Ip graduated from the University of Hong Kong with a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Language and Chinese History, Postgraduate Certificate in Education, and Master of Education.[2] During his study at the University of Hong Kong, he was the vice president of the Student Union in 1983 and drafted letters to UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and PRC Premier Zhao Ziyang stating the Student Union's stance for returning Hong Kong sovereignty back to China. He joined the political group Meeting Point which composed of professionals who, during the Sino-British negotiations, advocated democracy in Hong Kong under Chinese sovereign.[3]
He was also a founding member of the Democratic Party, and its education spokesman, until 2006 when he left the party.