Why exchange to Chinese Mainland?
- Experience the study culture of Chinese Mainland
- Deepen knowledge of Chinese Mainland’s society, culture and economy
- Strengthen Chinese writing and Mandarin spoken skills
- Learn to be independent
- Build connection with Mainland professors and student
- Better equipped for future challenges
Exchange Period
Exchange is for one term only either in Fall or Spring Term.
| |
Fall Term |
Spring Term |
| Exchange period* |
Early Sep - Early/Mid Jan |
Mid/Late Feb - Late Jun/mid Jul |
* Notes:
- Host Institutions usually organize orientation activities for exchange students, with some mandatory, which take place 1 week before the start of the term. You should refer to the acceptance package (if applicable) and pay attention to all the important information provided by your host institution.
- As stipulated by the host institutions, course selection procedures vary. You should be very flexible in your choices of courses.
- HKUST and/or host institution may make changes on the arrangement of the exchange program, including suspension of the program, change of teaching mode etc.
- You should only depart after finishing all the final examinations (including resits) and/or assessments since host institutions will not make alternative arrangements.
Eligibility
Full-time undergraduate students are eligible to apply for HKUST Mainland Outbound Undergraduate Exchange Program if you fulfill the requirements listed below:
- You are in your second year of the bachelor degree or above by the time applying for HKUST Mainland Outbound Undergraduate Exchange Program;
- CGA of 2.50 or above at the time of application (Students with CGA below 2.50 may also apply. Offers may be given with special consideration); and
- Have a good command of Putonghua and written Chinese; and
- HKUST Mainland Outbound Undergraduate Exchange Program is open to students from all schools. However, students from School of Engineering and School of Business and Management would need to fulfill their school-specific requirements listed on their website, and
- Fulfil other specific requirements stipulated by the host institution listed on individual institution brochure pages under the section "Program Choice". As stipulated by the host institutions, majority of the partners only accept students from Hong Kong* and Macau. In particular, non Hong Kong students (i.e. students who are not holding Home Permit to enter Chinese Mainland) should observe the restrictions stipulated by the host institution.
*By definition, you will be considered as a Hong Kong student if you will enter Chinese Mainland with a home permit.
Program Choice
Under this program, you may apply for the following Chinese Mainland partner institutions. Please click into individual program brochure pages for the individual requirements stipuated by the host insitution.
- Beihang University (Beijing): CLICK HERE
- Beijing Institute of Technology (Beijing): CLICK HERE
- China Foreign Affairs University (Beijing): CLICK HERE
- East China Normal University (Shanghai): CLICK HERE
- Fudan University (Shanghai): CLICK HERE
- Harbin Institute of Technology (Harbin): CLICK HERE
- Huazhong University of Science and Technology (Wuhan): CLICK HERE
- Nanjing University (Nanjing): CLICK HERE
- Nankai University (Tianjin): CLICK HERE
- Peking University (Beijing): CLICK HERE
- Renmin University of China (Beijing): CLICK HERE
- Shanghai International Studies University (Shanghai): CLICK HERE
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Shanghai): CLICK HERE
- Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (Shanghai): CLICK HERE
- South China University of Technology (Guangzhou): CLICK HERE
- Southern University of Science and Technology (Shenzhen): CLICK HERE
- Sun Yat-sen University (Guangzhou): CLICK HERE
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (Shenzhen): CLICK HERE
- Tianjin University (Tianjin): CLICK HERE
- Tongji University (Shanghai): CLICK HERE
- Tsinghua University (Beijing): CLICK HERE
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Beijing): CLICK HERE
- Xi'an Jiaotong University (Xi'an): CLICK HERE
- Xiamen University (Xiamen): CLICK HERE
- Zhejiang University (Zhejiang): CLICK HERE
Application Deadline
18 March 2026 23:59 (Wed)
Application Process
To apply, click the “Apply Now” button on this page. The whole application process has two steps.
Step 1: Complete HKUST application form and submit supplementary documents
Step 2: The Host Institution Application (TO BE COMPLETED AFTER YOU ARE NOMINATED BY YOUR SCHOOL BY RECEIVING AN OFFER IN MYSTUDYABROAD SYSTEM)
If you are nominated, you will be notified to submit a formal host institution application. Detailed information and application instructions will be provided in due course.
Important Notes
- A placement in the exchange program is a valuable opportunity offered for HKUST students. It is a valuable resource which must be used effectively without wastage. You are expected to think carefully about your participation in such programs before you submit your application. There should be thorough consideration to the financial and time commitment involved. All program choices you select in your application, irrespective of their rank order, are assumed to be programs that you are prepared to take up. If there are programs that you would not participate in, even if an offer is issued, then please do not select that in your application. It is fine to not fill up all program choices if applicable.
- As such, Office of Global Learning will issue offers to any program that you select in your application. If you decline an offer or withdraw from the program any time after you have committed to the offer, you will lose your eligibility to apply again in the future.
Academic Advice
Please contact your school's exchange coordinator for academic-related matters.
| School/AIS |
Coordinator |
Email |
| SSCI |
UG exchange coordinator |
ssciexchange@ust.hk |
| SENG |
UG exchange coordinator |
sengexchange@ust.hk |
| SBM |
UG exchange coordinator |
bmugexch@ust.hk |
| SHSS |
UG exchange coordinator |
exchange@ust.hk |
| AIS |
Mr Jasper LEUNG |
jasperleung@ust.hk |
Visa Information
Hong Kong local students would need the Home Visit Permit (回鄉證) to enter Chinese Mainland. Students of other citizenships are required to apply for a China visa.
Travel Insurance
All undergraduate students who take part in the University's exchange program will be covered by the University's Travel Insurance Plan. Please CLICK HERE for details.
Accommodation
HKUST students must stay in one of the accommodation options offered by the host institution (if applicable). If you choose not to stay in any of them, you must obtain a pre-approval from HKUST by emailing us at study.abroad@ust.hk before the commencement of the program. More information will be provided by the host institution upon acceptance.
