Macau Universities for International Students: English Programs, Fees & Admissions 2026

Macau is often overlooked by international students, but that is changing. With four accredited universities, English and bilingual programs, lower living costs than Hong Kong, and a unique Chinese-Portuguese cultural mix, Macau offers a calm, affordable gateway into the Greater Bay Area.

This guide covers the four main universities in Macau, their English-taught and bilingual bachelor's programs, verified tuition, and what you need to apply.

Macau combines the benefits of an international education hub with the affordability of a smaller city. It is also just an hour from Hong Kong and Shenzhen by ferry, making weekend trips and internship interviews easy.

University of Macau (UM)

The University of Macau is the largest and highest-ranked university in the territory. Its new campus on Hengqin Island is technically part of mainland China for customs purposes but operates under Macau law for education.

English-taught bachelor's programs:

• Arts & Humanities — MOP 80,000 / year
• Business Administration — MOP 80,000 / year
• Science & Technology — MOP 80,000 / year

Duration: 4 years
Why choose UM: Strong research, modern campus, and the most diverse international student body in Macau. See the University of Macau page.

Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST)

MUST is the largest private university in Macau and offers a wide range of bachelor's programs, including medicine and information technology.

Popular programs:

• Business Administration (Bilingual) — MOP 95,000 / year
• Information Technology (Bilingual) — MOP 95,000 / year
• Chinese Medicine (Bilingual) — MOP 110,000 / year

Duration: 4 years (Chinese Medicine is 5 years)
Why choose MUST: Excellent for medicine, pharmacy, IT, and business. Bilingual teaching helps students pick up Chinese. Learn more on the MUST page.

Macao Polytechnic University (MPU)

MPU is a public applied university with some of the lowest tuition fees in Macau. It is well known for design, public administration, and Portuguese-language programs.

Programs:

• Portuguese (Bilingual) — MOP 60,000 / year
• Public Administration (Bilingual) — MOP 60,000 / year
• Arts & Design (Chinese) — MOP 70,000 / year

Duration: 4 years
Why choose MPU: Most affordable option and strong connections to government and creative industries. See the MPU page.

City University of Macau

City University of Macau focuses on applied programs tied to Macau's service economy, including tourism, business, and cultural industries.

Programs:

• Business (Bilingual) — MOP 70,000 / year
• Tourism (Bilingual) — MOP 70,000 / year
• Cultural Industries (Bilingual) — MOP 70,000 / year

Duration: 4 years
Why choose CityU Macau: Strong industry links in tourism and hospitality, two of Macau's biggest sectors. Visit the CityU of Macau page.

Cost of Living in Macau

Macau is generally cheaper than Hong Kong for students:

• On-campus housing: MOP 8,000–16,000 per year
• Food: MOP 2,500–4,000 per month
• Transport: Low — Macau is compact and bus fares are cheap
• Total estimated budget: MOP 120,000–180,000 per year including tuition and living

Admissions and Visa

Macau universities admit international students directly. Most bachelor's programs require:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• English proficiency: IELTS 5.5–6.0 or equivalent for English/bilingual programs
• Chinese proficiency may help but is not always required for bilingual tracks
• Passport copy, photos, and application fee

After admission, international students apply for a Macau student visa through the Immigration Department.

Is Macau Right for You?

Choose Macau if you want a lower-cost alternative to Hong Kong, a multicultural environment, and easy access to mainland China. It is especially strong for business, tourism, design, medicine, and Portuguese-Chinese studies.

For more on studying in the region, read our Hong Kong vs mainland universities guide or explore all options on our programs page.