How many universities are there in Macau? Revealing the pattern of higher education in Macao
As a special administrative region of China, Macao is small in area, but its higher education system is quite distinctive. In recent years, higher education in Macao has developed rapidly, attracting more and more mainland and international students. This article will give you a detailed introduction to the number of higher education institutions in Macao and their basic situation, and attach structured data for reference.
Overview of higher education institutions in Macau

There are currently 10 institutions of higher learning in Macau, including 4 public universities and 6 private institutions. These institutions offer degree courses at all levels from bachelor's to doctoral degrees, covering multiple disciplines such as liberal arts, science, engineering, business, and medicine.
| serial number | School name | Type | Establishment time | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Macau | public | 1981 | The largest comprehensive university in Macau |
| 2 | Macau Polytechnic Institute | public | 1991 | It will be renamed Macau Polytechnic University in 2022. |
| 3 | Macau Institute for Tourism Studies | public | 1995 | Focus on tourism and hotel management education |
| 4 | Macau Security Forces High School | public | 1988 | Cultivate police and fire protection professionals |
| 5 | City University of Macau | private | 1981 | Formerly known as East Asia University |
| 6 | University of Saint Joseph | private | 1996 | The only Catholic university in Macau |
| 7 | Macau Kiang Wu College of Nursing | Private | 1923 | Focus on nursing professional education |
| 8 | Macau University of Science and Technology | private | 2000 | Macau’s largest private university |
| 9 | Macau Institute of Management | private | 2000 | Focus on business education |
| 10 | Chinese and Western Innovation Institute | private | 2001 | Focus on gaming management education |
Features of Macao Higher Education
Higher education in Macao has the following salient features:
1.High degree of internationalization: Macao universities generally adopt Chinese-English bilingual teaching, their teaching staff is international, and they have established cooperative relationships with many well-known universities around the world.
2.Unique professional setting: Due to Macao’s special economic structure, some colleges and universities have opened special majors such as gaming management and tourism and exhibitions. These majors have a certain degree of popularity around the world.
3.Teaching quality assurance: Universities in Macau generally attach great importance to teaching quality, and many institutions have passed international certification. For example, the Macau Institute for Tourism Studies is the first institution in the world to obtain the "Tourism Education Quality Certification" from the United Nations World Tourism Organization.
Latest developments in Macao universities
In recent years, there have been several noteworthy developments in Macau’s higher education sector:
1.Hengqin campus construction: The University of Macau has built a new campus in Hengqin, which covers an area 20 times that of the original campus, greatly improving the conditions for running a school.
2.Improved scientific research capabilities: Macau University of Science and Technology and other universities have achieved important research results in fields such as space science and traditional Chinese medicine, and their scientific research strength has been significantly enhanced.
3.Greater Bay Area Education Cooperation: Macao universities actively participate in the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and carry out various forms of cooperative education projects with mainland universities.
Macau higher education student statistics
| School name | Number of students in school (approximately) | International student ratio | Popular subjects |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Macau | 10,000+ | 15% | Business Administration, Law, Traditional Chinese Medicine |
| Macau University of Science and Technology | 12,000+ | 20% | Hotel management, traditional Chinese medicine, information technology |
| City University of Macau | 6,000+ | 10% | International business law, cultural industry management |
| Macau Institute for Tourism Studies | 1,500+ | 25% | Tourism management, hotel management |
Advantages of choosing a Macau university
For students considering studying in Macau, Macau universities have the following advantages:
1.Strategic location: Macau is adjacent to Hong Kong and Zhuhai, with convenient transportation and relatively low cost of living.
2.Easy to adapt to culture: Macao and the mainland have similar cultures and languages, making it easy for students to adapt.
3.Good prospects for further education and employment: The academic qualifications of Macao universities are widely recognized in the mainland and internationally, and graduates have strong employment competitiveness.
4.Many scholarship opportunities: Macao universities and the government have various scholarship programs to help outstanding students complete their studies.
Summary
Although Macao is small, it has rich higher education resources. The 10 universities have their own characteristics, providing students with a variety of choices. With the advancement of the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the development prospects of Macao universities will be broader. For students who intend to study in Macau, understanding the basic conditions of these universities is the first step to making a wise choice.
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