FAQ

Programme and Study

1. When will the application information be available?

Please note that application information for admission to most taught postgraduate programmes will usually be available from October/November onwards every year.

2. Where can I obtain the application information?

Please visit our website for information about entrance requirement, programme list, programme information, syllabus for each programme, application procedure, supporting document etc.

3. Where can I obtain information on PhD/MPhil programmes?

Please contact the Graduate School for inquiries about Research Postgraduate Programmes.

Application

1. How can I submit my application?

You can apply for our taught postgraduate programmes via the online application system by clicking the "Apply Now" button in the programme page. If you cannot click the button, that means application is not open yet. Please wait until the Department/Faculty concerned announces the latest programme details, which are usually be available from October/November onwards.

2. Can I apply to more than one taught postgraduate programme at HKU?

Yes, it is possible for you to apply to multiple programmes at HKU. You can apply under different usernames on the application system and pay the application fee (HK$300) for each programme that you wish to apply to.

You can only enrol in one programme, even if you receive offers from other programmes.

3. Can I apply for admission if i am still in my last year of study?

You do not need to have graduated from your bachelor's degree programme at the time of application. However, you must obtain a bachelor's degree on or before August 31 of your admission year.

4. Is concurrent registration acceptable?

Applicants are required to provide proof of withdrawal from any other programme of study before confirming an offer. A breach of this regulation may result in discontinuation of studies at HKU.

6. Am I a local or a non-local applicant?

According to the HKSAR Government's for education-related areas in the post-secondary education context, non-local students are those holding:

- A student visa/entry permit to study in Hong Kong
- A dependent visa / entry permit and were aged 18 years old or above when they were first issued with such documents by the Immigration Department of the HKSAR;
- A visa / entry permit under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG), issued by the Director of Immigration of the Hong Kong Immigration Department

You are considered a local student if you are none of the above.

7. Why can't log in to my application account?

An application account is only valid for 4 weeks, or up until the application deadline, whichever is earlier. You cannot log into your application account after this period.

8. Whom should I reach out to for guidance when completing the online application form?

For any assistance or inquiries regarding the completion of the online application form, please contact the programme office.

English Language Requirement

1. If the medium of instruction for my degree is in English, do I still need to take the English Proficiency test?

You are not required to take the English proficiency test if you obtained a master's/bachelor's degree from an institution where the medium of instruction was English. Please check with the relevant Faculty to determine if higher English competency is required for certain programmes.

Fee, Payment & Refund

1. Can my application fee be waived?

The application fee cannot be waived. However, you may wish to check with the programme office for scholarships which cover the application fee.

2. What can I do if I have problems in settling the application fee on the online application system?

If you encounter problems with the online payment, please try the following:

Use browsers such as, Internet Explorer (IE) or Edge instead of Chrome or Safari and clear all the temporary files and cookies before submitting the payment.
Ensure not to open different browsers and/or log in to different application accounts at the same time
Contact the credit card issuing bank to check if you need to obtain authorization from the bank before making an online transaction
Attempt to use another credit card

3. How do I know that I have successfully paid the application fee and submitted the application?

Upon successful payment of the application fee and submission of an application, the applicant will receive an application number and an email notification within 48 hours.

4. What should I do if the application fees have been deducted but the application is not submitted successfully?

If the application fees have been deducted but the system indicates that the application was not submitted successfully, there are a few steps you can take to resolve the issue. First, please note that an application number will only be generated if the application is submitted successfully, and the payment will be deducted based on that application number.

To resolve the issue, please follow these steps:
1. Re-login to the system and try submitting the payment again. Continue doing so until you receive an application number from the system.
2. Before submitting the payment, it is advisable to remove all temporary files and cookies from your browser.
3. Ensure that you do not open different browsers or log in to different application accounts (if you have any) simultaneously.

Please keep in mind that we can only charge once per application number. The funds for both successful and unsuccessful attempts at application fee payments are held by the card-issuing bank, not the University. The bank will release the balance held for the unsuccessful payment attempt(s) at a later time, but the duration of these holds depends on the policy of the card-issuing bank.

5. If I cancel/withdraw my application, can I get a refund of my application fee?

The application fee is non-refundable and non-transferable once submitted.

6. Is the deposit payment refundable and transferable?

Deposit is non-refundable unless you do not meet the conditions specified in the offer of acceptance. For details, please contact the relevant programme office.

After Applying

1. What should I do if I forgot my username and password?

If you forget your password, click “Forget password” on the login page and reset your password.
If you forget your username, you can simply register for a new one.

2. I submitted my application successfully but still received an account reminder email. What should I do?

This email serves as a reminder that you have created an account for online application without submission. You can let the application account expire if you no longer wish to submit another application.

3. How can I upload the supporting documents?

You will be able to upload supporting documents after successful submission of your application. Log into our online application system and go to the upload page. Please note that the documents uploaded should be in jpeg format, and that they cannot be deleted or replaced.

Some programmes may provide different ways to submit supporting documents, please refer to "Supporting Documents" of relevant programmes under the “Apply” page.

4. I cannot upload my documents on the online application system. What should I do?

Please note that you can only upload your supporting documents before the application deadline or within four weeks of your account creation. If the uploading period has expired, or the file size is too large, you can contact the relevant programme office for advice.

5. What should I do if I wish to add/update my referee information?

You can email the updated referee information to respective programme office.

6. Do I need to post the original/certified true copy of the supporting documents after submitting an application?

For most programmes, posting documents is not required at the application stage. Should an applicant be considered for admission, he/she will receive an email notification from the programme office to submit the original documents. For details, please refer to the "Supporting Documents" of relevant programmes.

7. Can I change the programme after the submission of application?

The application form once submitted is non-transferrable.

8. What should I do if I wish to change my personal information on the system?

You cannot make any changes in the application form after submission. If you need to make changes to your personal information, please send an email to the relevant programme office and provide your application number and ID/passport number for verification.

9. How can I add or amend information in the application form after the submission?

You cannot make any changes in the application form after submission. To update or add additional information, please email relevant programme office directly.

10. Will I be invited to attend an admission interview or admission test?

Not all programmes require an interview or test, please consult the relevant programme office for details.

11. When will the application result be announced? How can I check my application status?

Please consult the relevant programme office to check your application status or result.

12. How can I obtain a student visa?

Please note that the processing time for student visa applications is approximately 10-12 weeks. For details, please visit our website: HKU Student Visa

Scholarship and Housing

1. Are there any scholarships available for my study in HKU?

For information on scholarship opportunities, you may contact the scholarship office and programme office for advice.

2. Is postgraduate housing available?

Residential places on campus for postgraduate students are limited and in high demand. To learn more about eligibility for University housing, please visit the CEDARS website for details and to access the online application.