Eligibility

Students who have fulfilled the below requirements are eligible to apply for HKUST Sponsored Program:

• 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 unless specified (Students with CGA below 2.0 may also apply. Offers may be given with special consideration.); and
• Fulfill the other requirements of individual programs listed on their program brochure pages; and
• Have not been disqualified by OGL under HKUST Sponsored Program; and
• Students who are currently committed to a program in Summer 2025 which its period does not clash with this Sponsored Program may also apply. Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis; and
• Priority will be given to students who have not participated in HKUST Sponsored Programs previously^*. 

^{^}Students who are in the final year of the undergraduate program are welcome to apply if they fulfil the above requirements and NOT apply for graduation in Spring (for programs conducted in Summer).

^*Students who have participated in HKUST Sponsored Program in previous years will have their applications processed starting from Round 2. 

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.
• 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.
• Students must have active student status during the study abroad term:
  • Students who are on currently study leave are required to shorten the period if necessary so that the study leave will NOT cover the study abroad term (i.e. end by Spring for programs conducted in Summer Term; end by Fall for programs conducted in Winter Term).
• Final year students are required to NOT apply for graduation in Spring for programs conducted in Summer Term or NOT apply for graduation in Fall for programs conducted in Winter Term. For details, please refer to ARO’s Application for Graduation website.
  • Award Certification Letter, a proof of completion of graduation requirements, will not be available until after mid-September. It may 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 for final year students to proceed with credit transfer applications for their summer programs so final year students need to ensure that they do not need the study abroad credits for meeting graduation requirements.
• OGL will have the final judgement on the HKUST Sponsored Program, including but not limited to programs offering, selection procedures, nomination decisions and program completion.

Application Procedures

• Check the details of individual programs listed on respective program brochure pages, links provided under section "Program Details". 
• 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 your click on "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.
• Students MUST attend an interview scheduled on 2 May 2025 (Friday). Interview will be conducted via Zoom. Detailed specifications and instructions will be provided in the application. Students who did not attend an interview will not be further considered.
• Where possible, decisions will be made after the CGA of the previous term is available.

Required Documents/ Materials

Please prepare the documents listed below and upload on MyStudyAbroad by the application deadline. It is not necessary to submit hard copies.

• Copy of a valid travel document with expiry date after 7 March 2026
• Resume
• Personal statement

Selection Criteria

Selection is made taking into account the following factors:

• Academic standing (CGA); and
• Interview performance*; and
• Other supplementary documents, including resume

*Interview performance is critical for the application. If our selection panel finds the performance unsatisfactory, NO offer will be given to the student regardless of the student's academic performance and other information submitted in the application.

Priority will be given to students without previous experiences of these destinations.

Application Results

The results will be announced via MyStudyAbroad (with email notification sent to your HKUST email account) on a rolling basis. You are advised to check email regularly (including your junk folder). In order to meet the nomination deadlines as set by certain host institutions, HKUST may process certain applications in sequence.

The offer is a confirmation of HKUST’s nomination only. The final admission decision rests with the host institution. 

Accepting the offer

To commit to the offer, you must:

• Follow the instructions in the MyStudyAbroad system to commit to the offer. This may require 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 be returned to you (i) upon submission of the official transcript issued by the host institution, and (ii) OGL's review of your study abroad report submitted by the deadline. 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 apply for subsequent rounds 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 if you have included the program again in your choice.

Withdrawal and Penalty

• Students who decide to withdraw from the HKUST Sponsored 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 this program again in the future. Besides, the deposit will not be returned, and you will be requested to pay the full amount of the program fee of HK$20,000 to HKUST within 1 month of your withdrawal.

Terms and Conditions

HKUST will sponsor the program fee of HK$20,000 covering the program cost, airfare and accommodation fee. HKUST students will bear the costs of meals and personal expenses. Failure to comply with any of the terms and conditions listed below will be requested to pay the full amount of the program fee back to HKUST and the paid deposit will not be returned. Participating students are subject to the following terms and conditions: 

• Students participating in this program are required to travel in a group and join all the activities arranged by the host institutions. Early departure, late arrival and no show for activities are not allowed.
• This program is sponsored by HKUST. Participating students are expected to participate actively in the program while at the host university, and to be a good ambassador of HKUST and Hong Kong. Students are required to attend all the lectures, tutorials, laboratory sessions, and any other activities arranged by the host institution and HKUST. Students found to be disengaged and/or absent for any parts of the program are not acceptable. 
• Students are required to obtain a pass in the course that you have taken. 
• As with all study abroad or exchange programs, participating students are required to abide by the academic and/or student discipline policies/guidelines of the host institution. In particular, students are not permitted to travel outside of the host country and/or city during weekends. 
• Successful applicants will be required to attend a pre-departure briefing session conducted on 6 May 2025 (Tue), 6:30pm, subject to further confirmation. Students who fail to attend the briefing session will not be allowed to participate in the program and penalty will be applied.
• HKUST monitors the health and safety at the host institution and/or the host destination. When circumstances arise, it is possible for HKUST or the host institutions to suspend the programs any time. It will not be possible to arrange alternative placements.
• Host institutions may make changes to program, including but not limited to class schedule, housing arrangements and cultural activities in accordance with actual circumstances. Students are expected to be flexible and respect the decision made by the host institutions. 
• Students are obliged to attend sharing/any other events related to this program required by OGL.
• Any costs related to program participation incurred are not refundable by HKUST or the host institutions should a program be cancelled or should circumstances render your inability to proceed with the program.
• HKUST reserves the right to cancel the program should enrollment be low. 

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

• Academic Registry Office is the office in HKUST that handles credit transfer application.
• Students are responsible to check with the host institution on the course/program completion requirements to be awarded the credits.

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.

Travel Insurance

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

You must stay in the accommodation arranged by the host institution. Details will be announced in due course.