Hong Kong and Singapore are both Asian study-abroad countries with high-quality educational resources and a good environment, and are very popular among Asian international students. Below, we will compare the situation of these two regions from the aspects of comprehensive ranking, advantageous majors, application difficulty, cost of studying abroad, living environment, and employment advantages.
1. Overall ranking
Singapore
Singapore’s two major comprehensive universities, the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), are among the top in Asia in almost every ranking.
In the 2020 QS World University Rankings, the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) are both ranked 11th in the world and first and second respectively in Asia.
Hong Kong
Among the eight major universities in Hong Kong, the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology all entered the top 10 in Asia!
In the QS Asia regional rankings, all eight universities except the Education University of Hong Kong are on the list, and 6 of them are in the TOP 60 in Asia. The University of Hong Kong is ranked in the TOP 3 in Asia.
2. Application Difficulty
Singapore
The National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore have always been the top 2 in Asia, enjoying a very high reputation and recognition, but at the same time they are also very difficult to apply for.
Not only that, the courses at Singapore universities are intensive and the study pressure is high, but as long as you work hard, you can successfully pass the exam and keep up with the development trend. There are both large and small classes in Singapore universities. Small classes have to speak all the time in class, which is relatively tiring. In addition to attending classes, students also need to complete homework, take exams, and more.
Hong Kong
The average admission ratio of various majors at the Hong Kong universities is about 20-30%. The number of schools is small, but the number of applicants is large, so the competition intensity is increasing year by year, especially for business, it is more difficult to apply.
The courses at Hong Kong universities are also relatively intensive, but the teaching methods of different majors are different. Some majors will take classes in large classrooms, and the discipline of the curriculum is not so strict, and it all depends on the students’ self-consciousness. In small class teaching, basically everyone has to participate in interactive exchanges, there are more homework, and they also have to take exams.
3. Study abroad cost
Singapore
Tuition fees: Most taught postgraduate majors in Singapore cost around SGD 30,000, and there are also some majors with tuition fees as high as SGD 90,000, such as medicine.
Living expenses: Accommodation is about SGD 500-1200/month, plus other expenses such as food and transportation, on average about SGD 16,000/year.
Hong Kong
Tuition fee: the costs of most majors at Hong Kong universities are 100,000-200,000 Hong Kong dollars, and business majors are generally doubled.
Living expenses: Mainly, the cost of renting a house in Hong Kong is relatively large, about 4,500-9,000 Hong Kong dollars per month, plus the annual living cost of food and transportation, which is about 110,000 Hong Kong dollars.
4. Language
Singapore
Teaching in Singapore is mainly in English. In addition, due to the large number of Chinese in Singapore, many people speak Mandarin in many places, especially in places where people eat, drink, and play.
Hong Kong
Most schools in Hong Kong teach in English. Even with courses taught in Chinese, English is often used for literature readings, assignments and exams. However, apart from taking classes, foreign students rarely have access to English.
Everyone outside the campus speaks Cantonese, and Hong Kong students will definitely speak Cantonese when they get together. Of course, international students can choose to communicate in English or Mandarin.
5. Employment advantages
Singapore
After international students graduate and find a job in Singapore, they can apply for the S Pass or Employment Pass, and then they can apply for permanent residence. However, the current employment situation in Singapore is not optimistic, so it will be more difficult for international students to find jobs in the country.
Hong Kong
International students can obtain a one-year IANG visa after graduating from the Hong Kong universities, which can facilitate graduates to find jobs. After 7 years of legal residence in Hong Kong (including the period of study), international students can transfer to Hong Kong to live.
One of the more difficult parts of getting a job in Hong Kong is that most companies speak Cantonese, but the Cantonese atmosphere there is very strong, and many international students can quickly learn Cantonese. Besides Cantonese, Mandarin is also becoming more and more popular in Hong Kong.
The average annual salary of graduates from the eight universities in Hong Kong is 240,000 Hong Kong dollars, of which the University of Hong Kong has the highest salary of 300,000 Hong Kong dollars.
Usually, Hong Kong colleges and universities are more supportive of students’ social practice. Generally, as long as you apply for approval from the tutor/college, you can do an internship in the local area. Some tutors will also recommend you to some companies, and relatively speaking, there will be more job opportunities.
