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Physiotherapy degree programs at three Hong Kong tertiary institutions experienced a significant drop in admission scores, with the decline reaching up to 10 percent compared to 2025, according to recent data. The faculty body of physiotherapists urged the government to pause healthcare funding cuts, as they contributed to a jobs shortage in the sector.

Across four universities, 23 percent of the students admitted to physiotherapy courses this year considered the program outside their top three choices, a stark increase from 2 percent in 2025. This trend reflects a growing number of first-year students who did not prioritize physiotherapy as their preferred field of study.

The decrease in popularity and admission scores occurred after the government announced substantial budget cuts, reducing recurrent public expenditure by 1 to 2 percent in 2025-26, and extending this budget constraint until 2027-28. These fiscal constraints coincide with a surge in the number of new practitioners entering the market, leading to a scarcity of job opportunities for physiotherapy graduates.

Polytechnic University, the city's first publicly funded institution to offer an allied health program, witnessed a 57 percent drop in the number of students choosing the program among their top three selections, declining from 581 in 2025 to 246 this year.

Jupas, a platform through which students apply for government-subsidized bachelor's degree programs, reports the admission score data, revealing that the average DSE score for PolyU's physiotherapy program fell from 329.3 in 2025 to 303.6 in 2026, marking the largest decline among the institution's undergraduate courses. PolyU's department of rehabilitation sciences declined to comment on the matter.

Simultaneously, education authorities reduced subsidised places for physiotherapy at three self-financing institutions by approximately a third for the 2027-28 academic year. The total intake at these programs is set to decrease by 31 percent, from 175 in 2026-27 to 120 in 2027-28. At Tung Wah College, the number of applicants who ranked the program in their top three choices dropped from 369 in 2024 to 281 in 2025, further declining to 224 in 2026, a 40 percent reduction over two years.

The mean admission score at TWC fell by 10 percent from 22.2 in 2025 to 20 in 2026. The college has been approached for comment.

Similarly, Hong Kong Metropolitan University's physiotherapy program experienced a 20 percent drop in median admission scores, falling from 25 in 2024 to 22 in 2025, and 20 in 2026. A university spokesperson mentioned that the program is accredited by the Allied Health Professions Council, and graduates are eligible for registration as qualified physiotherapists in Hong Kong.

Saint Francis University saw a 37 percent drop in the number of students ranking the program among their top three choices, declining from 508 in 2025 to 319 in 2026. The university plans to review its student intake based on societal demand for these professionals, emphasizing that the demand for healthcare professionals will continue to rise due to the city's rapidly aging population.

Alexander Woo, president of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association, noted that all programs filled their places, and entry scores do not guarantee graduates' future performance. Woo urged authorities to increase healthcare funding, citing the expected surplus in government coffers next year. He also encouraged prospective students to pursue physiotherapy if they have a genuine interest in the field, as employment opportunities remain available despite the challenges.