Starting August 20, undergraduate and graduate freshmen of the City University of Hong Kong (Dongguan) Class of 2026 have begun arriving on campus. Their youthful faces bring vibrant energy to the university and mark the beginning of an exciting new academic journey.

Diverse Backgrounds, Renewed Student Body: Undergraduate Admissions Deliver Outstanding Results

In 2026, CUHK(DG) admitted 150 undergraduate students from mainland China through the National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao), covering 13 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities. The overall admission scores reached the level of “Project 985” universities, with some students achieving scores competitive for “C9 League” institutions. High-achieving applicants continued to emerge, and admission rankings in multiple regions improved significantly compared to 2025. Among the admitted students are winners of national high school Olympiads in Chemistry, Biology, and Informatics—demonstrating strong academic foundations and excellent innovative potential.

Through joint admissions for students from Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and overseas Chinese, the Taiwan Academic Aptitude Test (TWT), the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination, and international recruitment channels, CUHK(DG) welcomed an even more diverse cohort—28 students from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, and 6 international students. Different languages, different life stories—all converge here into one shared chapter of youth.

On the day of freshman registration, Professor Chun Lu, Executive President of HKUST (Dongguan); Professor Juan Li, Vice President; and Comrade Yi Zhao, Party Branch Secretary, visited the registration site to chat with new students and their parents and take group photos, warmly welcoming them to join the HKUST (Dongguan) family. In this year’s orientation activities, staff from various functional departments provided online Q&A support in advance to ensure service for incoming students and their families. Meanwhile, undergraduate students from the Classes of 2024 and 2025 formed the “Senior Student Orientation Team.” During the upcoming Freshman Adaptation Week, they will participate in an English immersion camp, themed seminars, and fun-filled activities to experience university life early—helping the Class of 2026 quickly adapt to their new environment and get ready for their exciting academic journey.

Registration Day Coincides with Coming-of-Age Ceremony—His Keyword Is “Vitality”

August 21 marks the registration day for the Class of 2026 undergraduates—and also happens to be Yin Zihong’s 18th birthday. Turning 18 holds special significance for him: “Stepping onto campus on this day, becoming an independent adult, and embarking on four years of self-directed undergraduate exploration—I’m truly excited about it.”

When asked about his first impression of HKCU (Dongguan), Yin Zihong immediately replied, “Vitality.” Asked what he looks forward to most in university life, he answered, “Freedom.” “University means I’ll have ample time for free exploration—I can dive wholeheartedly into something entirely new, without worrying about cost or risk. Even if I discover it’s not right for me, I can simply pivot and try something else that interests me. Through this kind of life, I’ll uncover my true passions and move closer to my dream career.”

His First Trip to Southern China—He Says HKCU (Dongguan) Feels “Refreshingly New”

Wang Yuqing, from Bayannur, Inner Mongolia, scored 659 in the national college entrance exam (Gaokao) in the science stream, ranking 638th province-wide. He plays the morin khuur (horsehead fiddle) and describes himself as coming from “the northernmost part of our motherland—the grasslands of northern China”—and this is also his first time visiting a southern Chinese city.

When asked about his first impression of the university, he immediately replied, “New—especially new.” In his view, this year marks only the third cohort of undergraduate students, and “newness means youthful energy”; likewise, the university’s feature of “aligning with world-class international universities” strongly attracted him. It is precisely this vitality and global perspective brought by “newness” that led him to describe Hongcheng Dongguan with three words: “brand-new,” “diverse,” and “vibrant.”

From Nepal to Hongcheng Dongguan: A Drawing Bridges Home and the Future

In the “Colour Your Future” interactive zone for new student registration, Ashutosh from Kathmandu, Nepal, drew Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Peak). “I’ve brought a piece of Nepal—that’s where I’m from,” he said. “I hope that after completing my studies at Hongcheng University (Dongguan), I can create something better for my hometown.”

This is also Ashutosh’s first time studying abroad, and he excitedly said, “Everything is new—I learn something new every day.” Looking ahead to himself four years from now, his expectations are refreshingly grounded: “I hope to gain deeper insight into my interests, maintain my curiosity, discover more fields I want to explore, and ultimately grow into a better version of myself.”

She traveled across 24 time zones to start school—but says it feels ‘like coming home’

Meerim, from Kyrgyzstan, embarked on a nearly 24-hour journey for her first study experience away from home. Arriving alone at HKCU (Dongguan), she shared, “I was quite nervous at first, but everything went smoothly.” What warmed her most was the human touch on campus: “Over the past two days, everyone I’ve met has been incredibly friendly—I’ve made many new friends, and staff members have been so kind. It truly feels like coming home.”

As for food, she joked that she already loves spicy dishes, so she quickly adapted to the cafeteria meals. On choosing this university, she said, “HKCU is one of Asia’s top universities, with the most international community atmosphere; HKCU (Dongguan)’s campus is equally vibrant, and our professors are very welcoming.” Looking ahead to university life, she hopes to participate in a wide range of activities—“whether photography, dance, debate, or academic competitions, I’d love to try them all.”

Top domestic university + world-renowned institution: graduate student recruitment gains further competitive edge

In 2026, applicants to the master’s programs came from top-tier domestic universities—including Peking University, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Nanjing University, Zhejiang University, Harbin Institute of Technology, and Wuhan University—as well as world-renowned institutions such as the University of Hong Kong, Imperial College London (UK), Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), the University of California, Berkeley (USA), and the University of Melbourne (Australia), fully demonstrating the university’s strong appeal to outstanding students both domestically and internationally.

“Life Observers,” “Online Shopping Enthusiasts,” and “Veteran Roommates”: Diverse Aspirations and Expectations of Graduate Students

“This location offers both the geographical advantages of the Greater Bay Area and the innovative ‘Two Universities, One Standard’ philosophy,” said Xu-Ming Cui, a 2026 master’s student in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at HKUST(GD), describing his motivation for choosing the university. An alumnus of Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, his undergraduate thesis focused on obstacle-avoidance algorithms for autonomous driving. “I’m deeply intrigued by this fast-growing field of autonomous vehicles,” he explained. Now, he plans to shift his research focus toward the interdisciplinary area of embedded systems and artificial intelligence—“Embodied AI may well be the next big wave.”

Wang Hefei, a graduate student in Engineering Management (Class of 2026), discovered her academic passion in everyday life: “I shop online frequently, but often encounter logistics issues—so I want to find my own way to make express delivery and supply chains more efficient and convenient.” When asked about her expectations for campus life, she said, “I hope it will be diverse and open, where cultures from around the world can interact and integrate.”

Tan Shiyu and Zhang Bowen, both new undergraduate students in Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Class of 2026), have been roommates since their freshman year—and now they’ve both chosen HKCU (Dongguan). Tan Shiyu said: “We value the university’s resources and campus advantages; the projects and competitions offered by the Innovation and Entrepreneurship program align perfectly with our future plans.”

2026 marks the third year of operation for City University of Hong Kong (Dongguan). With its international educational approach, high-quality academic resources, and innovative talent development model, the university continues to attract outstanding students from around the world. From impressive Gaokao admission statistics and a diverse international student body to a graduate applicant pool comprising students targeting top-tier universities, the Class of 2026 at City University of Hong Kong (Dongguan) fully demonstrates the university’s ongoing improvement in educational quality and global influence. The new semester has already begun— we look forward to the Class of 2026 thriving on CUHK(DG)’s international platform and achieving their own growth and excellence.