Common Core Course Library
(Check out common core courses for the 36-credit Common Core curriculum [link to “Courses” under “36-credit Curriculum” in Section AD] if you are admitted before 2022-23)
Welcome to the Common Core Course Library!
The Common Core Program serves as an essential cornerstone of your educational experience at HKUST, offering you a robust, competency-based framework that equips you for real-world applications.
Within this library, you’ll find a diverse collection of common core courses that span multiple disciplines, inviting you to explore subjects that inspire you and align with your personal and professional aspirations. To help tailor your educational adventure that is truly rewarding and engaging, refer to the competency curriculum map [link to the file Competency Curriculum Map_20260519_new website], which will guide you in identifying courses focused on the skills you wish to develop.
Reflect on your interests and the topics you are eager to explore. The Common Core offers an opportunity to delve into subjects beyond your primary field of study, creating connections among your courses, major, and future ambitions.
Choose a course that excites you, as your enthusiasm will drive your motivation to learn. While grades are temporary, the inspiration that resonates with you lasts a lifetime. Explore resources available through academic advisors, student advising teams, informal student groups, and this website.
Important Notes for Common Core Course Selection
When selecting your common core courses, please keep the following important points in mind to ensure you take the appropriate courses:
(a) Fulfillment of program-specific requirement
It is essential to thoroughly check the program-specific requirement for the Broadening group for your major. Credits earned from courses in common core areas that you are not required will count toward other requirements, but not toward the Common Core Broadening requirement.
Program-specific Requirement for 2026-27 Cohort
Program-specific Requirement for 2025-26 Cohort
Program-specific Requirement for 2024-25 Cohort
Program-specific Requirement for 2022-23 and 2023-24 Cohorts
[link to the corresponding program-specific requirements in Sections M, Q, U, and Y]
(b) Common core course status
The list of common core courses may vary from term to term. A course contributing to the Common Core Program in one term may not do so in another term. Only courses taken in the academic term where they are so listed can fulfill common core requirements.
(c) Contribution to common core areas
Common core areas of courses can also vary by term. A course contributing to one common core area in one term may contribute to a different common core area in another term. Always verify the designated common core areas of a course for the specific academic term before enrolling.
(d) No double-counting for common core areas
You may notice that some common core courses contribute to multiple common core areas. However, you can use the credits earned to fulfill requirements for either one of the listed areas, but not all.
(e) Double-counting for major/minor requirements
Your major or minor programs may include common core courses as required or elective courses. While these courses can fulfill relevant major or minor requirements, pay special attention to the credit reuse rules specified by individual programs. Credits from some of these common core courses may only be used to fulfill either the common core requirements or the major/minor requirements, but not both. Be sure to consult your major/minor programs regarding this.
(f) Specifics for Experiencing group
Common core courses in the Experiencing group are specifically tailored for students in your senior years. While general prerequisites for courses in this group are not required, some courses may have specific requirements or recommendations that should be reviewed before enrolling.
In addition to checking the course catalog information, we encourage you to consult your academic advisors to find courses that align with your academic and career objectives.
(g) CORE course code prefix changes in 2022-23
In 2022-23, all common core courses for the 30-credit Common Core Program (for students admitted in 2022-23 and thereafter) were assigned a “CORE” prefix. This universal prefix has been removed since 2023-24, and common core courses are now coded according to their subject area codes (e.g., “ACCT” for Accounting). Please keep the following in mind:
| If you took any “CORE” courses in 2022-23 | If you took a course in 2022-23 that does not have a “CORE” prefix |
you can still use them to fulfill the corresponding common core area requirements. However, you cannot retake the same course with the corresponding subject area code.
| you cannot use it to fulfill any common core requirements.
|
Common Core Course Lists
- All active common core courses
- Active courses by common core area
You may also check out the complete list of UG courses in the UG Course Catalog.