Program Overview
About Rice University
At Rice, there is no "what if" that can't become "what is." It just takes some radical thinking to get there — and a community of brilliant, passionate dreamers and doers to lead the way. It takes unconventional wisdom.
Rice is consistently ranked as one of the country's best teaching and research institutions. It boasts a student-to-faculty ratio of less than 6-to-1. The school's small size allows for personal interaction between students and foster the intellectual excitement of a major research university.
At Rice, undergraduates at all levels participate in cutting-edge research. A Rice education offers personal involvement and excellence in programs that prepare graduates for a changing world.
Rice's unique college system builds communities that are both close-knit and diverse. Its collaborative culture crosses disciplines, integrates teaching and research and intermingles undergraduate and graduate work.
About Houston
Think laid-back, pickup truck and boot-scooting town meets high-powered, high-cultured and high-heeled metropolis. During the day, chill out in your flip-flops, take in museums and shopping, then hit happy hour on a leaf-shaded deck. At night, revel in culinary or cultural bliss – the foodie scene and theater district are both nationally renowned. Sure, oil-and-gas wealth underlies a lot of the city's endeavors, but you'd never know it from the lack of pretension. What's not to like about a place where a weeks-long rodeo and barbecue cook-off is the favorite reason for stepping out? Here starched jeans are de rigeur in all but the very fanciest of restaurants.
Houston may rank behind Chicago as the nation's fourth most populated city, but it covers a greater area than all of New Jersey. Diverse residential neighborhoods and enclaves of restaurants and shops spread far and wide. You'll miss out if you limit yourself to Downtown. The leafy Museum District is the city's cultural center; Upper Kirby and River Oaks have upscale shopping and dining; Montrose contains cute bungalows, quirky shops and eateries; Midtown has up-and-coming condos and some good restaurants; Washington Ave is nightlife central and the Heights has historic homes and boutiques. Don't forget that a couple of the town's main attractions – NASA's Space Center Houston in Clear Lake and Galveston Island – are outside the city limits, requiring a 45-minute drive down I-45.
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Academic
Click Here for a list of courses offered to exchange students.
Term date
- Host Institutions usually organize orientation activities for exchange students, with some mandatory, which take place 1-2 weeks before the start of the term. You should refer to the acceptance package and pay attention to the expected arrival or pick-up dates specified by your host institution.
- You should only depart after finishing all the final examinations (including resits) since host institutions will not make special arrangement for taking any examinations other than scheduled.
- Please CLICK HERE for more information on host institution’s term dates.
Eligibility (for students applying via School of Engineering)
You are eligible to apply for the exchange program if you are:
- Currently enrolling in an undergraduate degree program (either 3-year or 4-year) with the 1st major in the School of Engineering;
- In Year 2 standing or above in the mentioned programs by the time the application is submitted, and will NOT have completed all degree requirements at the start of the exchange term;
- Will have attained a CGA (Cumulative Grade Average) of 2.50 or above (Applicants with a CGA in the range of 2.15 to 2.499 will be considered on a case basis)
- by the end of Fall if the application is for exchange in Fall of the following academic year; or
- by the end of Spring if the application is for exchange in Spring of the following academic year; and
- Have no record of uncleared failure in any required course in the major program
Application Process
To apply, click the “Apply Now via SENG” 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)
If you are nominated, you will be notified to submit a formal host institution application. Your School will provide you with detailed information and application instructions in due course.
Visa Information
CLICK HERE for details on visa and residence permit.
Health Insurance
Health insurance is required by law in some countries. Please CLICK HERE for details.
Accommodation
Arranging accommodation in some cities can be very difficult. Start early and CLICK HERE for details.
