HKUST Summer Research Abroad
HKUST has pleasure to offer a variety of summer research programs to HKUST undergraduate students for Summer 2026. The programs take place between June and August.
Participation in these programs requires HKUST nomination. HKUST students must apply through the HKUST Office of Global Learning. The host institutions do not accept applications directly from individual students.
Application Deadline
Round 1: 4 December 2025 (Thursday) (Hong Kong Time)
Round 2: 12 January 2026 (Monday) (Hong Kong Time)
In order to meet the nomination deadlines set by certain host institutions, HKUST may process some applications in sequence on a rolling basis. If quotas are filled in previous rounds, the program will not open for applications in subsequent rounds.
Eligibility
Students who have fulfilled the requirements below are eligible to apply for HKUST Summer Research Abroad:
- HKUST full-time undergraduate students who have completed at least two year of study at HKUST by the start of the program are welcome to apply* unless specified; and
- Good academic standing; and
- Fulfill CGA and other additional requirements set by the host institutions listed on individual program brochure pages (links provided under “Program List” section); and
- Demonstrated potential and passion in research; and
- Meet additional requriements of corresponding projects; and
- Are not currently committed to other summer programs offered by HKUST Office of Global Learning or other offices/units; and
- Priority will be given to students who have research-related experiences previously; and
- Priority will be given to students who are currently enrolled in UGC-funded undergraduate programs.
Important Notes
- A placement in a research 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 submitting your application. There should be thorough consideration to the financial and time commitment involved. All research projects you select in your application, irrespective of their rank order, are assumed to be projects that you are prepared to take up. If there are projects that you would not participate in, even if an offer is issued, please do not select them in your application. It is fine not to fill all choices.
- Students will only be offered one program out of the choices that you have selected 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 Research Abroad again in the future.
- Students must have active student status during the Summer Term:
- Final year students are required NOT to 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 participate in the HKUST Summer Research Abroad should apply for graduation in Summer 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 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 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 research abroad credits for meeting graduation requirements.
- Students may apply for more than one programs during Summer Term 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
- Students participating in HKUST Summer Research Abroad are not expected to take courses at HKUST in the same term unless prior approval from OGL is obtained.
- OGL will have the final judgement on the HKUST Summer Research Abroad Program, including but not limited to programs offering, selection procedures, nomination decisions and program completion.
Program List
Below are the research abroad program opportunities provided to HKUST students during Summer Term. Students may enjoy application fee waiver or tuition fee reductions, and you may refer to the individual program brochures by clicking on the below program links. Credits may be transferrable.
Notes:
- Depending on the development of the pandemic or any other concerns HKUST or the host institutions may have, it is possible for HKUST or the host institutions to suspend all in-person programs any time. 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 in different rounds may be different depending on when the information from partner institutions are 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 section “Required documents/materials” below for details.
- Make sure you click the "Submit Application" button to submit your application before the deadline. No late applications will be accepted unless specified.
- Once your application is submitted, you are not allowed to make any changes to your project choices.
Required Documents/ Materials
Please prepare the documents listed below and upload on MyStudyAbroad System by the application deadline. It is not necessary to submit hard copies.
- Statement of Purpose
- Resume
- Passport copy with a 6-month validity from the end date of the research abroad program
Selection Criteria
Selection is made taking into account the following factors:
- Academic standing (CGA); and
- Information provided in your questionnaire "(Outgoing) Research Interest and Project - OGL Research"
- Information provided in your Statement of Purpose and Resume; and
- Performance in the interview video*
*Performance in the interview video is crucial 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.
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.
Accepting the offer
Each student is restricted to commit to one offer only within the same term unless special approval from OGL and offering offices/units is obtained. 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.
- 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 reuqirements 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 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 Summer Research Abroad 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 Research Abroad Pagain 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 project requirements listed on the respective program brochure pages
HKUST Study Abroad Funding Support
HKUST provides funding support to students to support the research 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 projects 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 research 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.
