HKUWW Undergraduate Student Exchange Programme

The HKU Worldwide Undergraduate Student Exchange Programme (HKUWW) provides exchange places from partner institutions (or host institutions) of the University for one to two semester(s). Applications to HKUWW should be made via the International Affairs Office (IAO). After an HKUWW applicant has been offered a place at a particular host institution, the applicant will be nominated by IAO to the host institution and instructed to submit an application to the institution for admission to the exchange programme.

 

 

Eligibility Criteria

  1. Non-final year students:
    • those enrolling in the second-to-last or last semester in the current year are NOT allowed to apply; and
    • Year 2 or above students will be given higher placement priority than Year 1 students
  2. Not joined any previous semester exchange programmes or special visiting programmes organised by IAO, faculties or departments 
  3. Good academic standing: 
    • students with a CGPA 3.0 or above have a relatively higher chance of getting a placement in the programme
    • have at least a TOEFL (iBT) score of 80 or an IELTS (Academic) overall score of 6.5 
  4. Supported by the applicant’s faculty
  5. Outgoing and eager to meet new challenges
  6. Ready to be an ambassador of HKU
  7. Willing to share exchange experience after the study 

 

 

 

Selection of Host Institutions

Your are suggested to research the available host institutions and read through the institution details and fact sheets. You should consider the following criteria of respective host institutions for your application:

  • CGPA requirement
  • Restrictions on major and year of study
  • Courses offered – credit transfer subject to approval by your faculty
  • English language requirement – which could be higher than IAO’s requirements
  • Medium of instruction at the institution and language use in the country
  • Academic calendar – whether there will be any clash throughout semester

 

 

Assessment Criteria

Applicants will be assessed based on the following:

  • Academic performance (CGPA as of Semester 1 in the year of application) 
  • Personal statement
  • English language proficiency
  • Interview performance (if applicable) - applicants will receive interview invitation if applicable

 

 

Personal Statement

It is important to state your reasons of why you would like to join this exchange programme, so we get to know more about you and whether you are fit and qualified for going to specific country and institution. Please write 100 words by including the followings. It is expected that you are able to present your ideas and demonstrate your writing skills with condensed and precise vocabularies.

  • Reason(s) why you apply for this study abroad programme
  • Reason(s) why you put the preferred institution as your first choice
  • Reason(s) why you put the preferred country as your first choice
  • Reason(s) why you apply for full-year exchange (if applicable) – since quota for full-year exchange is limited, you need to explain clearly why you should be considered  

 

 

English Proficiency

You are required to upload a valid English proficiency proof to the online application system on or before the deadline. Without the proper proof, you will not be eligible for being nominated to the institutions which require specific English proficiency test results.

  • IELTS – please submit a scanned copy of the IELTS test result
  • TOEFL – please submit a scanned copy of the TOEFL test result

 

The English proficiency proof should be valid until the host institution's application deadline.

  • If your existing proof is valid until HKUWW application deadline, you may submit the proof as supporting document. Please arrange to re-take the language test in due course for host institution. In view of the limited available timeslots for IELTS or TOEFL tests, you should schedule to take/re-take the test as soon as possible.
  • English proficiency proof is required for all applications. If you were graduated from an international school or overseas high school, you may submit IB / SAT / GCSE or other related international qualifications. Subject to the respective host institution's recognisation, students may sometimes be required to submit IELTS / TOEFL results as host institution's application.

 

 

What’s Next

 

  1. Students who have accepted exchange offer are deemed to be nominees meaning that they will be nominated by HKU to the specified host institution. Final decision of admission will be at the discretion of the host institution.
     
  2. For those who accepted exchange offer and will go on exchange in 2021/22, Semester 1 or Full Year, our exchange coordinator will contact you directly regarding nomination and application procedure. The schedule is tight and please make sure you follow the instructions thoroughly.
     
  3. For those who accepted exchange offer and will go on exchange in 2021/22, Semester 2. Please be expected that our exchange coordinator will contact you later. Please refer to the application timeline for more information.
     
  4. Nominees are not advised to make contact with the assigned host institution until the nomination has been confirmed.
     
  5. Application procedures may vary from institution to institution. In general, application can be completed through paper form or online platform. Nominees should refer to host institution's factsheet and application details as listed on this website.
     
  6. Nominees should prepare all or partial of the followings depending on the requirements:
     
  • HKU Official Transcript [Login HKU Portal > Enterprise > SIS > Online Application > Apply for Transcript]
  • English Proficiency Proof
  • Copy of Passport Particulars Page
  • Personal Statement
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Financial Proof
  • Passport Size Photo
  • Proposed Study Plan

 

 

Application Timeline 

 

Year

Date

Activity

Details

HKUWW Main Round Application

(Application for 2022/23 – Full Year, Semester 1, and Semester 2)

 2021

 Oct 8 (Fri)

Application

Online application

 

Dec 17 (Fri)

Deadline

Online application – deadline

 

Late Dec

Interview

Selected candidates invited for interview

(only if applicable)

2022 

Mid Jan

Interview

Interview

(only if applicable)

 

Feb 7 (Mon)

 Results Release

Release of placement results

 

Feb 11 (Fri)

Acceptance

 Acceptance and deposit payment - Deadline

HKUWW Late Round Application

(Application for 2022/23 – Semester 2 only)

 

Mar 4 (Fri)

Information

Institution list to be released on the website

 

Mar 11 (Fri)

Application

Online application

 

Mar 18 (Fri)

Deadline

Online application – deadline

 

Apr 1 (Fri)

Results Release

Release of placement results

 

Apr 8 (Fri)

Acceptance

Acceptance and deposit payment - Deadline

HKUWW 2nd Late Round Application

(Application for 2022/23 – Semester 2 only)

 

Apr 25 (Mon)

Information

Institution list to be released on the website
  Apr 29 (Fri) Application Online application
  May 6 (Fri) Deadline Online application – deadline
  May 20 (Fri) Results Release Release of placement results
  May 27 (Fri) Acceptance Acceptance and deposit payment - Deadline

 

 

Nomination and Application to Host Institution (2022/23)

 

 

Year

Date

Activity

Details
For Semester 1 and Full Year
2022 Feb to May Nomination Students being nominated to host institution
  Feb to May Application Exchange application to host institution
  May to Aug Admission Admission letter issued by host institution
For Semester 2
  Jun to Oct Nomination Students being nominated to host institution
  Jul to Nov Application Exchange application to host institution
  Oct to Dec Admission Admission letter issued by host institution