CityU has exchange links with over 450 partner universities worldwide. Last year, we welcomed more than 1000 overseas students to CityU for exchange studies.
The University welcomes applications from exchange students. Before you apply, please check with your home institution to see whether CityU is one of its exchange partners.
Prospective exchange students are first selected by their home institutions prior to the approval of their exchange study by the relevant academic departments of CityU. Successful applicants will need to:
(Students who wish to apply for law courses must meet School of Law's minimum CGPA requirement of 3.0 (out of 4.3), AND English requirement of TOEFL 100 (internet-based test) or IELTS 7. The TOEFL and IELTS scores should be obtained within 3 years before admission.)
If you wish to apply for exchange study at CityU, you should:
| Institutional level exchange programmes | Online Application Periods |
| Semester B, 2020/21 (January - May 2021) | 1 September - 15 October 2020 |
| Summer Term 2021 (June - August 2021) | 15 January - 15 February 2021 |
| Semester A, 2021/22 (September - December 2021) | 8 April - 15 May 2021 |
College/school/departmental level exchange programmes may have their own application procedures and deadlines.
Successful applicants will receive a letter of acceptance listing the courses approved for their exchange study at CityU.
Semester A, 2020/2021 (application closed, for reference only)
Summer Term 2021 (tentative, for reference only)
You will need to obtain a student visa to study at CityU unless you have the right of abode or the right to land in Hong Kong. For details, please refer to the website of the Global Engagement Office (Click on ‘Incoming Exchange Students' -> 'Visa').
It normally takes six weeks or longer to process a student visa application. You are advised to apply well in advance to ensure that your visa is issued before the start of your exchange study.
We will assist you in any way appropriate to facilitate your visa application. Please contact the Global Engagement Office (email: geovisa@cityu.edu.hk) for assistance with your visa application.
Please note that a visa/entry permit to enter the HKSAR for study may not be granted to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, Laos, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Nepal and Vietnam, at the discretion of the Hong Kong Immigration Department.
Please note that exchange students are required to take a minimum of 12 credit units of CityU courses for Semester A or B, or a minimum of 6-7 credit units for the Summer Term, and enrol as a full-time student, to meet the requirement of the Hong Kong Immigration Department for visa issuance.
You must enrol as a 'not-for-degree' full-time student of the University before you can attend classes. Upon completion of the required enrolment procedures, you will be issued with a student identity card. You should carry this CityU identification document with you at all times, as it allows you access to various University premises and facilities. It is an important document and should not be used by anyone else. If the card is lost, you will need to pay a fee to obtain a replacement from the Service Centre of the Academic Regulations and Records Office (ARRO).
CityU provides a campus environment and a range of programmes designed to enhance students' physical and mental health. Living healthily will benefit both your efficiency in learning and your drive to explore Hong Kong. Visit the Student Development Services website to find out more.
Global Engagement Office provides opportunities for students to immerse themselves in an ambiance rich in diversity through a variety of multicultural activities and celebrations held on campus every year. Take the opportunity to challenge yourself and become open to new experiences. For more information, please visit here.
Exchange students are expected to prepare and arrange their own accommodation in Hong Kong. For more information regarding off-campus accommodation options, please visit: https://www.cityu.edu.hk/sro/htm/e_off-campus.htm.
CityU waives the tuition fee for exchange students, but they are required to pay all tuition and study-related fees levied by their home institutions. Exchange students are also responsible for financing their travel, accommodation and other living expenses as well as visa, insurance, books and other study-related expenses.
| Expenses | Estimated cost per month |
| Rental for Off-campus Accommodations1 | HKD$5,625 - 6,875 |
| Living costs (meals, transport, laundry, and education expenses for books, stationery, etc.)2 | HK$4,500 |
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1 The rental for off-campus accommodations could vary depending on the size, location, age of the building, etc. 2 Living cost could vary depending on individual lifestyle and choices. |
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There is a health centre on campus that provides primary medical care to staff and students. As an exchange student, you are eligible to use the Centre's services at a charge. However, as medical expenses can be quite high in Hong Kong, exchange students are required by CityU's policies to have medical and travel insurance coverage during their stay at the University. Please visit https://www.cityu.edu.hk/geo (Click on 'Incoming Exchange Students' -> 'Health & Insurance') for details.
The University provides a wide range of services and amenities to ensure that students enjoy a rich campus life in a supportive environment. To help you to settle into your new environment and to adapt to the new culture, the Global Engagement Office (GEO) organises an orientation programme specifically designed for exchange students. This programme usually takes place one week before the semester begins, and you are strongly encouraged to participate. You will have an opportunity to meet both Hong Kong natives and international students with experience of Hong Kong. The GEO will announce the exact schedule for the exchange student orientation programme on its website (https://www.cityu.edu.hk/geo) about three weeks before the start of the semester.
If you are coming to CityU by MTR from the direction of Central, get off at Kowloon Tong station and follow the signs to City University (Exit C). Exit C2 will lead you to the Festival Walk Shopping Centre. Go up to Level LG1 and find the escalator next to Shop LG1-10, which will take you to an underpass to CityU. When you emerge from this underpass, CityU’s main entrance is right in front of you. If you are coming from the direction of Lo Wu, cross the bridge that takes you to the Festival Walk Shopping Centre. The escalator facing you when you enter the Festival Walk Shopping Centre leads to the aforementioned underpass and directly to CityU.
Ask the taxi driver to take you to the City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon and to drop you off at the University Circle. When you get out of the taxi, you will be in front of the Academic Building and the Cheng Yick-chi Building.
The easiest way to get to CityU from the Hong Kong International Airport is by taxi. The fare is around HK$300. Alternatively, you can take the Airport Express and then the MTR for HK$79.5 [The extra $9.5 is for the MTR from Tsing Yi to Kowloon Tong – the $70 is for the Airport Express]. Ask for instructions at the information counter on the arrival level. For general information about Hong Kong, please visit the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
