HKUST 2027 Mainland Gaokao Admissions: Independent admissions that do not affect unified enrollment choices; application deadline is June 10, 2027.
Applications for HKUST's 2027 Mainland Gaokao Admissions are now open (October 2, 2026 – June 10, 2027). This is an independent admissions process that does not affect unified enrollment choices, and students retaking the Gaokao are also eligible to apply. After scores are released, candidates who meet the interview cutoff will be invited for an all-English interview. The foreign language subject taken in the Gaokao must be English.
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Admissions website has announced the 2027 admissions arrangements for mainland Chinese Gaokao students: HKUST will conduct independent admissions and will not participate in the national unified enrollment. Online applications open on October 2, 2026, and close on June 10, 2027. This policy applies to mainland students taking the Gaokao in 2027 (including those retaking the exam).
Specific Impacts on Chinese Students and Parents
- No Impact on Unified Enrollment Choices: HKUST conducts independent admissions and does not participate in the national unified enrollment. Applying to HKUST does not affect your unified enrollment choices; there are no upper or lower limits on the number of admissions quotas for each province, municipality, and subject category, and students are admitted on a merit basis.
- Foreign Language Requirement: Applicants must take English as their foreign language subject in the Gaokao. If the Gaokao foreign language subject is not English, applicants must have a valid and qualifying English proficiency test score, such as IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).
- English-Only Interview Assessment: After the Gaokao results are released, the university will set interview score thresholds for each school based on the year's application pool, referencing the first-tier admission cutoffs of each province and municipality as well as the cutoff scores for key mainland universities. Qualified applicants will be invited to attend an English-only interview, which primarily assesses mental resilience, logical reasoning, articulation, and communication skills. Passing the interview secures admission. Interviews will be held in late June 2027, and admission offers will be issued sequentially from late June to early July 2027.
Advice for Parents and Students
- Submit Applications on Time: Please be sure to submit your admission application directly through the HKUST online application system between October 2, 2026, and June 10, 2027.
- Prepare for the Interview in Advance: Since the interview is conducted entirely in English, students are advised to watch for interview invitations after the Gaokao and prepare in advance by practicing spoken English and logical reasoning.
- Read the Admissions Guide Carefully: If your Gaokao foreign language subject is not English, you need to prepare qualifying scores in IELTS, TOEFL, etc. For the Gaokao subject category requirements and major selection for each school, please refer to the "2027 Admissions Guide for Mainland Chinese Gaokao Students" on the HKUST official website.
Source: https://join.hkust.edu.hk/admissions/gaokao. Policies are subject to the latest official releases.