Science Degree in China & Hong Kong for International Students 2026

A Bachelor of Science (BSc) is one of the most flexible degrees you can earn in the Greater Bay Area. Whether you want to major in mathematics, physics, life sciences, environmental science, or data-driven fields, GBA universities offer English-taught science programs at every budget level — from world-ranked Hong Kong institutions to fast-rising mainland research universities.

Why the GBA for science? Hong Kong and Macau provide British-style, English-taught bachelor's degrees with strong international recognition, while mainland GBA campuses such as SUSTech and BNBU offer science and engineering tracks at a fraction of the price.

English-Taught BSc Programs in Hong Kong

Hong Kong universities dominate the QS science rankings and run their BSc programs entirely in English. Below are verified tuition figures for international students:

• The University of Hong Kong — Science (Bachelor, English) — HK$249,000/year
• The Chinese University of Hong Kong — Science (Bachelor, English) — HK$214,000/year
• The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology — Science (Bachelor, English) — HK$215,000/year
• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University — Science (Bachelor, English) — HK$200,000/year
• City University of Hong Kong — Science (Bachelor, English) — HK$145,000/year
• Hong Kong Baptist University — Science (Bachelor, English) — HK$175,000/year
• The Education University of Hong Kong — Science (Bachelor, English) — HK$180,000/year

All programs above are four years and grant globally recognised degrees. Hong Kong's universities also offer strong research exchange links with Europe, North America, and Australia. Browse their full profiles on our universities page.

Science & Technology Options in Macau and Mainland China

If you are looking for lower tuition but still want an English-medium classroom, consider these GBA options:

• University of Macau — Science & Technology (Bachelor, English) — MOP 80,000/year — a four-year program on Hengqin island, next to Zhuhai and Macau.
• Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University (BNBU) — Science and Technology (Bachelor, English) — ¥110,000/year — a joint-venture university in Zhuhai with a liberal-arts and science curriculum.

Research Pathways: Master's and PhD

For students considering graduate research, the GBA has some of the best-value STEM PhD programs in Asia. Notable examples include:

• Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) — Biology / Computer Science / Physics / Materials Science PhD (English) — ¥10,000–30,000/year
• South China University of Technology (SCUT) — Materials Science / Physics / Biomedical Engineering PhD (English/Chinese) — ¥40,000/year

These programs often come with CSC or university scholarships that cover tuition plus a monthly stipend.

How to Choose the Right Science Degree

• Budget under HK$200,000/year: consider CityU Hong Kong, HKBU, Lingnan, or EdUHK.
• Budget under ¥50,000/year: look at BNBU, SUSTech, and mainland master's/PhD routes.
• Want research or med school later: HKU, CUHK, and HKUST have the strongest brand recognition.
• Prefer smaller class sizes: Lingnan, HKBU, and BNBU are known for close faculty contact.

For a complete list of English-taught programs, visit our programs page or read our physics and natural sciences guide.