GE at CUHK is composed of University GE and College GE

I. University GE

University GE is a common requirement of all CUHK undergraduate programmes. It aims at broadening students' knowledge base by providing a structured exposure to different aspects of fundamental human concerns, and to various approaches to such concerns. It consists of two components:

A. General Education Foundation (GEF)

Guided by the reading of classic texts, the GEF provides for students a common intellectual and cultural ground, on which sensitivity to the concerns of human existence may develop, and intellectual dialogues on these concerns may emerge. The GEF is reading and writing intensive and taught in seminar style. It helps students acquire and develop knowledge, attitudes and skills essential for independent learning.

B. The Four Areas of University GE

Building upon the Foundation, the Four Areas further broaden students' exposure by inviting them to examine four fundamental realms of human concerns, namely, one’s relation with one’s cultural heritage, with the physical world, with fellow human beings and with oneself. Emphasis is placed on critical appreciation of the various disciplinary approaches to these concerns, particularly in their relevance to contemporary issues.

II. College GE

College GE is a unique feature of undergraduate education at CUHK. It expresses the mission and traditions of each constituent College. All undergraduates are assigned to one of the nine Colleges of the University. All Colleges offer their own specifically-designed credit-bearing College GE programme as well as non-credit-bearing learning opportunities for their students. By providing students with a broad perspective that goes beyond academic pursuits, College GE contributes to the holistic development of students to become responsible citizens of the world.

The General Education Programme is composed of University GE Programme and College GE Programme. University GE courses are offered to all undergraduates. Starting from 2010-2011, a General Education Foundation Programme, specially designed for the four-year curriculum, is added to the University GE Programme. Each College has its own College General Education Programme, and students are required to fulfill the unit requirements as specified by the respective Colleges. Unit requirements for students of different programmes are listed below:

General Education Requirement for:

• Full-time Programmes
  • Students admitted to first-year-first-degree (FYFD) places with Advanced Standing may be granted exemptions. Details are given in“III. University Core Requirements” under the Annex of the the General Regulations Governing Full-time Undergraduate Studies.)
  • Students admitted to Dual Undergraduate Degree Programmes shall follow the requirements stipulated by their respective Major Programmes.  Details are given in the respective study schemes of the Major Programmes.
  • The revised University Core Requirements and hence the revised requirements of University GE take effect from the intakes of 2022-23 and thereafter.  Students admitted in 2022-23 should go through the related details, including the unit requirement and the Area designations of University GE of individual Major Programmes, as stipulated in the Student Handbook.

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Tradition of General Education

General education has played an essential role in CUHK's undergraduate curriculum, with an aim of realizing the university motto "博文約禮" (bo wen yue li)—"博文" is "to broaden one's intellectual horizon" and "約禮" is "to keep within the bounds of propriety"—enabling students to acquire knowledge beyond their profession, pursue excellence, and develop respect for truth and persistence of moral integrity.

In order to meet the needs of different curricula and times, CUHK's general education curriculum has gone through changes since the founding of the university, but our mission of whole-person education remains the same.

University General Education and College General Education

The current CUHK's general education curriculum is divided into two components: University General Education and College General Education. The former is composed of more than 200 GE courses provided by different departments, enabling students to acquire knowledge in a broad range, fulfilling their intellectual and academic pursuit; the latter consists of "formal" and "informal" education designed in accordance with the own tradition of the colleges and the needs of students, i.e. College General Education and college activities, with the aim of facilitating students to adapt the university life and integrate knowledge learnt in the university.

Opportunity brought by 3-3-4 New Curriculum

After years of longing, CUHK has resumed 4-year undergraduate curriculum in 2012. With the 2012 new curriculum, general education is further enhanced with the introduction of the General Education Foundation (GEF) Programme, a common core programme added to strengthen the foundation of University General Education and College General Education. The GEF Programme has been planned since 2006 and piloted since 2009. All secondary six entrants have benefited from the programme.

Leadership Development Programme

Leadership Development Programme is organized by Leadership Development Section, Office of University General Education, with an aim of nurturing students’ leadership ability and facilitating them to face the challenges and opportunities of the new era. Bearing 24 credits, this two-year programme not only covers a wide range of areas, including study of politics, ethics and social issues, leadership training and artistic creation, but also provides opportunities of overseas exchange, various extra-curricular activities and social engagement. We believe that Hong Kong, as a world city, should have young leaders with an international perspective and a caring heart to the community. If you have expectations to yourself and your university life; if you have a sense of responsibility to the society; if you have imagination of an ideal world—we sincerely invite you to join Leadership Development Programme.