JUPAS Results Released August 5: 34% Acceptance Rate Hits 10-Year Low

Hong Kong’s university admissions system released results on August 5, 2026, with only 34% of applicants winning formal offers. The eight universities admitted 15,000 students, a 1.2% drop from last year. This 34% acceptance rate is the lowest in a decade, intensifying competition for local higher education places and forcing rejected students to consider second-round admissions or overseas options.

Acceptance rate falls to decade low

The Joint University Programmes Admissions System announced that 34% of applicants received formal admission offers in the main round. This is the lowest acceptance rate in ten years. Eight universities admitted 15,000 students total, down from approximately 15,180 the prior year. The decline reflects growing pressure on limited university places as the student population remains large.

CUHK medicine program dominates top scorers

Chinese University of Hong Kong’s Faculty of Medicine continues to attract elite students. Among DSE top scorers pursuing medicine, 12 enrolled at CU Medicine, representing 60% of the total medical top-scorer cohort. CU Medicine admitted 210 DSE students overall and maintained a local JUPAS intake of 70% or above for the ninth consecutive year. The Global Physician-Leadership Stream (GPS) held the highest median admission score among all undergraduate programmes for the 13th consecutive year.

Second-round admissions begin immediately

Students who did not receive offers in the main round can apply in the second-round admissions process, which begins August 6. Applicants with DSE results of 5 or above in five subjects, including Chinese and English, remain eligible. Universities will continue recruiting through this phase to fill remaining places and provide rejected students a second opportunity.

Policy changes reshape private school competition

Direct Subsidy Scheme schools are expanding non-local student intake from 10% to 50% of total enrollment starting the 2026/27 academic year. This policy change reduces available places for local applicants at popular private schools. Schools with English-medium instruction and international programmes are most likely to increase overseas recruitment, intensifying competition for local students seeking private alternatives to JUPAS universities.

Final Thoughts

With only 34% of JUPAS applicants winning offers, rejected students must act fast on second-round admissions or consider private schools and overseas universities. The decade-low acceptance rate signals tighter competition for Hong Kong’s limited university places.

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