HKU Worldwide Student Exchange

The HKU Worldwide Undergraduate Student Exchange Programme (HKUWW) provides exchange places from partner institutions (or host institutions) of the University for one or 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.

Application Details

• • HKUWW Online Application Guide
  • Students are advised to read the details carefully on Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for background information

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 of 3.0 or above have a relatively higher chance of getting a placement in the programme
   • an overall band of 6.5 or better in IELTS Academic Module in the same attempt
   • a score of 93 or better in the TOEFL internet-based test/ TOEFL iBT Home Edition in the same attempt
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 experiences after the study 
   
   

Selection of Host Institutions

You 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 the 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 an interview invitation if applicable
  
  

Personal Statement

It is essential to state your reasons for 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 a specific country and institution. Please write 100 words by including the following. It is expected that you are able to present your ideas and demonstrate your writing skills with condensed and precise vocabulary.

• 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 the quota for full-year exchange is limited, you need to explain clearly why you should be considered  
  
  

English Proficiency

You are required to upload 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 copy of the IELTS test result
• TOEFL – please submit a 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 the HKUWW application deadline, you may submit the proof as a supporting document. Please arrange to retake the language test in due course for the 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 graduated from an international or overseas high school, you may submit IB / SAT / GCSE or other international qualifications. Subject to the respective host institution's recognition, students may sometimes be required to submit IELTS / TOEFL results as the host institution's application.
  
  

Application Timeline (for 2025/26)

Nomination and Application to the Host Institution (for 2025/26)