Credit Transfer

Applications for transferring credits into the Common Core Program are processed through the Academic Registry. The transfer of credits can take the form of course-credit transfer, where a transferred course is equivalent to a specific course in the HKUST course catalog; or credit-only transfer, where only credits are transferred. Transfer credits granted will not be included in the calculation of grade averages. Application details are available from Credit Transfer (Undergraduate Studies - UG) of the Academic Registry webpage. 

Credit Transfer for 36-credit Program

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If you are admitted to HKUST based on the following examination attainments, you will automatically receive 9 Block Credits of University Common Core. This includes 3 credits each for Humanities, Social Analysis, and Science and Technology (non-School-Sponsored Courses):

  • International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
  • General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCEAL)
  • Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE)

Please note that if you receive a block transfer of 9 University Common Core credits, any other credits transferred upon entry cannot be used to fulfill the University Common Core requirements in the following areas: Humanities (H), Social Analysis (SA), Science and Technology (S&T), Quantitative Reasoning (QR), and Arts. The maximum number of entry credits you can transfer on this basis is 30.

If you are admitted to HKUST based on local Post-secondary Awards, such as Local Associate Degrees or Local Higher Diplomas, you will automatically receive 21 Block Credits. This includes 9 credits of University Common Core (3 credits each for Humanities, Social Analysis, and Science and Technology (non-School-Sponsored Courses)) and 12 unassigned free credits. You don’t need to apply for these credits.

You can also apply for credit transfer for courses completed in your post-secondary programs through the online Credit Transfer Application System. Make sure to do this no later than one month after the start of your first regular term at HKUST. 

If you receive a block transfer of 9 University Common Core credits, please note that any other credits transferred upon entry cannot be used to fulfill the University Common Core requirements in the following areas: Humanities (H), Social Analysis (SA), Science and Technology (S&T), Quantitative Reasoning (QR), and Arts. The maximum number of entry credits you can transfer is 60.

You can apply for credit transfer for courses completed at local or overseas tertiary institutions through the online Credit Transfer Application System. Before you start your application, it’s strongly advised to check the approved mappings in the Credit Transfer Database (For Institutional Courses). Additionally, consult your School or major Department for guidance on the equivalence of HKUST courses.