Education Bureau Releases 2027/28 SSSDP Subsidy List: 59 Courses, 4,711 Quotas
HK01 · 1 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
The Education Bureau announced on September 21, 2026 the 2027/28 academic year subsidy list under the Self-financing Post-secondary Scholarship Scheme (SSSDP), with 59 degree programmes offering a total of 4,711 subsidised places . Metropolitan University (City University of Hong Kong) tops all eight participating self-financing institutions with 22 courses and 1,871 quotas, including 1,370 first-year degree places . The scheme targets 10 sectors facing acute talent shortages, with applied degree programmes increasing from 16 to 20 to enhance vocational education progression pathways .
Key Points
- The 2027/28 scheme provides 4,711 subsidised places across 59 degree programmes, comprising 3,390 first-year and 1,321 articulation degree places
- Compared to 2026/27, both first-year and articulation programmes increased by 2 courses each, though total quotas decreased by 70
- Laboratory-based programmes receive an annual subsidy of 81,450 yuan, while non-laboratory programmes receive 46,780 yuan
- Applied degree courses receive additional top-up subsidies, bringing totals to 89,620 yuan for laboratory-based and 51,880 yuan for non-laboratory programmes
- Metropolitan University expanded its applied degree offerings from 10 to 13 courses, adding programmes in music entertainment, animation, and food testing science
- The 10 covered sectors include architecture and engineering, computer science, creative industries, fintech, nursing, insurance, logistics, sports and recreation, testing and certification, and tourism and hospitality
Why It Matters
The expansion of applied degree programmes to 20 reflects the government's commitment to diversifying Hong Kong's higher education landscape and addressing industry-specific talent shortages. As first-year degree places are distributed through the Joint Universities Admissions System (JUPAS), students are admitted based on academic merit, ensuring quality while expanding opportunities in vocational pathways. Metropolitan University's new robotics and automation programme directly responds to Hong Kong's AI and automation workforce demands amid broader labour shortages across key economic sectors .
The expansion of applied degree programmes to 20 reflects the government's commitment to diversifying Hong Kong's higher education landscape and addressing industry-specific talent shortages. As first-year degree places are distributed through the Joint Universities Admissions System (JUPAS), students are admitted based on academic merit, ensuring quality while expanding opportunities in vocational pathways. Metropolitan University's new robotics and automation programme directly responds to Hong Kong's AI and automation workforce demands amid broader labour shortages across key economic sectors .