FAQ

Program
Exchange Program
1. Will I be able to join any of the partner schools in your exchange program?
2. Do I need to pay tuition fees at the exchange school?
Campus Life
Careers
1. What kind of career support does the program offer students?
2. Is a Chinese language (Cantonese or Putonghua) necessary for working in Hong Kong?
Admissions
Financial Aid
1. Is the program fee paid in a lump sum or by installments?
2. Are any scholarships or financial assistance offered to full-time students?

Program
1. How many intakes do you have each year? When do they start?
  
  We have one intake of full-time MBA every year. Program orientation and a residential program for all incoming students start in early-August each year. Candidates should start their applications around September every year for the next year’s intake.
2. What is the full-time class size each year?
  
  The typical intake size is 100-120 students, split into two classes of 50-60.
3. When are classes held?
  
  Full-time MBA core courses are run on campus during weekdays. Some electives are held on Saturdays and weekday evenings. Electives are taken by full-time, part-time, and exchange students.
4. Do I need to specify whether I am joining the 12- or 16-month program when applying?
  
  No, students will only be asked to state their preferences on which option to join only after receiving their admissions offers.
5. What are the course length and class hours?
  
  Each class lasts for 3.5 hours. For a 2-credit course, there are total of 8 classes. There is usually one class per week for each course, so it takes 8 weeks (with the final week for an examination) to complete a course of 2 credits.
6. Can I claim course exemptions for my previous study?
  
  Yes, but credits for exempted courses have to be replaced by electives. Some courses can be exempted for students who have obtained certain qualifications with proof provided, such as transcripts and syllabuses of courses taken within the past 7 years, when the content and level of the previous courses are equivalent to those of the exempted courses and satisfactory grades were achieved.
7. Is it possible to extend the length of my study?
  
  We normally do not encourage students to extend their length of study. However, we do offer length of study extensions for students who cannot complete the program within the defined timeframe because of other engagements in life or work. All students must complete the whole program within 5 years.
Exchange Program
1. Will I be able to join any of the partner schools in your exchange program?
  
  The opportunity to undertake an exchange is guaranteed to all HKUST full-time MBA students but whether you can go to your preferred school depends on the number of spaces available. Those spaces vary year by year. If the demand for a specific partner school is more than the available exchange spaces, students are assessed in terms of their academic and personal qualities to match with partner schools.
2. Do I need to pay tuition fees at the exchange school?
  
  Students continue to pay HKUST tuition fees for the credits they take at exchange schools. Other expenses such as flights, accommodation and living expenses during the exchange are borne by the students.

Campus Life
1. Is on-campus accommodation available?
  
  Full-time students can apply for accommodation in the student dormitory on campus. International students will be given priority. Please click HERE for more information on campus life.
2. Can I stay with my family on campus?
  
  At present, there is no accommodation for spouses or families on campus. Students with the need usually look for accommodation around the campus in Clearwater Bay or Tseung Kwan O, just 10 minutes' ride away from campus.
3. Does the MBA Office provide assistance to overseas students who are looking for off-campus accommodation?
  
  We provide students with the contact details of real estate agents that have helped students to locate off-campus accommodation in the past.
4. Can I learn Mandarin (Putonghua) or Cantonese at HKUST?
  
  An optional Putonghua training program of three weeks commencing in August is available free of charge for newly admitted MBA students. Students can continue to study the language at a cost throughout the year.
5. Do I need a laptop for study?
  
  We strongly recommend that students have laptops. There are, however, several computer barns on campus equipped with over a hundred computers. Those who intend to buy a laptop can join the laptop scheme on campus and purchase one at a discounted price for students, though it will take some time before the product can be picked up.
6. How far is the campus from the city center?
  
  The campus is just 10 minutes’ ride away from the nearest Mass Transit Railway (MTR) station at Hang Hau. Supermarket, banks, bookstore and food outlets are also available in campus. The city center, Central, can be accessed by bus or mini-bus from campus within 45 minutes.
Careers
1. What kind of career support does the program offer students?
  
  Please click HERE for more information on career service
2. Is a Chinese language (Cantonese or Putonghua) necessary for working in Hong Kong?
  
  The importance of Chinese language ability varies among jobs depending on the scope of responsibilities. Regional roles that require frequent interaction with overseas markets do not necessarily require Chinese. On the other hand, positions that are mainland China-related or with a strong focus on the local market will often require the ability to speak Cantonese or Putonghua. The ability to speak Chinese in addition to English is a definite advantage for many MBA-suitable jobs and functions in Hong Kong.
Admissions
1. Do I need to submit all of the materials by the application deadline?
  
  Yes, you have to submit the online application form, application fees, three reference forms, and copies of supporting documents by the application deadline. Only scanned copies of the supporting documents are required at the application stage. It is strongly recommended that applicants make use of our document uploading function on the online application platform to submit soft copies of documents.
  
  The GMAT is always required for application and you are required to take TOFEL or IELTS unless your first language is English or your qualification is awarded by a university or an institute where the language of instruction is English. You are advised to have the test scores ready when you submit the application. Otherwise, please schedule your tests as early as possible and put your scheduled test date on the application. In any case, you should submit your scores within one month after application deadline.
  
  If you are shortlisted for an interview, you are required to show the original documents and/or submit the certified true copies, with official imprint and signature, by the issuing authorities.
2. What do you mean by work references?
  
  Work references are written by those you have previously worked with to give the admission committee insights into your previous work experience and your personal and professional qualities and attributes such as communication skills, teamwork, leadership, and confidence. The referee should be someone who knows you well enough and can attest to your work performance and personal and professional qualities. You are recommended to submit work references from at least two of your current or former work supervisors, and invite colleagues or business partners you have previously worked with to provide the third work reference.
3. How should the work references be submitted?
  
  You will be asked to provide the names and contacts of your referees in the online application, after which the application system will automatically send an email to your referees and ask them to fill out reference forms. You can check the status of the references in the application system once you have completed the application form and submitted the application fee.
4. Is a minimum GMAT score required for admission?
  
  We do not have a minimum score requirement. As a point of reference, the typical GMAT range of our students is 610-730.
5. Can the GMAT requirement be waived?
  
  Generally, a GMAT score is always required for our MBA program.
  
  As applicants come from different academic backgrounds, different education institutions and with various levels of work experience, the GMAT score allows us to assess these applicants’ academic ability for an international MBA program. Extensive research also supports that it is a consistent measure reflecting how well an applicant will handle the MBA studies, particularly on required courses.
  
  Candidates with over 10 years of extensive work experience with a strong academic background might have the GMAT requirement waived subject to approval by the School.
6. I have not taken GMAT yet. Should I submit the application?
  
  You could first submit your application, and indicate in the application form of your scheduled test date. You are advised to schedule GMAT within a month after the application deadline.
  
  An unofficial GMAT score report will be available right after the test, you could email the report to our office for reference.
7. How long is my GMAT result valid for?
  
  Your GMAT result is valid for 5 years prior to the commencement of study.
8. Do I need to submit a TOEFL/IELTS score for the application?
  
  A TOEFL/IELTS score is not required if your first language is English or English was used as the medium of instruction in your undergraduate or postgraduate studies.
9. Is a minimum TOEFL/IELTS score required for admission?
  
  We do not have a minimum score requirement. As a point of reference, for TOEFL, our students typically get a score of at least 600 (paper test) or 250 (computer test) or 100 (Internet test). For IELTS, our students typically get 7.0 or above for the overall score and 6.5 or above for all the sub-scores.
10. What is a diploma supplement? Do I need to submit it?
  
  Candidates who completed their degrees in Europe may be required to provide the diploma supplement (DS) issued by your university. According to the European Commission, a diploma supplement is an official document accompanying a higher education diploma which provides details, such as the qualification and its standard, content and results, etc. of the study. You may refer to http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-policy/ds_en.htm for the detailed content of the DS and any further information.
11. How do you count work experience?
  
  We take into account full-time work experience after the first degree/professional qualification up to the August of the year in which study commences.
12. Does the Admissions Committee favor applicants with certain undergraduate majors or work experience?
  
  Our admissions aim to bring together a group of qualify participants with diverse backgrounds, and we do not favor any particular academic training or work experience.
13. Is a personal interview required?
  
  Yes. A face-to-face interview will be arranged for short-listed candidates residing in Hong Kong. Otherwise, video interviews via the Internet are conducted. Phone interview requests are not accepted.
14. What do I need to take to the interview?
  
  If you are attending a face-to-face interview, you should bring along a personal identity document and the official certificate(s) of your degree/professional qualifications, in addition to any essential supporting documents that you have not provided to the MBA Office.
15. How and when will I know the result of my application?
  
  Applicants who are short-listed for interviews are notified by eight weeks after the application deadline. Admissions results are sent out via mail twelve weeks after the application deadline.
Financial Aid
1. Is the program fee paid in a lump sum or by installments?
  
  A successful applicant who accepts an offer from the program is required to pay a non-refundable deposit of HK$50,000 (equivalent to US$6,400), which will be offset against their outstanding program fee. The remainder of the program fee will be paid in two installments.
2. Are any scholarships or financial assistance offered to full-time students?
  
  Please click HERE for more information on Financial Aid & Scholarship.

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HKUST Business School, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon Hong Kong
Tel:(852) 2358-7539 Fax:(852) 27059596

FAQ

Program

Exchange Program

Campus Life

Careers

Admissions

Financial Aid

Program

Exchange Program

Campus Life

Careers

Admissions

Financial Aid