About Hong Kong

There is no British Council test centre in Hong Kong's capital Hong Kong. Besides the capital, there are no other IELTS test centres across the country.

Background of Hong Kong

Hong Kong's universities prioritize quality higher education by fostering academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and international collaboration. The city aims to be a regional education hub with world-class institutions, focusing on diversification and internationalization. Universities here develop bilingual students with a broad knowledge base, global outlook, and critical thinking skills, preparing them for independent and collaborative work.

As an international city, both English and Chinese are official languages, with English commonly used as the teaching medium in university courses. Students can also learn authentic Chinese at their institutions. Many institutions collaborate with prestigious universities worldwide, offering joint academic programs. Hong Kong consistently features highly in global university rankings, with several institutions listed among the world's top 100. Over 3,700 overseas companies have based their Asia-Pacific operations in the city, employing over 200,000 people. If English is not a student's first language, TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent exams are typically required.

English requirements in Hong Kong

To study in English at one of the universities in Hong Kong you may need proof of English proficiency. There are several standardised English tests that you can take to prove your English level, such as the PTE (Pearson Test of English), TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), CAE (Cambridge Advanced English) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System), offered by British Council and IDP. IELTS is the most popular of these tests, with British Council offering more than 1,000 test locations and being accepted by more than 11,500 organisations worldwide.

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