Fees |
Q1. How do I apply for my course? |
Answer |
Application fee (US45/HK$350) should be paid while making on-line application. An Offer of Admission will be sent to you together with a debit note for programme fee if you are admitted to the Summer Institute. You shall pay the programme fee by the deadline indicated on the Offer of Admission. Payment methods for overseas students: click here. |
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Academic arrangement |
Q2. Can I transfer credits to my home institution? |
Answer |
Credits will be awarded to those who have successfully completed the programme.
Most universities and colleges around the world recognise and accept grades and credits from the University of Hong Kong (HKU).
Applicants who are current students of other institutions and who wish to seek credit transfer for the work done as visiting students at The University of Hong Kong are advised to consult their home institutions for approval prior to their commencement of the proposed course of study. |
Q3. Can I be exempted from the course assessment? |
Answer |
Applicants who do not wish to participate in examinations, tests, and/or any other forms of assessment of the Summer Institute should indicate this clearly in “Course Assessments” of the on-line application form.
Credits will only be given to students who have passed the assessment(s) of the Programme. |
Q4. Will I receive a graduation certificate? |
Answer |
A certificate of attendance will be awarded to students who have successfully completed the course.
A copy of formal transcript will be sent to you or your home institution in late October.
You may apply for additional copies of transcripts and a fee is charged for each application of a transcript.
Application forms can be obtained from the Academic Services Enquiry Office or downloaded from the website at <http://www.hku.hk/regform>. |
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Accommodation and Visa |
Q5. How many nights of accommodation will be provided? |
Answer |
Accommodation will be provided from June 20 to July 20, 2009 (30 nights). Students will be assigned student dormitories on a share-room basis at the Universities of Hong Kong and accommodations in Macau, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Seoul. Sharing your room with fellow students is a great way of getting to know people and making friends. At HKU, all rooms are air-conditioned and well-furnished. |
Q6. What will be provided at the dormitories? |
Answer |
Sheets and blankets are provided in the hall, but you are reminded to prepare the daily necessities, including towels, body care and bath product, etc. Each floor has its own pantry and is equipped with basic cooking facilities. Laundry facilities are also available in Hong Kong and Seoul for which tokens are purchasable from the dormitories. |
Q7. Can I extend my stay at HKU dormitory? |
Answer |
Due to limited number of hall places, the Faculty of Social Sciences will try its best to facilitate those students who wish to extend their hall stay and the request letter should reach the Faculty Office before May 15, 2009. |
Q8. What kind of visa do I need? |
Answer |
Student Visa
All non-local students are required to obtain a student visa to Hong Kong.
Students from overseas can choose to lodge their applications for Hong Kong student visa at least two months in advance via the Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS) of HKU [3/F, Meng Wah Complex, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong (Tel.: (852) 2859 2305; Email: cedars@hku.hk/mcffok@hku.hk)]. All applicants should name CEDARS of HKU as the visa sponsor. A cost recovery fee will be charged for each application of visa sponsorship. Please visit <http://cedars.hku.hk/nonlocal/visa.html> for details.
Tourist Visas
a) To Macau
Most passport holders could enjoy a visa-free entry to Macau. Students who require a visa may obtain it [Autorização de Entrada (“Visto à chegada”)] upon arrival in Macau at the Immigration Police counter, for a fee of MOP100.
Visa can also be acquired at the Service of Migration through the local Embassies or existing Consulates of the PRC, for a fee of USD30. Please visit <http://www.macautourism.gov.mo/en/info/get2macau.php> for more details on “Immigration”.
b) To Shanghai and Hangzhou
Application for visa to China could be acquired at the local Embassies/Consulates of the PRC. Please visit <www.immd.gov.hk/chtml/embassy.htm> for details.
c) To Seoul
Some passport holders could enjoy a visa-free entry to Seoul. Students who require a visa shall obtain it. Please visit <http://hkg.mofat.go.kr/index.jsp> for details.
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Q9. Do I need to purchase insurance? |
Answer |
A Group Personal Accident Insurance will be covered by The University of Hong Kong for all students. You are also strongly recommended to obtain your own insurance cover for the whole period of your stay in Hong Kong, Macau, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Seoul.
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Transportation |
Q10. How do I get to the dormitory of HKU? |
Answer |
Hong Kong International Airport is situated in Chap Lap Kok on Lantau Island. There are several ways to get to HKU:
Airport Express Train from Airport to Hong Kong Station, Central District – The train
fare is HK$100 for a single trip and the train ride is 24 minutes. It arrives in an Arrival
Hall connected to a taxi rank. It takes only a minute to cross from the train to a
waiting taxi. Then take a taxi from Central District to your hall. For off-peak hours, the
taxi fare should be around HK$50, plus luggage fee. The traveling time from Central to
the HKU campus is around 15 minutes; or
Cityflyer Bus no. A11 from Airport to Central – The buses are located at Level 4,
Ground Transportation Centre. Allow at least an hour for the bus ride. The fare is
HK$40. Have a few HK$10 coins and notes with you, as exact fare is required (You
can change HK$ at the airport). Then change to a taxi in Central; or
If your budget allows, simply take a taxi from the Airport directly to the hall, the cost
is about HK$350 and the traveling time is approximately 45 minutes (You can share
with your friends if you happen to travel together).
Most taxi drivers understand enough English to get you where you want to go.
Maps of Hong Kong and the campus: click here
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HKU Facilities |
Q11. Can I use the University's facilities? |
Answer |
Summer visiting students generally have access to all facilities provided for undergraduates including health service, student counseling, physical education and recreation. University facilities: click here
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Meals |
Q12. Are meals included in my programme fees? |
Answer |
The Institute will cover some meals during your studies. You are recommended to include the daily meal expenditure in your budget. University canteens are available and a variety of restaurants/food stalls/coffee shops are also located nearby.
Meal on Campus
Three major restaurants (Fong Shu Chuen Amenities Centre Restaurant, Chong Yuet Ming Amenities Centre Restaurant and Union Restaurant) and three coffee shops (Starbucks, Oliver's Super Sandwiches and Pacific Coffee) are located on the main campus. Meal cost varies from around HK$20 to HK$40. In the student canteens, both Chinese and Western style menu are provided.
Off-campus Meals
Other than student canteens, a wide variety of restaurants, food stalls and coffee shops at reasonable price are also available. For example, McDonald's and Chinese style restaurants are located within walking distance from the main campus.
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Finances |
Q13. Do I need to bring money with me? |
Answer |
You are advised to bring enough cash, traveller's cheques, or bank drafts to cover your expenses during the programme. If you exchange money before you come, remember to ask for small denomination bank notes (Taxis normally do not accept notes larger than $500). However, do not carry too much cash at any time. It will be easy for you to locate banks and currency exchange services at the Airport as well as on campus.
If you do not have a bank account in Hong Kong, you will need to transfer money for use on arrival. This can be done, either
by instructing an overseas bank, one or two weeks prior to your departure. Arrange to
send money in your name to a bank in Hong Kong (both HSBC and the Bank of East
Asia have branches on the HKU campus); or
by carrying traveller's cheques or a bank draft for deposit in a local account (personal
cheques can also be deposited but may take up to three weeks to be cleared).
The majority of banks are open from 0900 to 1630, Monday to Friday, and from 0900 to 1230 on Saturday. Most establishments in Hong Kong accept major credit cards such as VISA, MasterCard and American Express but the University and most campus outlets take cash or cheque only.
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Useful Information |
Q14. What is the weather? |
Answer |
Hong Kong has a subtropical climate with distinct season and the summer weather is usually hot and humid. Temperatures range from 26°C to 33°C. July is particularly a typhoon season. When a typhoon is approaching, warnings are broadcast on TV and radio, and signal indicates the storm's distance from Hong Kong. If a typhoon comes near (Signal 8), businesses and shops close down and flights may be cancelled.
Hong Kong Observatory: click here
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Preparatory guide for international students:
click here |
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HKU Summer Institute flyer:
click here |