Frequently Asked Questions

1. I have a valid work visa. Do I need to apply for a student visa when studying part-time?

Fri, 24 Jun 2016 05:55:01 GMT

If you have a valid work visa that covers the programme period, you will not need another visa to study in the part-time MSc Programme.

1. What are the selection criteria?

Tue, 10 May 2016 06:01:53 GMT

Academic qualifications, work experience, special projects undertaken, employer's financial and moral support, performance during interview are counted. Chance of admission also depends on the competitiveness among applicants.

1. Can I have an accommodation in the campus?

Tue, 10 May 2016 05:58:56 GMT

Full-time postgraduate students are eligible to apply for accommodation at a monthly rental charge for a single room in Graduate House at HK$4,520^ and in Ching Lin Terrace Residencel at HK$7,230^.

In addition, students may also apply for accommodation in one of the University's halls of residence, but it must be emphasized that the majority of places are allocated to undergraduates.

For details and updates of student residence, please refer to the website of the Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS) at https://www.cedars.hku.hk/index.php?route=accommodation/accommodation/

^ The rental charge may be subject to change. Please refer to the corresponding web site for up-to-date information.

1. How many intakes do you have each year?

Tue, 10 May 2016 05:39:50 GMT

We have one intake every year. Candidates should start their applications around late September every year for the next year's intake.

2. Is the Admission Committee in favour of applicants with certain undergraduate majors and particular types of work experience?

Tue, 10 May 2016 06:03:15 GMT

Generally, applicants with a few years of working experience in business and technology and with appropriate academic qualifications stand a better chance of being admitted.

2. I have a valid tourist visa. Do I need a student visa for studying in Hong Kong?

Fri, 24 Jun 2016 06:02:59 GMT

Yes, students who do not have the right to abode in Hong Kong are required to apply for a student visa for entering into Hong Kong and studying on a full-time master degree programme.

2. When does an academic year start?

Tue, 10 May 2016 05:40:38 GMT

Our programme is run on semester system, commencing in September.

For the academic year 2026/2027, the duration of each semester is as below:

Semester 1: September 2026 - December 2026
Semester 2: January 2027 - early May 2027
Semester 3: mid May 2027 - August 2027

2. What is the estimated budget for non-local student admitted in full-time programme in 2026?

Tue, 10 May 2016 06:00:05 GMT

Tuition fee:	HK$375,000^# (US$48,077)
On-campus room:	HK$46,800 (US$6,000) to HK$113,136 (US$14,505)
Food, local transportation and personal expenses:	HK$117,000 (US$15,000)
Total:	HK$498,600 (US$63,923) to HK$564,936 (US$72,428)

Note: The estimated figures are for reference only. The actual expenses vary from person to person.
# pending for University's approval

3. Will I be granted an interview?

Tue, 10 May 2016 06:03:53 GMT

We will interview most of the candidates with high potential for being admitted. However, straight-in without an interview is also possible.

3. What are the class schedules?

Tue, 10 May 2016 05:41:05 GMT

Classes are held on campus and are normally held on weekdays evenings from 7:00pm-10:00pm, with a short break for tea at around 8:15pm. For courses which are taught by overseas visiting lecturers, classes are held most in evenings within or just over a fortnight and often on Saturdays and Sundays as well.

3. How to apply for the student visa?

Fri, 24 Jun 2016 06:02:59 GMT

Non-local students, including those from the Mainland China, must obtain a visa in order to study in Hong Kong. Without a valid visa, they cannot register for their study in the University. The student visa will also enable students to enter Hong Kong as students.

Admissions and Academic Liaison Section (AAL) of the Registry can assist students in obtaining visas. Details can be found at: https://www.studentvisa.hku.hk/.

4. What type of time commitment is involved? What is the workload?

Tue, 10 May 2016 05:41:38 GMT

Each 6-credit course includes a total of 30 in-class hours. Workloads vary from course to course, and from student to student, depending on your own learning style and familiarity with the material. A general rule of thumb is that for every 3-hour lecture, approximately three-five hours of additional work are needed for class preparation and projects. Work in between classes includes group projects and assignments.

4. What supporting documents are required?

Tue, 10 May 2016 06:05:57 GMT

Along with the application the following documents are required to be uploaded to the system for preliminary consideration:
a. Graduate transcript(s) with grading system of all tertiary level studies issued by the Registry of institution (or interim transcript if graduate transcript is not available yet)
b. Graduation certificate(s), if available
c. Degree certificates (For applicant with Mainland China qualification)

(i) Online Verification Report of Higher Education Qualification Certificate issued by CSSD (学信网); and (ii) Certificate of Bachelor’s Degree* (學士學位證書) issued by the Registry of awarding institution; OR Online Verification Report of Higher Education Degree Certificate (中國高等教育學位在線驗證報告) issued by CSSD (學信網).

d. English Language proficiency test score report, such as TOEFL or IELTS (only for applicants with qualifications from institutions outside HK where the language of instruction and examination is not English)
e. Proof of Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) / average grade / average mark (If the transcript does not show the cumulative GPA / average grade / average mark, or no school proof is available, please complete the online form in the TPg system).
f. Official proof of class ranking, if available
g. A curriculum vitae (C.V.)
h. Identity documents; Visa / Entry Permit (if applicable)

Applicants are NOT required to submit original documents during the application stage. Should an applicant be given an admission offer by the Programme, he/she will receive notification of the need to submit original documents. Please also note that certified true copies by notary public – for ALL types of supporting documents, would NOT be accepted.

Please note that documents once submitted will not be returned, and will be destroyed if the application is unsuccessful.

5. Do I need to submit reference letters?

Tue, 10 May 2016 06:07:57 GMT

You do not need to submit reference letters or ask your referees to complete a form at the time of application. The Programme Office will contact you or the referees directly afterwards if reference letters are required.

5. Can I apply for exemption and/or advanced standing?

Tue, 10 May 2016 05:42:03 GMT

Course exemption may be granted if candidates can produce evidence, such as transcript and course syllabus, that a course is equivalent in content to another course elsewhere for which a satisfactory grade has been obtained. No credits will be given for the exempted course and candidates may be required to take additional and/or alternative courses in lieu of the exempted courses, e.g. A student who has granted exemption of a core course may take an additional elective course instead.

Advanced standing may be granted to candidates in recognition of studies completed successfully before admission to the curriculum in accordance with TPG3 of the Regulations for Taught Postgraduate Curricula. Candidates who are awarded Advanced Standing will not be granted any further credit transfer for those studies for which Advanced Standing has been granted. The amount of credits to be granted for Advanced Standing shall be determined by the Board of the Studies, in accordance with the following principles:

(a) a candidate may be granted a total of not more than 20% of the totals credits normally required under a curriculum for Advanced Standing unless otherwise approved by the Senate; and
(b) credits granted for advanced standing shall not be included in the calculation of the GPA but will be recorded on the transcript of the candidate.

6. The application instructions strongly recommend submitting applications early. What is the benefit to me for submitting early?

Wed, 11 May 2016 03:17:31 GMT

We strongly recommend submitting early to allow for technical difficulties or severe traffic that may occur on deadline days. To avoid this, please consider submitting your application a day or two before the deadline.

6. Does concurrent registration allow in HKU?

Tue, 10 May 2016 05:42:29 GMT

Students registered to read for a postgraduate curriculum at this University MUST NOT be registered simultaneously to read for another qualification in this University or at another institution, except with the approval of the Board of Studies given in advance. A breach of this Regulation in Hong Kong or elsewhere may result in the student concerned being required to discontinue studies at this University.

7. Is there any financial assistance to local students?

Tue, 10 May 2016 05:45:33 GMT

Since we are a self-funded programme, we are unable to offer financial assistance to local students. Additional support is provided in the form of Government Schemes (Extended Non-means Tested Loan Scheme, Continuing Education Fund).

Please refer to the Financial Assistance section for more information.

7. If my application is missing just a few materials, will it still be assessed?

Wed, 11 May 2016 04:30:19 GMT

Other than under very rare and exceptional circumstances, we cannot review files unless they are fully completed. That means we must receive:

the completed application form;
the application fee of HK$600;
copies of the transcripts of all tertiary educational institutions attended; and
the copy of the official score report on English Language Proficiency Test (if English was not used as the medium of instruction in your undergraduate or postgraduate studies).

8. Will applications submitted after deadline for application be considered?

Wed, 11 May 2016 09:49:12 GMT

No.