The University of Hong Kong
Information Sheet
(For academic exchange in 2008/09)
Name of University: The University of Hong Kong
Office dealing with study Office of International Student Exchange (OISE)
abroad/exchange matters:
Mailing address: Academic Liaison Section
The Registry
9/F Knowles Building
The University of Hong Kong
Pokfulam Road
Hong Kong
Street address: (same as above)
(For courier delivery)
Website for exchange-related http://www.hku.hk/exchange
information
General information
General information (e.g. The University is the oldest tertiary education institution in Hong
introduction about your Kong. The main campus stretches along the north-western slopes of
university, location, etc.) the Hong Kong Island between 50 and 150 metres above sea levels.
The University today has a student population of around 15,000
enrolled on regular degree programmes funded by the University
Grants Committee, including 9,000 undergraduate students and
5,700 postgraduate students (of which 1,700 are research students).
All ten Faculties – Architecture, Arts, Business and Economics,
Dentistry, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Science, and
Social Sciences – and their departments provide teaching and
supervision for research (both M. Phil and Ph.D.) students.
Academic calendar (2008-09) (http://www.hku.hk/afss/semdate)
1st semester/term: Teaching: Sept 1 – Nov 29, 2008
Reading/Field Trip week: Oct 13 – Oct 18, 2008
Examinations: Dec 8 – Dec 20, 2008
2nd semester/term: Teaching: Jan 12 – April 25, 2009
Reading/Field Trip week: Mar 2 – Mar 7, 2009
Examinations: May 4 – May 23, 2009
Number of credits or units that 30 credits for one semester - Students are expected to take a
undergraduate students need to minimum of 24 credits to a maximum of 36 credits in each semester
complete in one semester/term subject to approval of Dean/Head of Department
(most of the courses are of 6 credits so student will be taking 5
courses per semester)
1
Number of credits or units 180 credits
required for completion of
undergraduate honours degree
Language of instruction English, except for courses offered by the Department of Chinese
Special language courses for Chinese language courses (Cantonese and Putonghua) of different
exchange students levels and Chinese culture courses are offered to all undergraduate
international students. No fees are required.
Exchange-related information
Level Undergraduate and Graduate (research students only)
Number of exchange students Normally 2 full-year exchange students
admitted from each partner (additional places are negotiable)
institution
Duration of exchange One semester or one academic/calendar year
Programmes/Courses open to All, except for the restricted programmes
exchange students Course description: http://www.hku.hk/pubunit/dr.html
Restricted programmes (not open Courses offered by the Faculties of Dentistry and Medicine, and
to exchange students) / Faculties clinical courses offered by the Faculty of Education
with special requirements
Law – ONLY for students majoring in Law at their home university
Architecture - Applicants should have completed 1.5 or 2 years of
relevant studies before applying. In addition to the usual application
documents, student will be required to submit also a portfolio and a
letter of recommendation from a teacher in Architecture
Design. Only single semester (NOT full year) exchange will be
considered.
Services available to exchange All exchange students enjoy the same access as local students to
students (e.g. internet access, university facilities such as the University Libraries, Sports Centres,
sports facilities, libraries, student Computer Centre, University Health Services, etc. Exchange
organizations, etc.) students are also welcome to participate in activities organized by
halls of residence and students’ societies.
Deadlines for Nomination to For September admission: March 31
reach HKU
For January admission: September 1
For Law courses: February 15 (for admissions in both
semesters)
Are application materials Upon receiving the nomination from partner university, nominees
available online? will be invited to complete an online Exchange Application Form.
They will be informed of the application procedures via email.
Supporting documents required Applicants are required to mail the original supporting documents to
to be submitted with exchange OISE upon completion of the online Exchange Application Form.
2
application
Supporting documents required includes:
1) Academic transcripts and/or certificates or their certified true
copies (if these documents are not in English, they must be
accompanied by a certified translation in English.);
2) certified true copies of the score report of English proficiency
test (if applicable);
3) passport copy
4) CV (optional)
Arrival / Orientation programme
Recommended arrival dates 1st semester/term: August 25-27, 2008
2nd semester/term: January 5-7, 2009
Is airport pick-up service The OISE administers a Buddy Programme, whereby each
available? If yes, please provide participating exchange student is assigned to a local student, i.e., a
details: buddy, to help them settle down in Hong Kong. A local buddy will
meet his/her international buddy at the airport, assist him/her in
settling into residence, help during his/her stay in Hong Kong, etc.
Exchange students will be invited to join the Programme, upon
confirmation of admittance to the University.
Orientation programme 1st semester/term: August 29, 2008
(tentative date)
2nd semester/term: January 9, 2009
Cost of orientation programme Free-of-charge for Orientation, Cultural Adjustment Session and
(if any) Library Tour. Optional tours and cultural activities will be offered at
notional charge.
Accommodation
Is university-administered Students are advised to submit hall application asap. Hall places are
accommodation available to very limited and cannot be guaranteed due to keen competition.
exchange students?
If yes, do students send Application for Hall Membership can be downloaded at:
accommodation application to https://sweb.hku.hk/ccacad/exchange/Hall.pdf
your office and where to obtain
the application materials? Completed application should be sent to OISE as soon as the students
are nominated for exchange at HKU (no need to attach an admission
offer). OISE will forward the application to the Centre of
Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS) for actions once
the admission offer is confirmed.
Is accommodation available Yes, hall accommodation is available from early September to
over semester breaks? If yes, mid-June of the following year for whole-year lodging. No additional
any additional charges? charges during semester break.
If university-administered The Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS)
accommodation is not available, provides advice/assistance in finding off-campus private housing.
will there be any assistance in Relevant information is available at:
finding private housing? http://www.hku.hk/osa/student_residences.html.
3
Visa requirements
Are exchange students required Yes. Exchange students need to obtain a student visa except for
to obtain a student visa? holders of Hong Kong Identity Card. Exchange students are
required to nominate the University as their local visa sponsor.
Application for Visa Sponsorship can be downloaded at:
https://sweb.hku.hk/ccacad/exchange/Visa.pdf.
Information on application procedures for a student visa can be
viewed at: http://www.hku.hk/osa/nonlocal_students/visa.htm
Are exchange students allowed to On campus: No
work?
Off campus: No
Is a special visa required for On campus: Yes
work?
Off campus: Yes
Insurance
Are exchange students required Medical insurance is optional but highly recommended. Students can
to purchase a compulsory plan? purchase accident insurance upon their arrival at HKU.
Is medical services provided in The University also provides free-of-charge primary health care to
campus? full-time students at the University’s out-patient clinic. Dental
service is also available at a notional charge. Please refer to
http://www.hku.hk/uhs/student_medical_benefits.htm for more
information on medical services at HKU.
Estimated expenses per semester (in local currency)
University-administered Lodging fees for university undergraduate halls range from
accommodation approximately HK$4,500 to HK$9,500 per semester. A few halls
have compulsory meal charges ranging from HK$2,600 to
HK$3,850 per semester but the figures do NOT cover all meals.
Private accommodation Rental in private market is expensive. The rent for a room in a flat
nearby may cost at least HK$3,000 per month plus utility charges.
Food/Meals Around HK$15,000 (3 meals a day in the campus restaurants)
Local transportation HK$2,500 on average
Academic expenses (e.g. books, HK$1,500 on average, but costs vary with different courses.
fieldtrips, etc.)
Personal expenses Varies with individuals.
Insurance Varies with individuals
Any fees other than tuition (e.g. Students living in university undergraduate halls need to pay a hall
student services) association entrance and subscription fee, high table dinner fees, key
deposit etc. on a semester basis. Allow HK$800 to HK$1,400 per
semester.
All students are required to pay HK$350 caution money (which will
be refunded after exchange studies) and HK$170 Students’ Union
fee. Students should allow funds for sports goods, durable goods,
overseas travel, personal items, insurance and medical expenses.
4