Reasons for Exchange/Study Abroad
What are the incentives?
- Enrich your academic experience
Learn from different context. - Broaden your international outlook
Engage in a multicultural environment; experience a new culture. - Make new friends
Meet people from around the world; build an international network. - Personal development
Improve your language skills; enrich your life experience; build up self-confidence. - Enhance your career prospects
Enhance your competitive edge via international exposure and acquisition of transferrable skills.
Duration and Destination
When to go?
- You may study abroad for one or two semesters during Years 2 & 3. Year 4 students are advised to discuss with their Department Coordinators before the submission of application.
Where to go?
- You can choose from the partner universities of HKSYU.
- You can select a maximum of three partner universities. Successful applications will receive an offer in accordance with their performance and preferences.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- You are eligible to apply if you:
- are registered full-time undergraduate student at HKSYU at the time of application and throughout the duration of your study abroad
- attained 2.5 cumulative GPA (applicants with GPA lower than 2.5 would be considered case by case)
- possess good language proficiency
- fulfill the admission requirements of the host university for exchange students
- possess good character and attitude for study.
Can I apply if I am a final year student at the time of departure for study abroad?
- Yes. But you may have to defer your graduation. If you are shortlisted for exchange, there is a high chance that you need to apply for extension of study.
Can I study abroad in the semester right after my final year at HKSYU?
- No. Only full-time HKSYU students are eligible for the Study Abroad Scheme. Students can apply to study abroad during Year 4, but not after they have completed Year 4.
Course Load and Credit Transfer
How many courses should I take during exchange?
- It depends on the regulations of the host university concerning course selection. You are recommended to refer to HKSYU programme curriculum on the required credit number. If you don’t take enough courses during the exchange, you will need to overload credit enrolment in the coming semester(s), or you may need to defer your graduation.
Can I gain credits from courses studied abroad?
- You must consult with your department coordinator for any department-specific requirements and for advice on course selection once you have been nominated by HKSYU to the host university.
- You should get the conditional approval for the credit transfer if you would like to use the credits to fulfill your graduation requirement.
- While your Department will examine the course outlines of your enrolled courses and decide whether conditional approval will be offered. Please note that credit transfer will only be confirmed if you have passed the courses with the evidence of the official transcript.
- Grades for courses completed abroad would not be included in the calculation of GPA and Honours classification.
Can I graduate on time?
- You must consult with your department coordinator for any department-specific requirements and for advice on course selection once you have been nominated by HKSYU to the host university.
- You should get the conditional approval for the credit transfer if you would like to use the credits to fulfill your graduation requirement.
- While your Department will examine the course outlines of your enrolled courses and decide whether conditional approval will be offered. Please note that credit transfer will only be confirmed if you have passed the courses with the evidence of the official transcript.
- Grades for courses completed abroad would not be included in the calculation of GPA and Honours classification.
Budget
What are the costs?
- Tuition fees
- For the Student Exchange Programme, student pays tuition fees to HKSYU.
- For the Study Abroad Programme, student is required to pay tuition fees to both HKSYU and the host university.
- Check out the website on partners for specific arrangement of individual partner universities.
- Total costs vary depending on the cost of living in your destination. Some costs to consider include:
– Accommodation
– Health, medical and travel insurance
– Student visa
– Meals
– Airfare
– Transportation
– Books and stationery
– Mobile phone and internet connection
– Student activities
– Other personal expenses.
- Check out the website for the estimated cost of living in different countries. Check out website of the host university for an indicative guide. You are required to prepare a budget plan as part of your application.
- Some countries require you to provide financial proof that you can support yourself financially when you apply for a visa.
Accommodation
Where will I live?
- Host universities will assist students in arranging accommodation, and it is your responsibility to secure accommodation for your study period abroad.
- Some partner universities offer on-campus accommodation while others provide assistance in finding off-campus housing.
Financial Support
Is there any financial support for my study abroad?
- Dr. Li Dak Sum Student Exchange Scholarships – It awards scholarships of the value of HKD10,000 each. There will be 15 scholarships for each round.
- Students participating in exchange/ study abroad and attained a Total GPA of at least 3.0 are encouraged to apply for the Reaching Out Award (ROA) offered by the Education Bureau. You may seek more information about ROA from the Office of Student Affairs (OSA).
- Education Bureau Schemes for Subsidies on Exchange for Post-secondary Students – Check out website for details
Application
When to apply?
- In normal circumstances, there are two rounds of recruitment. For each academic year, mid February deadline is for exchange in Fall Semester/ Semester I; and mid September deadline is for exchange in Spring Semester/ Semester II.
- Stay tuned for updates on applications to partner universities in other regions.
What are the steps?
- Timeline for application to partner universities.
What are the selection criteria?
- Good academic standing
- Motivation for studying abroad
- Good planning skills
- Good communication skills
- Outgoing personality
- Good character
- Good attitude for study
What is the format of the interview?
- It will normally be a group interview.
- The interview will be conducted mainly in English. If you would like to go on exchange in Mainland China or Taiwan, the interview will be conducted in Putonghua.
What if I withdraw during the application process (e.g. absent from the interview) or reject an offer?
- Your future application may be seriously affected.
Language Requirement
Do I need to take any English assessment (e.g. IELTS)?
- Many partner universities stipulate a minimum English language requirement. You should provide proof of English proficiency at the time of application to the host university.
- Your IELTS score is only valid if it is taken within the two-year period before your application to host university.
When should I take English assessment (e.g. IELTS)?
- You should take the IELTS test as early as possible and within the two-year validity period before your application to host university. When you submit your application to HKSYU, you are required to provide sufficient proof that you can meet the admission requirements of your preferred universities.
I want to study in Mainland China or Taiwan, do I need to submit proof of my Putonghua proficiency?
- You should state your results for the Putonghua courses taken in HKSYU in the application form. You can provide proof of any public examination result e.g. Test for Proficiency in Putonghua (普通話水平測試) as additional proof.
- You will be assessed on the level of your Putonghua proficiency during the interview.
If I only apply for partner universities in Mainland China or Taiwan, do I need to attain the necessary English language proficiency of IELTS score 6.5 or equivalent?
- No. You should however provide supporting evidence to prove your proficiency in Putonghua.
Travel Documents
What travel documents are needed?
- You must have a valid passport/home return permit and for some countries a student visa. Check out the requirements of the host country.
- Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months and longer than the duration of your exchange.
- Check the procedures and documents required for applying a student visa. Apply for a visa as soon as you receive an acceptance letter from the host university.
- If you plan to travel to other destinations as a tourist during exchange, check if additional visas are required and apply.
Flights
When should I book my flights?
- It is advisable that you pay for your flights only after you have been officially accepted by the host university and successfully received a student visa.
- Check out for the orientation date and last exam date at the host university prior to flight booking.
Insurance
Do I need insurance?
- You should ensure you are covered by comprehensive travel, medical and health insurance for your entire study period.
- The insurance should cover, but is not limited to, travel, personal accidents, medical expenses (accident and non-accident), hospitalization and emergency evacuation/ repatriation.
- Some host countries/universities may have different insurance requirements. Pay attention to their specific requirements.
Further information
Want to know more?
- Check out the website for details.
- Contact the International Unit (Email: studyabroad@hksyu.edu)
