HKUST(GZ) gets high grades in HK, Macao, Taiwan, intl undergraduate admissions
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) has received widespread attention from students in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and from overseas in this year's undergraduate admissions.
The university has employed four methods to admit students from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan with the approval from the Ministry of Education.
These comprised the 2024 Joint Entrance Examination to Chinese Universities for Overseas Chinese Students and Students from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, Taiwan's General Scholastic Ability Test (GSAT) and interviews, the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) for Hong Kong students, and the Joint Entrance Examination for Macao Students Admitted to Chinese Mainland Universities.
The undergraduate programs of HKUST(GZ) were also open to international students, accepting education systems and examinations around the world.
These included the British General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (A-Level), the United States Advanced Placement (AP) program and the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. As of now, the admission of international students has officially ended.
Recently, HKUST(GZ) enrolled the first group of 20 outstanding students from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan through various means and on July 22, the university will officially begin the admission process for Hong Kong DSE candidates.
Of these, 10 were admitted through the 2024 Joint Entrance Examination to Chinese Universities for Overseas Chinese Students and Students from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan – with the highest score hitting 668, ranking 29th nationwide, a significant improvement on last year's 82nd position.
The lowest score admitted was 625, ranking 254th, an improvement of 11 places from last year.
Earlier, the university completed the admissions process for the Joint Entrance Examination for Macao Students Admitted to Chinese Mainland Universities, admitting six Macao students.
Of particular note, 114 Chinese mainland universities participated in the admissions in Macao this year, including five new well-known universities, with HKUST(GZ) being one of them.
With 2024 marking the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland, the Overall Plan to Strengthen Comprehensive Cooperation within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area by Further Deepening Opening-up in Nansha puts forward the need to promote educational collaboration and improve the enrollment mechanism of universities in Nansha for Hong Kong and Macao students.
HKUST(GZ) admitted its first undergraduate cohort in 2023 and has successfully enrolled Macao students this year, becoming the first of its kind among four joint universities run by Hong Kong-Chinese mainland to admit recommended Macao students this year, showcasing the university's commitment to enhancing educational cooperation and providing strong support for regional talent development and technological innovation.
The university encourages students to apply with outstanding abilities in technological invention, innovation and design – as well as those with subject expertise in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology and computer science – especially those who have excelled in Olympiads.
This year, admitted students from Macao all come from well-known local high schools such as Hou Kong Middle School and Pui Ching Middle School. “To send our child to HKUST(GZ) was not a random decision but a carefully considered choice,” said the parent of a student admitted from Macao.
HKUST(GZ) is highly regarded by students and parents for its innovative educational philosophy, top-tier faculty and advanced teaching facilities.
The parent representative also said that compared with other regions in the Chinese mainland, the location of HKUST(GZ) was in the geometric center of the Greater Bay Area, making it conveniently accessible from Macao.
Additionally, the advantage of an all-English teaching environment is said to make Macao students feel more comfortable and practical when pursuing higher education in the Chinese mainland.
Furthermore, HKUST(GZ) provides a diverse international learning environment, offering various opportunities for student exchanges abroad and broadening students' global perspectives.
This year, HKUST(GZ) achieved remarkable results in its international student admissions. The number of applicants increased by 200 percent compared with the previous year with students coming from countries such as Italy, South Korea, Malaysia and Indonesia, reflecting the university's efforts to enhance its international influence.
As China's comprehensive strength continues to grow, more international students are choosing to study in the country. As a result, the flexible course selection options of HKUST(GZ) have become an important consideration for these students.
The university has maintained consistent admission standards for international students and admitted students are required to have demonstrated excellence in academic performance, language proficiency and overall qualities.
Notably, among them is a young Malaysian Chinese student named Goh Shu Wei, who said that the university should be a platform for the continuous exploration of new things.
She recounted her experience of declining offers from the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University in favor of coming to China and HKUST(GZ).
Student Goh Shu Wei in her own words:
My name is Goh Shu Wei, a fourth-generation immigrant from Malaysia with ancestral roots in Fujian province, China. Born in Kuala Lumpur, I am 19 years old. Growing up as a Chinese descendant, I attended Chinese schools and received education in both Mandarin and English. Fortunately, my family emphasizes English, allowing me to master all three languages, Chinese, English and Malay, which greatly benefits my educational journey.
In high school, I took the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) while also taking the Malaysian Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations. My good performance in IGCSE earned me a scholarship and I continued my studies with A-level courses. I am always thinking of studying abroad and A-levels provided me with more options. Beyond academics, I love exploring new things, especially sports like table tennis. I also play the piano as a hobby.
Early on, I decided to attend university in Asia. During this year's application season, I initially considered the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University as my top choices. However, in March, I attended a Chinese education expo held in Malaysia and learned about HKUST(GZ). It was my first impression of this university. The representatives from HKUST(GZ) patiently explained its unique features, including its status as a young university and its collaboration with the renowned HKUST, forming what they call “HKUST 2.0”. I was obsessed at that moment What truly captivated me was the university's interdisciplinary approach, breaking down traditional subject boundaries and intersecting multiple disciplines together.
I was immediately drawn to HKUST(GZ) after researching it extensively. In my view, it perfectly aligns with my ideal university, a place where exploration knows no bounds. The freedom to choose courses here allows me to delve into various fields and study what truly interests me. Moreover, the option to select a major only at the end of the second year provides much more time to discover more possibilities in life. Being in HKUST(GZ) also offers a chance to experience Chinese culture and expand my horizons. Stepping out of my familiar environment will foster independence and self-reliance. Fortunately, I received offers from three universities — the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University and HKUST(GZ). But my heart was set on the latter, HKUST(GZ).
I'm leaning toward the Smart Manufacturing Engineering major at HKUST(GZ), aiming to contribute to new energy in the future. In this era of rapid AI development, addressing the rising energy consumption and carbon emissions from data centers is crucial. I think the application of new energy is the trend of the future and I want to explore new possibilities in the new energy field and contribute to it.
It is going to be my first arrival to China and HKUST(GZ) in mid-August this year and I'm filled with excitement about my university life at HKUST(GZ). I aspire to enhance my academic abilities through coursework and extracurricular activities, while also forming meaningful connections with like-minded friends. And of course, I look forward to exploring China's beautiful landscapes and delightful cuisine.
My goal is to live authentically, continuously creating opportunities to achieve my life's objectives, while embracing setbacks without dwelling on failure.
