Visiting Programme

HKU has expanded the Visiting Programme partnerships with different institutions. Students may participate in the Visiting Programme for one semester or one academic year. Different from exchange programmes, students will need to pay full academic tuition fees for the programme. Given such, students will receive full support throughout the application process and study period. All visiting students joining any of these programmes attend classes with local students at the host institution, live in residential colleges with them and take part in extra-curricular activities usually only available to local students, while also enjoying the exciting study abroad experience.

Interested students are advised to email goabroad@hku.hk if a nomination or endorsement is needed.

Canada

University of British Columbia (UBC) – Visiting Student Program

As a visiting student at UBC, you will join a diverse academic community at a world-class university in an inspiring setting.
As a current undergraduate student at HKU, you are welcome to go to UBC as a visiting student for one or two terms (4-8 months) to take undergraduate courses with other UBC students.
UBC has over 200 study areas and many courses to choose from offered by a variety of faculties such as the Arts, Sciences, Forestry (Vancouver), Land and Food Systems (Vancouver), Management (Okanagan), and Engineering.
Students typically take 3 to 5 courses per term. Registration is based on availability, and there are some restrictions on course enrolment for visiting students.
Since UBC is HKU's exchange partner, please check with our office first to inquire about exchange spaces. If there is no exchange space available, the visiting student programme could be your path to UBC.

UK

University of Cambridge – Pembroke College Semester Programmes

Experience life as an undergraduate at one of the most distinguished universities in the world.
Learn from world-leading academics and fully integrate into the close-knit student community at Pembroke, all while supported by a strong academic and pastoral network.
Benefit from Cambridge's supervision system, working closely with a supervisor to explore a subject of your choice more deeply.

USA

Columbia University – Columbia Visiting Student Program

HKU students may participate in a semester or year-long programme. Students will need to pay full academic tuition fees while support on applications can be provided.
Fast-Pass to NYC: Columbia Visiting Students programme have access to all that New York City has to offer. Whether it is for your academic or extra-curricular development, students can utilise New York City as their backyard. As residents of New York City, Columbians are connected to countless career fields, pursue opportunities in arts and culture through the Arts Initiative, and become globally aware citizens through interactions with presidents, prime ministers and other dignitaries at the annual World Leaders Forum.
Enriching College Experience: Columbia Visiting Students can study as a Columbia student for one semester up to a full year. This programme allows students to learn from a completely different community than their home institution. They can develop connections with a diverse group of students from a variety of backgrounds and identities.
World-Class Education: Columbia Visiting Students have access to Columbia's world-class faculty and facilities, including a newly expanded Makerspace for prototype fabrication and one of the ten largest libraries in the US. They fully immerse themselves in the academic community on our campus, enriching their college trajectory with new knowledge, insights and connections.

Cornell University – Visiting International Student (VIS)

Cornell University's Visiting International Student (VIS) programme offers undergraduate students a unique opportunity to study at one of the top universities in the U.S.
Participants in the programme can choose from a wide range of courses across various disciplines, including engineering, business, humanities, and social sciences.
Students will earn academic credit towards their degree while experiencing life at one of the most prestigious universities in the world.
The programme provides access to a range of resources and services, including academic advising, housing options, and student organisations.

Colorado State University – Semester at Sea

Semester at Sea is a unique study abroad program that offers students the opportunity to travel the world while earning academic credits.
Students live and study on a specially-designed ship, which becomes their floating campus. The programme combines rigorous academics with global exploration, allowing students to immerse themselves in different cultures, gain a global perspective, and develop a deeper understanding of the world we live in.
With expert faculty, diverse courses, and a supportive community, Semester at Sea provides a transformative educational experience that fosters personal growth, cultural competence, and lifelong friendships.

Harvard University – Visiting Undergraduate Students (VUS) Program

Harvard University welcomes you to study with them as a Visiting Undergraduate Student (VUS). Visiting students will have exposure to their wide-ranging and fascinating course topics, world-class educators and talented Harvard students. Students will be able to develop their favourite and still-to-be-discovered academic interests there.
Apart from a unique academic life, visiting students can access renowned museums, laboratories, theatres, and extracurricular activities, all in the rich cultural and historical setting of Cambridge and Boston.
You may visit their website for more details of the programme including the application process and tuition and fees.

University of Berkeley (UC Berkeley) – Global Access (BGA) Programs

Study abroad at UC Berkeley, the number one public university in the world.
Experience life as a U.S. university student with support from international student services that connect you to all that Berkeley has to offer.
Take advantage of this study-abroad opportunity to learn from professors on a culturally diverse campus.
Current undergraduate students are eligible to apply.

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) – UCLA Extension Program

Excellent opportunity for international students who wish to spend a quarter or more at a top-ranked U.S. university, earn transferable academic credits at UCLA Extension Courses at the undergraduate level, and experience life in Southern California.
A diverse range of courses is available, many of which are offered by the UCLA main campus (same syllabus, course instruction, and curriculum), but are offered at a reduced tuition rate.
UCLA Extension Study Abroad students are eligible to enrol in undergraduate courses offered by the UCLA College of Letters and Sciences. The College offers a wide variety of courses in the Humanities, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Social Sciences.

University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) – International Guest Student Program (IGSP)

Being studying at this top-ranked Ivy League university, guest students can enjoy world-class facilities to pursue for-credit coursework while they are surrounded by opportunities for cultural and language exchange. Apart from strengthening educational credentials, students will be able to train in language and cross-cultural communication skills by interacting with a diverse student body of undergraduate and graduate students at Penn.
Students can choose to take courses completely on-campus or completely online in the programme. They will be assigned a skilled academic advisor to make a personalised study plan.
For more information about the programme (e.g. programme eligibility, application process, curriculum and tuition and fees), you may visit their website.

University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) – Visiting International Student Program (VISP)

VISP for Online Students – World-class education with more flexibility The same world-class education, same academic credit, same official UW-Madison transcript, and the same personalised VISP experience. Online students enrol in regular academic courses that are offered in both synchronous and asynchronous formats. Hundreds of online classes are available each semester, in academic areas across the university curriculum. You can learn more about online-only programs via the VISP for online students website.
Thematic VISP Programme Tracks welcome students interested in focusing on one academic area of interest. Students in these tracks are guaranteed the majority of their credits within one department even before the students start enrolling and receive personalised advising from faculty as well as from the VISP Staff.
You can find more updated information about the credit program on the website including programme eligibility, estimated cost information, and application process.