HKUST School of Engineering to Introduce New Student Enrolment Scheme Incorporating School-based Admission

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) announced today the launch of the most flexible engineering student admission scheme among Hong Kong’s tertiary institutions. The new scheme, incorporating the current “program-based” arrangements and the new “school-based” option, gives students the best of both worlds.

The new School-based Admission (SBA) scheme will be available to both Joint University Programmes Admission Scheme (JUPAS) and Early Admission Scheme (EAS) applicants starting from the 2009 to 2010 academic year. In addition to the existing individual 13 programs offered by HKUST School of Engineering, students are given the opportunity to explore their interest further before they select a program under the SBA, adding up a total of 15 programs for students to choose from.

SBA means that students will not have to choose any particular program for admission application. They need only to choose one of two streams for the first semester. Thereafter, they can choose their favorite program from within that stream.

Stream A comprises Chemical Engineering, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Chemical and Bioproduct Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Civil and Structural Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.

Stream B encompasses Computer Science, Computer Science (Information Engineering), Computer Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Electronic Engineering (Information and Communication Engineering), Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management, and Logistics Management and Engineering.

In brief, Stream A is more focused on chemical, civil and mechanical engineering, while Stream B is more on computer and electronic engineering as well as engineering management. The 13 individual programs are all included in Streams A and B.

For the 2009 intake, the number of places for Stream A is 61 students and that for Stream B is 100 students. The current “program-based” admission scheme will admit 486 students.

"We are incorporating the School-based Admission Scheme into our admission options to provide applicants with greater flexibility in making their program choice. In addition, applicants admitted to either stream will be given a broader foundation in engineering disciplines before they specialize in their chosen program," said Prof Charles Ng, Associate Dean of Engineering (Undergraduate Studies).

"Under the SBA, students will have more time to consider before deciding which engineering field to pursue," he added.

"As we do not have a specific quota for each engineering discipline, students admitted through the SBA will stand a higher chance to be admitted to their favorite program than if they were admitted through the program-based scheme," he said.

Under the SBA scheme, students admitted to Stream A or Stream B at the start of the first semester will prioritize their favorite programs at the end of November.

To provide prospective students with more details about the SBA scheme, a special seminar will be held at 12 noon in LG1031 at the HKUST’s Student Outreach Day on Saturday, 20 September 2008 on its campus.

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HKUST School of Engineering (SENG)
School-based Admission (SBA) Scheme – FAQ

1. What is School-based Admission?
SBA means that students will not have to choose any particular program for admission application. They need only to choose one of two streams (ENGG-A/B) for the first semester. Thereafter, they can choose their favorite program from within that stream. For details, please refer to SENG’s SBA leaflet or website, http://www.seng.ust.hk/dept/school-based.html

2. Who is eligible to be admitted through this new scheme and when is it going to begin?
The new scheme will be available to JUPAS and EAS applicants starting from 2009 to 2010 academic year onwards.

3. Is School-based Admission (SBA) going to replace current program-based admission?
No. The additional 2 streams will provide students with more choices. Students can select from any of the existing 13 engineering programs PLUS Stream A and/or Stream B which adds up to a total of 15 programs to choose from. Apart from enjoying great flexibility in choosing desired program, he/she is given a few months to explore their interest before making final decision.

4. If I am admitted via the SBA scheme, will I get the program I want for sure?
Each student entering into Stream A or B can select a program from within that stream. He /she has to fulfill individual program requirements while some programs may require interviews as well. The below work flow illustrates how students select their majors and the selection schedule.

5. I am interested in a few Engineering programs but I am not sure if I made the right choice, what should I do?
Student should select both the specific targeted programs as well as ENGG-A/B in the JUPAS choices. It would increase the chance of admission to the desired program.

6. I heard there is no quota restriction for program within a stream. How it works?
Initially, SENG offers 161 places overall for Stream Students in ENGG-A/B who will be placed to different majors at the end of the first semester. Within the same stream ENGG-A/B, there is no preset quota for each major discipline. Faculty members will try to match the interest and strength of each student with the programs and give their professional advices to students during the major selection process.

7. Are the curriculum for individual programs and ENGG-A/B the same?
The curriculum of ENGG-A/B covers introductory engineering courses in various disciplines in the first semester. There will be slight difference in the course requirements but the overall credit requirements for individual program and ENGG-A/B are the same.

8. If I am admitted to Stream A (5505) and select Chemical Engineering, would I study fewer courses when compared with the single program Chemical Engineering 5311?
The overall credit requirements of both individual programs and SBA streams are basically the same but the study sequence and a few of the courses covered could be different.

9. What if I wish to change to 5414 (Computer Science) after admitted to 5505 (Stream A), can I make any changes after the first semester?
Yes, the student must meet the requirements of the receiving program in order to be considered for program transfer. If a student is allowed to do the program transfer, he/she will need to make up the credits that he/she has missed in the first semester.

10. If I am admitted to 5555 (Stream B) and then I choose Computer Engg as my major, will I receive the same degree as my classmates who are admitted through 5464 (Computer Engg)?
Yes. SBA is just an alternative admission route which does not affect the degree conferred.

11. What is the difference between SBA and individual program in choosing major and minor?
Same as students in individual programs, SBA students can freely choose any minor programs they are interested upon fulfilling the specific entrance requirements. For major, ENGG-A students may choose chemical, civil and mechanical engineering. ENGG-B may choose Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, Computer Engineering and Industrial Engineering and Logistics Management programs.

12. Are there any internship and exchange opportunities available for ENGG-A/B students?
Yes. ENGG-A/B students will have equal opportunities to join the internship and exchange programs. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in internship program when they have acquired some technical knowledge.

13. I do not study Pure Math and am interested in 5347 (Chemical & Bioproduct Engg). I noticed 5505 (ENGG-A) requires AL Pure Math but 5347 doesn’t. Which program should I choose?
If the student is interested in a particular engineering program, he/she can apply for that program directly. Students must fulfill the program/stream requirements if they wish to be considered for admission.

Enquiries

Diana Liu 2358 8982 egdiana@ust.hk

Ross Lai 2358 6306 / 9103 2928 rosslai@ust.hk