The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Business Exchange program gives University of Iowa undergraduate business students the chance to take courses in one of the most prominent business hubs in the world. Ranked #18 out of the world's top 200 universities in Business & Management (No. 2 in Asia), HKUST is at the forefront of educational development and business thinking. Their unique approach, bridging Asian and global perspectives, is made possible by their 140+ international faculty. HKUST is an international and modern institution comprised of approximately 13,000 students from all over the globe.

Academic Program

On average, exchange students take five courses per term, resulting in approximately 15 credits. Students can choose a combination of courses across different disciplines to fulfill their academic needs, provided that they fulfill the prerequisites of the respective course(s) and courses are not full.

English is the language of instruction, so no Chinese language is necessary. The format of classes includes lectures, case analysis/presentations, papers, and projects. Class sizes range from 30-40 students.

It is also important to note that the credit received from HKUST will be treated as transfer credit. Make an appointment with the UI Study Abroad advisor for more information on credit transfer.

Learn more about the HKUST Business Exchange by reading through the HKUST Fact Sheet 2019-20,and take a look at the 2018-2019 Course Catalog to see what kinds of classes are offered. Note that many of the courses offered by HKUST have already been pre-approved by Tippie to count towards requirements.

Summer Program

HKUST hosts an International Summer Exchange Program that operates in a similar way as regular term exchange. The program is 8 weeks long and students will be able to take up to 9 s.h. of courses while participating in various local excursions and cultural activities.

This is a fantastic way for business students to fulfill some Business requirements by taking incredible courses taught in English by distinguished faculty. It's also an incredible place to be - by the sea! The summer option is great for those who can't get away for an entire semester.

Before applying directly to HKUST for the summer program, students must apply via the University of Iowa's online study abroad application. This is part of our exchange program with HKUST. Please make an appointment with the UI Study Abroad advisor (call 319-335-0353) for further details.

Cultural Activities

Students will be required to attend an orientation session for incoming exchange students where they will become familiarized with Hong Kong and HKUST's learning environment. There are many other activities that take place during the semester - see more on the HKUST Business Exchange website.

In addition, business exchange students will be assigned a business buddy. This buddy is a local business school student who has gone and/or will go on an exchange program. The buddy will assist the exchange student with airport reception, settling in on campus, and helping students adapt to their new environment during the semester.

Program Dates

Note: This program is not running during the 2023 calendar year.

Fall Semester is typically from late August/early September through mid-December.

Spring Semester is typically from late January/early February through late May/early June.

The Summer Program is typically from late June through mid-August.

For More Information

Steps to Studying Abroad

1. Before initiating an application with HKUST, students must complete a Discover Study Abroad session at the University of Iowa. 
2. After completing the Discover Abroad session, students must call the Study Abroad office at 319-335-0353 to be assigned to the appropriate study abroad advisor.
3. Once assigned, students must meet with their study abroad advisor to receive program application instructions.

  

Study Abroad
1111 University Capitol Centre
Iowa City, IA 52242

Phone: 319-335-0353
Email:study-abroad@uiowa.edu

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

HKUST School of Business was opened in 1991. It consistently ranks as one of the top business schools worldwide. The campus itself is stunning and looks out over Clear Water Bay and is less than 30 minutes from downtown Hong Kong. There are over 13,000 students on campus, 35% of which are students in the School of Business.

Hong Kong

HKUST is located in one of the world's largest, most metropolitan cities: Hong Kong. About seven million people live on the collection of islands and mainland branch of this financial capital. Once a British territory, Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997. China now classifies Hong Kong as a special administrative region (SAR). The city was allowed to retain its currency, legal system, and political system, making it a drastically different place than the rest of mainland China. The Cantonese dialect is the most widely spoken language, but English and Mandarin Chinese are also quite common.

US Department of State Country Information

The US Department of State provides safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Each country information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you.

Pay close attention to the entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health conditions, and other details to help decide whether traveling to any given country is right for you. Non-US citizen travelers may also wish to seek guidance from the embassy of their country of citizenship. The UI International Travel Policy for Students addresses restrictions on student travel to high-risk locations and engagement in high-risk activities abroad.

Living Arrangements

Exchange students will be placed in one of various living halls. Students will be placed in shared rooms (either double or triple). Housing costs typically run around $1000 per semester. Details of student housing can be found on their Student Affairs Office Housing Website.

Passport

If you do not have a passport, it is important that you apply for one as soon as possible to ensure you receive it before the program begins. US citizens can find more information about how to apply for a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

Important notice for students without a valid passport or whose passport will expire within the next 12 months:

US citizens can find more information about how to renew a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

Students with a valid passport should check the expiration date. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months AFTER the anticipated return to the US from studying abroad. If your passport is not valid for at least 6 months after your anticipated date of return to the US, you must renew your passport before applying for the visa you will need to enter your host country.

Expedited processing service is available for US passports (although this still takes several weeks and is at an additional cost). UI Study Abroad encourages students to ask the passport agency at the time of application whether expedited service is recommended.

Non-US Citizens

Students who are not US citizens should contact their consulate for more information if they need to get a new passport or renew their passport.

Travel Arrangements

Students are advised NOT to purchase airline tickets until they receive acceptance confirmation from both UI and HKUST. If you have questions and/or concerns about this, please contact the study abroad advisor at 319-335-0353.

Students are expected to find their own flights to Hong Kong, though Study Abroad can assist by providing advice on airfare. Students are expected to make their own arrangements to get to HKUST once they arrive in Hong Kong. Please see HKUST's directions website for further information.

Local Transportation

Students living on campus have easy access to all of HKUST's facilities, and are in walking distance to everything. HKUST is located outside of the Hong Kong Subway System, but students can easily take a bus to a subway station or a cheap taxi into town. The Hong Kong subway system is very user friendly, with everything in English, and is modeled after the Tube in London (instead of an Oyster card like you have in London, you'll get an Octopus card in HK).

For more information on local transportation options and some very helpful, must-read information before you go, please look at Hong Kong's Wikitravel page.

Eligibility

The HKUST Business Exchange is open to UI undergraduate business students who fulfill the following requirements:

• Clear interest and commitment: Students must demonstrate a clear academic or personal interest in the program's subject matter and a commitment to engage responsibly in coursework abroad.
• Preparedness and maturity: Students must demonstrate preparedness to take on the heightened responsibilities associated with international study and travel. Students must demonstrate a commitment to behave responsibly abroad while respecting cultural differences. Students are expected to obey both local laws and program directives conveyed to participants before and during the program. The University of Iowa Code of Student Life applies to all program participants while abroad.
• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA: Students must have at minimum a 3.0 cumulative GPA to participate in this program.
• Good academic and disciplinary standing: Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing at the University of Iowa. Academic and disciplinary history will also be considered when determining whether a student is prepared to represent the University of Iowa as part of this program. Students who, even after being accepted into a program, are put on either academic and/or disciplinary probation for any period of time overlapping with the study abroad program dates are ineligible to study abroad. In these cases, students must forfeit their acceptance, will not be allowed to study abroad, and are wholly responsible for any and all financial expenses incurred.
• Sophomore, junior, or senior standing: Students must have sophomore, junior, or senior standing at the time the program begins. First year students cannot participate in this program.
• No Chinese language proficiency: All courses are taught in English.
• Approval of UI Study Abroad advisor: A student's application must be reviewed and approved by their UI Study Abroad advisor.
• Acceptance by host institution: The number of participants is limited by reciprocity in the numbers to be exchanged, and meeting the minimum requirement for eligibility does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Even if a student is nominated by their UI Study Abroad advisor to participate in the exchange, the final acceptance decision is made by the international student office and the sponsoring departments at HKUST based on their own internal requirements.

Costs

Tuition

University of Iowa students pay their regular University of Iowa tuition and mandatory student fees and study at our partner university without further tuition payment. However, students should be prepared to pay the host university directly for certain expenses, such as housing. These expenses are included in the program cost sheet (more information below).

Study Abroad Administrative Fees

University of Iowa study abroad administrative fees are charged for all participants. They are based on tuition set by the Iowa Board of Regents. Please check the Costs of Study Abroad page for more information on these administrative fees.

Cost Sheets

Cost sheets are documents that outline the total estimated costs associated with participating in this program and can be used for financial aid purposes. They include fees charged on students’ U-Bill, as well as out-of-pocket expenses. Actual out-of-pocket expenses will vary from individual to individual. Quoted estimates are conservatively high, yet realistic.

The cost sheet includes the Study Abroad Administrative Fee and Mandatory Iowa Regents CISI Travel Insurance. Please see the respective websites for further details. Please contact your UI Study Abroad advisor with questions regarding this cost sheet by calling 319-335-0353 to schedule an appointment.

Cost Sheets

The following DRAFT cost sheet applies to the Spring 2020 session. The final cost sheet will be posted later this semester.

DRAFT Cost Sheet for HKUST Business Exchange- CLAS Students

Scholarships & Financial Aid

For more information about receiving financial aid while studying abroad, please review the following:UI Financial Aid Information

You can find more information about options for funding your study abroad experience including scholarships on Undergraduate Scholarships for Study Abroad.

How to Apply

Note: This program is not running during the 2023 calendar year.

Interested students should make an appointment with the designated UI Study Abroad advisor to discuss the program and the application process. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 319-335-0353. During the appointment, the advisor will review full application instructions. Note: Application materials will not be reviewed unless a student has already met with the advisor to discuss the program.

The application process consists of three major steps:

• Step 1: After meeting with the UI Study Abroad advisor, students must complete the online UI Study Abroad Application. Please note that the non-refundable $50 application fee will be charged to your U-Bill as part of this online application.
• Step 2: The UI Study Abroad Application is reviewed. If the student meets the requirements for the program and there are sufficient spaces available in the exchange, the UI Study Abroad advisor nominates them for study at HKUST.
• Step 3: Once nominated, the student completes the online application process for HKUST. The application is reviewed by HKUST, which makes the final acceptance decision.

Application Deadline

Applications for the Spring Semester program are due on Sept. 15.

Applications for the Summer program are due Feb. 10.

Applications for the Fall Semester and Academic Year Programs are due on Mar. 10.

Health & Safety Planning

In addition to submitting their Confirmation of Participation form, students should review the following:

Prepare for Departure

Iowa Regents CISI Health Insurance Information

Students are also encouraged to complete the Health Preparation Guide for International Travel form with their medical practitioner. This document is intended to help you plan for your medical needs abroad. Please DO NOT turn this form in to UI Study Abroad.

Visa

Any students who will need to apply for a Hong Kong visa will need to wait until receiving their official admission letter from HKUST before they can begin applying for a visa. UI Study Abroad staff can provide some assistance and advising on the Hong Kong visa application process, but ultimately the individual traveler (the student) is the person who is responsible for providing correct information on the visa application and securing the visa and all other required documentation prior to travel.

Orientation

In order to prepare for your time abroad, you are required by the University of Iowa to complete two orientations. These may be in addition to orientations provided by the host university. See below for more information.

Online Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation

You are required to complete the International Programs online “Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation” course distributed through ICON prior to departure. This orientation is mandatory for all students going abroad under the auspices of the University of Iowa. It covers many practical matters about living overseas, such as health and safety, communication, money, goals and much more. You will be enrolled in this course by International Programs and an email will be sent to you once enrolled. If you have any questions, you can email safety-abroad@uiowa.edu

Program-Specific Orientation

This orientation will be facilitated by your UI Study Abroad advisor and will cover content specific to your program and host country. It could be conducted in a group setting or one-on-one depending on your type of planned activity abroad. Your advisor will send you more information about this mandatory in-person session.

Do you have any photos to share with us? If so, please contact us at study-abroad@uiowa.edu.

1111 University Capitol Centre
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1802
USA

Phone: (319) 335-0353
Fax: (319) 335-0343
E-mail: study-abroad@uiowa.edu