Saint Francis University (SFU) has become the second university of applied sciences (UAS) in Hong Kong, the Education Bureau today announced.

The school successfully went through a stringent institutional review by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic & Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) and fulfilled all relevant criteria as confirmed by the bureau.

The bureau said the Government actively promotes the development of UASs to enhance the status of vocational and professional education and training (VPET) at the degree level and provide an alternative pathway to success for young people.

It added that it is pleased that SFU has demonstrated its vision, commitment, capabilities and experience in providing high-level VPET programmes in close collaboration with relevant industries, and has successfully gone through HKCAAVQ’s stringent review and met all of the relevant criteria.

The bureau also pointed out that, in assessing SFU's application for becoming a UAS, the Government has taken into account relevant factors, including the outcome of the institutional review for UAS by the HKCAAVQ, and SFU's experience in operating applied degree programmes and other VPET programmes.

The institutional review by the HKCAAVQ focuses on SFU’s commitment and competence to operate as a UAS at both institutional and programme levels, based on three domains, namely governance, management and quality assurance; learning environment and learner support; and industry collaboration and recognition.

SFU was founded as the Caritas Francis Hsu College and began offering degree programmes and changed its name to the Caritas Institute of Higher Education in 2011.

It was conferred a university title and was approved to change its name to SFU in January.

In the 2024-25 academic year, SFU offers two master's degree programmes, 13 bachelor's degree programmes including two applied degree programmes, and four higher diploma programmes, with about 3,800 full-time and 800 part-time students in total.

Similar to Hong Kong Metropolitan University, the first UAS in Hong Kong, SFU is subject to ongoing reviews by the HKCAAVQ to ensure further development of its maturity and competency as a UAS, the bureau added.

SFU is also required to submit annual progress reports to the bureau.

To bolster UAS development, the 2024 Policy Address announced that the Government has allocated a start-up fund of $100 million to support UASs and aspiring institutions to establish a UAS alliance this year to embark on joint promotion with the industries and stakeholders, including organising international conferences, strengthening collaboration with applied sciences institutions from other places and initiating collaboration and research on applied education at the post-secondary level.

Priority will be accorded to eligible programmes of a UAS for inclusion under the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors and eligible applications from UASs when considering applications for relevant support measures, including the bureau's Quality Enhancement Support Scheme and Enhancement and Start-up Grant Scheme for Self-financing Post-secondary Education.