• About HSMC – Facts and History

    • Introduction

    Front view of HSUHK Block N

    The roots of The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK) stretch back to 1980, when Hang Seng School of Commerce (HSSC) was established with funding from the S H Ho Foundation, the Ho Tim Charitable Foundation, Dah Chong Hong Limited, several Hang Seng Bank founding directors, and Hang Seng Bank Limited. The institution was incorporated as a limited company by guarantee and has been operating independently of any other organisations. From 1980 to 2009, HSSC was a pioneering and leading provider of post-secondary diploma programmes in business and related areas.

    In response to the Chief Executive’s Policy Address in 2009 which highlighted the growing significance of quality private universities in Hong Kong, HSSC was re-structured in 2010 and became Hang Seng Management College (HSMC), a non-profit private degree-granting institution registered under the Post Secondary Colleges Ordinance (Cap. 320).

    After a rigorous international accreditation process, on 30 October 2018, HSMC was granted approval by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to change its name from “Hang Seng Management College” to “The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong”.

    HSUHK aspires to be a leading non-profit private liberal-arts-oriented university in the region, recognised for excellence in teaching, learning and research, and for its contributions to advancing our society and the world. At present, HSUHK has six Schools (Business, Communication, Decision Sciences, Humanities and Social Science, Translation and Foreign Languages, and Transdisciplinary Studies), and around 9,000 full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students, and over 230 full-time academic staff members.

    HSUHK offers a wide range of bachelor’s, master’s and professional doctorate programmes. Many of these programmes are unique and the first of their kind in the region. All programmes are accredited by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications, and are widely recognised around the globe.

    The “Liberal + Professional” Education Model

    At HSUHK, education extends beyond employment preparation; it nurtures thoughtful individuals, caring citizens and responsible future leaders who can contribute meaningfully to society and an increasingly interconnected world.

    Our distinctive “Liberal + Professional” education model brings together intellectual inquiry, professional preparation, impactful research, and meaningful engagement with society. Guided by our enduring ethos of Care for Learning, Learning to Care and Research with Impact, Impact with Care, which shape how we teach, learn, discover and serve, HSUHK seeks to create a community where intellectual curiosity, humanistic values, and a commitment to service flourish alongside academic and professional excellence.

    Inspired by Amartya Sen’s Capability Approach, the liberal dimension of our education encourages students to explore ideas with openness and confidence, think independently, and navigate complexity with wisdom and integrity. Through interdisciplinary learning and exposure to diverse perspectives, students are empowered to become creative problem-solvers, effective communicators, ethical decision-makers and lifelong learners.

    The professional dimension complements this broad intellectual foundation by equipping students with disciplinary knowledge, practical competencies and professional ethics that enable them to thrive in their chosen fields. Rather than viewing liberal and professional education as separate pursuits, HSUHK integrates both to nurture graduates who combine expertise with purpose and competence with compassion.

    A defining characteristic of the HSUHK experience is the close connection among learning, research, and societal engagement. As a research-informed University, we believe that education is enriched when students engage with new knowledge, emerging ideas, and real-world challenges, and when faculty integrate research and knowledge transfer into teaching, enabling students to participate in scholarly inquiry, innovative projects, and community-focused initiatives that generate meaningful benefits for society.

    Learning at HSUHK extends far beyond the classroom. Students are encouraged to connect knowledge with action, inquiry with impact, and learning with purpose. Through a rich blend of academic, research, service-learning and co-curricular experiences, they develop intellectual agility, professional competence, global awareness, and a commitment to the common good. Distinctive features of the HSUHK experience include:

    • Innovative programmes integrating intellectual breadth and professional preparation across undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing education pathways.
    • The cross-disciplinary Common Core Curriculum, which broadens perspectives, fosters creativity, and prepares students with future-ready capabilities for an increasingly interconnected world.
    • Opportunities for students at different stages of learning to engage in research, professional practice, global exchange, and experiential learning, creating seamless pathways from learning to impact.
    • Interactive small-class teaching, personalised mentorship, and a close-knit learning community supporting individual growth and achievement.
    • A unique Residential College System that integrates living, learning, and community engagement, fostering leadership, intercultural understanding, and civic responsibility.
    • The Honours Academy, the first of its kind in Hong Kong, nurtures future leaders committed to ethical leadership and service to society.

    SHAPE For Excellence

    At the heart of our education philosophy is the SHAPE For Excellence framework that translates the “Liberal + Professional” education model into five connected institutional priorities. Together, they reflect our aspirations for shaping the University and our graduates.

    S | Supporting Student Development

    We place students at the centre of the University experience through holistic education, personalised support, experiential learning, and close mentorship. Education at HSUHK extends beyond academic achievement to encompass character formation, wellbeing, leadership, and civic responsibility.

    H | Heightening Impactful Research

    We believe that research and education are mutually reinforcing. Through research-informed teaching and opportunities for scholarly inquiry, innovation and knowledge transfer, students and staff engage with emerging ideas and real-world challenges. HSUHK is committed to promoting rigorous and relevant research that is locally grounded while addressing regional and global issues.

    A | Advancing University Position

    HSUHK seeks to strengthen its contribution to society through purposeful partnerships, academic excellence, and international engagement. Rather than pursuing recognition for its own sake, the University aims to create meaningful value through collaboration, innovation, and thought leadership.

    P | Promoting Inclusive Governance

    We foster a culture of trust, transparency, shared ownership, and mutual respect. By engaging students, faculty, staff, alumni and external partners in meaningful dialogue to support decision-making, we seek to build a vibrant, inclusive and accountable community.

    E | Expanding Beyond Boundaries

    In an interconnected world, learning and knowledge creation transcend geographical and disciplinary boundaries. Through global partnerships, research networks, international exchanges, engagement with the Greater Bay Area and more, HSUHK connects students and colleagues with wider communities for learning, research, and innovation.

    Desired Graduate Attributes (iGPS)

    The University aims to nurture students possessing the following “desired graduate attributes: iGPS”:

    1. Intellectual Competence (i) : a solid foundation in relevant academic disciplines, and the ability to think critically, to solve problems analytically and proactively, and to engage in lifelong learning.
    2. Generic Skills (G) : mastery of skills in:
      • languages in both English and Chinese (Cantonese and Putonghua);
      • the use of information technology and data analysis tools;
      • interpersonal communication;
      • teamwork and leadership.
    3. Personal Development (P) : development of self-awareness, ethical values, emotion management, personal effectiveness, work attitude and character.
    4. Social Engagement (S) : willingness to serve the community and a commitment to acting for the betterment of society.

    The acronym iGPS also carries the symbolic meaning of “I’ and the “GPS’; with “i’ referring to the individual student and “GPS’ taking on the metaphor of “Global Positioning System’, which can guide the development of the student through the diverse educational experience at HSUHK.

    Recognitions and Awards

    With the concerted efforts of the University community, HSUHK has achieved a number of important accomplishments.

    1. In the AppliedEdu’s ALL ASIA Private University Ranking 2026, HSUHK secured 7th place in China and 37th in East Asia, the only self-financed institution in Hong Kong being rated. 
    2. HSUHK was recognised in the Top Universities and Top Scientists Rankings 2026 conducted by Research.com, ranking 23rd in both Business and Management and Economics and Finance, and 24th in Social Sciences and Humanities, among the top universities in China.
    3. The Master of Science in Global Supply Chain Management programme, offered by the School of Decision Sciences ranked 84th globally in the QS International Trade Rankings 2025 announced by QS. The programme also ranked 4th in Hong Kong and 7th in China.
    4. HSUHK was recognised between 301st-400th in the 2025 ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) in the field of Business Administration.
    5. The BSc in Business Analytics and Information Management programme becomes Asia’s first undergraduate programme endorsed by International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA®) in 2025.
    6. The School of Business received AACSB International accreditation in 2023, making HSUHK the first self-financed university in Hong Kong to earn this recognition, placing it among the top 6% business schools worldwide. It also achieved 3 Palmes of Excellence: Excellent Business School in the Eduniversal Business Schools Ranking 2025.
    7. HSUHK was ranked among the top 200 universities globally for “Quality Education” and “Decent Work and Economic Growth” in the 2021 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, reflecting its regional leadership in responsible management and sustainability education.
    8. Approximately HK$186.47 million in funding has been awarded to the University by the Research Grants Council for 220 projects under the Competitive Research Funding Schemes for Local Self-Financing Degree Sector since the 2014-15 academic year. HSUHK is among the top two institutions in terms of both cumulative funding received and the number of research projects awarded under the Scheme.
    9. HSUHK is the first higher education institution in Hong Kong to receive the highest BEAM Plus Platinum recognition from the Hong Kong Green Building Council, with all five of its new buildings achieving this recognition, which affirmed the University’s commitment to environmental protection and campus sustainability. With its extensive bamboo planting and its use of bamboo building materials and furniture, the University is known as the “Junzi University”, symbolising integrity, humility, grace and resilience.
    10. HSUHK became the first institution in China to join the prestigious Climate-U Network in 2025, underscoring its ongoing commitment to climate action and sustainability.
    11. HSUHK’S Creative Humanities Hub received the Gold Award at the Universal Design Award Scheme 2024-25 by the Equal Opportunities Commission, recognising its commitment to equal opportunities, diversity, and inclusion.
    12. The HSUHK campus was among the 55 buildings in Hong Kong to receive the “GBA Low Carbon Buildings TOP 100 Award” in 2022, organised by GBA Carbon Neutrality Association, highlighting the University’s effort in promoting low-carbon development in the region.

    About HSUHK (for media use)

    The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK) is a non-profit private liberal-arts-oriented university with six Schools (Business, Communication, Decision Sciences, Humanities and Social Science, Translation and Foreign Languages, and Transdisciplinary Studies), and around 9,000 full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students. With its unique “Liberal + Professional” education model, HSUHK nurtures caring professionals with a global vision and responsible leadership.

    Aspiring to be a leading private university in the region, HSUHK prioritises stellar undergraduate education and research informed postgraduate education, supported by excellent student learning experience, impactful research and purposeful engagement. HSUHK places strategic importance on regional engagement and international partnership, which create a productive learning and research environment for students and scholars working creatively and innovatively with a strong interdisciplinary orientation.

    HSUHK has earned various international recognitions. In the AppliedEdu’s ALL ASIA Private University Ranking 2026, it secured 7th place across Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau. HSUHK ranked 23rd in both Business and Management and Economics and Finance and 24th in Social Sciences and Humanities among this region’s top universities in the Research.com Top Universities and Top Scientists Rankings 2026. The MSc in Global Supply Chain Management programme achieved 84th place globally in the QS International Trade Rankings 2025. Additionally, HSUHK’s School of Business obtained AACSB International accreditation in 2023, a mark of excellence held by only 6% of the world’s leading business schools. HSUHK was also ranked among the top 200 worldwide on “Quality Education” and “Decent Work and Economic Growth” in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings 2021.