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Term Time Exchange
Welcome to CUHK
Hong Kong is Asia’s World City. Discover the perfect blend of contrasts where East meets West, where busy city pace meets natural countryside, and where endless skyscrapers meet traditional lifestyles.
CUHK has been welcoming exchange students since 1965 and provides the ideal learning and living environment to help our international students strive in their academics and engage with the university community. Build your knowledge by learning from our galaxy of distinguished scholars. Immerse yourself in our welcoming, multicultural, and green campus. Continue your major studies, while at the same time enrich your knowledge in all things China with our comprehensive catalogue of courses focused on Hong Kong, China and the region. Make lifelong friendships with local and international peers through the residential college system unique to CUHK.
Are you ready for the CUHK experience? Here’s everything you need to know about studying at CUHK.
Programme Dates
2024/25
2024/25 | First Term | Second Term |
First day for hostel check-in | 26 – 27 August 2024 | 2 – 3 January 2025 |
Orientation | 28 – 30 August 2024 | 4 – 5 January 2025 |
Classes begin | 2 September 2024 | 6 January 2025 |
Classes end | 30 November 2024 | 17 April 2025 |
Examination period | 4 – 20 December 2024 | 24 April – 10 May 2025 |
Note: programme dates are subject to changes without prior notice.
Helpful tip! Check the last day of your final exams before making travel plans or booking return flights. If they are not available yet, consider booking travel arrangements after the last day of the final exam period.
Academics
CUHK offers undergraduate and postgraduate level courses under the faculties of Arts, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Science, and Social Science. Many of these courses are open to exchange and study-abroad students. Many students take courses with a focus on Hong Kong, China, and the region.
Cantonese is the main spoken language in Hong Kong, but CUHK is a multilingual university, with English, Cantonese or Putonghua (Mandarin) used as the languages of instruction.
Chinese language courses are also offered through the the Yale–China Chinese Language Centre (CLC). Founded in 1963 under the joint auspices of New Asia College and the Yale-China Association, the CLC provides language training in Cantonese and Putonghua (Mandarin Chinese) to second/ foreign language learners and Chinese speakers with the aim of enhancing the Chinese language proficiency of students for communication in daily living and for professional purposes.
Accommodation
We endeavor to place all exchange students on campus accommodation (with the exception of MBA students). Living on-campus allows you to experience local student life and culture, and make new friends. The residential halls, which we call ‘hostels’ have wardens and residence tutors to oversee students’ physical and mental well-being and provide necessary support to residents. The tutors will also organise resident-association activities such as dinners, games and other gatherings to bring students together. Most rooms are shared, many accommodating two to a room, although some can house up to four.
Living Costs
Living in Hong Kong is expensive, but studying at CUHK can be extremely affordable. On-campus student housing is subsidized. There are 34 canteens, restaurants and cafes on campus serving delicious cuisines at economical prices. A pasta lunch with a cup of fresh brewed coffee costs HK$60 and a noodle lunch with a local specially milk tea will costs around HK$40! There are plenty of good eateries around the area that suits every budget.
Approximate living costs for the academic year 2024–25 (HK$)
First Term | Second Term | Full Year | |
Undergraduate Hostel Fees | 8,000 – 10,500 | 8,000 – 10,500 | 16,000 – 21,000 |
Postgraduate Hostel Fees | 12,900 | 12,900 | 25,800 |
Books and Supplies | 5,000 | 5,000 | 10,000 |
Meals | 30,000 | 30,000 | 60,000 |
Local Transportation | 3,100 | 3,100 | 6,200 |