FAQs

Programme and Study
Q1
What is the difference between research and taught programmes?
Q1
What is the difference between research and taught programmes?

Research programmes (e.g. MPhil, PhD) focus mainly on research work. These programmes require students to have a sound research background. Besides taking some courses, students need to submit a thesis and pass an oral defence conducted by the Thesis Assessment Committee in order to graduate. 

Taught programmes (e.g. MA, MBA, MSc, MSSc) focus on coursework. These programmes usually do not require students to submit a thesis.  Students are required to complete a certain number of courses in order to fulfill the credit requirement for graduation.

Q2
What are normative study period and maximum study period?
Q2
What are normative study period and maximum study period?

Normative study period is the normal period of study for a student to complete a programme according to the prescribed study scheme. Under normal circumstances, most students will graduate by the end of the normative study period. 

Maximum study period is the longest period of study for students to complete their programmes.  If students cannot complete their programmes within the maximum study period, they will be required to discontinue studies.  Approval to continue to study beyond the maximum study end date will only be given by the Graduate Council under very special circumstances. 

Different programmes may have different normative and maximum study periods.  For details, please refer to Study Options.

Q3
When does the new academic year start?
Q3
When does the new academic year start?

The academic year of the University for postgraduate programmes starts in August and runs to July of the following year.

Q4
Can I enroll in more than one programme at the same time?
Q4
Can I enroll in more than one programme at the same time?

A student shall not be registered concurrently for another course of study or research leading to the award of a degree, diploma or certificate at this University or at any other tertiary institution unless an application has been submitted in advance to the Graduate Division concerned, endorsed by the Faculty concerned and approved by the Graduate Council. A student in breach of this regulation shall be required to discontinue studies at the University.

Q5
Can I work and study at the same time?
Q5
Can I work and study at the same time?

A student registered for a full‑time programme of studies shall not take up any full‑time employment, paid or unpaid, during term time except with prior permission of the Graduate Council. 

Recipient of a Postgraduate Studentship (PGS) shall not take up full-time or part-time employment, except with prior permission of the Graduate Council.

Application for Admission
Q1
Is there any difference between local and non-local applicants?
Q1
Is there any difference between local and non-local applicants?

The application procedure and admission requirements are the same for both local and non-local applicants. However, non-local applicants need to obtain a valid visa/entry permit from the Immigration Department of HKSAR in order to study in Hong Kong.

Q2
I obtained a Bachelor's degree. Am I eligible to apply for Doctoral degree programmes?
Q2
I obtained a Bachelor's degree. Am I eligible to apply for Doctoral degree programmes?

For all Taught Doctoral degree and some PhD degree programmes, applicants should have a Master's degree. Some Graduate Divisions offer an MPhil–PhD Programme with an MPhil Stream and a PhD Stream. Bachelor's degree holders with honours not lower than Second Class may apply for the PhD stream under the MPhil-PhD Programme. For more information, visit Study Options and Requirements.

Q3
I am currently a final year undergraduate student, can I apply now?
Q3
I am currently a final year undergraduate student, can I apply now?

Yes. You may apply to join postgraduate programmes by submitting your up-to-date official transcript first.  The Admissions Panel of the programme concerned will review your qualifications in detail. If you are being admitted, you will be required to submit an official final transcript and a copy of your undergraduate degree certificate before the admission date.

Q4
Is it a must for me to fulfill the English Language Requirements for Admission?
Q4
Is it a must for me to fulfill the English Language Requirements for Admission?

Yes. You may refer to Requirements for details. Some programmes may have higher English Language Requirements for Admission. You are recommended to visit individual programme pages for details.

Q8
What documents are required?
Q8
What documents are required?

Applicants are required to submit the supporting documents listed in Documents Required. After you have submitted your application, you should upload the supporting documents to the Online Application System for Postgraduate Programmes and arrange those supporting documents to reach each programme applied for by the application deadline.

Q9
Can I get a hardcopy application form?
Q9
Can I get a hardcopy application form?

In response to the University's call for cultivating a sustainability culture on campus, no hardcopy of application form is available. Applicants are required to submit their applications online via the Online Application System for Postgraduate Programmes.

Q10
Can I apply for more than one programme? Can I submit one application for several programmes or I need to submit one application for one programme?
Q10
Can I apply for more than one programme? Can I submit one application for several programmes or I need to submit one application for one programme?

You can apply for more than one programme. Since the selection panels for the programmes are different, you are required to submit separate applications and supporting documents, and pay the application fees for each programme that you apply for. The application fee, once paid, is non-refundable and non-transferable.

However, if you were admitted by more than one programme at the same time, you are allowed to enroll in one programme only.

Q11
When should I submit my application?
Q11
When should I submit my application?

Research and taught programmes accept applications from September onwards. Individual programmes may have different application deadlines. Applications for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) are only possible by 1 December 2020 at 5pm (Hong Kong Time). Please refer to the Application Deadlines or relevant programme pages for details.

Q12
What is the application fee and how should I pay?
Q12
What is the application fee and how should I pay?

The application fee for each programme is HK$300 (except for MBA, MBA in Finance, and M.Sc. in Finance).  The application fee, once paid, is non-refundable and non-transferable. The application fee should be paid online by credit card when you submit your application.

Q13
How can I check my application and payment status?
Q13
How can I check my application and payment status?

You may log in to the Online Application System for Postgraduate Programmes to check your application status and pay the application fee by credit card. Please also note that the application fee, once paid, is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Financial support for Research Postgraduate (RPg) Students
Q1
What kind of financial assistance is available to RPg students? How to apply?
Q1
What kind of financial assistance is available to RPg students? How to apply?

Students who are admitted to full-time research postgraduate programmes will be offered Postgraduate Studentships (PGS). The Graduate Division of your programme will consider you for the award of the studentship together with your application for admission. No separate application is required.

Starting from the academic year 2018-19, local full-time students who are admitted to UGC-funded RPg programmes are eligible for the Government’s Tuition Waiver Scheme for Local Research Postgraduate (RPg) Students. The Scheme will provide a non-mean-tested tuition waiver to all current and newly admitted eligible local students enrolled in UGC-funded RPg programmes during their normative study period.

Q2
What are UGC-funded RPg programmes? Do they include part-time programmes?
Q2
What are UGC-funded RPg programmes? Do they include part-time programmes?

Our full-time RPg programmes are all UGC-funded programmes. Part-time RPg programmes are not UGC-funded programmes. Full-time RPg students who are admitted to the University without PGS are considered as self-financed RPg students. 

Part-time and self-financed local full-time RPg students are not eligible for the Tuition Waiver Scheme for Local Research Postgraduate (RPg) Students.

Q3
I have an IANG visa. Am I eligible for the Tuition Waiver Scheme for Local Research Postgraduate (RPg) Students?
Q3
I have an IANG visa. Am I eligible for the Tuition Waiver Scheme for Local Research Postgraduate (RPg) Students?

Students staying in Hong Kong holding any type of Hong Kong visas (including but not limited to student, dependent and IANG visa) or entry permit are not eligible for this Scheme.

Q4
My tuition fee has been waived by the University, am I eligible for the Tuition Waiver Scheme for Local Research Postgraduate (RPg) Students?
Q4
My tuition fee has been waived by the University, am I eligible for the Tuition Waiver Scheme for Local Research Postgraduate (RPg) Students?

Under the Scheme, the tuition of all eligible full-time local students enrolled in UGC-funded RPg programmes is waived. If the tuition fee of an RPg student has been fully waived, s/he will no longer be eligible for this Scheme. However, if the tuition fee has been partially waived, s/he is still entitled for the Scheme to cover the remaining part of the tuition fee.

Q6
I am a recipient of the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme. Will I receive both, the CUHK Vice-Chancellor HKPFS Scholarship and the Tuition Waiver Scheme for Local Research Postgraduate (RPg) Students?
Q6
I am a recipient of the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme. Will I receive both, the CUHK Vice-Chancellor HKPFS Scholarship and the Tuition Waiver Scheme for Local Research Postgraduate (RPg) Students?

No. Local recipients of the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme will be granted a tuition waiver for their normative study period by the Tuition Waiver Scheme for Local Research Postgraduate (RPg) Students. Non-local recipients of the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme will receive the CUHK Vice-Chancellor HKPFS Scholarship to cover the tuition fee of their first year of study.

Offer Acceptance and Registration
Q1
When will I receive my admission offer?
Q1
When will I receive my admission offer?

Admission offers are normally made in the period from November to May of the following year. Applicants can check their application status via the Online Application System for Postgraduate Programmes.

Q2
How can I check my offer?
Q2
How can I check my offer?

Applicants may log in to the Online Application System for Postgraduate Programmes to check their application results and download the Admission Notification.

Q3
I have received an admission offer with condition(s), what should I do?
Q3
I have received an admission offer with condition(s), what should I do?

You should follow the steps in How to Register? to register provisionally. In such a situation, your student status is not yet confirmed and you will NOT be allowed to commence study until you have fulfilled all the condition(s) by the deadline stipulated on the Admission Notification.

Q4
I am currently a final year undergraduate. Do I need to submit an official transcript again if the transcript I submitted during my application is final?
Q4
I am currently a final year undergraduate. Do I need to submit an official transcript again if the transcript I submitted during my application is final?

Yes. You are still required to apply for a final official transcript after completion of your Bachelor’s programme (after announcement of your classification of honours if it is an honours programme) and upload it to the Online Application System for Postgraduate Programmes to fulfil your admission condition(s).  Please also arrange to send the original document to Graduate School directly from your university.

Q5
What if I cannot provide documents to fulfil the admission condition(s) by the deadline?
Q5
What if I cannot provide documents to fulfil the admission condition(s) by the deadline?

If you cannot provide document(s) to fulfil the admission condition(s) stipulated on the Admission Notification, your admission offer will become null and void. You may seek advice/assistance from the Graduate Division/Programme concerned, if necessary.

Q6
I cannot commence to study by the admission date, what can I do? Can I defer the admission date?
Q6
I cannot commence to study by the admission date, what can I do? Can I defer the admission date?

You may contact your Graduate Division/Programme first to see if you could defer your admission date. If it is permissible, after you have accepted the admission offer online and settled the deposit payment, you can download the "Application Form for Deferred Admission” from the Online Application System for Postgraduate Programmes and complete and return the form to the Division/Programme concerned. The admission can be deferred for up to one year from the original date of admission.

Q7
When do I need to settle the deposit after acceptance of an admission offer?
Q7
When do I need to settle the deposit after acceptance of an admission offer?

The payment due date for deposit payment is specified on your admission notification. You may refer to the payment advice at the Online Application System for Postgraduate Programmes for various payment methods as well as other relevant details.

Q8
Can I defer acceptance of the admission offer and the deposit payment?
Q8
Can I defer acceptance of the admission offer and the deposit payment?

You may contact your Graduate Division/Programme first to see if your deferral request could be accepted. If it is accepted, you may download the "Application Form for Deferred Acceptance of Admission Offer" from the Online Application System for Postgraduate Programmes.  Please complete and return the form to the Division/Programme concerned. 

Please note that the acceptance of an admission offer cannot be deferred beyond the admission date.

Q9
How will I be asked to settle the tuition fee?
Q9
How will I be asked to settle the tuition fee?

The tuition fee is normally settled on term basis. Students will receive a fee note via email about two weeks prior to the tuition fee payment due date. For detail, please refer to Notes on Payment of Student Fees.

Q10
How can I update my contact information after I have accepted the admission offer?
Q10
How can I update my contact information after I have accepted the admission offer?

If you have already settled the deposit payment and performed online registration, please update your contact information at MyCUHK.

Q11
Where can I get my CU Link (Student Card)?
Q11
Where can I get my CU Link (Student Card)?

If you have already fulfilled all admission condition(s) and completed the online registration, your CU Link (Student Card) will be ready for collection from your admission date (stated in your Admission Notification) at the CU Link Card Centre. Before you go, please check its opening hours and address.

Student Visa/Entry Permit
Q1
Do I need to apply for a student visa/entry permit to study at CUHK?
Q1
Do I need to apply for a student visa/entry permit to study at CUHK?

Non-local students who do not have a right of abode or right to land in Hong Kong MUST obtain a valid visa/entry permit to study at CUHK.  Part-time students who are in possession of another valid visa/entry permit are advised to consult the Immigration Department of HKSAR on whether or not they are required to apply for a student visa/entry permit to study at CUHK. 

Non-local students who are unable to present a valid visa/entry permit at the time of registration will NOT be allowed to register.

Q2
I am a non-local undergraduate student at CUHK. If I am admitted to a postgraduate programme at CUHK, should I apply for an extension of my current student visa or apply for a new visa instead?
Q2
I am a non-local undergraduate student at CUHK. If I am admitted to a postgraduate programme at CUHK, should I apply for an extension of my current student visa or apply for a new visa instead?

Since the situation may vary from student to student, please seek advice from the Immigration Department of HKSAR on which option you should go for. (Telephone: (852) 2824-6111; E-mail: enquiry@immd.gov.hk).

If an extension is applicable, you will be asked to submit a certifying letter from CUHK to support your student visa extension application. You may submit an application for a certifying letter for extension of student visa via the Graduate School homepage.

Q3
When should I apply for the student visa/entry permit?
Q3
When should I apply for the student visa/entry permit?

Students are responsible for applying for their visa/entry permit in time. The visa application process normally takes around 6-8 weeks.  The Immigration Department of HKSAR will take longer time during the summer peak season.  Students are advised to submit visa application with all documents required within 3 weeks from the issuance date of the Admission Notification.

Admission Date Time to Apply
1 August By mid-April or soonest possible
1 September
By mid-May or soonest possible
1 January By mid-August or soonest possible
Q4
How can I apply for a student visa/entry permit to study at CUHK?
Q4
How can I apply for a student visa/entry permit to study at CUHK?

If you are admitted to one of our postgraduate programmes, the Graduate School will assist you to apply for a student visa/entry permit from the Immigration Department of HKSAR. A visa handling fee (HK$450) is required. Settle the payment by credit card at the Online Application System for Postgraduate Programmes. Please visit Visa and Related Matters for Non-local Students for details.

Q5
How long will the visa application process take?
Q5
How long will the visa application process take?

It normally takes 6-8 weeks for the Immigration Department of HKSAR to process visa applications upon receipt of the duly completed application forms, supporting documents and the payment.

Students from the Mainland should allow for at least 2 additional weeks to apply for the Exit-entry Permit for Traveling to and from Hong Kong and Macao (EEP) 《來往港澳通行證》 and Relevant Exit Endorsement 《相關赴港簽注》 from the Public Security Bureau Office 《戶口所在地公安機關出入境管理部門》 where your household registration is kept, before departure to Hong Kong. Visit the website of the Immigration Department of HKSAR for more information.

Q7
What amount should I put on my financial proof? What kind of financial proof should I provide to support my student visa application?
Q7
What amount should I put on my financial proof? What kind of financial proof should I provide to support my student visa application?

Students of full-time research postgraduate programmes who have been awarded a Postgraduate Studentship (PGS) can use the Letter of Award of the studentship as financial proof for applying for a student visa. Please make a copy of the Letter of Award as a supporting document.

For students of taught postgraduate programmes, the amount on your financial proof should be enough to support your living and study in Hong Kong.

Q8
Where should I submit the documents for my student visa application?
Q8
Where should I submit the documents for my student visa application?

For students of research postgraduate programmes, you may send the student visa application materials to the Graduate School directly.

For students of taught postgraduate programmes, you may send the student visa application materials to the Graduate Division concerned. Please visit the relevant individual programme pages for contact details.

Q10
How do I activate my student visa/entry permit in Hong Kong?
Q10
How do I activate my student visa/entry permit in Hong Kong?

You should present your visa/entry permit label at the Immigration Counter when you arrive Hong Kong. You will be issued a landing slip which bears your English name, travel document number, arrival date, conditions and limit of stay in Hong Kong. Please present this landing slip together with your visa label and travel document when registering at CUHK.