Basic Curriculum Structure
All HKU undergraduate curricula have certain common learning experiences: the common core, the language component and the capstone experience. Students of professional curricula concentrates a significant portion of their remaining studies on the “professional core”, while students of non-professional curricula are given large flexibility to design their own combination of majors, minors and electives within and outside their home Faculties.
The general components of a typical four-year undergraduate curriculum
| Component | Course | No. of Credits* |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory Courses | Common Core English Chinese Artificial Intelligence Literacy |
36 credits 6 credits 6 credits 6 credits (AILT1001 & Faculty-based course) |
| Specialization | Professional Core | 108 – 186 credits |
| Major | 72 – 96 credits (144 to 150 for BSc intensive majors) | |
| Minor | 36 – 48 credits | |
| Electives | Courses within or outside home Faculties | Remainder to complete 240 credits |
| Total no. of Credits | 240 credits | |
*There are considerable new UG programmes with different curriculum designs and structures, such as the BASc 4-year programmes, double degree 5-year programmes and joint-university dual degree 4-year programmes. Check Faculty websites for details.
The Common Core
The Common Core is a series of interdisciplinary organized courses required by all undergraduate curricula. They are organized into five Areas of Inquiry (AoIs): Scientific and Technological Literacy, Arts and Humanities, Global Issues, China: Culture, State and Society, and Artificial Intelligence. With the exception of double degree programmes, MBBS programme and BASc programmes which require four courses , students are normally required to take six Common Core courses, one from each AoI and not more than two from any AoI.
AILT1001 Requirement
All undergraduate students admitted from the academic year 2025-26 and thereafter are required to complete AILT1001 Artificial Intelligence Literacy I as part of the graduation requirements, except for the students of the two-year part-time self-funded Bachelor of
Nursing programme. This 3-credit course uses interactive lectures, tutorials, and a project to explore AI concepts, large language models, and ethical concerns.
CDS is now offering a special intensive session AILT1001-2S Artificial Intelligence Literacy I in Semester 2 reading week (Mar 9 to 14, 2026) in HKU-CDS Teaching and Research Site in Shanghai. Lecture and tutorial sessions are identical to the other sub-classes but will be completed within one week. Free accommodation and airfare subsidy will be offered.
*AILT1001-2S is mutually exclusive with AILT1001.
Please refer to the course website for detailed information.
The Capstone Experience
The Capstone Experience is an integral part of the major programme or the “professional core”. Students are engaged in projects, research, internships or other activities in their senior year to integrate knowledge and skills acquired in their undergraduate studies.
UGRE1001 Requirement
All current full-time and part-time undergraduate students are required to complete and pass the non-credit bearing course “UGRE1001 Introduction to the Constitution, the Basic Law and the National Security Law” prepared by the Faculty of Law.
This course adopts a self-directed learning approach. Students are required to complete online viewing of all pre-recorded lectures (PRLs) and pass the multiple-choice questions (MCQ) test within their course of study. Upon successful completion, a “pass” will be recorded on the student’s transcript.
Students are not required to enroll in this course during course selection or add/drop periods. The course can be accessed through HKU Portal -> “My eLearning” tab. Please click here to view the “UGRE1001 Student Guide” for detailed instructions (Login to HKU Portal is required).
Students who plan to complete all curriculum requirements in a specific semester and be ready for graduation are strongly advised to pass the MCQ test by the deadlines below:
(i) Semester 1 – December 1
(ii) Semester 2 – May 1
(iii) Summer Semester – August 1
For course-related enquiries, please email UGRE1001@hku.hk.
* The course code UG5E1001 has been changed to UGRE1001 effective from September 1, 2025. Please note that UG5E1001 and UGRE1001 are identical courses and there is no change in the course content and learning outcomes.
Advanced Standing
Like other universities, HKU has advanced standing arrangements for students admitted with particular academic backgrounds. Advanced standing gives you credit for the work you have completed in a seven-year secondary education, community college, university or other post-secondary educational institution as appropriate. In case of doubt, students should clarify with the Faculty Office upon admission before the start of the first semester.
