Hong Kong university offers unconditional admission to Harvard students

A Hong Kong college has promised "unconditional offers" for international students at Harvard after the Trump administration revoked the Ivy League's ability to enroll them.

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) said it would help "ensure a smooth transition" for students who may be unable to enroll for the next school year.

The White House's attempt to prevent Harvard enrolling international students next year is the latest blow in its fight with America's oldest—and richest—university, which refused to comply with government's demands to change how it hires and teaches. The U.S. government is cracking down on elite colleges it alleges are overrun by left-wing extremists and antisemitic movements.

A Harvard spokesperson told Newsweek the new action is unlawful and the university is "fully committed to maintaining Harvard's ability to host our international students and scholars." Harvard is already suing over a cut of more than $2 billion in federal funding.

HKUST's announcement comes shortly after the Chinese government criticized the move. More than 1,000 Chinese students currently attend the Ivy League school.

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (pictured) has promised "unconditional offers" for international students at Harvard. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Why It Matters

Critics have warned the Trump administration's move could deter top talent from abroad from coming to the United States to study. HKUST's offer indicates an increasing number of international students could choose top institutions in China, Hong Kong and in other places instead.

International students leaving Harvard could be yet another significant financially cost to the university in its dispute with the U.S. government.

What To Know

In a news release, HKUST said on Friday it was "extending this opportunity to ensure talented students can pursue their educational goals without disruption."

HKUST said it will prioritize expedited admissions, credit transfers, and provide support including visa assistance and housing "to ensure a smooth transition," adding that a dedicated team has been established to assist students.

HKUST is sixty-sixth best college in the world in the Times Higher Education rankings 2025. Harvard placed third.

It comes after the Trump administration said it had revoked Harvard's certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, which gives the school the ability to sponsor international students to get their visas and attend school in the U.S. It would be effective for the 2025-26 school year.

Harvard enrolled 6,703 international students in the 2024-2025 school year, according to school data, amounting to a quarter of its total. Of these, 1,203 were from China.

Those students will have to transfer to other schools or lose their legal status, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

A general view of the exterior of Lehman Hall, the Harvard Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, in Harvard Yard on April 15, 2025, at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and President Donald Trump... Erica Denhoff/Manuel Balce Ceneta)/Ap Photo/Icon Sportswire via AP Images

Announcing the move on Thursday, the agency said Harvard had created an unsafe campus environment by allowing "anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators" to harass and assault Jewish students on campus and accused Harvard of coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party, saying it hosted and trained members of a Chinese paramilitary group as recently as last year.

The enrollment block is the latest step in the Trump administration's crackdown on United States' elite colleges that he says are overrun by left-wing extremist, anti-American sentiments and antisemitic movements.

Harvard has refused to a White House list of demands, which it says would affect how it governs, hires and teaches. The pushback sparked an escalating battle.

President Trump has previously said his government will cut $2.2 billion promised federal funding and a further $450 million in grants to the Ivy League school.

Trump has also said he will remove Harvard's tax-exempt status, which could cost it millions of dollars each year.

Trump's big spending bill, narrowly approved by the U.S. House yesterday, would also seek to hike taxes on endowment investment gains. Harvard boasts a huge endowment worth about $53 billilon..

What People Are Saying

Guo Yike, the provost at HKUST, said in a statement: "Diversity fuels creativity and progress. We are prepared to welcome Harvard students into our community, offering them the resources and vibrant environment needed to thrive in their fields."

Harvard spokesperson Jason Newton, responding to the revoking of its enrollment access, told Newsweek: "The government's action is unlawful. We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard's ability to host our international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the University – and this nation – immeasurably. We are working quickly to provide guidance and support to members of our community. This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard's academic and research mission."

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement: "This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus. It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments."

China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday: "The relevant actions by the U.S. side will only damage its own image and international credibility."

Former Harvard president Lawrence Summers wrote on X: "It is crazy to make enemies of thousands of the most talented young people from around the world. This violates the norms of decency and fairness and will make us a poorer country and, in all likelihood, is illegal in singling out Harvard and in the sweeping character of its attack on Harvard."

What Happpens Next

The Trump administration's action is expected to prompt a second legal challenge from Harvard. The university sued the administration to block cuts to federal grants in April.

The Trump administration said Harvard's foreign students will have to transfer schools or leave the country.

In a separate case, a judge in California blocked the Trump administration from terminating the legal status of international students nationwide while a court case challenging previous terminations is pending.

Are you an international student at Harvard affected by the Trump administration's move? Email [email protected].

Update 23/5/25, 10:38 a.m. ET: A photo of HKUST has been added,