Introduction
In September 2012, students who enter university from Senior Secondary 3 (equivalent of S6) will need to complete a four-year study programme as a norm. Some professional programmes, such as Medicine, will be longer but the principle is an additional year in university (with the exception of LLB which remains four years). We welcome you to explore the new curriculum.
What do you want to study at university? If you know then you are among the lucky ones. Often it can be hard to know and we also understand a lot can change over four years. This is why the programme of study is flexible, and designed to help you, the prospective student, to experience education in its broadest sense. This means you can pursue studies in the discipline of choice, balanced by the chance to explore other subjects and take up opportunities for overseas exchanges in a range of world-class partner institutions, internship in a workplace locally or abroad, as well as community and social service. In addition, all students will have the opportunity to complete a range of courses that develop generic capabilities and General Education subjects that will broaden horizons. All these together are intended to give you an opportunity to develop as a confident member of the University community. These are some features of the new four-year study programme in CUHK enabled by the additional year. The overall goal is to help you grow intellectually, develop appropriate skills and values, and prepare for further studies or a career of your choice.
CUHK is ready with the new curriculum, and enthusiastic about the changes. For most undergraduate subjects, the new undergraduate curriculum will be four years (the '4' in the '3+3+4' education reform) and will receive students who have completed the New Senior Secondary (NSS) curriculum (the second '3' in '3+3+4') – as well as students with equivalent qualifications acquired locally, nationally or internationally. Thus, the new curriculum is a part, perhaps the culmination, of the community-wide effort in Hong Kong to improve and reform its educational system for the challenges and needs of the twenty-first century.
CUHK offered a four-year normative curriculum from its establishment in 1963 (and in the Foundation Colleges before that) up to the mid-1990s. But the new curriculum is not a return to the four-year curriculum of old. We have built upon that tradition and foundation and developed a new curriculum fit for the times, to nurture citizens, leaders and professionals in many walks of life. In the preparatory process, first started five years ago, many units in CUHK have worked together to develop the different parts of the new curriculum, to bring them together as an integral and exciting learning experience for our students. We are excited by what will be on offer, and you would be as well.
