Major Selection

General Rules for Taking Part in Major Selection Exercise (MSE)(applicable to SBM programs only)

  • All students, whether admitted through School-based (SBA) or Program-based (PBA) Admission, must join MSE if they want to declare or change their major. Once they have received a major offer, they cannot join MSE again.
  • PBA students must give up their major quota when joining MSE. If no offer is received, they will be placed in the Business and Management Program and can join MSE again to choose a major in subsequent term(s) until the end of the 3rd term where they will be assigned General Business Management Program, GBM if there is still no offer.
  • Senior year entry students (e.g. admitted through local Associate Degree or Higher Diploma) or PBA students admitted to ECOF and QFIN can join MSE in the first two terms.
  • SBA students or PBA students admitted to BBA programs can join MSE in the first three terms.
  • Students will be assigned GBM if they do not have a major by two terms for senior year entry students or by three terms for all other students.
  • Students must be an active student at HKUST at the time of application.

Programs Available for Selection

Major Selection Exercises are conducted at the end of Fall and Spring. BIBU, DDP, ISD, MAEC and SGFN will be available in Year 1 Spring only, while EVMT and RMBI will be available in Year 1 Fall and Spring only.

Offered by School of Business and Management

Jointly offered by School of Business and Management, School of Engineering and School of Science 

Jointly offered by School of Business and Management and School of Science 

Jointly offered by School of Business and Management and Division of Environment and Sustainability

Offered by Academy of Interdisciplinary Studies (AIS)

Eligibility

MajorEligibility
ECOF, GBUS, QFIN, EVMT, DDP, ISD, RMBI, SGFN Completion of at least 29 credits, including transferred credits upon admission.
ACCT, ECON, FINA, GBM, IS, MARK, MGMT, OM Completion of:
  • at least 5 out of 7 major foundation courses; and
  • at least 43 credits, including transferred credits upon admission.
BIBU Completion of:
  • CHEM1008 [or attainment of Level 3 or above in HKDSE 1/2x or 1x Chemistry]; and
  • LIFS1901 [or attainment of Level 3 or above in HKDSE 1x Biology]; and
  • LIFS1902
MAEC Completion of:
  • at least 29 credits, including transferred credits upon admission; and 
  • a) MATH1012/1013/1023 and MATH1014/1024; or b) MATH1020

Notes:
1. The 7 major foundation courses are ACCT 2010, ECON 2103/2113/2123, FINA 2303, ISOM 2010, ISOM 2700, MARK 2120 and MGMT 2110.
2. Students indicate preference by ranking at least 1 and up to all of the programs that they are eligible to apply.

 

Program Requirements & Ranking Criteria


MajorRequirementsRanking Criteria
Majors offered by SBM
ECOF (Note 3i) CGA 3.0 or above;
B- or above in any MATH course;
C+ or above in LANG 1406/1409
Holistic assessment based on CGA,
selected course performance,
CV profile and interview performance
GBUS CGA 3.0 or above;
C+ above in MATH course (B+ or above in ISOM2500 for those who fail to meet the Math course requirement);
B- or above in LANG 1406
Holistic assessment based on CGA, selected course performance, CV profile, personal statement and interview performance
QFIN
CGA 3.0 or above;
B- or above in MATH 1012/1013/1020/1023;
C+ or above in LANG 1406
Holistic assessment based on CGA, selected course performance, CV profile, personal statement and interview performance
ACCT C+ or above in ACCT 2010 ACCT2010, then BCGA
ECON C+ or above in ECON 2103/2113 or ECON 2123
(Note: C- or below in any of ECON2103/2113/2123 will not be considered)
Holistic assessment based on ECON2103/2113, ECON2123 (if taken), BCGA, selected course performance and CV profile
FINA (Note 3ii) C+ or above in FINA 2303 FINA 2303, then BCGA
IS C+ or above in ISOM 2010 ISOM 2010, then BCGA
OM C+ or above in ISOM 2700 ISOM 2700, then BCGA
MARK C+ or above in MARK 2120 MARK 2120, then BCGA
MGMT C+ or above in MGMT 2110 MGMT 2110, then BCGA
Majors jointly offered by SBM and SSCI
BIBU CGA 3.0 or above;
C+ or above in LANG 1406/1409
Holistic assessment based on CGA, CV profile, personal statement (Interview may be required)
MAEC(Note 3iii)

CGA 3.0 or above;
A
t least one course obtained B- or above, and both courses obtained C+ or above in MATH1012/1013/1023 and MATH1014/1024; or B- or above in MATH1020
C+ or above in LANG 1406 (for SBM students)

Holistic assessment based on CGA, CV profile, selected course performance (Interview may be required)
Majors jointly offered by SBM, SENG and SSCI
RMBI (Note 3ii)

CGA 3.0 or above;
B- or above in MATH 1012/1013/1020/1023 preferred; B- or above in LANG 1406/1407/1409 preferred

Holistic assessment based on CGA, selected course performance, CV profile and interview performance
Majors jointly offered by SBM and Division of Environment and Sustainability
SGFN

CGA 3.0 or above; B- or above in MATH 1003/1012/1013/1020/1023; C+ or above in LANG 1406

Holistic assessment based on CGA, selected course performance, CV profile, personal statement and interview performance
Majors offered by AIS
T&M-DDP

For Engineering options:
B+ or above in LANG 1402/1406
MATH 1014/MATH 1020/MATH 1024

For Science option:
B+ or above in LANG 1402/1406
MATH 1003/MATH 1012/MATH 1013/MATH 1020/MATH 1023;
LIFS 1901 and/or LIFS 1902 taken in first year

Holistic assessment based on pre-admission exam result, CGA, selected course performance, CV profile, personal statement and interview performance
EVMT Recommended: MATH 1003/MATH 1012/MATH 1013/MATH 1020/MATH 1023; CHEM 1004/CHEM 1008/CHEM 1011/CHEM 1012; any ENVR/SUST course Holistic assessment based on pre-admission exam result, CGA, selected course performance, CV profile and interview performance
ISD MATH 1012/MATH 1013/MATH 1014/MATH 1020/MATH 1023/MATH 1024 taken in first year; Recommended: ISDN 1001, ISDN 1002 Holistic assessment based on pre-admission exam result, CGA, selected course performance, design and technology project portfolio and design challenge interview

Notes:

1. BCGA includes the following courses: ACCT 2010, ECON 2103/2113, ECON 2123, FINA 2303, ISOM 2010, ISOM 2020, ISOM 2500, ISOM 2600, ISOM 2700, MARK 2120, MGMT 2010 and MGMT 2110.
2. Credits transferred for the corresponding required courses are considered meeting the requirements.
3. Students without the corresponding major foundation course grade at HKUST will be assessed based on BCGA, selected course performance and CV profile, where in some situation, written exam, interview and personal statement may be required.
i. ECOF: There may be a MATH test for selected group of students who apply for ECOF program and do not have MATH grade in HKUST.
ii. FINA: For students with credit transfer for FINA 2303, a holistic assessment based on in-person written exam, BCGA, selected course performance, CV, personal statement and interview performance is required.
iii. MAEC: Placement test will be required for students who have got credit transfer for MATH 1020.



Quota

The quotas indicated below are indicative and may be adjusted depending on the size and the quality of the application pool.

MajorTotal QuotaMajor QuotaFall 2024
Major Quota
Major offered by SBM
ECOF 63 63 3
GBUS 63 63 6
QFIN 42 42 2
ACCT 215 170 8
ECON 115 75 3
FINA 145 115 6
IS 225 115 6
OM 155 80 6
MARK 225 165 11
MGMT 210 80 4
Major jointly offered by SBM & SSCI
BIBU 64 64 To be determined by program
MAEC 38 38 TBC (shared between SBM & SSCI)
Major jointly offered by SBM, SENG & SSCI
RMBI 45 45 To be determined by program
Major jointly offered by SBM & Division of Environment and Sustainability
SGFN 30 30 TBC
Major offered by AIS
DDP TBC TBC To be determined by program
EVMT TBC TBC To be determined by program
ISD TBC TBC To be determined by program

Notes:

1. "Total Quota" and "Major Quota" include students admitted to respective programs upon admission.
2. For ECOF, GBUS and QFIN, unfilled quota in Fall 2024 (first term) will be carried forward to Spring 2025 (second term).
3. For BBA programs except GBUS, unfilled quota in Fall 2024 (first term) and Spring 2025 (second term) will be carried forward to Fall 2025 (third term). Unfilled major quota in Fall 2025 will be added to the additional major quota in Spring 2026.
4. All quotas are indicative; quotas for ECOF and QFIN are subject to the size and the quality of the application pool.
5. BIBU, DDP, ISD, MAEC and SGFN are available in Year 1 Spring only.
6. EVMT and RMBI are available in Year 1 Fall and Spring.

Timeline

Fall 2024 MSE

DEC-JAN

Application period

  • December 19, 2024 -
    January 2, 2025
JAN

Interview (if required by programs)

  • January 6 – 7, 2025
JAN

Result announcements

  • January 10, 2025

Spring 2025 MSE

APR

Application period

  • April 2025
MAY

Interview (if required by programs)

  • Mid May 2025 during study break
JUN

Re-prioritization of first major choices after grade release

  • Early June 2025 after grade release
JUN

Result announcements

  • Late June 2025

 

 

Fall 2025 MSE

DEC-JAN

Application period

  • December 2025 - Early January, 2026
JAN

Interview (if required by programs)

  • January 2026
JAN

Result announcements

  • January 2026

 

 

General Rules for Taking Part in Major Selection Exercise (MSE)(applicable to SBM programs only)

  • All students, whether admitted through School-based (SBA) or Program-based (PBA) Admission, must join MSE if they want to declare or change their major. Once they have received a major offer, they cannot join MSE again.
  • PBA students must give up their major quota when joining MSE. If no offer is received, they will be placed in the Business and Management Program and can join MSE again to choose a major in subsequent term(s) until the end of the 3rd term where they will be assigned General Business Management Program, GBM if there is still no offer.
  • Senior year entry students (e.g. admitted through local Associate Degree or Higher Diploma) or PBA students admitted to ECOF and QFIN can join MSE in the first two terms.
  • SBA students or PBA students admitted to BBA programs can join MSE in the first three terms.
  • Students will be assigned GBM if they do not have a major by two terms for senior year entry students or by three terms for all other students.
  • Students must be an active student at HKUST at the time of application.

Programs Available for Selection

Major Selection Exercises are conducted at the end of Fall and Spring. [Note: BIBU, MAEC, SGFN and DDP are available in Year 1 Spring only, while EVMT and RMBI are available in Year 1 Fall and Spring only.]

Offered by School of Business and Management

Eligibility

MajorEligibility
ECOF, GBUS, QFIN Completion of at least 29 credits, including transferred credits upon admission.
ACCT, ECON, FINA, GBM, IS, MARK, MGMT, OM Completion of:
  • at least 5 out of 7 major foundation courses; and
  • at least 43 credits, including transferred credits upon admission.

Notes:
1. The 7 major foundation courses are ACCT 2010, ECON 2103/2113/2123, FINA 2303, ISOM 2010, ISOM 2700, MARK 2120 and MGMT 2110.
2. Students indicate preference by ranking at least 1 and up to all of the programs that they are eligible to apply.

Program Requirements & Ranking Criteria


MajorRequirementsRanking Criteria
Majors offered by SBM
ECOF (Note 3i & ii) CGA 3.0 or above;
B- or above in any MATH course;
C+ or above in LANG 1401/1402 & LANG 1403/1404
Holistic assessment based on CGA,
selected course performance,
CV profile and interview performance
GBUS (Note 3ii) CGA 3.0 or above;
C+ above in MATH course (B+ or above in ISOM2500 for those who fail to meet the Math course requirement);
B- or above in LANG 1401/1402 & LANG 1403/1404
Holistic assessment based on CGA, selected course performance, CV profile, personal statement and interview performance
QFIN(Note 3ii) CGA 3.0 or above;
B- or above in MATH 1012/1013/1020/1023;
C+ or above in LANG 1401/1402; B- or above in LANG 1403/1404
Holistic assessment based on CGA, selected course performance, CV profile, personal statement and interview performance
ACCT C+ or above in ACCT 2010 ACCT2010, then BCGA
ECON C+ or above in ECON 2103/2113 or ECON 2123
(Note: C- or below in any of ECON2103/2113/2123 will not be considered)
Holistic assessment based on ECON2103/2113, ECON2123 (if taken), BCGA, selected course performance and CV profile
FINA (Note 3iii) C+ or above in FINA 2303 FINA 2303, then BCGA
IS C+ or above in ISOM 2010 ISOM 2010, then BCGA
OM C+ or above in ISOM 2700 ISOM 2700, then BCGA
MARK C+ or above in MARK 2120 MARK 2120, then BCGA
MGMT C+ or above in MGMT 2110 MGMT 2110, then BCGA

Notes:

1. BCGA includes the following courses: ACCT 2010, ECON 2103/2113, ECON 2123, FINA 2303, ISOM 2010, ISOM2020, ISOM 2500, ISOM2600, ISOM 2700, MARK 2120, MGMT 2010 and MGMT 2110. 
2. Credits transferred for the corresponding required courses are considered meeting the requirements. 
3. Students without the corresponding major foundation course grade at HKUST will be assessed based on BCGA, selected course performance and CV profile, in some situation written exam, interview and personal statement may be required. Please see the below details specifically for ECOF and FINA programs: 
i. ECOF: A group of shortlisted students will be invited to attend an interview and to take a MATH test.
ii. ECOF, QFIN and GBUS: In Fall MSE, students in the first term of study who have taken LANG 1401/1402 only may be considered.
iii. FINA: For students with credit transfer for FINA 2303, a holistic assessment based on in-person written exam, BCGA, selected course performance, CV, personal statement and interview performance is required. 

 

Quota

The quotas indicated below are indicative and may be adjusted depending on the size and the quality of the application pool.

MajorTotal QuotaMajor QuotaFall 2024
Major Quota
Major offered by SBM
ECOF 60 60 4
GBUS 60 60 22
QFIN 40 40 3
ACCT 210 165 97
ECON 110 70 33
FINA 140 110 43
IS 220 110 57
OM 150 75 61
MARK 220 160 95
MGMT 205 75 48

Notes:

1. "Total Quota" and "Major Quota" include students admitted to respective programs upon admission.

2. Unfilled major quota in Fall 2024 will be added to the additional major quota in Spring 2025.

Timeline

Fall 2024 MSE

DEC-JAN

Application period

  • December 19, 2024 -
    January 2, 2025
JAN

Interview (if required by programs)

  • January 6 – 7, 2025
JAN

Result announcements

  • January 10, 2025