Outside Classroom Education

The University offers a wide variety of programmes and activities outside the regular curricula to broaden students' learning experience. These include the HKU Mentorship Programme, which pairs off students with distinguished alumni and members of the community; the ArtsAll Scheme, which encourages students to become active and critical participants in arts and cultural events; the HKU Worldwide Undergraduate Student Exchange Programme, which enable undergraduate students to conduct full-year or short-term exchanges on a full credit-transfer basis in some 180 overseas universities in 24 countries; and the Intensified Learning Opportunity Programme(ILOP), which trains students to become responsible and responsive leaders with a strong commitment to their society.

The University also offers, through its General Education Unit, a range of general education programmes to enhance students' personal competencies and to promote critical thinking, international perspectives, and the appreciation of cultural diversity, arts, ethics and values. Prominent scholars, professionals, and community leaders from both within and outside the University are invited to share their experiences and insights with students through public forums, talks and special programmes.

Hall Life

Hall life in HKU is highly valued, and forms part of the tradition of the University. The University has 13 halls of residence, with a total of 3,992 residential places, primarily for undergraduates. Students who are not living in a residential hall can still obtain many of the benefits of hall life as an affiliated member by joining a residential hall or one of the three non-residential halls. Non-hall student housing is also available. For more details, please visit the Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS) website.

Student Activities

The Hong Kong University Students' Union, formerly known as the Hong Kong University Union, was established in 1912 and located at Hung Hing Ying Building, now the home of Music Department and the Music Library. The Union was registered as a non-profit making organisation in 1949 when it also assumed its current name.

The Union has prospered over the years and now has over 110 affiliated societies, including faculty and academic societies, hall student associations, Independent Clubs Association (ICA) clubs, Cultural Association (CA) clubs and Sports Association (SA) clubs. The Union's motto is 'Unity and Cohesion; Independence and Autonomy'. Within the University, the central executive committee and affiliated societies organise a range of activities for its members, and provide a channel for students to participate in affairs concerning University governance. Outside the campus, representing its members, the Union is also very active in voicing out opinions towards Hong Kong's political and social issues.