Requirements (Student Cohorts before 2022-23)
Curriculum for Cohorts before 2022-23
The Common Core Program is a vital component of your university journey, offering a diverse array of learning opportunities that enhance your studies in specialized disciplines.
The Common Core requirements are standardized across all major programs, meaning you will need to complete the same set of requirements regardless of your major disciplines. The program structure adopts a distributional model, allowing you to select courses that broaden your horizons and develop essential competencies alongside your major studies, tailored to your personal pathways.
The requirements comprise a total of 36 credits across 8 common core areas, with 9 credits specifically requiring School-Sponsored Courses (SSCs). You are expected to fulfill the English Communication (E-Comm) requirement in your first year of studies and complete the majority of your common core credits in Years 1 and 2.
| Common Core Area | Credits | |
| Required | Elective | |
| Humanities (H) | 6* | 6 |
| Social Analysis (SA) | 6* | |
| Science and Technology (S&T) | 6* | |
| Quantitative Reasoning (QR) | 3 | |
| Arts (A) | 0 | |
| English Communication (E-Comm) (must complete in Year 1) | 6 | NIL |
| Chinese Communication (C-Comm) | 3 | NIL |
| Healthy Lifestyle (HLTH) | Non-credit | NIL |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
* 3 credits must be from the School-Sponsored Courses (SSCs) in the respective area.
School-Sponsored Courses
School-Sponsored Courses (SSCs) are integrated into the Common Core Program with the aim to:
- Exemplify the attainment of the Common Core goals in course design, content, pedagogy, and delivery
- Support the attainment of the desired attributes for HKUST graduates, ABC LIVE
- Transcend disciplinary areas
The thoughtfully designed content and pedagogy of these courses not only impart knowledge but, more importantly, spark your interest and passion to explore and create knowledge independently.