University of Hong Kong
- Students are fully integrated into the University of Hong Kong and take classes with local students
- Students have the option to take beginner to advanced Mandarin and Cantonese courses
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is a premier international university in Asia and was the first university established in Hong Kong in 1911. HKU is a comprehensive, university of world-class standing. HKU was ranked no.1 in Asia and 21st in the world in the 2010-11 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. The University has a student population of over 21,000. It is situated on the northwestern slopes of Hong Kong Island facing Victoria Harbor and is close to Hong Kong's bustling financial district. The university offers a buddy program to assist exchange students to get settled into the university.
Students are fully integrated into the University of Hong Kong. All courses offered at HKU are taught in English except language courses. Students are required to take at least three courses from the specific school they are admitted to at HKU. An average semester course load is five courses. Course offerings include: American Studies, Architecture, Astronomy, Biology, Biochemistry, Buddhist Studies, Business, Chemistry, Chinese, English, East Asian Languages & Cultures, Economics, Education, Engineering (Civil, Computer Science, Electrical & Mechanical), English, Environmental Studies, European Studies, Film and Media Studies, French, Geography, Geology, German, History, History of Art, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Linguistics, Music, Philosophy, Mathematics, Physics, Health, Sports & Exercise Science, Portuguese, Political Science, Public Administration, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Spanish, Speech-Language Hearing.
Beginning to advanced Putonghua (Mandarin) and Cantonese courses are offered in the fall or spring semester for exchange students. Students can take one Mandarin or Cantonese course along with their major courses or study Mandarin or Cantonese in an intensive full-time language program during the semester or year. The intensive language program offers fifteen hours of instruction per week by experienced instructors who are native speakers of Chinese and provide balanced training in listening, speaking, reading and writing in Chinese.
Program dates for the Fall semester are generally late August to late December and early January to late May for the Spring semester. See date section above for specific dates for each academic term.
HKU has thirteen residence halls and four residential colleges. Eight of the residence halls are within walking distance of the main campus and four halls are a bus ride from the main campus. Students stay in air conditioned double-occupancy rooms with HKU students. All halls have common rooms and recreational facilities as well as quiet places for study. Bathroom facilities are communal. Some of the residence halls have dining hall facilities, but most students eat at campus cafeterias and restaurants near the residence halls. The HKU residence halls are known for their strong hall spirit and each hall has its own traditions and culture.
The newly built Residential Colleges on Lung Wah Street are near the Kennedy Town Shopping area and a short bus ride from the main campus. The residential colleges offer single and double rooms and each floor has a communal kitchen and bathroom.
Placement in HKU Accommodations is competitive and limited. Students must apply by the accommodation deadline and are not guaranteed university accommodations.
SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Study abroad is achievable for students of all identities including our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students, students with disabilities, and students with religious/non-religious viewpoints. Before selecting a program, consider how your identities may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process.
Check our Identity Abroad page and resources listed below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.
Open to KU students with sophomore standing by the beginning of the program that have a minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA. There is no language requirement.
Websites
University of Hong Kong
* For course info, click on Faculty and Departments