The Chinese University of Hong Kong is a leading comprehensive research university with a global vision and a mission to combine tradition with modernity, and to bring together China and the West. Its lush 137-hectare campus overlooks the scenic Tolo Harbour just north of Shatin.

The University has its origin in three colleges: New Asia College (founded in 1949), Chung Chi College (founded in 1951), and United College (founded in 1956). In 1963, the three colleges were amalgamated to form The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and a fourth College, Shaw College, was established in 1986. Recently, five new colleges: Morningside College, S.H. Ho College, C.W. Chu College, Wu Yee Sun College, and Lee Woo Sing College have joined the CUHK family.

CUHK has over 60 academic departments under eight faculties: Arts, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Science, and Social Science. The Graduate School was set up to coordinate postgraduate studies in 1966, a year after the launch of its first graduate programme in 1965.

The University's first doctoral programme was introduced in 1980. CUHK currently offers over 120 undergraduate programmes and over 250 postgraduate programmes. Over 14,000 students enrol in its undergraduate (about 78%) and postgraduate (about 22%).