Common Core Area Intended Learning Outcomes
The 30-credit Program is for students admitted in 2022-2023 onwards
Each Common Core area has clearly defined intended learning outcomes (ILOs). The area ILOs are presented as statements of what you should be able to do as a result of your learning experience in the relevant Common Core courses. These learning outcomes are aligned with the mission, goals, and objectives of the Common Core Program.
| Common Core Group | Common Core Area | Area Intended Learning Outcome | |
| Experiencing | Undergraduate experiential Opportunities Programs (UxOP) | UxOP1 | Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of a topical issue from the perspective of a researcher, teacher or knowledge worker |
| UxOP2 | Demonstrate critical thinking by analyzing the issue using appropriate methods | ||
| UxOP3 | Communicate with others having different disciplinary backgrounds in addressing the issue | ||
| UxOP4 | Articulate and explain your experience and its implications for your own future learning | ||
| Broadening | Arts (A) | A1 | Describe the theory and history of the arts, and appraise the practice of the arts |
| A2 | Demonstrate artistic literacy, aesthetic sensitivity and cultural awareness | ||
| A3 | Demonstrate creativity through the practice and application of art skills and conceptual thinking in the arts | ||
| A4 | Express yourselves through various art forms or media | ||
| Humanities (H) | H1 | Describe and narrate human phenomena from different perspectives in humanities disciplines | |
| H2 | Demonstrate appreciation of, and articulate, diverse human values, feelings and reason in various forms of expression | ||
| H3 | Demonstrate awareness of diversity and an understanding of human cultures | ||
| Science (S) | S1 | Describe the nature and development of scientific knowledge | |
| S2 | Identify and evaluate scientific explanations for a range of phenomena | ||
| S3 | Explain and apply the basic principles of science and methods of scientific inquiry | ||
| S4 | Evaluate the social implications of scientific discoveries and developments | ||
| Technology (T) | T1 | Demonstrate an appreciation of, and evaluate, the social and philosophical implications of technological development | |
| T2 | Identify, formulate and solve real life problems using appropriate technologies | ||
| T3 | Apply the basic principles of relevant technologies in an attempt to design a scientific experiment, tangible system, product or process to meet a specific need in engineering and technology domains | ||
| T4 | Demonstrate an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility in technological development and its applications | ||
| Social Analysis (SA) | SA1 | Analyze key societal issues and behavioral phenomena across different contexts with reference to approaches from social science disciplines | |
| SA2 | Articulate a reasoned perspective on key societal issues and behavioral phenomena based on understanding of social science theories and research | ||
| SA3 | Apply social science knowledge through critical inquiry for the betterment of society | ||
| Sustainability (SUS) (with effect from 2025-26) | SUS1 | Demonstrate an interlinkage perspective and understanding between human development and resource conservation | |
| SUS2 | Apply an integrated economic-socio-environmental approach in addressing and solving developmental issues | ||
| SUS3 | Demonstrate awareness of the stewardship of sustainable development | ||
| Foundations | Cognitive Foundations of University Education: Critical Thinking and Data Literacy (CTDL) | CTDL1 | Evaluate and justify claims critically using analytical skills, data, and evidence |
| CTDL2 | Analyze problems and make articulate decisions critically based on data and evidence | ||
| Behavioral Foundations of University Education: Habits, Mindsets, and Wellness (HMW) | HMW1 | Identify strategies to manage physical and mental wellness | |
| HMW2 | Build sustainable habits that promote personal and interpersonal development in a diverse dynamic environment | ||
| English Communication (E-Comm) | E1 | Communicate in English effectively and appropriately in academic, social and/or professional contexts | |
| Chinese Communication (C-Comm) | C1 | Develop competency levels of Standard Written Chinese and/or Spoken Chinese in Putonghua | |
| C2 | Use Standard Written Chinese and/or Spoken Chinese in Putonghua effectively in a specific context or for a specific purpose | ||
ABC LIVE – Attributes of HKUST Graduates
Get ready to embark on an educational journey that will help you develop a wide range of graduate attributes summarized as "ABC LIVE" at our University. We believe in nurturing your academic excellence, providing you with a broad-based education, building your competencies and capacities, fostering leadership and teamwork skills, developing an international outlook, igniting your vision and orientation to the future, and instilling ethical standards and compassion.
| A | Academic excellence An in-depth grasp of at least one area of specialist or professional study, based on a forward-looking and inquiry-driven curriculum |
| B | Broad-based education Intellectual breadth, flexibility, and curiosity, including an understanding of the role of rational, balanced inquiry and discussion, and a grasp of basic values across the disciplines of science, social science, engineering and the humanities |
| C | Competencies and capacity building High-end, transferable competencies, including analytical, critical, quantitative and communications skills |
| L | Leadership and teamwork A capacity for leadership and teamwork, including the ability to motivate others, to be responsible and reliable, and to give and take direction and constructive criticism |
| I | International outlook An international outlook, and an appreciation of cultural diversity |
| V | Vision and an orientation to the future Adaptability and flexibility, a passion for learning, and the ability to develop clear, forward-looking goals, and self-direction and self-discipline |
| E | Ethical standards and compassion Respect for others, high standards of integrity, compassion, and a readiness to contribute to the community |
The Common Core Program serves as a platform to expand your academic breadth (B), ensuring you receive a well-rounded education. It also focuses on developing high-level competencies (C) that will set you apart in your future endeavors. Moreover, the pedagogy employed in the Common Core Program is designed to promote personal development, moral reasoning, and citizenship, encapsulating the spirit of "LIVE".