Understanding Entrepreneurial Intentions in Higher Education: Students' Perceptions and Experiences in Hong Kong

ABSTRACT Universities worldwide are expanding entrepreneurship education, yet less is known about how students understand entrepreneurship and what factors shape their entrepreneurial intentions. Drawing on survey data from 561 undergraduate students across diverse disciplines and institutions in Hong Kong, this study examines students' perceptions of entrepreneurship, their participation in entrepreneurship‐related learning, and variations in entrepreneurial intention. The findings show that entrepreneurship is rarely seen as an immediate post‐graduation career choice, although longer‐term intention varies considerably across students. Respondents commonly viewed entrepreneurship both as new venture creation and as a means of achieving social impact and personal development. Participation was concentrated in knowledge‐oriented learning activities, while action‐oriented experiences were relatively rare, suggesting a gap between interest and practical readiness. Non‐STEM students reported higher entrepreneurial intention than STEM students, whereas differences by gender, family income and academic performance were not statistically significant. The study highlights the need for universities to provide more experiential, process‐based and inclusive forms of entrepreneurship education. It contributes context‐specific evidence on entrepreneurship as a graduate career pathway and offers practical recommendations for fostering entrepreneurial talent in Hong Kong higher education.