Arrival Advice

Arrival and Semester Dates

• You may refer to the Key Semester Dates in the Academic Information page for more details.
• Please check the earliest accommodation move-in date and wait for the final announcement of the move-in date from the respective halls.
• For important academic dates, please visit the Academic Advising and Scholarships Office website.

HKU University Number and Portal Account

• Exchange students will receive a 10-digit HKU University Number (UID), Portal ID and PIN details via email approximately 1 to 2 weeks before the semester starts.
• Visiting students will receive their UID, Portal ID and PIN directly from their host faculty.  

Student Registration Procedures

• Please click on the following links for detailed information about the Online Master Registration and Student Registration Card.
  • Exchange Student Registration for New Admissions 2024-25
  • Visiting Student Registration for New Admissions 2024-25
• All students are required to review the information on the Academic Support and Examinations Section website.
  • Navigation Path: Student Registration and Student Registration Card

Online Master Registration

• After obtaining your HKU Portal Account details, please complete the Online Master Registration immediately.
  • Navigation path: HKU Portal > My Page > Self-Service > Master Registration
• If you have not completed the Online Master Registration, you will not be allowed to enrol in courses and your Student Registration Card will not be issued.
• If you do not have a contact number in HK, please leave it blank and update it once you have one.  

Course Enrolment

• The courses listed in your admission letter indicate that you are eligible for those courses only, but you are not automatically enrolled in them. All students MUST enrol in courses during the Course Selection Period (only available in Semester One) and/or the Add/Drop Period (available in both Semesters One and Two).
• After completing the Online Master Registration on the HKU Portal, you may preview the optional course list and corresponding timetable of your curriculum on the Portal.
• Course enrolment is completed online via the HKU Portal. You will only be allowed to enrol in courses during the scheduled of course enrolment periods. You may refer to the Course Selection and Enrolment page and the Quick Guide on Course Selection and Enrolment for detailed procedures.
• The approval of courses is on a case-by-case basis and is subject to the approval of the respective course-offering faculties/departments. Actual enrolment depends on class availability, courses offered in the first semester, quota and class schedule. Students are required to check the course pre-requisites before selecting courses. 

Arrival Guide for HKU and Hong Kong

Both the Arrival Kit and A Glimpse of Student Life @HKU provide practical information that you will need before arriving in Hong Kong. More information can also be found on CEDARS' Website for Non-Local Students.

Travelling to Hong Kong

• Before preparing to travel to Hong Kong, please read the following information carefully:
  • Information provided by the Hong Kong Government for inbound travellers

• Students are advised to book their return tickets after receiving a confirmed examination timetable, which will be released 1–2 months before the assessment period.

Arriving at HKU and Student Residences

• The quickest way is to take the Airport Express from the airport to Hong Kong Station and then take a taxi.  
• It is advisable to have the Chinese addresses of your residence ready to show to the taxi driver. The HKU Campus Map could also come in handy!

Applying for a Hong Kong Identity Card

• Only students who will spend more than 180 days in Hong Kong are eligible to apply for a Hong Kong Identity Card.

Medical Care in Hong Kong

• University Health Service (UHS)
  • UHS provides free primary health care to full-time registered students. Certain medications, preventive services and other items are charged at cost. Dental service is also available at a notional charge.
  • For more details, please refer to the medical benefits for incoming students from overseas.

• Public Clinics and Hospitals in Hong Kong
  • When specialist care and hospitalisation are required, you can consider using the services provided at public clinics and general wards of government hospitals.
  • Non-local students who will be spending less than 180 days in Hong Kong must present their valid passport / travel documents and student visa to access subsidised services and hospitalisation in government clinics/hospitals.
  • Non-local students who will be spending more than 180 days in Hong Kong must present their HKID card to be eligible for subsidised services and hospitalisation in government clinics/hospitals.

For details of the fees charged by government hospitals, please visit www.ha.org.hk (Services Guides > Fees and Charges).

Health and Travel Insurance Plans

• Health and travel insurance is optional but highly recommended.
• Students are encouraged to arrange insurance at their own expense to meet their needs for the duration of their studies in Hong Kong.
• The coverage should include provisions for emergency evacuation, rescuer's expenses and repatriation. If you plan to travel outside Hong Kong, ensure that your insurance policy covers those destinations as well.
• Registered students are entitled to HKU Group Travel Insurance (Portal login required to view details) for overseas travel on activities officially arranged by the University.

Octopus Card

• Octopus Card is a reusable contactless stored value smart card commonly used in Hong Kong for transportation, convenience stores, and even university applications.
• Please check with the customer service counter staff at Mass Transit Railway (MTR) stations and your faculty office to determine if you are eligible for an Octopus Card under the 'MTR Student Travel Scheme' to enjoy transportation discounts.

Remember to prepare the following items before your departure:

1. Documents required for applying for the HKU Student Card (Student Registration Card)

• ID Photo for your HKU Student Card
• Copy of your Passport Information Page & Visa Label (affixed onto a blank page of passport) / HKID

2. Latest official transcript issued by your home institution

• It can be useful for your course enrolment.

3. Traditional attire representing your home country or home institution

• This can come in handy for attending cultural events at HKU.

4. Gym Card

• Bring along your gym card (issued by your sports institution or home institution) as it may exempt you from taking the gym training class before obtaining an HKU gym card.

5. Petty Cash

• You may need some cash to pay for train and taxi fares upon arriving in Hong Kong. Be sure to have some Hong Kong dollars with you before arrival.

• Orientation for non-local students will be held the week before the semester starts. Please refer to the CEDARS website for updates; online registration is required. 
• You are strongly encouraged to join the Orientation Day to help familiarise yourself with studying in Hong Kong and at HKU, and also to get to meet some new friends!

For items not covered here and frequently asked questions about living in Hong Kong, please refer to the FAQ for further details.