University Education

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HKU Educational Aims

Educational Aims for Undergraduate Education in HKU

To enable students to develop capabilities in:

  1. Pursuit of academic / professional excellence, critical intellectual enquiry and life-long learning
  2. Tackling novel situations and ill-defined problems
  3. Critical self-reflection, greater understanding of others, and upholding personal and professional ethics
  4. Intercultural understanding and global citizenship
  5. Communication and collaboration
  6. Leadership and advocacy for the improvement of the human condition

At HKU, curriculum is defined as the totality of learning experiences that are afforded to students to achieve the educational aims. It combines classroom learning with outside classroom and extra-curricular activities. For example, experiential learning allows students to test theories learnt in the classroom and handle ill-defined problems in real-life situations.

Learning in Participation

Academic Matters

HKU offers a wide spectrum of high quality programmes with an emphasis on encouraging a flexible approach to studies. In addition, HKU makes available multifarious learning experiences in the co-curricula and facilitates the organisation of these experiences by students themselves to broaden their horizons, to develop capabilities in life-long learning and to inculcate the core values of a responsible global citizen. Below are some key features in the new undergraduate curriculum:

Academic advising involves helping students to understand the aims of university education, the available educational options and the paths that could be taken so that students can draw their own roadmaps to achieve their goals and monitor their own progress. A University-wide Academic Advising System has been set up, which includes a central advising office, and Faculty-based, residence-based and web-based academic advising.

Common Core: Students will take courses from different Areas of Inquiry in their junior years: Scientific & Technological Literacy; Humanities; Global Issues and China: Culture, State & Society.

Experiential Learning puts students into workplaces and other real-life settings where they have direct encounter with the phenomena being studied. Students can learn how to engage in critical intellectual enquiry by putting textbook knowledge to test, tackle ill-defined problems, and develop global citizenship.

Capstone Experience is scheduled in the senior years(s) and focuses on the integration and/ application of knowledge and skills that students have acquired throughout their studies. It commonly exists in the forms of research project, thesis, internship, senior level course(s), and portfolios.

The Undergraduate Research Fellowship Programme is a prestigious programme that offers opportunities for academically outstanding undergraduates to undertake research under the supervision of academics who have experience in training research postgraduate students. Students may be considered for early admission to research postgraduate programmes of HKU.

Learn more about the forms of learning

Learn more about the new curriculum

Co-curriculum at HKU

Various units in HKU provide non-credit bearing, outside classroom learning opportunities for students to achieve, amongst others, the HKU educational aims of fostering students’ ability in intercultural understanding, enhancing their awareness and commitment to global citizenship, and preparing them to be leaders and advocates for improvement of the human condition. Students typically engage in community service or advocacy projects which entail a process of training, service and reflection. They are also encouraged to participate in the diverse person enrichment, careers, and physical and mental wellness workshops to enrich their University life.

Engagement in Student Societies and University Governance

Realising the importance of student life, HKU supports and encourages student activities on and off campus. A wide variety of student groups exist to meet the needs of students’ diverse interests and to enhance their whole-person development. Through engagement in University governance and taking up leadership roles in student societies, students can build their skills, values and knowledge for their community engagement and global citizenship.

Important Academic Dates
Exchange Studies

International Affairs Office (IAO) of HKU is devoted to giving international education to students because the exchange experience, knowledge, culture and worldview etc, can be rewarding in students’ future development and career. Foreign experience stands out on a resume too!

Through a wide-range of exchange programmes, students can earn international exposure, learn to be a true global citizen, explore foreign culture, meet new friends and experience different teaching method offered by our partner institutions, while continue to earn credits towards their degree in HKU.

If your students are going abroad, they are strongly advised to check these Pre-departure Tips to ensure smooth transition and safety.

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