HKUST Summer Mainland Program
HKUST has pleasure to offer HKUST undergraduate students a wide range of study abroad programs for Summer 2026. You may choose to spend a summer at one of HKUST’s partner institutions. The programs take place between June and August. All the programs are credit bearing.
Participating in HKUST Summer Mainland Program through HKUST Office of Global Learning comes with several exclusive benefits:
- Create a study abroad record and start your credit transfer application process early
- Experience a more seamless application process by obtaining advice from OGL
- Be part of the peer circle created in pre-departure briefing sessions specifically arranged for summer study abroad programs
- Be covered by the University's Travel Insurance Plan if eligibilities are fulfilled
- Funding support is available
Application Deadline
19 April 2026, 23:59 (HKT), or internal application cut-off date of individual program (whichever earlier) (23:59 Hong Kong Time)
(Review of applications will be on a rolling basis until quotas are filled. You are strongly advised to submit your application as soon as possible.)
Eligibility
You are eligible to apply for HKUST Summer Mainland Program if you fulfill the requirements listed below.
- HKUST full-time undergraduate students who have completed at least one year of study at HKUST by the start of the program are welcome to apply* unless specified; and
- CGA 2.0 or above; and
- Are not currently committed to other summer study abroad programs offered by HKUST Office of Global Learning (OGL); and
- Have not lost your eligibility to apply for HKUST Summer Mainland Program due to withdrawal from the program in the past; and
- Fulfill additional requirements set by the host institutions listed on individual program brochure pages (links provided under “Program List” section); and
- Priority will be given to students who have not participated in exchange or study abroad programs organized by HKUST before; and
- Priority will be given to students who are currently enrolled in UGC-funded undergraduate programs.
*Students who are in the final year of the undergraduate program are welcome to apply if they fulfill the above requirements and NOT apply for graduation in Spring.
Important Notes
- A placement in a study abroad program is a valuable opportunity offered by HKUST 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. Changes to program choices will not be allowed upon submission of application.
- Students will only be offered one program out of the program choices that you have selected in your application.
- OGL will issue offers to any program that you select in your application. If you withdraw from the program any time after you have committed to the offer, you will lose your eligibility to apply for HKUST Summer Mainland Program again in the future.
- Course enrollment may be full quickly and course quota and availability are decided solely by the host institution. While you are strongly recommended to apply early, not being able to enroll to courses that you wish to take is not a valid reason to withdraw from the program after you have committed to the offer.
- Students must have active student status during the Summer Term:
- Final year students are required to NOT apply for graduation in Spring.
- Students who are currently on study leave are required to shorten the period if necessary so that the study leave will NOT cover the Summer Term (i.e. end by Spring just before the summer program).
- Final year students who plan to graduate in Summer Term should pay attention to the following:
- Please refer to ARO's Application for Graduation website for the timeline.
- Award Certification Letter (a proof of completion of graduation requirements) will not be available until after mid-September. It may be possible to apply for a provisional Award Certification Letter. While it does not delay the congregation, students are reminded to consider whether the delay in obtaining Award Certification Letter would post any impacts.
- There will not be sufficient time to transfer study abroad credits back to HKUST. So, please ensure that you do not need those credits for meeting graduation requirements.
- Students may apply for more than one summer programs offered by OGL or other offices/units, please note:
- You are eligible to submit applications via MyStudyAbroad system.
- Offers will be issued for any or all successful applications.
- You are restricted to commit to one offer only unless special approval from OGL and offering offices/units is obtained.
- Please note the penalty details of respective programs if you decide to decline an offer or withdraw from an offer after offer commitment.
- OGL will have the final judgement on the HKUST Summer Mainland Program, including but not limited to program offerings, selection procedures, nomination decisions and program completion.
Program List
Below are the study abroad program opportunities provided to HKUST students. Students may enjoy application fee waiver or tuition fee reductions, if applicable. You may refer to the individual program brochures by clicking on the below program links.
Notes:
- Students are expected to take courses offered in face-to-face mode only even the program has an option of online mode of delivery. Taking online classes and examinations would affect the credit transfer results.
- It is possible for HKUST or the host institutions to suspend all in-person programs any time in response to evolving circumstances and other concerns. It will not be possible to arrange alternative placements.
- Any costs related to program participation incurred are not refundable by HKUST or the host university should a program be cancelled or should circumstances render your inability to proceed with the program.
- Programs offered at different time of the application period may be different depending on when the information from partner institutions is available.
Application Procedures
- Check the list of available programs.
- Click the "Apply Now" button on this page to complete HKUST application forms and submit supplementary documents. Please refer to below section “Required documents/materials” for details.
- Make sure you click the "Submit Application" button on the application page in order to submit your application before the application deadline. No late applications will be accepted unless specified.
- Once your application is submitted, you are not allowed to make any changes to your program choices.
- In order to meet the nomination deadlines set by different host institutions, HKUST may process certain applications in sequence.
Required Documents
Please prepare the documents listed below and upload on MyStudyAbroad System by the application deadline. It is not necessary to submit hard copies.
- Resume
- Travel document for entering Chinese Mainland
Selection Criteria
Selection is made taking into account the following factors:
- Academic standing (CGA); and
- Information provided in your application forms
Application will be reviewed on a rolling basis. You are strongly recommended to apply early.
Application Results
The results will be announced via MyStudyAbroad System (with email notification sent to your HKUST email account) on a rolling basis. You are advised to check email regularly (including your junk folder). The offer is a confirmation of HKUST’s nomination only. Students will also be required to complete another set of application forms to the host institution. There could be cases that you may need to submit your application to the host institution very shortly after you receive OGL’s offer. The final admission decision rests with the host institution.
You will not be guaranteed to be enrolled into any specific courses, as course registration is, in most cases, a separate process. If you decide to take this offer and confirm your participation in this program, you must be prepared to be flexible with the follow-up arrangements, including, but not limited to, course selection.
Accepting the offer
Each student is restricted to commit to one offer only within the same term. To commit to the offer, you must:
- Follow the instructions in the MyStudyAbroad system to commit to the offer. This may require the signing off some forms in the system.
- To commit to the offer, you are required to submit a deposit of HK$2,000 by the deadline stated on your offer letter. This deposit will ONLY be returned to you upon fulfillment of all program completion requirements by the stipulated deadline. Details of program completion requirements can be found under the section "Program Completion" below. If you subsequently withdraw or fail to complete the program, the deposit will not be returned.
Declining the offer
- If you do not commit to the offer by the deadline stated on your offer letter, we assume that you decline the offer.
- If you choose to decline the offer given by OGL, you may still submit your application again before the application deadline but you will be put in a lower priority during selection. You will not be given the programs offered from the same institution that you have declined even though you have included the program again in your choice.
Withdrawal and Penalty
- Students who decide to withdraw from the HKUST Summer Mainland Program any time after committing to the offer for any reasons MUST inform OGL immediately via email at study.abroad@ust.hk.
- Students who withdraw from the program any time after committing to the offer will lose the eligibility to apply for HKUST Summer Mainland Program again in the future, and the deposit of HK$2,000 will not be returned.
- Students who fail to inform OGL of the withdrawal or respond to OGL's emails in a timely manner will not be allowed to apply for any programs offered by OGL again in the future.
Program Completion
- Students who are committed to an offer are expected to follow instructions given by OGL to complete any program-related action items before, during, and after the program by the stipulated deadlines. Details will be provided via emails and students are reminded to check your email inbox regularly for notifications from OGL.
- Program completion is defined as completion and submission of the following:
- Certificate of Attendance
- Questionnaire "(Outgoing) Your abroad information"
- Survey on Study Abroad Experience
- A satisfactory study abroad report
- Official transcript issued by the host institution under Questionnaire "(Outgoing) Upload your official transcript issued by the host institution - OGL Study Abroad"
- Fulfill the course requirements listed on the respective program brochure pages
HKUST Study Abroad Funding Support
HKUST provides funding support to students to support the study abroad participation. More details can be found at HKUST Study Abroad website.
Study Plan & Credit Transfer
- The Academic Registry is the office in HKUST which handles credit transfer applications. Final credit transfer application results will be on Academic Registry's discretion.
- Students are responsible to check with the host institution on the course/program completion requirements to be awarded the credits.
- Students are expected to take courses offered in face-to-face mode only even the program has an option of online mode of delivery. Taking online classes and examinations would affect the credit transfer results.
- There is no guarantee of enrolment into any course at the host institution, and students must be prepared to be flexible with course selection.
Visa Information
You will be responsible to ensure that you have the appropriate visa and documents for studying in the destination. Please refer to the individual program brochure page for more information.
Health Insurance
Health insurance is mandatory for some institutions. Please refer to the individual program brochure page for details.
HKUST students who take part in study abroad programs organized by the University will be covered by the University's Travel Insurance Plan. Please CLICK HERE for details.
Accommodation
Some programs will provide on or off-campus accommodation. Separate application may be required. For details, please refer to the individual program brochure page.
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 OGL at study.abroad@ust.hk.
