HKU vs NUS: Complete Comparison 2026

Side-by-side look at The University of Hong Kong and National University of Singapore: QS 2026 ranks 11 vs 8. Acceptance, tuition, language tests, and typical…

→ The University of Hong Kong profile → National University of Singapore profile

Summary comparison

Figures come from the GlobalAdmit dataset — always confirm on each university’s official admissions site.

Metric	The University of Hong Kong	National University of Singapore
QS rank 2026	11	8
Country	HK 🇭🇰	SG 🇸🇬
Acceptance rate	10%	5%
Tuition (intl / yr)	$47,000	$20,000
Language (summary)	IELTS 6.5+ · TOEFL 93+ · Duolingo 110+	IELTS 6.5+ · TOEFL 90+ · Duolingo 110+
IB typical	36/45	37/45
A-Level typical	AAA	AAA

Strengths

The University of Hong Kong

Top 30 global recognition in QS World University Rankings 2026.
Highly selective admissions profile.
Large, diverse international student body.

National University of Singapore

Globally elite QS band (top 10 in 2026).
Highly selective admissions profile.
Major research university scale with broad programme choice.

Popular majors (overlap)

Where both profiles list the same popular major label (case-insensitive).

No overlapping popular-major labels in our dataset yet — open each profile for subject-level detail.

Which is right for you?

If rankings are your north star

NUS sits higher in QS 2026 (8 vs 11). That often correlates with research intensity and global name recognition — but HKU can still win on programme fit, city, or cost.

If budget is the deciding factor

All-in signals favour NUS on tuition plus living costs in our dataset — re-check official fee schedules because currency, programme, and visa rules move yearly.

If you are coming from IB / A-Levels / US high school

Compare the admission tabs on each profile: HKU vs NUS can invert depending on whether you are optimising for IB typical offers, A-level expectations, or US-style testing. Use the evaluator after you narrow your list.

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