The Education Bureau announced today that the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors will subsidise a total of 4,781 places in 57 undergraduate programmes, covering 3,425 places in 57 first-year-first-degree programmes and 1,356 places in 45 top-up degree programmes of eight post-secondary institutions for the 2026-27 academic year.

The subsidised programmes fall under 10 disciplines that have been identified as having keen manpower demand, ie architecture and engineering, computer science, creative industries, financial technology, healthcare, insurance, logistics, sports and recreation, testing and certification, as well as tourism and hospitality.

The bureau said they involve 16 applied degree programmes, which will receive additional subsidies, with a view to strengthening the vocational and professional education and training progression pathway at the post-secondary level.

The annual subsidy amounts for the 2026-27 academic year will remain at $81,450 for laboratory-based programmes and $46,780 for non-laboratory-based programmes. For applied degree programmes, including the additional annual subsidies, the total annual subsidy amounts will also be unchanged, at $89,620 for laboratory-based programmes and $51,880 for non-laboratory-based programmes.

The subsidy is applicable to both new and continuing eligible students, and is tenable for the normal duration of the programmes concerned.

Students in need may still apply for student financial assistance from the Student Finance Office in respect of the actual amount of tuition fee payable, the bureau added.