Preparing for Exchange

To prepare for your semester at HKUST, students should familiarize themselves with the below information.

Calendar Dates

Students from our partner Schools can choose to exchange to HKUST Business School for either one semester (Fall or Spring) or for one full academic year (Sept to May)

Exchange TermPeriod
Fall Semester September - Decemeber
Spring Semester End-January/Beg-February - May
Year-Long September - May

More details on calendar dates can be found at the below links

2022-23 Official HKUST Calendar Dates
2022-23 Important Dates for Exchange

Fall 2022Date
Earliest check-in date 25-26 Aug
Orientation Program 31 Aug
Fall Semester Commences 01 Sep
Buddy Program Activity 03 Sep
Add/Drop period 01-15 Sep
The secnod day following the Mid-Autumn Festival  (No class) 12 Sep
National Day (No class) 01 Oct
Chung Yeung Festival (No class) 04 Oct
Last Day of Fall Semester 30 Nov
Study Break 01-06 Dec
Examination Period 07-19 Dec
Last day of Fall Semester 19 Dec
Latest check-out date 03 Jan 2023
Spring 2023Date
Earliest check-in date 31 Jan- 01 Feb
Orientation Program TBC
Spring Semester Commences 03 Feb
Add/Drop Period 03 Feb-16 Feb
Buddy Program Activity 04 Feb
Ching Ming Festival (No class) 05 Apr
Good Friday (No class) 07 Apr
Day following Good Friday (No class) 08 Apr
Easter Monday (No class) 10 Apr
Mid Term Break 05-11 Apr
Labor Day (No class) 01 May
Study Break 10-15 May
Examination Period 16-29 May
The Birthday of the Buddha 26 May
Last Day of Spring Semester Classes 29 May
Latest check-out date 02 Jun
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Academics

We offer a well-rounded and valuable academic experience for incoming undergraduate Exchange students here at the HKUST Business School.

Our course offerings vary each term, but all are designed to providing you with an enriching learning experience in a stimulating international environment. You will find that all our courses are structured according to international best practices and standards.

Our programs cover essential business disciplines in an environment that is both international and interactive. The majority of our Faculty has international backgrounds and has obtained PhD's from top universities around the world. The medium of instruction at our Business School is English.

We have a wide variety of course offerings in various departments for you to choose from:

  • Accounting
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Global Business
  • Information Systems
  • Operations Management
  • Management of Organizations
  • Marketing

Our School of Engineering, School of Science, School of Humanities and Social Science also offers a wide variety of courses that may interest you. You can also join any other courses offered during your Exchange Term providing you meet the course requirements and if there are seats available.

Wish to gain some understanding of Chinese while you are studying with us? Our Language Center offers a Beginner’s Putonghua Course for exchange students in both the Fall and Spring Terms, so you can learn the local language. The courses are credit-bearing, but please note that seats are limited.

More Information for Courses and Learning

Accommodations

Exchange students live in university arranged housing and can choose to stay on-campus in undergraduate student halls located near the seafront within close walking distance to many recreational amenities or off-campus at the Jockey Club Hall located near the Tseung Kwan O MTR station.

To apply, exchange students need only indicate their preference in their exchange application form. Hall allocations will be emailed to students in the month before arrival. The charges for semester and year-long exchange are roughly HK$13,000, and HK$26,800, respectively.

Since the Student Housing and Residential Life Office (SHRLO) operates as a separate office, you can find more information at the below links:

Student Visa

The Hong Kong Immigration Department requires all non-local students to obtain a student visa in order to study in Hong Kong. In general, if you do not possess the right of abode or the right to land in Hong Kong, or hold a dependent’s visa, then you will require a student visa.

All exchange students who require a student visa, are to route their applications through HKUST for handling. After receiving confirming of your exchange, you will have access to the visa application instructions. Students should mail their visa applications to HKUST who will submit the package to Hong Kong Immigrations on your behalf. The processing time is around 6-8 weeks. When the visa is issued, HKUST will collect it and mail it to you before your departure for Hong Kong.

Insurance

You are required to purchase travel insurance through HKUST that covers the duration of your study. The policy provides for the coverage listed below. For details about the policy, please click here.

  • Medical and hospitalization for illnesses and accidents
  • Personal liability
  • Medical evacuation and repatriation

Students who fail to comply with the insurance requirements will not be able to officially register at HKUST.

Exchange Student Fee

Exchange students have a fee payment of about HK$14,400 for semester exchange, and HK$27,400 for year-long exchange. This fee includes semester accommodations, insurance, and the student visa processing fee. Tuition fees at HKUST are waived, but exchange students still need to pay tuition at their home university.

Living Expenses

Wondering about your living expenses for the exchange program? We have provided the following breakdown of the estimated costs of attending HKUST per term:

Food (no meal plan, roughly HK$35/meal on campus) HKD$14,000
Exchange Student Fee (Insurance, Visa, Housing) HKD$15,000
Books and Supplies HKD$1,500
Local Transportation, Personal and Incidental Expenses* HKD$12,000
Total HKD$42,500
Approximately US$5,463

* This category of expense includes entertainment and shopping at a reasonable level on weekends. It does not include travel outside Hong Kong for holidays.

Orientation Activities

A mandatory Orientation will be held in the last working day before the first day of the semester. Details on this orientation will be provided prior to arrival. In addition, the Office of Global Learning (OGL) organizes other exchange activities which can be found at this link.

Buddy Program

Business Exchange students are automatically registered in a one-on-one Business Buddy Program. Students will get details of their matched buddy in the month before arrival.

Photo Competition

1st Place

                                                                     

LEENKNECHT, Jacob Patrick

 

KU Leuven

Lion's rock at cloudy   night

 

The sunset and night views   on Lion's Rock peak makes you forget the effort towards it.

 

 

 

 

2nd Place

    

MARTINEZ MARTINEZ, Paloma

 

University of Navarra

Climbing through life

 

Hong Kong has so many   amazing hikes and people but the suicide cliff definitely is the best one.   You can see all of Hong Kong from up there and you surely have the best time   ever while doing it.

 

 

 

 

3rd Place

    

KRY, Meilee Chen

 

Cornell University

Race against the sunset

 

With time in HK dwindling,   hiking this trail with the high incline was a hard task. Hong Kong has so   many remarkable hikes and places to explore, but getting to see this amazing   sunset at such high elevation was amazing to experience.

 

 

 

 

Merit Award

    

GRAEFF, Karla Emilia

 

KU Leuven

Dragon Boat Mornings in   Hong Kong

 

The picture shows the dragon   boat team's experience day. Today, Saturday's water training with the dragon   boat team members created some of my favorite memories of Hong Kong.

 

 

 

 

Merit Award

    

NAGEL, Sarah Sophie

 

Copenhagen Business School

No better way to explore   Hong Kong than from a junk boat

 

Junk boat party with many   new friends with lots of swimming, Music, food and good vibes

 

 

 

 

Merit Award

    

ONG, Jazlyn Wan Qing

 

National University of   Singapore

Win Some with Dim Sum!

 

A feast for your eyes and a   treat for you guys! If your tummy gets hungry, try dim sum, it's yummy!

 

We smelled an aroma from   afar, and thought it was pretty bizarre! So we patronized a roadside stall,   just beside a really big mall.

 

To our surprise, it turned   out real nice! So come here and I promise, you'll surely be astonished!

 

 

 

 

Merit Award

    

OBERHOESSEL, Clara Maria   Donata

 

KU Leuven

City night lights

 

One can see Hong Kong's   breathtaking Skyline at night from the perspective of a Junk Boat - a   definite must do during ones stay in here Hong Kong!

Hong Kong has one of the   most spectacular and beautiful Skyline in the entire world, where one can not   only see the Victoria Harbor and the colourful skyscrapers scenery but also   the impressive natural environment.

 

 

 

 

Merit Award

    

TROSVIK, Emil

 

BI Norway

Green and fresh study   break

 

Sai Wan waterfalls. Three   exchange students from HKUST, from different countries. None of us had ever   been to Hong Kong earlier and did not know anyone when we arrived. We met   early in the semester, quickly became friends, and went hiking together in   Hong Kong's beautiful nature.

 

 

 

 

 

Merit Award

    

PRZYBYSIAK, Krzysztof Tomasz

 

Kozminski University

HK inner local experience

 

The photo shows me and my   local friend while exploring mysterious and non-obvious places in Hong Kong   and delving into cultural differences, relationships and history between   China and Hong Kong.

 
 

 

Course Outlines

For Business Course Outlines, Credits, and Pre-Requisite Requirements, you may check under the homepage of respective departments listed on our Business School website. Some departments will have detailed course outlines posted.

For information on non-business courses, visit the university-wide academic course catalog.

Course Credits is indicated in a vector on the right-hand side of the title. For example, a course with a vector of [3-1-0:4] denotes a course that has 3 lecture hours plus 1 tutorial hour a week over a 13 week semester and is worth a total of 4 credits.

Learning Expectations

Many of our courses have pre-requisite requirements; particularly with 2000- and 3000- level courses. Students are responsible for checking and making sure they met the pre-requisite requirements of their selected courses.

Learning Expectations

Our courses generally comprise of lectures, case analyses, class presentations, and written papers or projects. Attendance, which is mandatory, class participation, and final examinations (format varies) are considered in assigning the final course grade. Here are more details on Learning Expectations:

Language of Instruction English
Class Format Lectures, case analyses / presentations, papers and projects
Attendance Class attendance is mandatory
Participation Class participation is part of a student's final grade in most courses
Grading Letter graded, with grade D the marginal pass; final course grade often based on class participation, projects, case analyses, mid-term and final exams
Class Size normally 30-40 students per class in 200- and 300- level courses
Course Load 4-5 courses with a maximum total number of 17 credits
Course Choices Exchange students have the same freedom in course selection as regular students. They can select courses as long as they meet the prerequisite requirements and if there are vacancies available in their selected courses
Examinations Exam formats vary in each course. Final examinations are written in the last 2 weeks of the semester. Leaving before your exams are finished is generally not permitted

Course Selection and Registration

Exchange Students will receive comprehensive details on how to select courses by email about 2 months before the start of their exchange semester. The information will include links to the Semester Course Offerings List (for pre-approval), Course Timetable, and online Course Selection system. To give you a better idea, here is a general idea of the timeline for the process:

ActionFallSpring
Semester Course Offerings List Beg July End Nov
Confirmed Timetable Released End July Mid Dec
Submit Only Course Selections Form and upload Transcripts End July End Dec
Advising and feedback on selections by HKUST Beg Aug Beg Jan
Course Registration (Prior to Arrival based on Selection Form) Eng Aug Eng Jan
Add/Drop Period to make course changes Beg Sep Beg Feb

Notes for Course Selection & Registration

  • Students are to check and make sure they meet the pre-requisite requirements of their selected courses.
  • In order to assess whether pre-requisite requirements have been fulfilled, students must submit an updated English transcript with their Course Selections Form
  • The maximum credit load is 17 credits or 5 courses
  • Students are pre-registered in their selected courses prior to their arrival based on their selections.
  • Students must fill in their Selection form with alternatives. If a class is full, you will be put on the waiting list; at the same time, you will be registered into your alternative where a seat is available. Please do not leave your alternatives open on the course selection form or you will risk not getting enrollment into a full course load
  • It is very important for students to submit their Course Selections from in a timely manner or there is a risk of not getting enrollment.