STUDY IN HONGKONG

Why HONGKONG ?

Hong Kong is the place to be. There are more than a billion Chinese in the world. Start getting acquainted with some of them in Hong Kong, home to six million people with a unique global perspective. We know China (most of us have that background), and we're well-traveled, multi-lingual, and modern. Don't worry, we speak English. It's one of our official languages, in fact, and the lingua franca for our vibrant international community. If you're the adventurous type, pick a dialect - you can learn Cantonese to chat with the locals in their mother tongue, or pick up Mandarin and get a foot across the border in the People's Republic.

The qualifications that you'll receive from Hong Kong's educational institutions are internationally recognized, meaning you can use your Bachelor of Science in Biology from Brussels to Bangkok. ... but we will anyway. Our institutions are among the best in the world - and The Times of London agrees! Hong Kong was well represented in the 2007 World University Rankings, higher (and better value!) than most of our counterparts in North America and Europe. It's no wonder that Hong Kong is a regional hub for academic endeavors. Come study, research, and share with us!

When you think of education in China, do you imagine groups of glasses-clad youngsters copying thousands of characters, learning by rote? That's ancient China! We're in Hong Kong, remember? While rote learning was popular in the past, modern Hong Kong has embraced critical thinking and creativity in education. Recent reforms have brought Hong Kong's curriculum into line with international standards to turn out well-rounded, capable students. From 2000 to 2006, Hong Kong's schools underwent a major overhaul in curriculum, methods of assessment, and language instruction. Student-focused changes moved away from exam-centered study toward whole-person development, namely Moral and Civil Education, Intellectual Development, Community Service, Physical and Aesthetic Development, and Career-Related Experience.

There are four types of local schools following Hong Kong's curriculum. The Government runs a small number of schools; many others are subsidized institutions run by charitable and religious organizations. Private, usually Christian schools are known for their rigorous academic standards. Most do not receive government funding, but under the Direct Subsidy scheme, private schools may be given financial support for good performance. Additionally, various International Schools cater to the children of the elite and expatriates. Many follow the International Baccalaureate program. The education structure in Hong Kong was established during colonial rule, and mirrors that of the United Kingdom. Students attend three optional years of Kindergarten (usually starting at age 3), six years of primary school (grades P.1 - P.6) junior and senior secondary school (Form 1, 2, 3 and Form 4 and 5). Primary through junior secondary education is compulsory. Students who intend to pursue a university degree enroll in an additional two years of secondary school, or Matriculation (Form 6 and 7). Most universities offer three-year programs to obtain a Bachelor's degree. This is due to change soon - by 2012, the system will be internationalized, consisting of three years of Junior Secondary, three of Senior Secondary, and a four-year normative undergraduate degree. Education reform hasn't eliminated the examination culture in Hong Kong; many still regard testing as a necessary component of one's academic life. In Primary 5 and Primary 6, Form 5, and Form 7, most local students take territory-wide examinations to determine placement in upper levels of education. There are three "Bands" of local schools, with Band 1 being the highest, accepting the most academically gifted students. Form 5 students take the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) for placement in Matriculation programs. After Form 7, the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (A-Level) serves as a final benchmark for admission to University. International School students, however, normally take the exams used by the school's respective sponsor countries. As for Higher Education, there are eight government-funded, internationally-recognized universities in Hong Kong which offer Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees. They and other institutions also offer post-secondary diplomas, certificates, and vocational training. The Hong Kong government has been steadily increasing opportunities for further study, and 66% of Hong Kong students now pursue some form of post-secondary education. So. You're a student interested in studying abroad, investigating the question of not only what to study but where you can go. Odds are, if you're legitimately considering going abroad for a term or a year, it's not because you want a place to be alone where you can spend your days in silent reflection. No, you're likely interested in studying in a place that is not just new but completely unlike any other place you've lived - where the people and city and culture and history are not only foreign but fascinatingly so. A place where you will be able to walk out the front door in the morning, turn right, turn left, or go straight and be enveloped by a city's unique and powerful culture. (And, just maybe, you could be interested in a location in the balmy subtropics that means beach weather for more than seven months out of the year.) If this is in fact the case for you, prospective study-abroad student, then may we present to you: Hong Kong. Where East truly meets West. Are you a fan of martial arts movies - the Bruce Lee classics like Enter the Dragon or the more recent hits, like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon? Kung fu and Bruce Lee may not seem to have a lot to do with being a college student who is studying abroad - but it's emblematic of something larger, something that's often hard to pin down. The whole city of Hong Kong is almost like a gigantic but living, breathing organism...a multitude of separate parts and systems that somehow work to the common purpose of the city itself. In Hong Kong, the modern stands side-by-side with the traditional. It's a city that boasts many seemingly contradictory titles. One of these, the East-meets-West cultural aspect, is enduringly interesting. You don't have to have seen tons of Hong Kong kung fu movies to understand this - heck, if you've seen any American kung fu movies, you understand it. Bruce Lee is an American icon who permanently changed how American action movies are made (and watched). Yet to a large extent his style and persona were forged in Hong Kong. Whatever your level of exposure to the culture of Hong Kong, as a student living abroad there, you'll be astonished at the opportunities you have to expose yourself to the people, life, and history surrounding you. Another simple thing that living abroad in Hong Kong has going for it is its proximity to other cities and places - you can travel by train into the People's Republic of China. Hong Kong, a former British colony and current Special Administrative Region of China, is home to an exceptional culture. So Hong Kong and the People's Republic of China are very different, as you might imagine, but they're separated by only a short train ride. Both in terms of coming and going, getting around couldn't be easier. When you fly in, Hong Kong is accessible by air from most major cities around the world, and by not onlyi train but ferry as well from other parts of China. Once you arrive, you'll find an extensive public transportation network that is clean, efficient, and affordable - if you're flying out of the city and taking the train to the airport, you can automatically scan your luggage at the train station, and, without your seeing it again, your bag will get off the train at the airport and get checked into the right plane. Be a student of the city. Both fast-paced and personal, Hong Kong offers a distinctive blend of Chinese tradition and a wealth of influences from international waters. Do you have a passion for... Business Language Fashion, History Art Cooking Entertainment If so, Hong Kong offers you a wealth of opportunities. Or perhaps you have a multitude of passions, and want your studies to indulge as many of them as possible. Hong Kong has not only a physical life but also an intellectual life that demand to be explored. Hong Kong, then, is a unique city, born of ancient Chinese heritage and a long period of Western influence. And it is a multifaceted city where feng shui and football, towering skyscrapers and historical sites exist side by side. Also, it's a place born of English and Cantonese - and this is the second element that's crucial for students to consider: the melting pot of Hong Kong applies not only to its broader culture, but to its academic culture. Students learn about the city from its Neolithic beginnings to its current position as a world city. By being a student in the city you also become a student of the city. As a student looking to immerse yourself in Chinese or Asian art and history, Hong Kong offers a selection of the finest museums. For instance, the Hong Kong Museum of Art offers an unparalleled collection from not only the city itself, but Macau and other parts of the Pearl River Delta. The downtown area offers a brilliant science museum, as well as a history museum. Perhaps one of the more unique offerings is the Museum of Tea Ware that was built in the former residence of the commander of the British forces and chronicles the history of tea and its various accessories from the 7th century to today. As a student in Hong Kong, you'll expand your life experience and your knowledge base widely, in many fresh and exciting ways. UNIVERSITIES IN HONGKONG Hong Kong is home to eight government-funded universities offering dozens of major areas of study. You'll be happy to know that all of them use English as medium of instruction for most of their courses. Many offer crash courses in Chinese language so that foreign students can make the most of their stay. Certain institutions also conduct some courses in Putonghua for Mainland students, or for those who are proficient in the language. Hong Kong's universities emphasize whole-person development, meaning you'll be given a broad perspective on life, culture, and ethics, as well as gaining practical experience to take your academic endeavors beyond the classroom and into the real world. A stimulating intellectual environment attracts high-caliber professors from around the globe. They and their students are renowned for excellence, including Nobel laureates, prize winners for new technology, literary giants, and linguists. The rest of the world has paid attention - several of our institutions made the top 200 in both Newsweek and the Times Higher Education Supplement's World University Rankings since 2006. An agreement with Mainland China guarantees the compatibility of Hong Kong and Chinese programs of study. Some universities even allow foreign students to "study abroad" for a year or two in Beijing or Shanghai! For a respected degree recognized the world over, you can get a Bachelor of Arts, Science, Law, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Journalism, or one of a great many others... and these are just a sampling of what's on offer in Hong Kong! Check out individual university websites for more details. The Institutions City University of Hong Kong's motto, "Officium et Civitas," connotes duty, morality, and a union of citizens. CityU is going global with this message, empowering local and international students with applicable knowledge for the social and economic advancement of the world. It offers professionally oriented programs in an ambiance of diverse cultural backgrounds, innovative pedagogy, and a holistic learning environment at its campus in Kowloon Tong. Hong Kong Baptist University, with a Christian heritage, is the second-oldest institution of higher learning in Hong Kong. HKBU enrolls about 5,000 undergraduate and 2,800 postgraduate students and offers undergraduate programs, taught postgraduate courses, and research programs through its six faculties/schools: Arts, Business, Chinese Medicine, Communication, Science and Social Sciences and the Academy of Visual Arts. HKBU puts dual emphasis on teaching and research, and has established 35 research centers to nurture academic excellence. Lingnan University is the only liberal arts university in the territory, with the longest established tradition. Its history dates back to 1888 when its forerunner, the prestigious Lingnan University in Guangzhou, China, was founded. The University is committed to the provision of quality education distinguished by the best liberal arts tradition from both East and West. Lingnan's strong sense of community is enhanced by its high residential rate, with 75% of its students living on campus. The Chinese University of Hong Kong is a leading research-oriented comprehensive university offering over 300 undergraduate and postgraduate programs, which are designed with a flexible structure to encourage creativity while grounding students in specialized knowledge. Some 20,000 undergraduate, postgraduate and exchange students attend courses at its picturesque campus in Shatin, New Territories, of which some 3,800 come from 45 countries and regions outside Hong Kong. CUHK has a unique college system and also Nobel laureates as faculty members. The Hong Kong Institute of Education is located on a purpose-built campus in Tai Po, New Territories. It is wholly dedicated education with an emphasis on teacher training and development. The HKIEd offers short term certificate level courses, undergraduate Bachelor's degrees, postgraduate diplomas, and postgraduate degrees in education at Masters and Doctorate levels to over 7,000 students. The Institute strives to nurture creative, committed, professional teachers who will contribute to the evolution and enhancement of education, both locally and globally. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, established in 1937, prides itself on its quality academic programs which nurture professionals for the business, industrial and social sectors. The University emphasizes workplace learning experience and its graduates have been ranked "most preferred" by recruiters. It is the largest publicly-funded tertiary institution in Hong Kong in terms of number of students. With more than 1,000 academic and research staff from different parts of the world, the University runs more than 150 undergraduate and postgraduate programs, some of which are unique in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology is one of Hong Kong's youngest and most dynamic universities. Its pioneering approach to cutting-edge research and quality education has quickly put HKUST among the world's top-ranked universities. Situated on a scenic seaside campus, HKUST provides its students with an internationally recognized education in engineering, science, business, and management from undergraduate to doctoral levels. The University of Hong Kong is the territory's first university, established in 1911. Today, it is recognized globally as a world-class comprehensive research-led university and is consistently highly ranked in international higher-education league tables. HKU leads the way in terms of funding and awards from the government and support from the community, which in turn means exceptional support services and facilities for our students. You'll find the largest international university student population at HKU, the only university located on Hong Kong Island, the dynamic centre of Hong Kong.