Program Details
Location
Hong Kong,
China
Term
Academic Year
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
Housing
Dormitory
Languages Taught In
English
Program Eligibility
Student Type
UofM Students
Student Year
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
GPA
3.0
Events & Info Sessions
There are currently no events for this program. Explore more events on our events page.
About
Founded in 1991, the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST) is a globally renowned research institution dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge across the Schools of Science, Engineering, Business & Management, Humanities & Social Science, and Interdisciplinary Studies. All courses are taught in English, and as a student, you can take courses across the different Schools. The university’s hillside campus on the scenic Clear Water Bay peninsula features contemporary residence halls and advanced facilities overlooking the ocean.
Learn more about being an exchange student at the HKUST website.
Housing & Meals
HKUST offers on-campus dorm living for all undergraduate exchange students. You are responsible for all of your daily meals. Learn more about HKUST accommodations.
Excursions
Student life in Hong Kong is active and HKUST offers many student clubs and organizations, which are a great way to meet people, socialize, and explore the city.
HKUST Exchange Buddy Program pairs you up with a HKUST student, who might be your first friend in Hong Kong. Your buddy will provide you with useful information before your arrival and help you familiarize with the campus and Hong Kong, as well as meet new friends.
Accessibility
If you have a disability and plan to study abroad, visit our Accessibility Abroad page to learn about considerations, answer questions, and request accommodations before you go abroad.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop a stronger sense of confidence by engaging in a highly independent study abroad program and foster second language acquisition whenever possible
- Learn to appreciate diverse world views, accept complexity, and embrace ambiguity; added benefit of reciprocity to foster mutual respect and understanding
- Experience a new culturally specific academic system and incorporate different academic perspectives
- Identify and communicate how your experience abroad has impacted you personally, academically, and professionally
Faculty & Staff
HKUST has staff available to provide a pre-departure orientation, on-site student support, advising to help you adjust to a new educational system, and assistance with cultural and campus integration.
Program Structure
Program Level
Upper and lower division coursework available
Courseload
12–18 credits for a semester or 24–36 credits for the academic year.
Coursework
Grade & Credit Conversion Scale coming soon
Choose from a variety of courses across the Schools of Science, Engineering, Business & Management, Humanities & Social Sciences, and Interdisciplinary Studies.
You receive resident credit for the courses you take. Your grades factor into your University of Minnesota GPA and each course appears on your transcript with an A/F grade. UofM students are required to take a minimum of 12 credits per term. Consult the Learning Abroad Center's Academic Policies page for more information.
Global Identity
Global Identity: Connecting Your International Experience with Your Future is an optional 1-credit online course that helps you process your international experience and apply what you've learned upon your return. Global Identity gives you the opportunity to work individually with a trained cultural mentor, helping you articulate your newly acquired skills and differentiating you from your peers.
To access more information about the course, visit the Global Identity Course Information page.
Program Dates
Submit the online application and complete the assigned application checklist according to the appropriate deadline:
- Spring 2027
- Academic Year 2027–28
- Fall 2027
Orientation Dates & Locations
The Learning Abroad Center provides pre-departure orientation in preparation for your time abroad. It is your responsibility to know the information shared at these orientations.
Orientation consists of several sessions, all of which are created to support your preparation to go abroad:
- Online Health & Safety Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory.
- LAC Program Orientation: Program-specific and important UofM registration information will be covered (academic registration, finances, arrival, housing etc.). Details will be sent to you via email.
Spring 2027
Application Open Date: December 1, 2025
Application Deadline: September 1, 2026
| Schedule | Date |
|---|---|
| Program Start | Late January |
| Program End | Late May |
Academic Year 2027–28
Application Open Date: August 1, 2026
Application Deadline: February 1, 2027
| Schedule | Date |
|---|---|
| Program Start | Late August |
| Program End | Late May |
Fall 2027
Application Open Date: August 1, 2026
Application Deadline: February 1, 2027
| Schedule | Date |
|---|---|
| Program Start | Late August |
| Program End | Mid December |
Costs & Fees
University of Minnesota participants pay the program fee instead of on-campus tuition and fees for the term they are abroad.
If you do not see a budget estimate for the term you intend to go abroad, the fee has not yet been finalized. We strive to post fees for this program at least 30 days prior to the application deadline. The Learning Abroad Center will delay the posting of some fees until enrollments, inflation, and exchange rates are determined. Note the average increase in fees will be 3–10%. Program fees are based on estimates and may change depending on international economic factors.
Fees or tuition from home institutions may be added to or differ from the University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center fees listed on this page.
Billing & Payments
Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.
Flight & Deposit Advance
The Flight & Deposit Advance (formerly Bridging Loan) is a no-interest/no-fees program that allows you to defer payment of your flight and LAC program deposit until your financial aid is disbursed.
Cancellation Policy
Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling.
Prepare
Complete pre-application advising.
Apply
You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.
Complete
After you submit your application, you will receive an email notification confirming that your application was received. Submitted applications are assigned an application checklist, which will include the following items for you to submit to the Learning Abroad Center:
- Program Interest & Goals Essay
- Complete an Exchange Program Advising Meeting
Once the application deadline has passed, the Exchange Program Team will review applications and select the students to be nominated to HKUST. If you are selected for nomination, you will then have to apply to HKUST directly through their online system (instructions will be provided). HKUST will review the application and send out an admissions decision via email.
Next Steps
- Upon submitting the online application, you will receive an automated email message indicating your application was received.
- Follow the instructions on your application checklist to submit all of the items. Your application is not considered complete until all items on your application checklist are either received or waived.
- You will have applications with both the Learning Abroad Center and HKUST—make sure to follow instructions for both applications when they're sent to you.
- You will be notified of an acceptance decision by email. If accepted, you will be assigned a confirmation checklist. Log in to the online application to review the confirmation checklist and submit the required items.
After You Apply
Before your program begins, review these resources.
Health & Safety
Learn more about staying healthy and safe abroad, including mental health and wellness, international travel insurance, and safety precautions.
Power of Attorney
Consider designating someone as your power of attorney to act as your legal representative while you’re abroad.
Student Identity
Consult our resources on student identities as you prepare for your abroad experience.
Travel Resources
Ready to go abroad? Our travel resources will help you pack and learn what to expect.
Program Contact
For further information or questions about this program, send an email to
Christina Dunbar at [email protected],
or call at
612.624.3949.