We talked with students of the leading university of Asia about which documents play an important role when applying, how studying in Hong Kong is different, and what future employers pay attention to.
Aizere Chaimordan, 18 years old, city — Hong Kong, student, @aizere.ch
About choosing the university
For me not only the ranking was important, but also the career opportunities that the university provides. HKU has a high employment rate — this means that students quickly find work after graduation.
During studying you can apply to many programs, internships, competitions — all this helps in the future. Another plus I noted for myself is internationality — possibility to meet people from all over the world, safety of Hong Kong and chance to get full grant for study.
About admission
Process of admission is divided into three parts: grades, extracurricular activities and exams IELTS and UNT. For me the most difficult was search and development of extracurricular activities, because they must be interesting to you, you must show in them some kind of result, and ideally it must be something original.
I had an interest in sustainable development and ecology, and in high school we with my friends worked on creating an application for treatment of trees. We promoted it to different organizations, searched for sponsors, participated in competitions. It was not easy, but later I had something to tell in the motivation letter. Such stories make the application alive and memorable.
In comparison with American universities here there is a little less focus on extracurricular achievements, but more attention is paid to the academic part. For example, I was required GPA not less than 4.7 points and UNT at level not lower than 126 points. Also presence of academic achievements is especially valued. Olympiads, scientific projects, publications — this is always a plus.
About specifics of studying
In HKU on average five subjects per semester, each for six credits or about three hours of lectures and one hour of practice per week. Plus much additional reading, homework, projects. Workload is decent, but if plan time correctly, doing everything is real.
Main life hack — at the beginning of semester study structure of each subject: which tasks will be, how graded, what percent takes project or exam. This helps to distribute effort in advance.
Professors in university are always in touch. You can approach after lecture, write by email or sign up for office hours through portal. So with feedback and support problems do not arise.
About opportunities for students
Resources for students are many. Libraries for all directions, there are separate legal, medical and so on. University supports many career programs: some through the university itself, some through the government. Career fairs often take place, both for all students, and separately by specialties. Both local companies and international come.
HKU — top-1 university in Hong Kong, diploma of which is really valued. But matter is not only in diploma, but in those opportunities that are given during studying — programs, practices, acquaintances. Main thing is to use everything that university gives.
Recommendations
Be yourself. Do not write essay with pompous words from ChatGPT. Write honestly about your experience. Do not scatter on 100 activities that are not interesting to you. It is better to choose two-three, which you really passionate about.
Most frequent mistake — postponing for later. Many of my friends, and I too, wrote essays and filled forms at last moment. This affects quality. Better in advance make list of universities, understand deadlines, register on platform, and gradually prepare everything. Then on the day of submission you just press submit.
Azamat Shaimardan, 31 years old, city — Tashkent, Project Manager, @electroaza
About choosing the university
I entered HKU in 2011. Then I was interested only in academic ranking. I applied documents to universities of USA, Great Britain, Singapore and Hong Kong. As result HKU — it is a university that had the highest ranking among universities to which I could enter.
Later I understood that I made the right choice. HKU combines British system of education with Asian dynamics. It is in top-20 universities of the world, and at the same time located in Hong Kong — one of the largest financial and technological centers of Asia.
Now I advise everyone to pay attention not only to rankings of universities, but also to other important aspects. It is important to think if you can adapt to life in the country where the university is located: consider climate, cultural features, mentality of local residents and career prospects after graduation.
About admission
In my time process of admission included online application, motivation letter, IELTS and school grades. Most difficult was to write essay — it must be not just about “what I want”, but why I need it and what I want to learn in university. I spent much time to express my ideas simply, but sincerely. Additionally I passed several interviews with professor of mathematics and pro-rector for admissions, which took place in Hong Kong and lasted more than two hours.
Grades — this is basis. I graduated RFMSH with “Altyn Belgi”, passed IELTS for 6.5 points. For faculty of engineering this was enough, although after interview they told me they wanted personally to make sure of my level of English language. Recommendations from teachers also were strong — they knew how I study and how I relate to work.
About specifics of studying
In HKU from students they expect independent thinking and initiative in search of study material and self-education. In university big workload, necessary to participate in practical classes, group projects. This is at the same time difficult and cool, because you don’t just learn, but learn to think.
Competition is high. We had a system in which, for example, highest grade for subject received only 5% of students. To get into this category, you had to work seriously. In addition, minimum GPA threshold was set, below which to drop was not allowed. Therefore, it is important not only to enter, but also to keep academic level throughout all studying.
System of grading is hybrid. Points are given for intermediate and final tasks, projects and presentations.
Teaching staff differed with high level of preparation. On my faculty majority of professors were from Hong Kong, China and India, at the same time with western education. They give detailed feedback, with them you can discuss ideas.
About opportunities for students
HKU has a strong career center. To students of university during studying are offered vacancies and internships from HSBC, JP Morgan, Tencent and other large companies.
Also university gives access to large number of online courses, research laboratories and startup incubators.
HKU — is a brand, which is respected not only in Asia, but also in Europe and USA. Graduates are willingly accepted to master’s programs in top universities, and also in large companies in the region. Hong Kong — this is place where you can pass an internship and already during studying build network.
Recommendations
Start in advance. Learn English, prepare for international tests. Study how international system of education is built and system of education in the country where you want to enter.
Participate in extracurricular activities and create something not ordinary: project, blog, research. Universities value this more than just certificates.
Prepare to write essays. Show that you are driven not just by desire to leave, but to develop and bring benefit.
Asema Chaimordan, 25 years old, city — Hong Kong, Business Strategist at UBS, @chaimardan
About choosing the university
I chose HKU for three main reasons:
1.Hong Kong — city of opportunities and financial center of Asia. For me was important to have broad perspectives after graduation.
2. I received full scholarship covering studying, living and personal expenses.
3. HKU — family choice: at moment of my admission my brother already was graduate of university, and now here studies also my younger sister.
About admission
Process is standard: you need to submit school diploma, results of IELTS/SAT, motivation letter and recommendations. The most difficult was to confirm high academic results and stand out through portfolio — to show achievements in olympiads, projects, in volunteering.
Requirements in HKU are high, at moment of my admission were needed such points: IELTS from 7.0, GPA from 5.0. Each year competition grows, and passing scores increase.
About specifics of studying
One of main differences — system of grading: in HKU it is relative. Even if you pass exam for 90%, but others write for 95%, you will get grade B. Competition is huge, therefore need to put much effort to be in top.
Feedback depends on the course: some professors give detailed reports on works, but sometimes teachers do not analyze mistakes, then you must analyze them yourself or go through answers with classmates.
About opportunities for students
For students library is open, which gives access to any scientific journals and books — you can order missing or request subscription to new journals.
For career development job fairs are held, excursions to companies. After employment in UBS, I myself helped to conduct presentations on applications to banks for students of HKU.
Diploma of HKU gives big opportunities. Graduates of the university are in demand in best companies of Hong Kong. Majority of my friends from HKU work in international banks, investment funds, consulting companies. Also graduates are actively accepted by top universities of USA and Europe to master’s programs.
Recommendations
The most important — start to prepare as early as possible. Learn and practice language, prepare for exams, collect portfolio.
Be active: ask questions, search information yourself — remember that you need it for yourself.
From frequent mistakes I can note lack of time. Often applicants submit documents at the last moment, not leaving possibility for check. Also it is important to stand out with an essay, make it such that you are remembered.