FAQs

The 30-credit common core requirement supports several important goals:

Holistic Education: The Common Core Program is designed to provide a well-rounded education that complements your specialized discipline. By studying diverse subjects, you broaden your horizons, develop critical skills, and gain an understanding of various perspectives, which are essential in today’s interconnected world.

Interdisciplinary Learning: The Program encourages cross-disciplinary studies, allowing you to explore how different fields intersect. This interdisciplinary approach broadens your knowledge and fosters innovative thinking, which can be advantageous both personally and professionally.

Competency Development: Common core courses emphasize the development of essential competencies such as communication, personal development, problem-solving, and social responsibility. These skills enhance your ability to navigate complex real-world situations and are highly valued by employers.

Personal Growth: Engaging with a wide range of subjects can lead to personal growth and a deeper understanding of your interests. The Common Core experience can help you discover new passions and enrich your overall educational journey.

Overall, the 30-credit common core requirement helps you build a broader perspective and a diverse set of skills for future study, work, and life. 

To review your specific requirements, check the detailed link for your cohort:  

• 2026-27 cohort
• 2025-26 cohort
• 2024-25 cohort
• 2022-23 and 2023-24 cohorts

Make sure to also check the program-specific credit requirement for the Broadening group associated with your major to stay on track.

Besides, keep in mind that the common core status and common core areas of courses may vary from term to term due to changes in course content and focus. Always check the designated common core areas of courses for the specific academic term before class enrollment in the Course Library.

For example, if you’re a SSCI student admitted in 2023-24, you can view the general common core requirements and the program-specific Broadening requirement for your major [link to “Program-specific Requirement” in Section Y]. You’ll find that your home area is Science (S), and that you are required to take 12 credits of courses under each of the Arts (A), Humanities (H), Technology (T), and Social Analysis (SA) areas.

If you need personalized advice on your study plan, don’t hesitate to consult your major department and academic advisor. 

We recommend that you contact the Academic Registry (ARO) for clarifications on your SIS records.

If you need personalized advice on your study plan and academic progress, don’t hesitate to consult your major department and academic advisor. They can provide guidance and help ensure that your records accurately reflect your progress. 

We’re glad to hear that you already have some background in AI, as this will be helpful in your university studies and future endeavors.

While your completion of elementary AI training is commendable, the HAIC courses are designed to provide a comprehensive foundation that goes beyond basic AI training. These courses aim to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and mindset necessary to effectively collaborate with AI, co-create innovative solutions, and engage with contemporary societal issues.

As such, exemptions from HAIC courses are not granted. We encourage you to embrace this learning opportunity to deepen your understanding of AI and learn how to harness it in shaping your future. Your prior training will certainly benefit you as you engage with the HAIC courses! 

While we appreciate your proactive approach to your health, it’s important to understand that HMAW 1905 is not simply a course for students who need support with their physical and mental health. Rather, it aims to assist all students in adapting to university life.

HMAW 1905 offers valuable learning experiences that focus on advising, sharing, and discussion among your community, as well as self-directed experiences (including sports) and the application of the science of well-being. By completing this course, you will foster your self-understanding, enhance your personal development, and build confidence to fully engage in your university education and future career.

This course will also help you develop sustainable habits and essential competencies such as personal development and social responsibility, which are crucial for navigating university challenges and beyond.

Given the comprehensive nature of this course and its intended benefits for all students, exemptions cannot be granted. We encourage you to embrace this opportunity to enrich your experience at HKUST, meet new friends, and support your overall growth as a student. 

The administration of course streaming, credit transfers, and exemptions for English language courses is managed by the Center for Language Education (CLE).

To better cater to students’ needs, CLE offers various pathways with courses tailored to different English language proficiency levels. Even as a native English speaker, there are suitable E-Comm courses in the Advanced Communication category available to further enhance your English language skills, such as workplace speaking, research writing, and more.

We encourage you to visit CLE for more details and discussions on your options. 

As a native Putonghua speaker, you may find that there are specialized courses designed to further enhance your Chinese communication skills, such as Chinese for workplace applications and Chinese writing in cultural context.

To explore your options and determine the suitable course, we encourage you visit the Center for Language Education (CLE) for more details and further guidance.

While it’s not compulsory, you are strongly encouraged to take courses in the CTDL and UxOP areas to enhance your learning experience at the University. If you prefer to focus on other areas, you may choose courses from the following areas to substitute for the CTDL and UxOP credit requirements:

• CTDL (as substitution for UxOP credit requirement)
• English Communication (E-Comm) (Advanced Communication courses only)
• Chinese Communication (C-Comm)
• All areas in the Broadening group that are designated for your cohort
• UxOP (as substitution for CTDL credit requirement)

Please note that you cannot use transferred credits from any common core areas to fulfill these requirements.

Before enrolling in a course, always verify the designated common core areas for the specific academic term by visiting the Course Library.

It’s always smart to double-check the common core course status before enrolling. The full list of active common core courses can be found in the Course Library. You can also check the individual course lists for each common core area.

If you want to check the common core status and areas on the Class Schedule & Quota, the corresponding common core areas for all courses are indicated by remarks on the top right side of each common core course listed on the website. 

When selecting your common core courses, it’s important to always consider your interests, the knowledge or topics you find useful, the skills you want to strengthen, and the competencies you wish to develop.

The Common Core Program is designed to give you the opportunity to explore subjects that inspire you and align with your personal and professional aspirations. Try choosing a common core course that you find engaging and meaningful, rather than focusing on grades only.

At the same time, remember to check the specific requirements for your cohort:  

• 2026-27 cohort
• 2025-26 cohort
• 2024-25 cohort
• 2022-23 and 2023-24 cohorts

If you need more personalized advice, you can always speak with your major department and academic advisor. 

We appreciate your enthusiasm for exploring subjects beyond your discipline! You are free and encouraged to take any courses that align with your interests. Just take note that credits earned from common core courses outside your cohort can be used to fulfill your major/minor/other requirements (e.g., free electives), but not your common core requirements.

For example, if you’re admitted in 2023-24 and wish to take a common core course listed only under the Sustainability (SUS) area, be aware that this SUS area is designated for the 2025-26 cohort and beyond. When you look at the program-specific requirement for the 2023-24 cohort, you’ll see that the SUS area is not included in your common core requirements. In this case, the course will count toward your major/minor/other requirements (e.g., free electives), but not toward your common core requirements.

Here’s another example: If you’re admitted in 2025-26 and want to take a common core course listed only under the 36-credit Common Core curriculum, but not under the 30-credit Common Core curriculum, this course is similarly not designated for your cohort. Credits earned from this course will count toward your major/minor/other requirements (e.g., free electives), but not your common core requirements. 

Depending on the course content, common core courses may contribute to multiple common core areas. However, credits earned from these courses can only count toward either one of the listed areas, but not all.

For example, if you’ve completed a course cross-listed under both the Arts (A) and Humanities (H) areas, you can use the credits earned to fulfill either the A or the H area requirement.

Don’t worry if the Advisement Report in the SIS does not initially reflect your intended fulfillment of area requirement by this course. System logics and technical issues may affect the accuracy and results of the Advisement Report. Some of the deficiencies in the Advisement Report can be settled by swapping of courses used in different requirements. Students in Year 3 or above may submit swap requests through this system.

Keep in mind that the designated common core areas of courses can vary by term. Always verify the designated areas of a course for the specific academic term before enrolling by checking the Course Library. 

Common core areas of courses can vary from term to term. A course contributing to one common core area in one term may contribute to a different common core area in another term. The fulfillment of the area requirement depends on the specific term in which you completed the course.

For example, consider a course listed under the Science (S) area from Spring 2022-23 to Summer 2024-25, and the Technology (T) area has been added effective Fall 2025-26. If you completed the course between Spring 2022-23 and Summer 2024-25, it will count toward the S area only. However, if you completed it in Fall 2025-26 or later, it can be used to fulfill either the S or the T area requirement.

Always verify the designated common core areas of a course for the specific academic term before enrolling by checking the Course Library.

Common core areas of courses can vary from term to term. A course contributing to one common core area in one term may contribute to a different common core area in another term. The fulfillment of the area requirement depends on the specific term in which you completed the course.

For example, if a course was listed under the Science (S) area when you completed it, it counts toward the S area. If the same course has later changed to the Technology (T) area, it will count toward the T area. You cannot choose which area it counts toward.

Please pay special attention to courses that have changed to the Sustainability (SUS) area – an area introduced in Fall 2025-26 that is only applicable to students admitted in 2025-26 and thereafter:

• For courses changed to list solely under the SUS area with effect from Fall 2025-26,  
  • Students admitted in Fall 2025-26 and thereafter can only take it to fulfill the SUS area requirement.
  • Students who completed the course before Fall 2025-26 can only use it to fulfill the previous area requirement.
  • Students admitted before Fall 2025-26 who completed the course in Fall 2025-26 or later can only use it to fulfill major/minor/other requirements (e.g., free electives).
• For courses originally listed under other Broadening areas, e.g., S and T, that have changed to be listed under both the SUS and another Broadening area, e.g., SUS and T, with effect from Fall 2025-26,  
  • Students admitted in Fall 2025-26 and thereafter can take it to fulfill either the SUS or the T area requirement.
  • Students who completed the course before Fall 2025-26 can use it to fulfill either the S or the T area requirement.
  • Students admitted before Fall 2025-26 who completed the course in Fall 2025-26 or later can only use it to fulfill the T area requirement.

Always verify the designated common core areas of a course for the specific academic term before enrolling by checking the Course Library.

Common core areas of courses can vary from term to term. A course contributing to one common core area in one term may contribute to a different common core area in another term. The fulfillment of the area requirement depends on the specific term in which you completed the course.

For example, consider a course listed under the Science (S) and Technology (T) areas from Spring 2022-23 to Summer 2024-25, and the S area is removed effective Fall 2025-26. If you completed the course between Spring 2022-23 and Summer 2024-25, you can still use it to fulfill either the S or the T area requirement. However, if you completed it in Fall 2025-26 or later, it can only count toward the T area.

Bear in mind that you cannot use a course to fulfill any common core requirements if you completed it after it has been delisted and removed from the 30-credit Common Core curriculum.

Always verify the designated common core areas of a course for the specific academic term before enrolling by checking the Course Library.

Unfortunately, you cannot use the course to fulfill your common core requirements if you completed it when it was not designated as a common core course. Instead, it may count toward your major/minor/other requirements (e.g., free electives).

All common core courses have undergone a comprehensive approval process to ensure that their course design, content, teaching focuses, learning outcomes, etc. meet the general criteria for common core courses and are aligned with the learning outcomes of the common core areas. As a result, the course design and content may have significantly changed during this process. Therefore, courses that were not designated as common core courses during the specific term of enrollment cannot be accepted to fulfill common core requirements.

We understand your interest in taking a course that may look similar to or even more advanced than common core courses. However, it’s important to note that only approved common core courses can be taken to fulfill your common core requirements.

All common core courses have undergone a comprehensive approval process to ensure that their course design, content, teaching focuses, learning outcomes, etc. meet the general criteria for common core courses and are aligned with the learning outcomes of the common core areas. A course that may seem similar to a common core course but has not gone through this process cannot be used as a substitute.

You are still welcome to take these non-common-core courses to fulfill your major/minor/other requirements (e.g., free electives).

Always verify the designated common core areas of a course for the specific academic term before enrolling by checking the Course Library.

Common core status of courses can vary from term to term. A course designated as a common core course in one term may be removed in another term. The fulfillment of the common core requirements depends on the specific term in which you completed the course.

If the course has been delisted and removed from the 30-credit Common Core curriculum, it is no longer considered a common core course. However, don’t worry! If you completed the course before it was delisted, it can still count toward fulfilling your common core requirements.

For information on the designated terms of delisted common core courses, you can check the delisted course list in the Course Library. Always verify the common core status of a course for the specific academic term before enrolling. 

Your major or minor programs may include common core courses as required or elective courses. Since different programs have different policies on credit reuse, it is important to consult your major/minor program to determine whether credits earned from these courses can fulfill both common core and major/minor requirements, or just one of the requirements. 

You can visit the Class Schedule & Quota to find information on common core courses offered in each term. If you would like to know the future course offering plans, you may consider contacting the course offering unit directly for more detailed information.

In 2022-23, all common core courses under the 30-credit Common Core curriculum were assigned a “CORE” prefix. If you took a course in 2022-23 that does not have a “CORE” prefix, it cannot be used to fulfill any common core requirements. However, you may still use it to fulfill your major/minor/other requirements (e.g., free electives).

Courses in the Foundations group aim to help you develop and advance essential skills and mindsets. They are designed to accommodate students at different proficiency levels for the respective common core areas. Courses in the Experiencing group, on the other hand, are designed to provide you with the opportunities to apply and further enhance the knowledge and skills you’ve developed from your Foundations and Broadening courses, as well as from your major courses, in real-life contexts. Therefore, credit transfer is generally not allowed in these groups, except for the English Communication (E-Comm) area for certain cohorts.

You are allowed to transfer a maximum of 6 credits in the common core areas in the Broadening group. Note that the maximum of 6 transferred credits includes both block transfer on entry and credits earned during study. If you received 6 block credits in the Broadening group on entry, you cannot transfer any additional credits in this group during your studies.

You can find out more details on credit transfer eligibility, including E-Comm credit transfer, based on your cohort:

• 2026-27 cohort
• 2025-26 cohort
• 2024-25 cohort
• 2022-23 and 2023-24 cohorts

If you are part of the 2022-23 to 2025-26 cohorts, please keep in mind that you cannot use transferred credits from any common core areas to substitute for the Cognitive Foundations of University Education: Critical Thinking and Data Literacy (CTDL) and the Undergraduate experiential Opportunities Programs (UxOP) credit requirements.

When you are admitted to HKUST based on Local Post-secondary Awards, e.g., Local Associate Degrees or Local Higher Diploma, you are automatically granted 6 block credits in the Broadening group of the 30-credit Common Core Program. These credits are reflected as “CORE BROAD” in your Advisement Report in SIS.

These 6 block credits can be used to fulfill any common core areas in the Broadening group that are not designated as home areas for your major program. You may disregard any pre-assignment of the 6 block credits in SIS. You can use the remaining 6 credits to take courses in the Broadening group according to your program-specific requirement. Once you complete the remaining 6 credits of common core courses outside your home areas, your Broadening group requirements will be considered fulfilled.

To review your program-specific requirement, check the detailed link for your cohort:  

• 2026-27 cohort
• 2025-26 cohort
• 2024-25 cohort
• 2022-23 and 2023-24 cohorts

Keep in mind that you are allowed to transfer a maximum of 6 credits in the common core areas in the Broadening group according to your program-specific credit requirement. If you have already received 6 block credits on entry, you will not be able to transfer any additional credits in the Broadening group during your studies.

For example, if you are an SSCI student admitted in 2025-26 and received 6 block credits on your entry, you can complete the remaining 6 credits required for the 12-credit Broadening requirements by taking courses under two different non-home common core areas from Arts (A), Humanities (H), Technology (T), Social Analysis (SA), and Sustainability (SUS).

You can always check your records at the Advisement Report in SIS, which will be finalized upon your graduation. 

To transfer credits for the Common Core, you can search for approved course or examination mappings in the two databases maintained by the Academic Registry (ARO): Credit Transfer Database (For Examinations) and Credit Transfer Database (For Institutional Courses).

If you cannot find your intended course in the databases, you may apply for assessment for new course mappings before you begin your studies. Be sure to check the designated codes for credit transfer mappings and the details of the common core areas for your cohort before making a new application:

• 2026-27 cohort: Common Core Areas, Credit Transfer
• 2025-26 cohort: Common Core Areas, Credit Transfer
• 2024-25 cohort: Common Core Areas, Credit Transfer
• 2022-23 and 2023-24 cohorts: Common Core Areas, Credit Transfer

If you are part of the 2022-23 to 2025-26 cohorts, please keep in mind that you cannot use transferred credits from any common core areas to substitute for the Cognitive Foundations of University Education: Critical Thinking and Data Literacy (CTDL) and the Undergraduate experiential Opportunities Programs (UxOP) credit requirements.

You can visit Academic Registry (ARO) for more details about mapping codes for credit transfer and the procedure for applying for new course mappings.

One possibility is that the approved course mapping does not fall under an eligible common core area for your program-specific requirement. In this case, the course will count toward your major/minor/other requirements (e.g., free electives).

You are strongly advised to always check your program-specific requirement before enrolling in a course intended to fulfill your common core requirements:

• 2026-27 cohort
• 2025-26 cohort
• 2024-25 cohort
• 2022-23 and 2023-24 cohorts

If the approved course mapping is indeed under an eligible area for your program-specific requirement, please contact the Academic Registry (ARO) to further investigate the issue. 

We’re excited to hear that you’re interested in developing a new common core course! To get started, please review the general and specific requirements, guidelines, application procedures, and timeline available in the New Course Development.

Be sure to obtain approval from your Department and School, as well as concurrence from other relevant units, before submitting your proposal via your School. 

Yes, common core courses should contribute to the Common Core goals in complementing studies in specialist disciplines and providing a whole-person learning and developmental experience for students.

In general, a common core course should:

• Broaden students’ horizons;
• Be open to all students, with an understanding that courses in the Broadening group should primarily target non-major students while remaining accessible to all;
• Have no prerequisites, except in specific categories in the Foundations and Experiencing groups, where prerequisites are necessary due to the inherent nature of the courses and their relationship with other common core categories;
• Enhance students’ competencies; and
• Challenge students to consider social, cultural, or philosophical issues.

In addition to these general criteria, you are advised to observe several guidelines and requirements for developing common core courses.

You may also observe the specific requirements for the areas of Human-AI Co-Creation and Data Literacy (HAIC) and Undergraduate experiential Opportunities Programs (UxOP) if you are interested in developing courses for these areas. 

You can download the Approval of UG Course form from the Academic Registry website. Please submit the completed form in .doc format to facilitate the course proposal vetting process. 

You can find the latest updates and deadlines for new common core course proposals by visiting the Proposal Submission Schedule. 

The process for changing your common core course will vary depending on the type of change you are making. For the appropriate procedures, please refer to the course amendment guidelines.

Converting your current UG course into a common core course is akin to developing a new common core course, as this involves introducing a new course into the Common Core framework. A thorough review of the course’s alignment with the Common Core goals and the learning outcomes of the relevant common core areas is required.

Please refer to the detailed information provided in the New Course Development section and submit a completed Approval of UG Course form for approval by the Committee on Undergraduate Core Education (CUCE).

Be sure to obtain approval from your Department and School, as well as concurrence from other relevant units, before submitting your proposal via your School. 

To remove your course from the common core course list while maintaining it as an UG course, please submit the Common Core Course Change/Deletion form to the Committee on Undergraduate Core Education (CUCE) through your School.

To completely remove your common core course from the UG course catalog, please submit the UG Course Change/Deletion Form to the Committee on Undergraduate Studies (CUS). Before submitting the form to CUS, you will need to obtain concurrence from the Committee on Undergraduate Core Education (CUCE) through your School.