4-Year
Undergraduate Curriculum
“Adding wings to caterpillars does not create butterflies. It creates awkward and dysfunctional caterpillars. Butterflies are created through transformation.” Stephanie Marshall (1996)

The University has set up the Steering Committee on the 4-Year Undergraduate Curriculum to lead the curriculum reform process. Extensive consultations are conducted with all stakeholders, including academics, administrators, students, alumni, professional organizations and employers. Recommendations are presented to University Senate for approval. Key features of the 2012 curriculum approved by Senate are outlined below.
The reform of undergraduate education under the “334” academic structure is a once-in-a-lifetime exercise for the University and for Hong Kong’s higher education sector. The University is using this unprecedented opportunity to:
- Revisit and critically reflect on the University curriculum
- Renew our commitment to providing an outstanding student-centred learning experience
- Promote a university education distinguished by its international outreach and outlook
4-Year Curriculum
The 4-year curriculum has been implemented in 2012, under which students are required to complete 240 credits. Details are indicated in the following chart.
Component | Courses | No. of Credits* | % of Total No. of Credits |
---|---|---|---|
Compulsory Courses | Common Core | 36 credits | 22.5% |
English | 12 credits | ||
Chinese | 6 credits | ||
Specialization | Major | 72-96 credits | 30% – 40% |
Minor | 36-48 credits | 15% – 20% | |
Electives | Electives for all students | Remainder to complete 240 credits | 17.5% – 32.5% |
Total no. of required credits** | 240 credits | 100% | |
*6 credits = 120 –180 student workload hours ** Students are allowed to take additional credits up to 6 credits per semester and graduate with a total of 288 credits |