High-school teenagers and their parents in Beijing are showing less passion about universities in Hong Kong because of the high cost, although the universities will offer some scholarships.

"We received 4,000 mainland students applications in 2009, but in the years before, we received more than 10,000 applications," said Laura Lo, director of Chinese Mainland Affairs at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. "Students and parents are more sensible about applying for universities in Hong Kong now."

Increased tuition fee is a major reason behind the decrease in the number of mainland applicants.