HKUST(GZ) Rolls Out 'Major+AI', 'AI Minor' Pathways with 450 National Undergrad Spots
In response to the national "Artificial Intelligence+" strategy outlined in the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), HKUST(GZ) is launching "Major+AI" and "AI Minor" pathways for undergraduate students starting this September.
The initiative aims to equip students across all disciplines with systematic AI knowledge and skills alongside their primary fields of study, preparing them for the evolving demands of the digital age.
"AI literacy is no longer optional in today's rapidly evolving job market," says Professor Lionel NI, President of HKUST(GZ). "Traditional models of knowledge delivery are no longer sufficient to meet the needs of talent development in an era where the job market is shifting faster than ever."
The two pathways offer students flexibility based on their interests and capabilities. The "Major+AI" track emphasizes both broadening AI knowledge and applying AI methods to support and integrate with major-specific learning, with outcomes demonstrated in the final year project or thesis. It requires 21 to 24 additional AI credits beyond the regular program requirements, and the completion will be noted on the degree certificate. The "AI Minor" track focuses primarily on building a foundational AI knowledge system, enabling students to make informed and responsible decisions when faced with AI developments and tool selection. It requires 18 additional AI credits and will be noted on the transcript.
HKUST(GZ)'s academic programs are designed in alignment with national strategic needs, cutting-edge technological developments, and the industry-academia-research advantages of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The University operates four academic Hubs, covering Function, Information, Systems, and Society, which encompass 16 Thrust areas, with its disciplinary layout closely mirroring the strategic direction of the nation's future industries. AI is integrated across all courses and programs, complemented by dedicated AI-related majors and an "AI+" program matrix.
Among the eight undergraduate programs offered this year, in addition to AI, are Data Science and Big Data Technology, Smart Manufacturing, Materials Science and Engineering, Robotics, Financial Technology, Microelectronics, and New Energy Science and Engineering, a newly added major for 2026. The curriculum for New Energy Science and Engineering is designed around the frontiers of the new energy industry and national strategic needs, with a strong emphasis on integrating AI with energy technologies, covering clean energy sources including hydrogen, photovoltaics, and wind power, as well as advanced energy storage and digital energy technologies, combining experimental teaching with practical innovation.
Enrollment for undergraduates continues to expand. Since admitting its first cohort in 2023, HKUST(GZ) has become a top choice for high-achieving students, with current undergraduate enrollment reaching 1,000. This year marks the University's fourth year of undergraduate admissions, with applications open to students from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and overseas. On the Chinese mainland, recruitment covers 17 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, including Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Anhui, Heilongjiang, Sichuan, Henan, Shandong, Hunan, Jiangxi, Hebei, Guizhou, Beijing, Shanghai, Hubei, Liaoning, and Chongqing. A total of 450 places are offered, with approximately half allocated to Guangdong. Admission is based solely on students' performance in the national college entrance exam, or gaokao, with applications processed through the early batch admission channel.
For students from China's Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, applications are accepted through the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), Taiwan's General Scholastic Ability Test (GSAT), the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE), and the Exam for Macao-recommended students. Overseas students may apply with A-Level, AP, or IB qualifications.
Internationalization is a hallmark of HKUST(GZ). The University offers extensive study abroad and exchange opportunities, having established partnerships with 61 leading global institutions, including Oxford, Stanford, and NUS, and signed 51 student exchange agreements as of the end of 2025. Since the launch of its undergraduate overseas exchange program in summer 2025, HKUST(GZ) has sent 15 percent of its inaugural cohort to study and conduct research in countries and regions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, as well as Hong Kong of China.
