Asia’s rise has been swift. Home to more than half of the world’s population, the region has climbed up nearly every key development indicator within a single generation. By 2040, the Asian is likely to generate more than 50% of world GDP, and could account for nearly 40% of global consumption.
For any young Australian executive hoping to ride this inexorable wave and build a career in the heart of Asia and beyond, an MBA at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) is the perfect launching pad.
The full-time HKU MBA is an intensive one year programme with three tracks – London, New York and Hong Kong/China – designed to provide students with a learning experience that delivers, real-world knowledge, a deep understanding of international business and the cultural differences and nuances required to succeed in business in Asia.
Representatives of HKU are coming to Sydney in January to meet potential students and provide an overview of the opportunity. Representatives will be in Sydney on January 13 and 14. Registration and more details here.
The HKU admissions team will be able to answer a range of questions about the programme including curriculum, merit-based scholarships, application process and career services.
Learn business where business is
One of the key attractions of the HKU MBA is its location in the centre of Asia’s long-standing economic heartland.
The rapid ascent of Asia as the focal point for global business has created tremendous opportunities for individuals hoping to ride the Asian economic wave. While other parts of the world may remain apprehensive about their economic futures, Asia has become a market leader of confidence and prosperity.
As the oldest tertiary institution in Hong Kong, HKU now has more than 220,000 alumni at the forefront of local and international business. HKU is the number one ranked university in Hong Kong and 25th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2020). The HKU MBA Has ranked number one in Asia for nine consecutive years by the influential The Economist magazine.
Diversity is key
HKU’s location in a city with such a rich business and entrepreneurial heritage provides an unparalleled opportunity for students.
Not surprisingly, Hong Kong has become a magnet for MBA students from all over the world. A significant percentage of HKU’s student body comes from overseas and mainland China, which produces an exciting and stimulating mix of backgrounds.
The class of 2020 is expected to be made up almost entirely (95%) of international students with approximately 20 different nationalities represented. Students have an average age of 28-29 with about five years work experience.
Through a range of long term partnerships with international universities, HKU MBA students are given the opportunity to take their learning experience to the next level by completing part of their study in a major global city.
Asia’s Top Ranked MBA
Th HKU MBA is consistently ranked amongst the top programmes in all major league tables.
- No. 1 in Asia for 9 consecutive years – The Economist World MBA Rankings- 2010- 2018
- No. 1 Highest 10-year ROI & shortest payback period MBA, Asia Pacific – QS TopMBA.com Return on Investment Report 2018
- No. 1 in the world, Top tier: one-year MBA degrees – Times Higher Education and the Wall Street Journal Business School Report
- No. 3 Highest 10-year ROI MBA, Global – QS TopMBA.com Return on Investment Report 2018
- No. 6 in the world – Top MBAs for Women 2018, Financial Times
- No. 13 in the world – The Best International MBAs: One Year Programs 2019, Forbes
- No. 13 in the world – Top MBAs for Finance 2018, Financial Times
- No. 31 in the world – Top MBAs for Entrepreneurship 2018, Financial Times
- No. 38 in the world – Global MBA Ranking (3 Years Average), Financial Times
HKU MBA Course Structure
The one -year programme at HKU commences in August with nine months of study across 12 core subjects over three separate terms. On completion of the core units students can elect to stay in Hong Kong or complete units at London Business School, Columbia Business School in New York or Fudan University in China.
The London Track
Since its establishment in 2006, the London track of the HKU full-time MBA programme, an intensive 14-month programme operated in partnership with London Business School (LBS), has attracted universal praise. Students are guaranteed a place to study in London for three to four months after completing all core courses in Hong Kong.
Upon completion of the core courses, students opting for the London track spend a full semester taking up to five elective courses side-by-side with students enrolled in London Business School’s MBA, EMBA and Master of Finance programmes.
This provides access to the School’s distinguished student, alumni and corporate networks as they participate in London-based events, meet illustrious business leaders as part of the School’s famed speaker series and visit leading firms in the City. London Business School issues HKU MBA students with a certificate and official transcript upon successful completion of the programme.
The New York Track
The HKU Faculty of Business and Economics and Columbia Business School (CBS) entered into a partnership in 2007 that allows a significant number of HKU MBA students to take a range of elective courses at CBS for a full semester.
Upon completion of the core courses at HKU, students opting for the New York track spend a semester taking up to five elective courses side-by-side with Columbia MBA and EMBA students, giving them access to Columbia Business School’s distinguished student, alumni and corporate networks as they participate in Columbia events, meet illustrious business leaders as part of the School’s famed speaker series and visit leading firms in New York City.
Columbia Business School issues HKU MBA students with a certificate and an official transcript upon successful completion of the programme.
The China Track
Alternatively, students on the Hong Kong/China track have the option to take China-focused electives at Fudan University for approximately three months in the spring. Our partnership with Fudan University, a top-ranked university in China, provides students with access to all of the university’s facilities and to the large pool of HKU IMBA alumni in China. In addition to classroom learning, students are exposed to various aspects of the Chinese business world through seminars, industry interfaces, real-world projects and enrichment workshops.
The HKU MBA’s dual focus on Asia and China business renders the programme highly relevant to the wider region’s dynamic, ever-evolving business environment. The China focus is achieved through special courses with China elements, regional case studies, field trips, seminars and conferences, Chinese language training, company visits and the aforementioned Shanghai-based studies.
Admission Requirements
Requirements for admission to the full-time HKU MBA programme in partnership with London Business School and Columbia Business School/HKU MBA with China business concentration:
- Recognised bachelor’s degree
- Satisfactory GMAT/GRE score
- Minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based)/80 (Internet-based) or IELTS band 6.5, with no subtest score lower than 5.5
- At least two years of postgraduate full-time work experience (as on August 2020)
Tuition fees for the HKU MBA are $HKD588,000 (~$AU107,000) payable in three instalments over one year and is subject to change and final approval by The University of Hong Kong. A range of merit-based scholarships and loans are available.
