This renowned MBA program in Asia draws in students from across the globe. Find out why members of the incoming class of 2024 took the decision to enroll this year
When it comes to the MBA classroom, a cohort of individuals from different regions, industries, and generations breathes life into the study experience.
A diverse class means students can learn from each other during discussions and benefit from their classmates’ cultural and professional experiences when collaborating in group projects.
Business schools therefore focus on curating diverse cohorts during admissions. For example, at HKU Business School, the home of one of Asia’s top-ranked MBA programs, more than 95% of Full-time MBA students preparing to join the program this year hail from international backgrounds.
Students from regions ranging from Bulgaria to South Korea have enrolled in the incoming class seeking new cultural experiences and diverse career opportunities. BusinessBecause caught up with some of the class to find out what drew them into applying.
HKU Full-time MBA Class Profile: A Brief Overview
HKU offers three MBA programs, including part-time and full-time options, which combine to draw in more than 400 students this year.
Among those entering the Full-time MBA, the incoming class comprises just 46 students. This comparatively small class size is part of the school’s effort to curate an intimate learning environment.
Those who come from international backgrounds bring with them cultural experiences spanning four continents. In total, 14 regions are represented within the classroom.
The class is similarly diverse when it comes to students’ prior work experience. Professionals entering the class have worked in various capacities across financial services, chemical, technology, real estate, trading, consulting, retail, aviation, education, and advertising.
So, what is it about the HKU MBA that draws in such a diverse cohort?
Why Enroll In The HKU MBA?
1. Opportunities to learn from experts
The network students develop while studying an MBA typically consists of a mixture of alumni, industry leaders, corporate recruiters, and expert professors.
Those professors often have experience both in producing groundbreaking research as well as working in industry. At HKU, faculty members have worked in areas such as venture capital, green finance, and artificial intelligence.
For Bulgarian-born Angel Todorov, the impact that exposure to this level of expertise could have on his career was a key reason behind enrolling in the HKU MBA. Prior to applying, Angel completed a Master’s degree in China before embarking on a career in international trade, eventually becoming CEO of his own firm.
“Building a vision and realizing success can only be taught by people who have done it. The HKU MBA faculty will guide me toward abstract thinking and help me improve my reasoning ability to solve challenging problems,” he says.
2. A diverse community network
As well as connecting with experts, building bonds with your peers inside the MBA classroom can also be influential for your growth. Fellow classmates can provide you with strong friendships and a support network, as well as connections that can lead to opportunities as you progress in your career.
When searching for programs to study, Indonesian-native Amelia Amin was attracted to the HKU MBA’s diverse community. She applied having spent years in a leading role within her family’s real estate business.
“HKU’s diverse community will offer valuable perspectives and learning opportunities from like-minded cohorts. I’m excited to create impactful connections and embark on a transformative journey with HKU,” Amelia says.
3. The chance to understand modern business trends
Inside the HKU MBA classroom, teaching focuses on fundamental business theories while also tying in cutting-edge concepts such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and impact investing.
Sustainability, one of the fundamental drivers impacting the global landscape today, is also a key focus within both core and elective modules. Relevant courses range from ‘Renewable Energy Finance’ to ‘Effective ESG – Assessing, Advising and Leading’.
Arpit Srivastava chose to enroll in the HKU MBA to increase his ability to make an impact in his career. Originally from India, he spent the two-years before enrolling in the program working for Kapoor Diesels, one of the largest logistics firms in Delhi, in an assistant manager role.
“The program’s emphasis on responsible leadership and social impact aligns with my long-term aspiration to start ventures focusing on sustainable business practices,” he says.
4. A curriculum rooted in Asian business culture
The complex concepts and theories taught within the HKU MBA are delivered using examples of case studies rooted in Asia Pacific business culture. Students learn about the economies, business practices, and key technologies in use within the region.
Yejin Kim spent 10 years working with multinationals in her home country of South Korea before enrolling in the HKU MBA class of 2025. She felt this focus on business within the Asia Pacific, particularly China, would enhance her professional opportunities.
“During my university years, I have been interested in not only the Chinese language but also the culture and economics. I believe understanding of the Chinese market, one of the largest and most essential economic areas in the world, will help my development” she says.
5. A unique international business environment
Alongside the program’s focus on the business practices of the East, various curricular elements mean HKU MBA students also gain the chance to delve into learning about business practices in a more global context.
Modules such as ‘Macroeconomics: Global Perspective’ offer a wider lens on fundamental business issues. Students can also undertake study tracks abroad with the UK’s London Business School and Columbia Business School in the US during the one-year intensive program.
This dual focus proved important for Anu Hodge when choosing where to study her MBA. A native of Australia with more than 16 years of experience in technology and retail, she felt the program would offer a different challenge as she undertook new experiences.
“The HKU MBA has a renowned global ranking coupled with an overseas study track with global university partnerships, which is really appealing for me to enter post-graduate education at this stage of my career,” she says.
So, as these incoming students currently scattered across the globe prepare to leave their homes and begin their MBA journeys, it’s clear that within the intimate HKU MBA classroom they’ll spend significant time learning from each other as well as the program itself.
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) - MBA Programmes HKU Business School
Student
Verified
23/02/2023
On Campus
Academic
Very good academic, caes course amazing, ccs are all amazing, professors are excellent, the architecture and infrastructure is splendid, people here are awesome, made some really nice friends, and teachers support us
Hatim
Verified
6/02/2023
On Campus
Diversified culture
I highly recommend The University of Hong Kong to students all around the world because of their diversified culture, teaching standards, and the people which make the learning experience better every day.
Student
Verified
6/10/2017
A place where you best understand local and international cultures
With plenty of experiences available, HKU provides a plenty of experience for me to explore our own and other countries culture. She has excellent teaching and research staffs in the Department of Ecology and Biodiversity. Time allocate to students are considered sufficient and staffs are ready to reach anytime.
Besides academic, she has various subsidised programmes that allow students to explore. This credit should be given to GenEd (general education) Office to provide different interesting programmes. These ranged from guest speaker giving talks on China-Hong Kong relationship; Contemporary art in Asia; or holding mini forum on geopolitics. Most, if not all, of which are free of charge!
Student
Verified
1/10/2017
Life at HKU
Pursued the SHS degree at HKU, academic and clinical staff members were very devoted and passionate. The academic program is under constant reviews, staff members are open minded and willing to modify the program with regards to students' opinions. Career prospect is good. Uni life is fruitful, many different activities for students to choose. Great facilities supporting learning.
Student
Verified
29/09/2017
Student Life in HKU
As an Accounting and Finance year3 undergrad student in HKU, the university provides lots of opportunities for me to learn and explore my interests.
You could join a wide variety of activities, like being an committee member of societies and joining hall activities. As for me, I chose to join the winter exchange programme, be a committee member, and did volunteering servic and had latrine construction and volunteer teaching in Ghana, Africa. I also organized lots of activities for societies and had lots of meetings with company representatives. As for school work, it is okay normally but definitely u got a lot busier during November and April. You got a lot more free time compared to CUHK and HKUST. And of course, this is considered as the most ‘international’ uni in HK in a way that I could make friends coming from different countries.
Just wanna add, HKU has a good location for foodie as its near Central, Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui. For those who love night lifes dont miss this. I didnt speak of anything i dislike coz there isnt anything i dislike much, but if I do have to say, it is the hall life of many local students, such as having cheers at night and never sleeps that may disturb others.
Student
Verified
2/09/2020
Blended
Academics
I think it’s a great university that gives you a lot of opportunities in terms of academics as well as extracurricular activities. The education system is fairly westernized and the professors are good for the most part.
Student
Verified
3/11/2017
International, stratified and political
Adequate resources and very convenient campus with sufficient channels to expand your social and professional circle. Also politically active, and perhaps too biasedly so. Its law school is firmly established, with the longest history in Hong Kong. Practical and professional training, with a constant atmosphere of anxiety and competition that encourages a relatively focused and narrow vision of career outlook. Good range of extra curricular activities available.
Student
Verified
12/10/2017
Life in HKU
HKU provides students with lots of opportunities in multidisciplinary researches and experiences. This encourages students to widen their horizons and prepare for the future. The programme I attended organised both local and oversea field trips that allowed me to have the first hand experiences of relative aspects. It was very useful for my later career.
Student
Verified
6/10/2017
BSocSc
I am a graduate of the BSocSc programme several years ago. I appreciate that the programme provided a flexible choice of majors and minors. Even I was admitted into social sciences programme, I could explore various streams of studies in and out of the social sciences faculty, including global studies, human resources, politics, science and music. I did a double major in psychology and sociology. Among all learning experiences in lectures, tutorials, field trips…, I would say the internship experience was one of the most memorable part of my university life. The faculty offers a credit-bearing internship programme in which students can go to various NGOs to work on social issues, ranging from poverty, education to adjustment of ethnic minorities. Students can be placed locally or overseas, depending on placement quota, their personal preference and past experience. I went to a social service agency that serves adults who are intellectually challenged and have autism spectrum disorder. It was an eye-opening experience in observing how different professionals work together to provide training for those people and reflecting on how psychological knowledge could come into play. I was also able to gain some hands-on experience in leading an activity.
There are more and more internship opportunities for university students. It is just another way to gain practical experience apart from applying for interns in government agencies or business companies, especially in organisations that would not openly recruit interns but only work with tertiary institutions.
It should be noted that for some majors/courses, there are really a lot of people studying. When I was an undergraduate back then, we often expected a lecture with 100+ students and a tutorial with nearly 20 students. If you favour close student-teacher interaction in small classes, you may look into the enrolment of particular courses.
Student
Verified
18/10/2024
On Campus
Great curriculum arrangement for my program
Teachers in HKU are dedicated to education students, for both undergrad and postgrad. The school is over 100 years old and it is one of the most pretty school I have ever seen through my life. But there is one thing that I do not like is that for some program, including mine, we could not receive our diploma right after we finished out program. We have to wait for another couple of months to receive that.
