Sharing From HKU, CUHK, PolyU and HKUST

We have invited four alumni studying in Hong Kong China - Bryant Zou, Eric Jiang, Sookie Shi, and Oscar Huang - to share their university experiences. Bryant is studying Computer Science and AI at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Eric is studying Statistics at the University of Hong Kong. Sookie studies Media at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, specializing in Public Relations and New Media. And Oscar studies at the Business School of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Academic Studies

@ Eric(HKU)：

“My major is in the Faculty of Sciences. In the first year, besides taking prerequisite courses for my major (Statistics), I also took some compulsory courses required for my program. For example, since I didn't complete all of biology, chemistry, and physics in high school, I had to take a course named "Fundamentals of Modern Science." The wide breadth of science knowledge covered made it challenging for me. Students in my faculty are all outstanding, and many came from high-achieving backgrounds from top public high schools in different provinces. They have excellent academic performance and study habits, so studying with these outstanding individuals is very motivating.”

@Sookie （CUHK）：

“My major part of the School of Journalism and Communication. In the first year, I studied prerequisite courses related to media and communications Starting my second year, I can choose a major from Advertising and Public Relations, Journalism, or Creative and New Media, based on my academic interests and performance.

Most of my classes were in the afternoon, and I had about three to four hours of classes each day. The emphasis in the first year was on developing transferrable skills such as teamwork and presentation, so I had many group projects and presentation assignments. Generally, the workload was manageable.”

@Bryant （PolyU）：

“I am studying Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, which belongs to the School of Engineering. At PolyU, In the first year, students take a standard set of subjects to lay a foundation for university study and gain a basic understanding of computing and AI. In addition to the core prerequisite courses of my major, such as Mathematics and Computer Science, I also had to choose one course from each of the four different disciplinary areas, such as humanities, sciences, and English. Some of my A-level courses were automatically transferred to PolyU credits. My courses primarily focus on specialized subjects within my major from the second year onwards.”

@Oscar （HKUST）：

“I was admitted to the Business School at HKUST without a major. Therefore, in the first year, I had to take foundational courses in the Business School. My first-year courses included basic accounting, finance, mathematics, and management. Additionally, all students at our university must take the "common core" courses, similar to the first-year general education courses in the United States. These courses require students to select foundational courses from different disciplinary areas. Typically, in the second semester of the second year, we can choose our majors. Better grades in the foundational courses corresponding to the selected major would make us more competitive. For example, students majoring in accounting would benefit from having higher grades in the foundational accounting course in their first year.” 

Transition and University Life

@ Eric(HKU)：

“Regarding academics, the overall learning environment at HKU is quite intense. Many of our classmates are particularly fond of studying and were high achievers in high school. For example, they could spend an entire day studying in the library on weekends, engage in group discussions on academic topics, or study independently. They enjoy this type of college life. Initially, I had difficulty adjusting to this high-intensity study environment because I prefer to live a more balanced life. Fortunately, my classmates are very supportive and helpful towards each other, which helped make my transition a lot easier. The school offers introductory Cantonese language courses to help us improve our Cantonese proficiency, enabling us to better adapt to local life and laying a language foundation for future work in Hong Kong.

In terms of college life, I have joined the Ultimate Frisbee Club, where we train and play for 3 to 4 hours per week, which allows my passion for Frisbee to continue from high school. Being part of the club helped me make new friends, so I feel a strong sense of belonging. I live in a two-bedroom dorm, but my roommate didn't move in on time for some reason, so I lived alone. I had more space and privacy. Obviously, university dormitory space in Hong Kong is limited, so having a double room for myself is pretty fortunate. Most of my friends are mainland Chinese students, so I didn't have much culture shock. While interacting with local Hong Kong students, we respect each other's boundaries and do not interfere with one another. ”

@Sookie （CUHK）：

“In terms of academics, my major focuses on skill development, so the workload in my first year was manageable. After class, I would work on group assignments, such as video recording and story writing. The only challenge in my first year was that I accidentally registered for two courses taught in Cantonese. Although an introductory Cantonese course was offered in the first year, my proficiency was average, making it difficult to understand the lectures. However, I found these two courses interesting and enjoyable, so I improved my Cantonese while attending classes. I ended up doing okay with these two courses. 

At CUHK, there are a variety of different clubs, like Dulwich. I joined a media-related club focusing on charity projects and plan to try other club activities this year. My dorm life was quite interesting. When I first entered the university, I was assigned to a dormitory in the far corner of the campus. The room was relatively small, and the facilities were old-fashioned. Fortunately, I was able to change the room later. On the positive side, the cost of living on campus is much lower than renting an apartment, which helps save time. The locals and my classmates I encountered were amicable and polite. They were also independent and hard -working. When I encountered difficulties with public transportation, strangers would help me solve the problems. Many students would also work part-time to earn a living. Their independence and diligence were qualities that I greatly admired. ”

@Bryant （PolyU）：

“I was fine adapting to the academic aspects of school life since the courses in the first year are relatively foundational. Regarding daily life, our school is in a well-developed commercial area, making it convenient to go out and explore in my free time. I enjoyed playing basketball in high school, so I spent my free time playing basketball on campus at PolyU. Although I didn't make it onto the school team, at least I could continue playing basketball. One challenge in my first year was my dorm life. My roommate and I shared a double room but had different sleep routines. Last semester, we talked about the situation; hopefully, the situation will be improved this year. Our school only provides accommodation for two years, so starting from the third year, I'll have to find an off-campus rental. I plan to start looking for an apartment next semester. Renting a place is much more expensive than on-campus accommodation, but that's the norm in Hong Kong.”

@Oscar （HKUST）：

“The learning environment at HKUST is quite competitive, and everyone works very hard. The library is always packed, and it's common to see people studying late into the night, especially before exams. For example, in the Business School, besides attending classes, we have to complete various assignments from different subjects. In addition to regular revision and preparation, we also have to work on multiple group projects. Some students even find additional tasks to do after completing all their assignments. In short, they try to fill up all their time. I adapted quickly in my first year because the learning environment at HKUST is quite similar to Dulwich, where students choose their courses and learn to manage all the assignments and balance study and life—the four years at Dulwich helped me develop strong skills in independent learning and teamwork, which naturally aligns with the university learning environment.

In terms of daily life, I live on campus with a Korean roommate. Most students on my floor are in the same year, so it is easy to make friends. The university provides accommodation for two years. Additionally, I joined the ultimate frisbee club at school because I was a member of the ultimate frisbee club in high school. I'm happy that I can continue participating in this activity at university. Apart from that, HKUST has various student clubs and activities and many student gatherings on weekends. Although the campus is located far from the city center, the campus life is vibrant and diverse.” 

Career Services

University career services typically include sharing career-related information via emails, organizing career-sharing lectures, providing resume reviews and interview guidance services, connecting with social resources, and offering entrepreneurial guidance services. For specific information, you can refer to the official websites of each university. In addition, universities also provide mandatory Cantonese courses, as acquiring proficiency in Cantonese can enhance students' competitiveness in employment opportunities in Hong Kong.

Advice to High School Students

During high school, it is crucial to seize the opportunity to study more subjects and strive for the best grades you can achieve. Make sure to make your high school studies manageable. When choosing a university, it is crucial to carefully review the course offerings and course requirements of your target university, making sure you have completed all the prerequisite subjects in high school.

Extracurricular activities can help develop many skills beyond academic studies, as well. DHSZ offers various extracurricular activities, and I hope that younger students can actively participate in them, find their areas of interest, and cultivate diverse soft skills , such as collaboration, public speaking and presentation, and communication skills.

Before selecting a university, thorough research is essential. In addition to understanding the university's curriculum, degree structure, and learning environment, it is important to check the accommodations, campus life, and the community around the university. Choosing a university that fits you will add value to your university experience and future success.

University Admissions Information

As two of the most prestigious institutions in Asia, the University of Hong Kong (referred to as HKU) and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) share many similarities in their educational vision and philosophy while retaining their unique charm. HKU places great emphasis on teaching innovation, focusing on the development of international collaboration and interdisciplinary education. CUHK, on the other hand, is committed to utilizing its outstanding academic achievements to serve society and benefit people's livelihoods.

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) follows the motto "to learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind" and focuses on nurturing students' ability to solve social problems. At both HKU and CUHK, students can choose an undergraduate course from the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Business and Economics, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Science, or Faculty of Social Sciences. In addition to these options, HKU also offers dual-degree programmes in collaboration with the University of Cambridge, Peking University, the University of California at Berkeley, the University of British Columbia, and Sciences Po Paris.

In addition to the Arts, Science, Business, and Engineering, PolyU also has Fashion and Textiles, Design, and Hotel and Tourism Management.

At HKUST, undergraduate courses are offered by the College of Science, Engineering, Business, Humanities and Social Science, and Interdisciplinary Programmes. One of the distinctive features of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is its emphasis on "providing a broad and well-rounded education" with its common core programme while focusing on teaching and research in the fields of science, engineering, technology, and business.

The application requirements for universities in Hong Kong include excellent academic grades, engagement in diverse extracurricular activities, strong English communication skills, and interview skills. The competition for admissions is intense every year. High school students should strive for excellent grades, strong soft skills, and a global mindset. Furthermore, conducting thorough research on the intended university and programme is crucial.

Please check the following links for the "admissions score reference" for ALevels at these four universities：

HKU

https://admissions.hku.hk/sites/default/files/2021-06/AdmissionsStandards_2016-20_percentile_20210624.pdf 

CUHK

https://cuhk.edu.hk/adm/intl/adm_guide/Admissions_Score_Reference.pdf 

PolyU

https://www51.polyu.edu.hk/eprospectus/ug/international/admission-figures-for-gce-ib-qualifications 

HKUST

https://join.hkust.edu.hk/admissions/international-qualifications#british-patterned