application fee HK$600; some programmes interview.
• PolyU: some programmes may ask for a portfolio, extra documents or an interview. Scores must be entered online by the late-June deadline or the application is void.
• HKBU: Gaokao score at or above the provincial first-tier cutoff; some programmes hold interviews and there is a minimum English score.

PolyU and CityU both require a HK$20,000 reservation fee on acceptance, followed by a student visa application. See our guide to the Hong Kong student visa process for mainland students, and budget ahead with our summary of 2027/28 non-local undergraduate tuition fees.

HK VirtueLead Tips

• Start HKU Multi-Excellence early: submit and pay before 31 December, then prepare for English online interviews in January and February.
• Don’t forget to enter your scores: most independent-admission universities require you to input your Gaokao results in late June. Missing this step voids the application and the fee is not refunded.
• English is a hard threshold: CityU requires 110 or above, and other universities weigh English heavily too.

Rankings can also help you shortlist; see how Hong Kong universities performed in the QS Asia University Rankings 2027. For personalised undergraduate planning, contact the HK VirtueLead team via HK Life Hub: https://www.hklifehub.com

References:

• HKU Undergraduate Admissions, Mainland Gaokao (accessed 5 Nov 2026) https://admissions.hku.hk/apply/mainland
• CUHK Office of Admissions, Mainland Gaokao overview (accessed 5 Nov 2026) https://admission.cuhk.edu.hk/sc/application/mainland-gaokao/overview/
• HKUST Undergraduate Admissions, Apply (accessed 5 Nov 2026) https://join.hkust.edu.hk/apply
• PolyU, Application Procedures for Mainland Gaokao Applicants (accessed 5 Nov 2026) https://www.polyu.edu.hk/study/ug/admissions/jee/application-procedures-and-important-points-to-note
• CityU, Mainland Gaokao Admissions (accessed 5 Nov 2026) https://www.cityu.edu.hk/admo/mainland/admissions
• CityU press release, Independent admissions for Gaokao candidates (25 Sep 2025) https://www.cityu.edu.hk/media/press-release/2025/09/25/cityuhk-to-begin-independent-admissions-for-chinese-mainland-gaokao-candidates
• HKBU, Admission Scheme for Mainland Gaokao Students (accessed 5 Nov 2026) https://admissions.hkbu.edu.hk (JEE admission PDF)