General Information:

Founded in 1963, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is a forward-looking comprehensive research university with a global vision and a mission to combine tradition with modernity, and to bring together China and the West. CUHK teachers and students hail from all around the world. CUHK graduates are connected worldwide through an extensive alumni network.

As a top university in Hong Kong and Asia, CUHK aims to nurture students with both specialized knowledge and wisdom for life. The education experience here is distinguished by a flexible credit unit system, a college system, bilingualism and multiculturalism. There are general education courses to broaden students' perspectives and develop in them the ability to face the challenges of contemporary society. Our eight Faculties offer a wide array of excellent undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

Admission: Factulty of Arts

Number of exchange places available: 2

Additional requirements (such as the TOEFL test): No

All programmes can apply for this exchange with an English level of TOEFL IBT 92- 93, IELTS 6.5 (minimum score of 6.0 for each section), Cambridge B2/C1, or a RUG Language Test of B2/C1.

Housing:

HKU provides accommodation for exchange students. Halls of residence vary considerably in size and character. Most of the rooms available are double rooms. There are very few single rooms available. All rooms have air-conditioning. All halls have common rooms and recreational facilities as well as quiet places for study. Toilet and bathroom facilities are communal. All halls reserved have a certain number of places for non-local students.

Other than halls, there are four residential colleges in which undergraduate and postgraduate students actively engage themselves in various activities. The Colleges provide accommodation to 1,800 students with not less than half of the places assigned to undergraduates.

Another option is “non-hall” student hostels of the University managed by CEDARS. These include Student Flats (SF), Pokfield Road Residences (PRR) and Ching Lin Terrace (CLT). Students may be assigned to these “non-hall” student hostels when all hall vacancies for non-local students are filled up.

Furthermore, in anticipation of the growing numbers of non-local students and the corresponding shortage of residential places, HKU has rented some flats nearby the University as an alternative housing option for students, called University-rented Off-Campus Housing (OCH). They are within walking distance to the Main Campus and are close to fresh food markets, supermarkets and shops as well. All flats are furnished and managed by CEDARS. Each flat can accommodate 6 HKU students in double-shared air-conditioned bedrooms with bunk beds, bathroom, and pantry facilities equipped with hot plate, microwave oven and refrigerator for preparation of light meals.

Students who cannot be allocated a place in halls or colleges will be housed in non-hall student housing or university rented off campus housing managed by CEDARS. In some extreme cases, students would have to look for other housing options like privately rented housing in the vicinity of the University on their own. CEDARS can assist them to find such places.

In depth information:

Studying in the capital city of China could bring you many opportunities. This opportunity can become reality when applying for an exchange to the University of Hong Kong. Over the past century HKU has evolved from a minor institution in a far-out colonial outpost to the top university in Asia, located in the heart of the continent’s financial capital.

HKU offers more than 34 undergraduate programmes across 10 faculties, covering 70 major areas of study. The university prides itself on its international community of students and staff, providing a vibrant, colourful campus life for everyone. Some 104 countries are represented in the student body, with new ones added every year.

Moreover, HKU consistently receives the highest number of awards of any University Grants Committee-funded institution (UGC) in Hong Kong. Students have the opportunity to conduct research internships in the laboratories of HKU professors, 118 of whom have been ranked among the world’s top 1% of scientists by the Institute for Scientific Information.

A very positive point is the university's graduates can be confident in their career prospects; they have enjoyed an employment rate of nearly 100% for 11 consecutive years.

To get accepted for this exchange all non-local students are required to obtain a student visa. All applicants for a student visa are required to have a local sponsor. Students coming to HKU to study should nominate the Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS) as your visa sponsor by completing and returning to CEDARS an application form for visa sponsorship with all the required documents and payment. At least 2 months should be allowed for visa processing. It is the responsibility of individual student to make appropriate visa arrangement before they come to Hong Kong. Nationals other than PRC and Taiwan have to options to gain a student visa: they can either apply through the Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS) or they can apply through their local Chinese Embassy at home.

Ranking:

  • World Reputation Rankings 2017: 39th
  • World University Rankings 2021: 56th (!)

(Abstract taken from:

http://www.aal.hku.hk/admissions/local/facts-hku

http://www.aal.hku.hk/admissions/local/study-hku

http://www.cedars.hku.hk/campuslife/accommodation/nonlocal-students

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/university-hong-kong)

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Grading

Gradings are given on a scale from 1-10.

Culture


Grade

Points of interests 

(not so many <-> lots of museums etc.)

4

Food

(only local food <-> great variety of restaurants)

6

Nature

(none <-> several natural parks/recreational parks)

6

Recreation/Sports

(limited <-> many options/extra courses)

10

Social Activities

(limited <-> many theatres/cinemas/pubs

10


Study


Grade

Size of the University 

(small <-> big)

4

Relationship students-professors

(informal <-> formal)

4

Language requirements

(English suffices <-> Official Language)

10

The study programme 

(easy <-> difficult/intense)

4

Internationality

(few international students <-> many int. students)

1

Location of the University

(hard to reach <-> close by)

1

Finances


Grade

Food 

(expensive <-> cheap)

1

Accommodation 

(difficult to find & expensive <-> easy & affordable)

4

Sponsors and partners