City University of Hong Kong (CityU) Hong Kong
About School

City University of Hong Kong (CityU)

Established in 1994, City University of Hong Kong (CityU) has 3 Colleges (Business, Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Science and Engineering) and 4 Schools (Energy and Environment, Law, Veterinary Medicine, Creative Media). Their curricula are designed to promote knowledge creation, original discoveries and innovative thinking by integrating learning and research on all levels of professional education.

As of 2016, CityU is ranked 7th in Asia, 57th in the world according to QS. Dedicated to be a modern and international university, the institution recruits and attracts members all over the world. You can expect to see faculty members, professors, and many other international students hailing from other countries during your time in the campus!  For more information, do check out this video on CityU.  

School’s Main Website: http://www.cityu.edu.hk/

International / Exchange Student Website: http://www.admo.cityu.edu.hk/exchange_visiting/exchange/

 

Academics

GPA requirement:

Please check with your home university for further information.

Language of instruction:

English 

Courses:

For a list of courses for exchange students, refer to this link (under Course information and Class Schedule). Do note that not all courses offered by the university are available to you.

For course catalogue, assessment criteria, attendance policy and further details of each course, use this link. Directions: (Term of exchange -> click on search class -> hyperlink under the course title of interest -> course catalogue hyperlink -> detailed course information)

Academic terms:

Application periods for exchange of each respective academic term, can be found here under Application procedures and Application periods.

Courses credit & course load:

Minimum course load = 12 CityU credit units per semester (6 CityU credit units for summer term)

Maximum course load = 18 CityU credit units per semester (7 CityU credit units for summer term)

Course registration process:

Upon successful entry into CityU, you will receive a set of instructions that directs you to the initial course registration website to select up to 10 core courses for pre-registration prior to the semester. At the same time, you will be provided with an Electronic Identification (EID) and password. This information will be essential for the access to online portals. 

Once the pre-registration schedule is out, access the schedule via AIMS here. You can then make further changes and finalize your class schedule.

Manual Add/Drop for courses is based on class availability and clash-free schedules on a first-come-first-serve basis. You will be notified of the Add/Drop periods via email when it is closer to the start of the registration date. This is also the time to register for electives (non-core courses) and make changes (via add/ drops, appeals) to the initial results of pre-registration.

Check the course registration website here for more information and important dates. 

Flying Chalks’ tips:

  • As the campus size is relatively small, you need not worry about having insufficient time to get from class to class.  
  • Some modules are non-web-enabled. Meaning that to add or drop it, you will have to print a hardcopy of a Add/Drop form from AIMS and submit it to the relevant course offering academic unit for approval before the end of the Add/Drop period
  • Tap on the exchange coordinating officers attached to you during the application process as majority of your enrolment and mapping problems (recognition of pre-requisite modules, lack of information of course, insufficient space, application for courses not offered to exchange students) can be addressed and resolved with their help. 
My Campus

Campus map:

The campus map can be found here.

Selected facilities:

Hu Fa Kuang Sports Centre: The Sports and recreational centre located near the University Circle hosts the gym, squash and badminton courts, as well as table tennis tables that are accessible to all students for a fee. Rackets and paddles can be rented for free, but you will have to bring your own balls and shuttlecocks.

Opening Hours: Mon – Sun (9.00am – 10.00pm)

 

Swimming pool: Located on the third floor of the Amenities Building, the 50-metre Olympic-sized swimming pool is accessible to all students at a small entrance fee (<10HKD). Take note that you must don a proper swimsuit.

Opening Hours: Mon-Sunday (9.00am – 10.00pm);

*Closed during Public Holidays

 

Joint Sports Centre: Jointly owned by CityU, HKBU and PolyU, it is an off-campus Sports Centre that provides outdoor sports facilities such as tennis courts, basketball courts and a soccer pitch. You do have to pay a fee to use these facilities.

Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday (8.30am – 10.30pm)

*Closed during Public Holidays

Do take note of the time slots allocated to CityU here.

For more information, visit the Student Development Services link here.

Food on campus:

There is a canteen in each of the Academic buildings (AC1, 2 and 3). While AC1 offers the most affordable food options, the quality of meals in AC2 and AC3 are generally better. You will usually have to order and pay at a machine/ counter before collecting food at the respective stalls.

Flying Chalks’ recommendations:

  • AC1 canteen: The mixed rice store is a good pick as they have a large variety of options to choose from.
  • AC2 canteen: The burgers from the western stall are a must-try owing to their generous portions and huge patties. For instance, a typical fish burger uses large fish and chips fillets as its patty!
  • AC3 canteen: Gather a few friends and try out their pizzas. The type of pizzas available varies each day. If you have leftovers, feel free approach their counter staff for free takeaway containers too.  

Campus transportation:

Within the campus, you can easily get around on foot. 

Student Life

Orientation program:

You will be welcomed to the school through a mandatory orientation program that includes an important briefing on academic, administrative matters and upcoming social events. You will also get the opportunity to interact with other exchange and local students.

Buddy program:

IFC Buddies are senior students who volunteer their time and effort to help new non-local students get acquainted with life at CityU and in Hong Kong. Students who wish to have an IFC Buddy should send a request by email to the Mainland and External Affairs Office at meaoins@cityu.edu.hk. They can expect to hear from their Buddy about two weeks before the beginning of a semester.

These buddies will be of great assistance to all international students since they know the best places to get good food and where to visit in Hong Kong! You may even end up with a lecture buddy if the buddy happens to be taking the same course as you!

Student Clubs:

CityU has more than 60 student associations and societies under the Students' Union (SU) for you to get involved on campus and meet people with similar interests.

Check here for a list of student clubs and how to contact them.

University events:

City University offers a vibrant campus for its students by hosting many events round the year.

  • City-Youth Empowerment Project

Ongoing throughout the term, City-Youth Empowerment Project provides opportunities for students to engage with the local community through voluntary service and community immersion activities. For more information, visit their website at www.cityu.edu.hk/youeprj.

  • City University Arts Festival

Held from Match to April every year, indulge yourself in performances and concerts put up by the performing arts groups with tickets at heavily discounted prices.

  • City University Delegation

An annual marathon jointly organized by various departments to promote a “Healthy University”, it serves to encourage a healthy lifestyle and strengthens unity among the CityU community. Check here for more details and important dates. 

Surrounding Environment

City University’s campus is located in the heart of Kowloon, Hong Kong’s bustling shopping and entertainment district. It is also situated right next to the Festival Walk shopping mall, home to lots of food, entertainment, and shopping.

For food:

In Festival Walk, there are many restaurants, eateries, fast food restaurants and shopping malls with food stalls where you can find a variety of cuisines!

Alternatively, you can also head over to the nearby Nam Shan Estate (10 minutes’ walk away from campus) for Hong Kong style Tze Char (大牌档), home-style Chinese cuisine offering a variety of a la-carte dishes, Japanese cuisines and congee options. For directions and more information, visit here!

Flying Chalks’ tip:

  • You may want to download the “OpenRice Hong Kong” mobile app to seek out the best restaurants and offers around the area.

For nightlife and entertainment:

There is a cinema in Festival walk for you to catch a movie after classes! You can also find an indoor ice skating rink in the mall should you be interested.

For a vibrant nightlife scene, you can take the MTR to Central Station – a place home to many bars and pubs!

For daily necessities and groceries:

For daily necessities and groceries, there are many convenience stores strewn around the Nam Shan Estate.

The nearest supermarkets from campus are Taste (Festival Walk) and Welcome (near Nam Shan Estate).

For shopping:

For a start, Festival Walk is a pretty big shopping mall that offers a wide range of established retail stores. Alternatively, you can head down to MongKok or Tsim Sha Tsui that is 3 to 6 stops away from campus. From clothes to shoes, bags to accessories, there is definitely something out there for you!

Flying Chalks’ tips:

  • For ladies on budget and not want to spend too much time on travelling around, check out the malls located around Kwai Fong Station.
  • For sports shoes, be sure to visit Sneaker Street located at MongKok station!

  • Should you be willing to travel a little further, Shenzhen in neighbouring mainland China is also one of the favored choices!

Accessibility

City University is located in the city center and is most commonly accessed via the MTR by alighting at Kowloon Tong Station. You will be able to see Festival Walk as soon as you exit the station.

Getting from Hong Kong International Airport to City University:

  • By Train (MTR)

From the airport, take the Airport Express to Tsing Yi where you can change to the MTR. You will need to change another 2 times to get to Kowloon Tong. The whole journey should cost HK$69. Ask for instructions at the information counter on the arrival level.

At Kowloon Tong station, follow the signs to City University (Exit C). Exit C2 will lead you to the Festival Walk Shopping Centre. Go up to Level LG1 and find the escalator next to Shop LG1-10, which will take you to an underpass to CityU. When you emerge from this underpass, CityU’s main entrance will be right in front of you.

If you are coming from the direction of Lo Wu, cross the bridge that takes you to the Festival Walk Shopping Centre. The escalator facing you when you enter the Festival Walk Shopping Centre leads to the aforementioned underpass to CityU.

 

  • By Taxi

Taxi is the most convenient way of getting from the airport to CityU, especially when you have lots of luggage. However, it is more expensive and will cost about HK$350.

Ask the the taxi driver to drop you off at University Circle at City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon. This should bring you in front of the Academic Building and the Cheng Yick-chi Building.