| We've made it easy! This is your one-stop shop to find all the information you'll need for getting ready and getting started. Check out the university calendars to help you plan for the near future. Prepare for your studies with information on student visas, application forms, procedures, and academic requirements. You can get a head start on packing with our sample checklist for your trip. We have also provided a list of links to useful websites. Here, you'll find everything you need to plan an unforgettable experience in Hong Kong. |  |
While each institution has its own specific calendar, here's a general guide of important time periods. Check with a particular University for its timetable, as schedules change and dates may vary from year to year.
The Academic Year usually consists of two semesters, from early September to late December and mid-January to May. Days off for public holidays (Hong Kong has 12) may need to be made up at the end of a semester. An Orientation session for first-year students is usually held in late August.
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Application Deadlines vary greatly. Applications are due the spring semester prior to your intended entry date, but may fall as early as January or as late as May. Confirm the deadline with your chosen institution well in advance; it'll save you and your university many headaches.
By now, you know that Hong Kong is the place to be for an incomparable educational experience. Here's an overview of everything you need to do to apply, arrive, and get started!
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 | Make sure you qualify for admission. International schools and methods of assessment vary widely, as do prerequisites for specific universities. In general you will need to have completed secondary school, have earned satisfactory results on your country's Leaving or Aptitude exams, if offered (for example, A Levels, Baccalaureate, SATs, etc.) If English is not your mother tongue, you'll need to take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System), or equivalent examinations. Of course, you should contact the universities for more detailed information. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Apply. The timetable for this varies by institution, so make sure to confirm what paperwork you'll need to do, and when to submit it. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Once you've been accepted, you must get a student visa or entry permit.* All non-local students need one, whether they come for an exchange program or full-time degree-seeking studies. (*If you have the right of abode in Hong Kong, you can skip this step.) You'll need a local sponsor, which can be arranged through your university, as well as a number of supporting documents. Normally, the Immigration Department requires the following, although they may ask for others. It can take up to six weeks to process a visa or entry permit - apply as far in advance as possible!
Students from Mainland China should file their visa application through the institution at which they plan to study. Residents of Taiwan should apply directly to the Hong Kong Immigration Department through their sponsoring institution. All other overseas students can submit their applications and supporting documents in one of several ways.
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You've been accepted, received your visa... now you're getting ready to come to Hong Kong. Wondering what to pack? Here are a few suggestions from people who've been there.
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