FAQs for New Students

1. How to apply for a student visa?

To start the application, please read through all instructions on the HKU AAL Visa Website. Students could also find all required documents and samples on the website:

• For students from Mainland China: https://www.studentvisa.hku.hk/mainland-student
• For students from Macao: https://www.studentvisa.hku.hk/macao-student
• For students from Taiwan: https://www.studentvisa.hku.hk/taiwan-students
• For students from Overseas: https://www.studentvisa.hku.hk/overseas-student

All new students without the right of abode/right to land in Hong Kong must apply for a student visa for the purpose of education from the Hong Kong Immigration Department. To start the application, students must apply through the HKU Online Student Visa Application System:

• Online application system for students from Mainland China: https://studentvisa-mainland.hku.hk/application/auth/login?c=mainland-china
• Online application system for students from Macao/Taiwan/Overseas: https://studentvisa-overseas.hku.hk/auth/login

Please submit all the documents through the online visa system. HKU AAL Visa Office will verify and check the documents. Students will be informed through registered email for mailing of hard copies of documents. Please DO NOT mail any of your documents to any address before notification from the HKU AAL Visa Office.

2. How long does it take to apply for a student visa?

The processing time for application of a student visa requires approximately 10-12 weeks or even more during the peak season of applications. Students are recommended to start the application once you have received a conditional offer.

I am a new student from Mainland China. There are three types of visa applications for entry for study (New Visa Application, Visa Re-application and Visa Renewal). Which type of application should I make? (For PRC mainland student)

You may refer to the following conditions to identify which type of application you should apply:

New Visa Application: This is your first time to study in Hong Kong.

Visa Re-application: (Please use a new email to register a new account)

• This is not your first time to study in Hong Kong;
• You have applied for an entry for study in Hong Kong before.
• You would like to apply for an entry for study in Hong Kong for another programme.
• You have applied for an entry for study in Hong Kong but haven’t been activated before the latest activation date on the entry permit.

Visa Renewal:

• You are currently a HKU student;
• You must enter into Hong Kong with a visa/entry permit for studies but it is expired.

Please visit HKU Registry Visa office website at https://www.studentvisa.hku.hk/

3. I’m holding other types of visa or HKID, can I use it to study in Hong Kong?

All applicants without the right of abode/right to land in Hong Kong must apply for a student visa for the purpose of education from the Hong Kong Immigration Department. Students who use travel visa or travel endorsement to participate in any classes, tutorials and other academic-related activities will be regarded as illegal. According to experience, students are not required to apply for a student visa if they obtain any of the followings:

• Hong Kong Identity Card (Permanent)
• Documents issued by the Immigration Department showing right to land / right of abode in Hong Kong
• One-way Permit for entry to Hong Kong
• Full-time employment visa / work permit (for mainland students, applicable to part-time study only)
• Dependent visa / entry permit
• Visa / Entry permit for Quality Migrant Admission Scheme
• Visa / Entry permit for Capital Investment Entrant Scheme
• Visa / Entry permit for Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents
• Visa label for unconditional stay

However, students are responsible to check and confirm the eligibility and validity of their own visa for study purpose with the Hong Kong Immigration Department by themselves.

4. I have received a Conditional Admission Offer from HKU Business School. Am I eligible to apply for entry for study even I do not have a Firm Admission Offer?

You may apply for entry for study with a Conditional Admission Offer. However, upon the receipt of the Firm Admission Offer, if available, you are required to upload the copy of the Firm Offer to the online Visa Application System. Otherwise, Admissions Office will not send the visa/entry permit to you. We strongly advise students to start their application before the deadline in order to be able to obtain the student visa before the start of the semester.

5. I took my undergraduate degree in Hong Kong. Can I use my current student visa to continue my study for the Masters Programme?

For non-local students admitted to take up post-secondary programmes will be imposed with a condition of stay to take up a prescribed course in a prescribed education institution. Any change in the condition of stay requires prior approval from the Immigration Department. Therefore, you need to submit a Visa Re-application through the HKU Online Visa Application System to get a new student visa. It is not necessary to wait until your current visa expires to re-apply.

6. Is it necessary to re-submit all the materials if I want to re-apply for a new student visa?

Yes. The process of re-applying for a new student visa is the same as your previous one.

7.  I’m a Mainland China student who is currently studying oversea. Can I apply for my student visa using the oversea stream and go to HK directly without going back to China?

To apply for a valid student visa to enter Hong Kong, mainland applicants should apply “Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao” (EEP) 【往來港澳通行証】and a relevant Exit Endorsement 【逗留D签】 from the relevant public security bureau in your own province (户籍所在地的公安局). This application takes about two weeks. All applicants are required to complete this procedure and must enter Hong Kong directly from the Mainland to activate their student visa. It is illegal to use the Hong Kong and Macau Entry Permit (EEP) with individual travel (G) / group travel (L) endorsement to go to Hong Kong for classes, tutorials and any academic activities.

I have made the payment for the student visa application, but the status on the System still shows the payment hasn’t been settled.

After students paid their student visa application fee, HKU AAL Visa Office will take at least 7 working days to check the payment status with the Finance Office. Please DO NOT make the payment again, otherwise, it may further affect the processing time for your visa application. Please be patient and keep checking the online visa system application status regularly. If you have paid twice or is having any enquiries regarding payment, please submit a request directly to HKU AAL Visa Office here: https://hku.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e3S0ReuJlB880rs.

I have uploaded a document in the Online Visa Application System, but I would like to amend it. / I can’t find a column to upload a certain document.

You are advised to contact HKU AAL Visa Office directly, please submit a request here: https://hku.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e3S0ReuJlB880rs. HKU visa officer will reply to your request directly.

8.  What amount should I prepare for the financial proves in order to be sufficient?

The Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD) is strict about financial documents. Applicant must show to have an ability to afford the costs of education and living expenses in Hong Kong. To establish the evidence of financial resources, the applicant should submit one of, or a combination of the following:

• Proof of liquid assets: Up-to-date bank records issued within 3 months (bank statements or passbook or bankbook), and/or a personal certificate of saving/fixed deposit of your own/financial sponsor with a bank stamp. Please note that wealth management products are not acceptable.
• Tax receipts, salary slips and employment letters.
• Award letter of financial aid or scholarship.

Please note that the financial aid and scholarship with conditional terms are not acceptable. There is no minimum requirement of the deposit amount. According to experience, an applicant should possess:

• around RMB 100,000 - 150,000 for full-time degree studies;
• around RMB 50,000 - 100,000 for one-semester exchange programme.

However, this amount is for the applicant's reference only. The final approval should be made by the ImmD. Please read the useful information at: https://mainlandaffairs.hku.hk/sites/default/files/documents/Entry_for_Study_Pamphlet.pdf

9.  My student visa application has already been passed to Hong Kong Immigration Department for more than 8 weeks, and I still haven’t received any updates. Is there any way to expedite the application?

The processing time of application for a student visa may require approximately 10-12 weeks or even more during the peak season of applications. Please check the most updated status of your application via the Online Visa Application System regularly. As all final application results are subjected to the approval of the Hong Kong Immigration Department, there is no expedited service available to fasten the application process. Students are not recommended to book air tickets and hotels before receiving a valid visa, as all visa application results are subjected to the Hong Kong Immigration Department’s final approval.

The HKU Student Visa Online Application System has shown that my student visa application has already been approved by the Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD). Why Istill haven’t received my visa label?

Although your student visa application has been approved by the ImmD, you have to upload your firm offer to the HKU Online Student Visa Application System in order to obtain your student visa. After HKU AAL Visa Office verified your firm offer document, they will collect your e-Visa from the ImmD. Normally, this process would take 10 working days. You will then receive your e-Visa download link. Please keep checking on the visa system and email from HKU AAL Visa Office to notify you if any actions are required.

10. How long can I stay in Hong Kong after graduation?

For Year One students, in accordance with the advice of the Registry, you are eligible to stay in Hong Kong within the 12-month period granted by the Hong Kong Immigration Department regardless of the termination date of your studies. It means that you can stay in Hong Kong until the expiry date stated in your landing slip during the normative study period, i.e., your first year in the programme.

For non-Year One students, your student visa will soon expire upon termination of studies and you are required to leave Hong Kong in four weeks from the effective date of termination. The exact termination date is subject to the termination process initiated by the Registry.

1. What should I do if i plan to extend my study period to two years?

If you plan to finish the programme in two years, you should leave at least one required course, i.e., core or elective course required for meeting the graduation requirement, to the second year, as well as complete and submit the Application Form for Extension of Study Period to the Programme Office by the add-drop deadline of the final module in your first year of study.

2. When should I apply for an extension of stay to continue my studies in Hong Kong?

In general, non-local students should activate your student visa and study in Hong Kong for year 1. If you need to extend your study period due to leave of absence, change of study programme or study deferral, you should inform your programme office and get approval before applying an extension of your current visa.

Upon confirmation from your Programme Office after Module 6 add-drop period, you should apply for an extension of stay in Hong Kong via the HKU online visa application system within 4-6 weeks before the expiry of your current visa/entry permit, and submit your application to ImmD within 4 weeks before the expiry of your current visa/entry permit. Please note early applications for visa extensions will not be accepted.

Useful links:
Please follow the instruction to apply for Student Visa Extension through the HKU visa system and download the required form for student enrichment team’s endorsement.

• Mainland China: https://www.studentvisa.hku.hk/mainland-extension-of-stay
• Macao/Taiwan: https://www.studentvisa.hku.hk/macao-taiwan-extension-of-stay
• Overseas: https://www.studentvisa.hku.hk/overseas-extension-of-stay

3. Do I need to submit the hardcopy set of application documents to Admissions Office for visa extension?

All applicants are required to apply via the HKU Online Visa Application System of Admissions Office and upload the required documents.

Please note that applicants MUST be physically in Hong Kong at the time of submission and collection of their student visa extensions. According to ImmD’s new measures, no online application is accepted and no special visa extension arrangement will be imposed after January 1, 2024. (https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202306/29/P2023062900632.htm).

It is the responsibility of individual student to make appropriate visa arrangement before they come to Hong Kong.

4. What should I do if my visa/entry permit is expired and I did not apply an extension of stay?

You are not allowed to study in Hong Kong if your visa/entry permit is expired. You should return to your home country and apply for visa renewal via the Online Visa Application System. In this case, the application will require HK$990 application fee and 10-12 weeks processing time.

5. How long does it take for visa extension application?

Under normal circumstances, it takes around 3-4 weeks for ImmD to process a student visa extension application. For details, please visit the website of ImmD here.

1. What is the main communication channel of the student and the school?

HKU Email account. Students are reminded to check your HKU email account (UID@connect.hku.hk) on a daily basis for important information from the Programme office, Student Enrichment team, Career Development and Training team (CDT) and the University.

2. If I encounter IT problem or technical issue of my portal account, who can I contact?

Please contact ITS at ithelp@hku.hk or (852) 3917 0123, you may find more IT services at https://its.hku.hk/kb/information-technology-services-guide/

3. Does the School provide any library resources and database training to students?

HKU Business School Masters Students can apply for access accounts using their HKU email after mid-September (Bank focus does not need an individual login). Please find below registration links:

Capital IQ Database
Refinitiv Workspace
BankFocus and Oriana

4. Does the School provide any free financial news subscriptions to students?

Yes, the School will offer FREE FT.com Premium Access exclusively to all MSc students. Please check your HKU email after mid-September to create your HKU FT.com account.

5. Where is the location of the HKU Business School Bloomberg Lab and WIND terminal? When can I use the facilitates?

The Bloomberg & WIND computer labs for HKU Business School Masters Students are located at K K Leung Building, HKU Pokfulam Campus.

• Bloomberg: KK1009, 10/F, K K Leung Building
• WIND: KK1104, 11/F, K K Leung Building

The Opening hours is 9:30am – 5:30pm (Monday to Friday, except for public and University holidays). The Lab will not be opened for students during tutorial classes and maintenance. Please check the tutorial/maintenance schedule by the door of the Lab.

6. When and where should I apply for the Hong Kong Identity Card? What materials do I need to prepare?

Non-local full-time students who are going to spend more than 180 days in Hong Kong are required to apply for a HKID card. No fee is payable for the registration of an identity card. Please visit HKID Card Registration Website to make prior appointment and pre-fill the application form. You could also make use of the self-service facilities at Immigration office on the application day to fill in the e-application form in person.

7. Does the School arrange accommodation for us, or we should arrange accommodation by ourselves?

Students should arrange accommodation by themselves. Given the limited places in university accommodation, many masters students cannot be allocated a place and have to rent a room or flat off campus. You can find more information on the CEDARS webpage. CEDARS offers assistance in matters relating to the renting of a room or flat off campus. Please write to them at cedars.housing@hku.hk if you need help.

8. How to apply for MTR Student Travel Scheme? If I am a year 2 student, how can I renew the Personalised Octopus?

Full-time students aged 25 or below are eligible to apply for a Personalised Octopus card with "Student Status". Students should apply online via MTR official website https://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/tickets/student_travel_scheme.html by uploading HKU Student Card and personal photo. Upon successful application, student will receive a new personalised Octopus within 4-6 weeks from the date of application. If new applicants could not provide the Student Identity Card at the moment, you may submit the online application first, and upload the Student Identity Card within 60 days from the date of application. If you applied for the Personalised Octopus card last year and the validity of the “Student Status” on your Personalised Octopus expires on 31 October 2024, then you need to apply to renew your “Student Status” for the new academic year 2024/2025. The renewal must be completed on or before 31 October 2024. Please choose “Renew Application” at https://studenteapplication.mtr.com.hk/en.

9. Does the School provide any insurance coverage and medical care service for masters students?

Given that the University would only provide primary healthcare services, it is therefore highly recommended for all non-local students irrespective of your length of stay in Hong Kong to get your own medical and hospitalisation insurance before their departure from their home country. University Health Service (UHS) has an on-campus clinic providing health and dental care services to students. Primary care service at the UHS is provided by a team of highly qualified and experienced doctors. In general, medical consultation is free of charge, but some investigations and medications are at a cost. A notional charge is also levied for dental treatment and physiotherapy treatment at the University clinic. Please visit UHS at www.uhs.hku.hk or email at uhealth@hku.hk.

When specialist care and hospitalization are required, you can consider using the services provided at public clinics and general wards of government hospitals.  The charge for those holding a HKID card is subsidized.  Non-local students without a HKID card are required to pay full fees for services and hospitalization in government hospitals.

For details of the fees charged by government hospitals, please visit: https://www.ha.org.hk/visitor/ha_visitor_index.asp?Content_ID=10045&Lang=ENG.

10. Lost & Found Arrangements

For lost items and property in classrooms and breakout rooms, please claim your lost items IN PERSON in the following counter. Kindly note that the faculty will arrange for the appropriate disposal of any remaining items after keeping them for three months.

For lost items and property in public areas of Cyberport campus (restrooms, gardens, lobby etc), please claim your lost items IN PERSON in the following counter.

For lost items and property on shuttle bus (CP-KT-HKU), please claim your lost items IN PERSON in the following counter.

• Student should CALL coach company at 2513-8889 to check their own lost property.
• Confirm the coach company have found your lost property, the lost property will be delivered to the coach company office on the next working day, claim your items IN PERSON at the coach company office.

Sai Wan Ho office address:

Please take care of your personal belongings. The Faculty will NOT be responsible for any loss or damage to personal belongings left unattended.

1. How do I get to the Cyberport Campus?

The School offer free shuttle bus service running between Kennedy Town (KT)/ HKU Main Campus (HKU) and Cyberport 4 (CP). The shuttle bus schedule will be released on a weekly basis by email. Please check your HKU email (UID@connect.hku.hk) regularly.

Public bus/ minibus routes below are available to Cyberport Campus:

2.Where can I find the classrooms location at the Cyberport Campus?

3. Are there any provisions of study area or space at the Cyberport Campus for students to use?

Yes, the Meeting Rooms stated in the campus map will be open for students’ use except the reserved timeslots by the faculty. The opening hours is from 9:00am to 9:00pm.

1.When do I need to complete the Master Registration and how?

For 2024-25 intake students, you will receive an email regarding the Master Registration and Student Card Registration for new taught postgraduate students (“the Email”) from the Academic Support and Examination Section, the Registry directly after you have been issued the confirmed offer message. Please follow the “Guide to Online Master Registration” and complete the Master Registration online with your HKU Portal account within THREE working days upon receipt of “the Email”. Only after completing the online Master Registration will you be able to take classes etc later.

2. How do I apply for a Student Registration Card?

After completing the online Master Registration, you then need to submit your passport-size photograph and supporting documents online via HKU Portal to apply for a Student Registration Card (commonly known as “Student ID Card”) by following the guideline “Online Submission of Photograph and Supporting Documents for Student Registration Card” provided by the Academic Support and Examination Section on their website. An acknowledgment email will be sent to your HKU email account informing you of the collection date and venue of the Student Registration Card. You MUST come in person to collect your Student Registration Card according to the specific date(s), time and venue printed on the email. DO NOT go to the collection venue before your assigned timeslot as your Student Registration Card may not be ready for collection.

3. What should I do if I have lost my Student Registration Card?

If you have lost or damaged your Student Registration Card, you should apply for a replacement card via HKU Portal (HKU Portal > SIS Menu > Self Services > Report Lost/ Damaged Card). A fee of HK$150 will be charged for a replacement card. You should also inform the Programme Office immediately by email to update your student record.

4. When and how can I access my HKU email?

Upon completing the online Master Registration, you will have access to your HKU email via HKU Portal. It is assigned based on your UID and the pre-assigned email address is UID@connect.hku.hk. You are advised to check your HKU email account on a daily basis for important information from the University (such as tuition fee payment notice and job notice from CEDARS), the School (such as newsletter and events), the Programme Office (including updates on class schedule, common electives, examination arrangement and examination result) and the Career and Enrichment Teams (for job openings, career-related workshops, shuttle bus schedule and enrichment programmes, etc.).

You may forward your HKU email messages to your personal email account for better management of your email accounts. Please follow the “Instructions for Setting Email Forwarding” if you wish to do so. Please note that you can only set up forwarding on your computer, and not on other applications.

Bulk emails from teaching departments and administrative offices are classified into Important Notices and General Notices. Important Notices contain important information that should be read by all recipients and will be sent to all designated recipients. General Notices are those that could be of general interest to members of the University. You can opt out from receiving General Notices by referring to the “Bulkmail Control Guide for Recipients”.

5. Can I change my pre-assigned email address?

Yes, you can change the pre-assigned HKU Portal UID (and the corresponding @connect.hku.hk email address within 7 days after completing your online Master Registration) via HKU Portal (login HKU Portal > Type “UID” in the Search field > Click the link “Change HKU Portal UID”). Please update the Programme Office as soon as possible in case you have changed your email address.

6. Why should I complete the Research Ethics: Declaration Form?

All HKU MPhil/PhD/Taught postgraduate students are required to have a good understanding on the assessment conduct and research ethics. For 2024-25 intake students, please read through the University’s “Regulations Governing Students' Academic Conduct Concerning Assessment”, “Policy on Research Integrity” and “Operational Guidelines and Procedures of Human Research Ethics Committee”, and complete the online “Research Ethics: Declaration Form” by 11:59 p.m., August 18, 2024 (Sunday).

7. Can I join the boot camp/preparatory programme for MAcct/MEcon/MSc(BA) students if I am not from any of these programmes?

Yes, other students are welcome to join but places will be allocated on a first-come-first served basis.

1. When will I receive the teaching schedules and information on course enrolment?

You will receive the information on orientation, boot camp (if applicable), teaching schedules and course enrolment in late July/early August 2024.

2. How many modules are there in total? How many courses I have to take for each module?

There are 5-6 modules in total, depending on the curriculum of the programme. You are recommended to follow the normal course load of two courses in most modules in order to take a more balanced approach towards your study. Please note that student’s course load is one of the factors in the selection for the merit-based scholarship.

For 2024-25 intake students, if you plan to early graduate in Summer 2025, you have to take two or even three courses in each module (applicable to those programmes with a course load of 12). Please pay attention to the graduation requirements and the teaching schedules when planning which courses to take.

3. Can I choose which class to take if a course has multiple classes?

Yes, you may choose the class you wish to take via the HKU Business School Course Enrolment System, subject to availability.

4. How the class quota of home courses be allocated?

The class quota of home courses is normally allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. You will automatically be put on the waiting list in the HKU Business School Course Enrolment System if the class is full.

5. Can I take courses offered by other Masters Programmes?

Yes, you may take at most two courses (except for MGM students who may take up to three courses) offered by other TPg Programmes within HKU Business School as common elective courses. Please pay attention that the course grade(s) of the common elective(s) taken will be shown on the transcript and counted towards the CGPA. Your Programme Office will provide you with a list of these courses in due course.

6. Can I choose to have double majors, and when to do so?

There is not really a concept of “majors” in the Masters Programmes. You may like to think about your Programme as your “major” (for example, if you’re from Master of Accounting, then your “major” is Accounting, although, again, we are talking about your “Programme”). You can only belong to one Programme and there are hence no “double majors”.

7. When and how do I add or drop my courses?

There is an add-drop period for each module, which is usually the first week and the week before the start of that particular module (the duration is therefore around 2 weeks). You may do so via the HKU Business School Course Enrolment System by yourself. Please take note of the deadline of each add-drop period which is announced by the Programme Office. No requests will be accepted after the deadlines.

8. Can I take additional electives? Do I need to pay extra fee?

Yes, you can take up to two additional courses throughout the entire study period. An additional course fee will apply for each successful enrolment, which is applicable to students admitted in 2022-23 and thereafter. Application form for taking additional elective course should be submitted to the Programme Office via email at least one month the start of the module concerned.

Please note that the application for taking additional elective(s) is not guaranteed, and is subject to the availability of quota and approval by the Programme Committee based on students’ profile, capability and performance in the programme. Priority will be given to those who take the course(s) to fulfil the curriculum requirements for graduation. In addition, the extra credits attained from the additional course(s) will be counted on top of the required credits for graduation and the course grade(s) will be counted towards the CGPA.

9. Do I need to attend all lectures of a course?

An attendance rate of 70% is required for all courses, i.e., you can only miss at most three lectures in each class. Attendance will not be counted if you are late for 30 minutes or more, or leave class before the end of the lecture. Failure to meet the 70% attendance requirement will result in a fail grade in the course concerned. Attendance is counted from the first lecture, including the add-drop period, no matter when you are officially enrolled in the course.

10. How do I report class attendance?

You are required to report your attendance for each class when you come to and leave the class by scanning your HKU Student Card using the card reader. No attendance will be counted if you fail/forget to scan your Card even though you have attended the class. Taking attendance for your classmates or asking your classmates to take your attendance are strictly prohibited. This will be concluded as an act of academic misconduct, which may result in suspension of study.

11. What should I do if I plan to extend my study to two years?

If you plan to finish the programme in two years, you should leave at least one required course, i.e., core or elective course required for meeting the graduation requirement, to the second year, as well as complete and submit the Application Form for Extension of Study Period to the Programme Office by the add-drop deadline of the final module in your first year of study.

For details on visa extension, please refer to Q2 under “Student Visa Extension”.

1. Shall I have a supplementary examination if I am unable to attend an examination?

If you are not able to attend an examination due to compelling reasons, you should submit a request for supplementary examination directly to the Programme Office by email at least two weeks before the original examination date. If you are sick on the examination date, you should submit a request for supplementary examination within two working days after your absence from the examination. Supporting documents, such as sick leave certificate, must be attached to the completed Application Form for Supplementary Examination for the Programme Committee’s consideration.

2. Can I appeal for my final course grade?

There shall be no appeal against the results of examinations and all other forms of assessment. However, if you have sufficient reasons to believe that there are procedural irregularities or technical errors in the determination of the final course grade, you can submit an appeal request to the Programme Office no later than one week after the publication of the course’s final grade. No late applications will be accepted.

3. Can I repeat a course that I have passed to get a better grade?

No, you cannot repeat a course for which you have received a passing grade for the purpose of upgrading.

1. Can I apply for Non-means-tested Loan Scheme for Full-time Tertiary Students (NLSFT) and how?

NLSFT is established by the HKSAR to provide financial assistance in the form of loan to eligible students to settle tuition fees of recognised full-time study courses. Full-time students who have the right of abode in the HKSAR or have resided or have had their home in Hong Kong continuously for three complete years prior to the commencement of the course are eligible to apply for NLSFT. Please visit the HKSAR Student Finance Office website for further details.

2. Which courses are included in the list of reimbursable courses for the HKSAR Government’s Continuing Education Fund?

Information about the eligibility, reimbursement procedures and new enhancement measures are available at the CEF webpage. You may wish to note that, with effect from April 1, 2019, applicants applying for CEF for the first time are only required to complete a combined form Application Form [SFO 313 (2022)] and provide all supporting documents upon successful completed of CEF course(s). This combined application form is also applicable to applicants who have already opened a CEF account to apply for fee reimbursement only.

1. When will recruitment events of companies take place?

Companies invite applications at different times throughout of the academic year, and the deadlines for most structured graduate programmes tend to fall between September and December each year. For the exact dates of events such as recruitment talks, please stay tuned for our announcements through emails. You may also visit the “Event” page of the Career Portal for information on all career events, including recruitment talks.

2. Internship opportunities

1. When should I start applying for internships and work?
   It depends on your own preferences and study schedules. Internship opportunities are offered by different companies throughout the year. If you are a non-local student, please also refer to the immigration policies.
2. Can I take up an internship outside of Hong Kong?
   Yes, you may. If you are planning to work outside of Hong Kong, make sure that you comply with that country’s visa and work policies. Also, make sure that the time commitment of the internship does not clash with any of your classes.

3. I am a Non-local student hoping to take up part-time jobs/ internships during my studies at HKU, is there any local regulations I should be aware of?

• From 1 Nov 2023 onwards, there is no restriction for full-time non-local postgraduates to take up part-time employment in Hong Kong.

“Enhancing learning and value-added opportunities for international students— Starting from November 2023, temporarily exempt full-time non-local postgraduate students studying in Hong Kong from the restriction on taking up part-time jobs, so as to enhance their personal experience and understanding of working in Hong Kong, and increase their incentive to stay in Hong Kong for development after graduation. The arrangement will be implemented on a trial basis for two years.”

For details, please refer to the Chief Executive’s 2023 Policy Address:
https://www.policyaddress.gov.hk/2023/public/pdf/measure/measure-07_en.pdf

1. Non-local students shall observe the conditions for these employments as stated in the No Objection Letter (NOL) issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department (HK ImmD).
   • You remain as a student studying in a full-time locally-accredited master programme at The University of Hong Kong and
   • Your limit of stay in Hong Kong remains unexpired.
2. If you are planning to take up employment during your studies in Hong Kong, please refer to Career Portal> Resources > Stage 3 – Employment Information > Work & Internship to learn more details regarding ‘no-objection letters’ (NOLs) (issued by The Hong Kong Immigration Department) and application procedures for internship endorsement.
3. The application procedures for internship endorsement can be found in the ‘Guidelines for Application for Internship Endorsement’ (https://careers.fbe.hku.hk/careers/resources/stage-3/work-and-internship) uploaded in the Career Portal as well.  You have to read through the Guideline carefully and thoroughly, and allow adequate time (i.e. at least 2 weeks before the commencement of the internship) for internship endorsement application and approval, before taking up any jobs/ internships in Hong Kong during your studies at HKU.

If you have further questions, please email the CDT team at tpgfbecareer@hku.hk with your HKU email address, full name and UID.

4. What are the details for One-on-one Career Consultation in YA2024-2025?

1. The AY2024-25 One-on-one Career Consultation will be available for current students starting in October 2024. Each current student will be able to select coaches or career consultants you wish to talk to, and register on a first-come first-served basis within the academic year due to limited provision of quota. Please stay tuned for updates by referring to emails from the Career Development and Training (TPG) team as well as our Career Portal.

5. Who can apply for the Immigration Arrangement for Non-local Graduates (IANG) and when should they apply?

Please refer to Q.2-5 under “Arrangement After Graduation for Non-local Students”

The below information is for the graduating class of 2024 only.

1. How can I early graduate in summer?

Starting from 2024, two Congregations will be held each year to confer on the graduands, i.e., Summer Congregation in June/July and Winter Congregation in November/December. Normally, students who finish the programme in one academic year will join the Winter Congregation and the Graduation Certificate will be available in December.

If you plan to graduate in June/July 2025 and obtain the Graduation Certificate after the Congregation, you are required to:

• complete all the graduation requirements by Module 5 ending before mid-May; and
• submit an online application for early graduation to the Programme Office by the add-drop deadline of Module 5. Late applications will not be accepted.

2. Can I continue to use my HKU Student Registration Card at HKU upon termination of my studies?

Upon termination of your studies, your Student Registration Card will become invalid immediately and you can no longer use the Card to access the HKU facilitates.

3. Can I graduate in summer but participate in the Winter Congregation?

You can choose to graduate in summer or winter and you will only be presented to Presiding Officer once for degree conferment. In other words, you cannot choose to complete the graduation requirements and get the certificate in summer but participate in the Winter (November/December) Congregation.

4. When will my examination results for the last module be released? When can I get my Graduation Certificate?

The examination results of the last module will normally be released 4 weeks after the final examinations. For students who are going to join the Summer Congregation in July 2025, the Graduation Certificate will normally be available 2-3 weeks after the Summer Congregation, i.e., around late July 2025. For students who are going to join the Winter Congregation in November/December 2025, the Graduation Certificate will normally be available in December 2025. Details will be available nearer the time.

5. When will my graduation formalities be completed? How will I receive the notification?

6. Do my family members and I need to apply for visit visas to attend my graduation ceremony?

Students who intend to participate in the congregation ceremony without holding a valid student visa are advised to promptly apply for an Immigration Arrangement for Non-local Graduates (IANG) visa or explore the option of obtaining a tourist permit to attend the event in Hong Kong. If you require additional information regarding tourist permits, please contact your local bureau/travel agency for further guidance. For IANG application, please refer to Q.2-5 under “Arrangement After Graduation for Non-local Students”

1. How long can I stay in Hong Kong after graduation?

Please refer to Q.14 under “Visa”

2. What is the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG)?

Non-local graduates who submit applications to the Immigration Department within six months after the date of their graduation (i.e., the date shown on their graduation certificate) are classified as non-local recent graduates. They are not required to have secured an offer of employment when applying for IANG. They may be granted 24 months’ stay on time limitation only without other conditions of stay provided that normal immigration requirements are met. Non-local recent graduates who have not yet obtained their graduation certificate could apply for IANG by producing proofs from the institution (Certificate of Graduation (CoG) / Graduate Transcript / Testimonial) confirming that you have graduated.

Non-local graduates who submit applications beyond six months of the date of their graduation are classified as non-local non-recent graduates. The Immigration Department requires non-recent graduates to secure an offer of employment upon application

The IANG is quota-free and non-sector specific. The IANG does not apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of).

For students holding the nationality of Laos, Nepal and Vietnam, and have completed self-financed programmes in HKU, they are presently ineligible to apply for IANG visas after graduation. Graduates can still submit their applications for further consideration by the Immigration Department. Each application will be assessed on an individual basis, and the final decision will be subject to the Immigration Department‘s approval.

For details, please visit the HKSAR Immigration Department website: https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/IANG.html

3. When should I start to apply for Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) if I wish to extend my stay in Hong Kong after graduation?

Upon completion of their graduation formalities, students who wish to extend their stay in Hong Kong should promptly apply for the IANG visa upon completion of their graduation formalities (for details, please refer to Q.3-4 under “Graduation and Degree Congregation”). With a valid IANG visa, graduates are eligible to start seeking employment in Hong Kong.

Please read the application procedure and required documents on the HKSAR Immigration Department website before starting your application: https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/IANG.html. No school endorsement is required for the IANG application.

Below is a list of estimated processing times and responsible parties for various applications:

4. What is the difference between a Graduation Certificate and a Certificate of Graduation (CoG)?

Students do not need to apply for a Graduation Certificate as it is issued to graduates free of charge. The Graduation Certificate will be available for collection AFTER the Degree Congregation.

A "Certificate of Graduation" (CoG) is a document which certifies that a student has successfully completed the requirements for the conferment of a degree and is issued to students before the issuance of graduation certificates.

As required by the Hong Kong Immigration Department, graduates need to provide supporting documents to show the attainment of the master’s degree for the IANG application.Although the Graduation Certificate can serve this purpose, some graduates may want to start the IANG application procedure before the Degree Congregation. In such cases, graduates may apply for the Certificate of Graduation (CoG)/ Graduate Transcript/ Testimonial from the HKU Academic Services Office (www.ase.hku.hk/asoffice) AFTER receiving the notification of the completion of the graduation formalities from the programme office.

5. What should I do if my student visa is about to expire before I have received my IANG visa?

For students who intend to apply to stay in Hong Kong under the IANG but have not yet received the result of graduation, you may apply for an Interim Extension of Stay on Student Condition at the Immigration Department within four weeks before your limit of stay expires (click here for more information).  The Immigration Department will normally grant a 3-month interim extension to eligible students. To apply for this interim extension, you DO NOT need a supporting letter from the university.