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	36 credits 12 credits 6 credits
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

 

The Common Core

The Common Core is a series of interdisciplinary organized courses required by all undergraduate curricula. They are organized into four Areas of Inquiry (AoIs): Scientific and Technological Literacy, Humanities, Global Issues, and China: Culture, State and Society. 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.

 

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.

 

UG5E1001 Requirement

With effect from the academic year 2022-23, undergraduate students who will graduate in 2022-23 and thereafter will be required to complete and pass the non-credit bearing course “UG5E1001 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 and there are no scheduled teaching sessions. Students are required to complete online viewing of all pre-recorded lectures (PRLs) and pass the multiple-choice questions (MCQ) test according to their own schedule throughout the entire period of their study. Upon successful completion of the course, a “pass” will be recorded in your transcript.

Students do not need to enroll this course during course selection period or add/drop period. They can locate the link of this course in HKU Portal -> “My eLearning” tab. Please refer to the student guide for detailed instructions.

If students plan to complete all curriculum requirements in a specific semester and be ready for graduation, they are strongly recommended to pass the MCQ test by the date listed below:
(i) Semester 1 – December 1
(ii) Semester 2 – May 1
(iii) Summer Semester – August 1

Students can email UG5E1001@hku.hk for course-related enquiries.

 

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.