HKU Freshers’ Starter Kit 2026

Welcome to HKU!

Between rushing to orientation activities, signing up for different student societies, and navigating the campus maze, it is easy for academic planning to slip down your priority list. If you are staring at all the new systems and wondering where to begin, take a deep breath - we’re here to help!

The Academic Advising and Scholarships Office (AASO) has put together this Starter Kit to help you hit the ground running.

To make things simple, we have organised everything into 3 essential parts. Dive in below

Academic Support from AASO
Types of Advisers at HKU
Start Your Semester Like a Pro

Academic Support from AASO

The Academic Advising and Scholarships Office (AASO) is your go-to hub for navigating your university journey. Whether you are adjusting to university life, exploring major/minor options, or planning your studies, we are here to guide you through every step.

Watch introduction video: AASO Introduction Video

Book a 1-on-1 Appointment: Book an appointment (opens in new tab) with an AASO Adviser. We can help you with:

Study Planning: Map out (opens in new tab) your academic journey so as to fit in an exchange programme, a second major, a minor, or simply to get some more sleep!
Major/Minor Selection: Explore your options (opens in new tab) and make informed decisions along the way.
University Regulations: Understand programme syllabuses (opens in new tab) without getting tangled in the fine print.
University Adjustment: Decode academic jargon (opens in new tab) and figure out how to transition smoothly and confidently into university life.

Academic Advising Forum @ Moodle: Looking for an exchange buddy, a study partner, or just someone to share the pain of an 8:30 a.m. lecture? Visit the UG-exclusive Academic Advising Forum on Moodle (opens in new tab) to connect, exchange ideas, and share advice with your peers. You are automatically subscribed, so feel free to post a thread and join the discussion!

Types of Advisers at HKU

University life can feel like a maze, but you are not alone. HKU’s University-wide Academic Advising System (opens in new tab) consists of five types of advisers, each ready to support a different aspect of your academic journey. Learn more about all types of advisers (opens in new tab) and talk to the one who best suits your needs.

FAA Sign-up Exercise:
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.

For Architecture, Arts, Business, Engineering, Law, Science, Social Sciences, Computing and Data Science, Future Media: You are REQUIRED to sign up (opens in new tab) for your FAA. Don't miss the deadline!
For Dentistry, Education, Medicine, Biomedical Engineering and Innovation: You will be automatically assigned an FAA. Make sure to keep an eye on your inbox for details from your Faculty/School.

Find My Advisers:
We highly encourage you to meet with your FAA during your first year for academic advice! Follow these steps (opens in new tab) to find your assigned FAA.
For a student's perspective, you may connect with a Faculty Student Adviser (FSA) (opens in new tab)—a senior student from your Faculty who is ready to share their "been there, done that" wisdom.
Find your advisers: Find your Academic Advisers (opens in new tab)

Start Your Semester Like a Pro

Ready to plan your timetable? Skip the panic and use these tools to secure your courses, navigate the system, and map your journey.

Important Academic Dates (opens in new tab): Course selection opens in August! Bookmark this page to stay on top of key deadlines. Remember to enrol in courses for BOTH Semester 1 and 2!
Quick Guide on Course Selection (opens in new tab): Course enrolment is done in the Student Information System (SIS). Download this step-by-step guide which walks you through the enrolment process.
My Academic Roadmap (opens in new tab): A handy year-by-year guide offering suggestions on key milestones throughout your studies.
The e-Planner (opens in new tab): Use our interactive planning tool to map out your majors, minors, and exchange plans for a clearer vision of your university journey.
HKU Terminology 101 (opens in new tab): What is a "GGPA"? What does "UG5" mean? Get familiar with essential HKU terminology here.

Need More Support?

If you still have questions or want to explore further, keep these quick links in your back pocket:

Interactive Planning Tools (opens in new tab) – Explore various tools to support your academic planning and decision-making.
Can you find these places? (opens in new tab) – Play a mini-game to familiarise yourself with the HKU campus! (Campus map included!)
Scholarships (opens in new tab) – Discover both internal and external scholarship opportunities available to you.
FAQ (opens in new tab) – Find answers to commonly asked questions by new students.
Other Study Support (opens in new tab) – Need some help but not sure who to ask? Check out our directory of support units and services across the University.

Stay Connected

Want daily study tips, reminders, and the latest event updates right on your feed? Follow us on Instagram @hkuaas (opens in new tab) for everything you need to know to thrive at HKU!