Regular Term

Regular Term

The HKUST undergraduate student exchange program is partnered with over 200 institutions from around the world. Every term, HKUST welcomes around 400 exchange students from our partner institutions.

regular term

ELIGIBILITY

You are eligible to apply as an exchange student if:

  • Your home institution is a HKUST's exchange partner through a formal exchange agreement
  • You are nominated for the program by the exchange coordinator at your home institution

If your home institution does not have a formal exchange agreement with HKUST, you can apply to study at HKUST as a visiting student. Visiting students' applications are handled by the Undergraduate Recruitment and Admissions Office. Further information is available here.

ACADEMIC YEAR AND TERM DATES

The academic year runs from September to May, with the Fall Term and Spring Term being the major terms. Exchange students can choose to study at HKUST for one or both terms. Please click here for the academic calendar.

  • Fall Term: Early September to late December
  • Spring Term: Late January/early February to late May

 

Students interested in our International Summer Exchange Program (ISP) can visit here for details.

CREDITS

The Fall and Spring terms are each 13 weeks long. Most courses at HKUST are 3 credits and one credit generally represents 40-50 learning hours. The normal credit load is 15 credits each term. The minimum credit load is 12 credits (equivalent to three or four courses) and the maximum is 18 credits (equivalent to five or six courses).

COURSE AREAS AVAILABLE

You can enroll in any undergraduate course as long as there are places available and you fulfill the course prerequisites and any other enrollment conditions prescribed for the course. Postgraduate level courses are usually not open for enrollment to undergraduate exchange students. 

Before leaving home, it is good practice to check with your home institution on its policy regarding the transfer of credits and grades for the courses you plan to take at HKUST.

HKUST offers undergraduate courses in the following subject areas:

Science
Engineering
Business and Management
Humanities and Social Science
Interdisciplinary/Others
  • Chemistry
  • Life Science
  • Mathematics
  • Ocean Science
  • Physics

 

  • Chemical and Biological Engineering
  • Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • Computer Science and Engineering
  • Electronic and Computer Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering and Decision Analytics 
  • Integrative Systems and Design
  • Logistics Management
  • Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
  • Sustainable Energy Engineering

 

  • Accounting
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Global Business
  • Information Systems, Business Statistics and Operations Management
  • Management
  • Marketing

 

  • Humanities
  • Language
  • Social Science

 

  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environment and Sustainability
  • Risk Management and Business Intelligence
  • Technology and Management

 

Course offering will vary from term to term. You can take reference from the HKUST Course Catalog.

ASSESSMENT

The typical course assessment is based on a combination of items, which may include class participation, projects, labs, mid-terms and final exams.

A two-week final examination period takes place at the end of the Fall and Spring Terms. Exam schedules are normally announced in the middle of the term. The format of the exams will vary from course to course.

GRADES, TRANSCRIPT AND CREDIT TRANSFER

HKUST will produce transcripts detailing the courses taken and the grades obtained. The transcripts will be sent to you and your home institution.

HKUST uses a 4.3 grading scale, with letter grades, with Grade D being a marginal pass. Please visit here for details.

Credit transfers are approved by students’ home institutions. You should check with your home institution on its policy regarding the transfer of grades and credits.

ACCOMMODATION

Undergraduate exchange students are guaranteed accommodation in university-provided housing, subject to your submission of the housing application. You will be assigned to a double (or a triple room with double occupation) in a student hall for the program duration. Please click here for more information.

PROGRAM COSTS

Exchange students do not pay tuition fees to HKUST as this is covered by the exchange agreement between your home institution and HKUST. You should check with your home institution for any fees payable.

Living expenses vary depending on your lifestyle choices. The below costs are an estimate of what it would cost to study for one term as an exchange student at HKUST. These do not include airfare, any personal traveling, or costs involved with specific courses which may have specific equipment or material costs. Note that these may also change from year to year.

Major expenses per term (Fall 2024) HKD Approx. in USD (1 USD=7.7 HKD) Approx. in EUR (1 EUR=9 HKD)
UG exchange fee to be paid to HKUST (University housing fee, student visa application & handling fee#, and HKUST compulsory travel insurance fee) 15,100 1,923 1,792
Food (approximately HKD40 per meal on campus) 15,500 2,020 1,750
Books and supplies 1,500 200 170
Transportation and other personal expenses 8,000 1,040 900

# not applicable to students who do not require a student visa to study in Hong Kong