THE UNIVERSITY OF
HONG KONG
ANNUAL REPORT 2025

AN EXTRACT FROM THE UNIVERSITY’S ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 2024–25

OVERVIEW

The financial year 2024–25 was the last year of the 2022–25 triennium.

The Group demonstrated its commitment to provide world-class education and research, and delivered impact through internationalisation, innovation and interdisciplinarity.

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the Group has adopted certain new / revised HKFRS Accounting Standards issued by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants which are relevant and applicable to the Group’s operation and complied with the Statement of Recommended Practice for the University Grants Committee (UGC)-Funded Institutions.

During the financial year, the Group recorded a surplus of HK$4,814 million. Compared to the previous year, the surplus increased in 2024–25 as a result of increases in tuition fees and improvement in investment performance, partially offset by the growth in operating costs in teaching and research. A return of HK$822 million from the balances of the General and Development Reserve Fund (GDRF) to the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) offset the increase in government subventions.

RESULTS FOR THE YEAR

The Group’s consolidated results for the year ended June 30, 2025 are summarised as follows:

  2025
HK$ in million
2024
HK$ in million
Income
Expenditure
18,781
(13,984)
16,892
(12,996)
Surplus from Operations
Others
4,797
17
3,896
22
Total Comprehensive Income 4,814 3,918

The consolidated income for the year 2024–25 was HK$18,781 million, an increase of HK$1,889 million from last year. This was mainly attributable to increases in tuition fees and improvement in investment performance. A return of HK$822 million from the balances of the GDRF to the Government of the HKSAR offset the increase in government subventions.

The consolidated expenditure increased by 8% to HK$13,984 million (2023–24: HK$12,996 million), of which HK$10,567 million (2023–24: HK$9,615 million) was expended on the Group’s teaching, learning and research activities.

OUTLOOK

As the financial year 2024–25 ended, the University has entered into the first year of the triennium of 2025–28. The University continues its strong commitment to intellectual freedom, liberty and diversity.

The University actively promotes Hong Kong as a premier hub for global talent to study, innovate, and conduct research. To fulfil its education mission, the University will continue to recruit top scholars as well as young researchers; admit top talented students with diverse backgrounds; and upgrade its infrastructure and technology, including student amenities, teaching and research facilities. The University remains committed to excellence and innovation, and advancing its mission by actively supporting national strategies in developing our Country into a leading nation in education.

The University will remain prudent and yet flexible in financial management in its pursuit to continue being an Asia’s leading global university.

The University’s Annual Accounts can be found at www.feo.hku.hk/finance/.

Any correspondence or feedback on this extract or the accounts should be emailed to finance-mail@hku.hk.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the year ended June 30, 2025
In thousands of Hong Kong dollars

2025 2024
REVENUE
Government Subventions 6,636,014 7,038,863
Tuition, Programmes and Other Fees 6,754,885 5,650,103
Donations and Benefactions 944,680 917,398
Auxiliary Services 463,661 409,508
Interest and Investment Gain, Net 2,646,567 1,627,001
Other Income, Net 1,335,664 1,249,446
18,781,471 16,892,319
EXPENDITURE
TEACHING, LEARNING AND RESEARCH
Teaching and Research 9,450,564 8,622,826
Library 206,341 202,126
Central Computing Facilities 271,151 248,459
Other Academic Services 639,376 541,689
INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT
Management and General 750,843 699,737
Premises and Related Expenses 1,679,467 1,793,887
Student and General Education Services 781,804 724,969
Other Activities 204,862 162,541
13,984,408 12,996,234
SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR BEFORE SHARE OF JOINT VENTURE 4,797,063 3,896,085
SHARE OF SURPLUS OF JOINT VENTURE 12,126 16,826
SURPLUS BEFORE TAXATION FOR THE YEAR 4,809,189 3,912,911
INCOME TAX (EXPENSE) / CREDIT (1,511) 3,981
SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR 4,807,678 3,916,892
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
ITEMS THAT ARE OR MAY BE RECLASSIFIED SUBSEQUENTLY TO SURPLUS OR DEFICIT
Exchange Differences 3,341 533
Share of Other Comprehensive Income of a Joint Venture 1,353 178
ITEMS THAT WILL NOT BE RECLASSIFIED SUBSEQUENTLY TO SURPLUS OR DEFICIT
Re-measurement of Defined Benefit Retirement Scheme Assets 2,124 406
6,818 1,117
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR 4,814,496 3,918,009
ATTRIBUTABLE TO
UGC Funds 398,077 1,012,129
Restricted Funds 161,705 (40,820)
Other Funds 4,254,714 2,946,700
4,814,496 3,918,009

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

As at June 30, 2025
In thousands of Hong Kong dollars

2025 2024
ASSETS
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Property, Plant and Equipment 14,604,233 13,121,091
Right-of-use Assets 2,205,054 1,990,338
Intangible Assets 12,159 11,563
Interests in Joint Venture 336,010 322,531
Financial Investments at Amortised Cost 983,677 818,930
Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss 17,417,414 14,747,888
Loans Receivable 3,478 3,349
Accounts Receivable, Prepayments and Deposits 1,236,753 1,025,755
Defined Benefit Retirement Scheme Assets 18,036 15,487
Deferred Tax Assets 50,244 9,661
Bank Deposits with Original Maturity over Three Months 900,000 -
37,767,058 32,066,593
CURRENT ASSETS
Financial Investments at Amortised Cost 243,183 403,600
Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss 351,860 678,871
Loans Receivable 62,325 75,402
Inventories 3,148 2,694
Accounts Receivable, Prepayments and Deposits 2,686,000 2,202,296
Amount Due from a Joint Venture 24,164 -
Bank Deposits with Original Maturity over Three Months 15,993,607 14,662,505
Cash and Cash Equivalents 1,505,051 1,243,858
20,869,338 19,269,226
TOTAL ASSETS 58,636,396 51,335,819
FUNDS
UGC Funds 4,246,068 3,826,353
Restricted Funds 12,072,046 11,050,061
Other Funds 24,357,624 20,984,828
TOTAL FUNDS 40,675,738 35,861,242
LIABILITIES
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts Payable and Accruals 175,346 152,334
Employee Benefit Accruals 6,142 5,731
Loans and Borrowings 62,057 78,532
Lease Liabilities 448,066 187,725
Deferred Capital Funds 7,792,146 7,250,680
Deferred Tax Liabilities 33,107 -
8,516,864 7,675,002
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts Payable and Accruals 5,444,823 3,902,217
Amount Due to a Joint Venture - 2,285
Employee Benefit Accruals 849,087 804,601
Tax Payable 12,746 6,595
Loans and Borrowings 48,951 60,936
Lease Liabilities 113,454 93,653
Deferred Income 2,974,733 2,929,288
9,443,794 7,799,575
TOTAL LIABILITIES 17,960,658 15,474,577
TOTAL FUNDS AND LIABILITIES 58,636,396 51,335,819
NET CURRENT ASSETS 11,425,544 11,469,651
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 49,192,602 43,536,244