QMAS 2026: Which Master's and PhD Degrees Count (and Which STEM Subjects Qualify)
Which master's and doctoral degrees count toward Hong Kong's QMAS in 2026, and how the Hong Kong equivalence standard and STEM list apply.
Primary source: www.immd.gov.hk · source dated fetched 2026-10-08 · verified on
Under Hong Kong’s Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS), a master’s or doctoral degree earns credit in the General Points Test only if it was awarded by a university on the aggregate list of eligible universities and its level is equivalent to the recognised Hong Kong standard of a master’s or doctoral degree. Honorary master’s and honorary doctoral degrees are not accepted, and neither are degrees awarded by institutions that are not nationally accredited or licensed. That is what the Immigration Department’s Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) Frequently Asked Questions page stated as of October 2026, along with the two PDF lists it links to.
Are there two separate education checks in a QMAS application?
Yes, and mixing them up is the most common source of confusion.
The first is a prerequisite that everyone must clear before being assessed: a good educational background, normally a first degree from a recognised university or tertiary education institution. Under special circumstances, good technical qualifications, proven professional abilities, and/or experience and achievements supported by documentary evidence may be considered instead.
The second is the Academic Qualifications aspect of the General Points Test, which is scored, not a gate. That is where the master’s/PhD and STEM criteria described below live.
The Achievement-based Points Test is a separate route for people with exceptional achievement; it does not use this scoring table.
Which universities count, and what is excluded even if the name matches?
Eligible universities are those on the aggregate list of eligible universities, compiled by the Labour and Welfare Bureau for the QMAS. The list is built from two sources:
- the eligible universities under the Top Talent Pass Scheme; and
- the top 10 universities/institutions in the QS Global MBA Rankings and the Financial Times Business School Rankings in MBA that provide only postgraduate programmes in the past five years.
The exclusion clause matters as much as the list itself. Academic qualifications awarded by the continuing and professional education arms, branch schools, extension schools or subsidiary schools established by an eligible university will not be accepted. Holding a degree that carries the name of a listed university is therefore not enough on its own — the awarding body behind your qualification has to be the listed institution.
Does the degree have to be equivalent to a Hong Kong master’s or PhD?
Yes. The level of academic qualifications obtained from the eligible universities must be equivalent to the recognised Hong Kong standard of master’s or doctoral degrees. This is a comparison of level, not of the words printed on a certificate.
Two categories are expressly excluded:
| Not accepted | Why |
|---|---|
| Honorary master’s or honorary doctoral degrees | Conferred as an honour, not earned at that academic level |
| Degrees not awarded by nationally accredited or licensed institutions | The awarding institution lacks national accreditation or licensing |
Because the rule is stated as a standard rather than as a fixed list of qualifications, a borderline case is worth checking against the official wording rather than assuming. This article is general reference only and is not personalised professional advice; for your own circumstances, rely on the official pages or a qualified professional.
What if my programme was jointly run by two universities?
Joint programmes can count. For a programme jointly operated by two universities or institutions, the requirement is that all the relevant awarding institutions or universities are among the eligible universities. One listed partner and one unlisted partner is not enough, even if the diploma you receive is issued by the listed one. The practical step is to confirm the full list of awarding bodies named on your qualification, not just the one that administers the programme.
Which STEM subjects qualify?
STEM here means science, technology, engineering or mathematics. The two academic criteria work like this:
| Criterion | What it asks | Where the detail is published |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s or doctoral degree from an eligible university | The degree level meets the Hong Kong master’s or doctoral standard | Aggregate list of eligible universities (PDF) |
| That degree is pertinent to STEM | The subject falls within science, technology, engineering or mathematics | Reference list of STEM subjects (PDF) |
The STEM list is a reference list, not a closed list. An academic qualification in a subject that does not appear on it may still be considered, subject to the supporting document furnished by the applicant. If your subject sits at the edge of the list, the useful material to prepare is documentation that shows the actual content of the programme — what you studied and at what level — rather than the title of the award alone.
Can I claim the credit before I graduate?
No. An applicant who cannot provide proof of graduation is not considered to have met the Academic Qualifications criteria, so the timing of your application should follow the issue of that proof.
There is also a verification step. Applicants must submit verification proof issued by a third-party credential verification organisation or by the awarding institution itself, and must provide the information the Immigration Department needs to conduct online authentication on the respective platforms. The department publishes a list of third-party credential verification organisations.
How does this fit into the 6-out-of-12 passing threshold?
The General Points Test has 12 assessment criteria across six aspects: age, academic qualifications, language proficiency, work experience, annual income and business ownership. The academic side covers two of those twelve: the degree itself, and whether that degree is pertinent to STEM. Meeting both would satisfy two of the twelve criteria counted toward the prevailing passing threshold of 6 out of 12 — so a qualifying STEM master’s or PhD is a substantial share of the threshold, but not the whole of it.
The passing threshold is subject to change from time to time without prior notice, so the figure that matters is the one on the official page at the time you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a bachelor’s degree from an eligible university count toward the academic criteria?
No. To meet the Academic Qualifications aspect, the degree must be a master’s or doctoral degree from one of the eligible universities. A bachelor’s degree can still help you clear the separate basic education prerequisite, but it earns nothing under this aspect.
Is the STEM reference list exhaustive?
No. The list is published for reference only. A qualification in a subject that is not on the list may also be considered, depending on the supporting documents you provide.
Is an honorary doctorate accepted?
No. Honorary master’s and honorary doctoral degrees are expressly excluded, as are degrees not awarded by nationally accredited or licensed institutions.
My degree came from a branch campus or a continuing education arm of a listed university — does it count?
No. Qualifications awarded by the continuing and professional education arms, branch schools, extension schools or subsidiary schools established by an eligible university are not accepted, even though the parent university is listed.
Can I claim the points before graduation?
No. Without proof of graduation, the Academic Qualifications criteria are not met. Verification proof issued by a third-party credential verification organisation or the awarding institution is also required.
How many of the 12 criteria can my degree cover?
Two: the master’s or doctoral degree from an eligible university, and whether that degree is pertinent to STEM. The prevailing passing threshold is 6 out of 12 and can change without prior notice.
References
- Immigration Department — Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) Frequently Asked Questions
- Immigration Department — Aggregate list of eligible universities (PDF)
- Immigration Department — Reference list of STEM subjects (PDF)
- Immigration Department — List of Third-party Credential Verification Organisations (PDF)
Sources
degree.help summarises published rules. It is not an accreditation body and does not provide immigration advice. Only the named regulator can assess your qualification.