Soon after taking office in July incoming Chief executive of Hong Kong Carrie Lam announced subsidies for students taking self-financed undergraduate programmes of up to HK$30,000 per year. Policy details are as follows:

• The scheme starts from the 2017/18 academic year
• Relevant for students taking full time, locally accredited local or non-local self-financing programmes
• Relevant for full degree or top-up programmes
• Excludes programmes already supported under the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP).
• Programmes offered by Open University of Hong Kong, THEi and SCOPE under the Vocational Training Council (VTC), Hong Kong Art School, overseas post-secondary institutions subsidiaries in Hong Kong, and various other post-secondary institutions.
• Students must have attained 3322 in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) exam or hold a relevant sub-degree qualification.

It is estimated that the policy could benefit up to 6,600 students who achieved the required grades to enter publicly funded degree programmes but did not secure a place, plus 12,000 students in top-up degree programmes.

Source: Hong Kong Education Bureau

Commentary by Steve Corry, British Council Hong Kong (steven.corry@britishcouncil.org.hk):

This policy could significantly impact student recruitment for undergraduate TNE programmes. Some of the more well-known local TNE providers, such as HKU SPACE and City University SCOPE may have a disadvantage with student recruitment, as extension arms of publicly funded universities do not benefit from this policy. Correspondingly providers such as VTC SHAPE, Open University LiPACE and other private institutions may benefit. The British Council has already received enquiries from local TNE providers benefitting from this policy, who are looking at adding new partners and programmes. However, UK institutions looking to offer more TNE courses in Hong Kong should also consider the market context of a shrinking student population. Any UK institutions looking to enter the TNE market in Hong Kong or change their existing strategy are encouraged to get in touch.