Welcome Package for New Students 2025

Welcome to HKU!
You may be feeling overwhelmed by orientations at the moment, but amidst all the excitement, don't forget about your academic matters!
Are you well-prepared?
If any of these concerns are on your mind, dive into this page to discover the answers you're seeking!

• When and how should I enrol on my required courses?
• Which major/minor should I pick?
• How can I pave the way to achieve academic success?
• Who can I talk to if I feel lost about academic planning?
• What other resources can I refer to if I need further assistance?
Lady AAOwl
The Ambassador of Academic Advising



Academic Advising Support for YOU at HKU

Different Types of Academic Advisers
There are five types of Academic Advisers under the University-wide Academic Advising System. Learn more about our system and choose the appropriate adviser that suits your needs.

Faculty Academic Adviser (FAA) Sign-up Exercise
At HKU, every undergraduate student is supported by a Faculty Academic Adviser (FAA) – an academic staff member from your home Faculty who offers guidance on academic matters.
If you are a student of the following Faculties / School: Architecture, Arts, Business, Computing and Data Science, Engineering, Law, Science and Social Sciences, you are REQUIRED to sign up for your Faculty Academic Adviser. Make sure you complete the sign-up by the specified deadlines.

Students from the following Faculties will have their FAAs manually assigned by their Faculty: Dentistry, Education, Medicine. You will receive notification from your Faculty in due course.

Find My Faculty Academic Adviser
First-year undergraduate students are encouraged to meet with their FAAs when they need academic advice. To check who your FAA is, follow the steps here.

Meeting with an AASO Adviser
Apart from your FAA, our AASO advisers are also delighted to advise you on university regulations, study planning, cross-faculty learning opportunities and much more! Click here to make an appointment with us and explore your options.

Student Advising @ HKU
Furthermore, you can find Faculty Student Advisers (FSA), who are senior students from your home faculty, for advice and experience sharing from a student’s perspective. Click here to learn more about FSA.

Academic Advising Forum @ Moodle
Last but not least, you can always visit the Academic Advising Forum on Moodle and exchange ideas with your peers. You will be automatically subscribed to the forum. Feel free to create a post or leave a reply!



Kick-start Your Semester Smartly

Important Academic Dates
Soon you will experience Online Course Selection. Take a look at the schedule and mark it down on your own calendar. Remember to enrol on courses for BOTH Semester 1 and 2 during the Course Selection period in August.

Quick Guide on Course Selection and Enrolment
All course selection and enrolment should be performed in SIS. Study the Quick Guide carefully to get familiar with the system and to avoid any issues while using it.

How to Select my Major and Minor
Some curricula allow students to choose their major, and some have the room for pursuing a second major/minor. Do you know what factors should be considered during major/minor selection? Take a look at our tips.

Academic Planning Sheet
A good plan is halfway to success. Use the Planning Sheet to create an overall academic plan for a clearer vision. You can also consider incorporating other learning experiences (e.g. study abroad, internships, research projects) into your plan for personal enrichment.

My Academic Roadmap
For a complete overview, go through the Academic Roadmap outlining the steps to be taken in Year 1 and beyond. Read the stories written by your peers to understand the academic journey for each year.



Need Assistance?

If you need further support, make good use of the following resources!
• Interactive Planning Tools
  Discover various tools to help you construct your future academic plan
• Terminology 101
  Learn about the essential terms and phrases commonly used in HKU
• Beginner’s Guide to University Life
  Explore this guide for a smooth transition into your university life in HKU! (Campus map included!)
• Scholarships
  Check out the scholarship opportunities that are available to you
• FAQ
  Find the answers to most commonly asked questions about academic matters
• Other Study Support
  Locate the contact information of other offices/units to obtain relevant support

Follow us on Instagram @hkuaas for fantastic events, study tips, useful info, and plenty of other surprises!