Courses (Student Cohorts before 2022-23)

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.

Our diverse collection of common core courses spans 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) 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.

(b) 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.

(c) 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.

(d) 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. Be sure to consult your major/minor programs regarding this.

(e) 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 with a different “CORE” subject area code

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.

Example: If you completed CORE 1501 Introduction to Language in 2022-23, you can use it to fulfill the Humanities (H) area requirement; but you cannot retake the same course using the subject area code HUMA 1010 Introduction to Language in subsequent terms.

you can also use them to fulfill the corresponding common core area requirements.

Example: If you completed HUMA 1010 Introduction to Language in 2022-23, you can use it to fulfill the Humanities (H) area requirement.

Common Core Course Lists

You may also check out the complete list of UG courses in the UG Course Catalog.