FAQ - Information for JUPAS Students

FAQ - Information for JUPAS Students

(for 2024 intake)

Admission Choices 

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Admission Choices
  • Engineering (JUPAS Code: JS5200)
  • Engineering with an Extended Major in Artificial Intelligence (JUPAS Code: JS5282)

Both Engineering and Engineering with an Extended Major in Artificial Intelligence are school-based choices for admission.  Students study at the School of Engineering during the first year, and declare a major at the end of Year 1.  All information in this FAQ applies to both School-based choices.

Admission Requirements 

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Minimum Admission Requirements

Minimum Admission Requirements

Subject Score
HKDSE Levels 5** 5* 5 4 3 2 1
Score 8.5 7 5.5 4 3 2 1
Subject Weighting

HKUST SENG: Score based on HKDSE Results 

Subjects 

Weightings 

 

English 

x 2 

Weighted score 

Mathematics (Compulsory) 

x 2 

Weighted score 

Best Science elective (Biology / Chemistry / Physics / Combined Science)

Or

ICT

x2

 

x1

Weighted score 

Best 2 other subjects

M1 / M2

any other subjects

 

x1.5

x1

 

Weighted score

Weighted score

 

Final score 

Sum of the above 5 weighted scores 

Bonus Points

Extra electives, Other Experience and Achievements in competitions, interview performance and participation in designated activities organized by the School of Engineering will be awarded bonus points. 

Scholarships

(A)  Academic Scholarships

HKUST offers attractive scholarships to all students admitted to its Schools/Programs through JUPAS scheme who meet the award criteria. For details, please refer to the website of the University's undergraduate admission office.

(B)   Non-academic Scholarships for Local Students

Apart from academic attainments, HKUST recognizes diverse talents through various scholarship schemes, including the Student Athletes Admissions Scholarship (SAAS) and Beyond Academic Admissions Scholarship (BAAS).  For more details of these scholarships, please visit the University's undergraduate admissions office

Frequently Asked Questions 

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1. What is Engineering with an Extended Major in AI? How can I apply for it?

Engineering with an Extended Major in Artificial Intelligence (ENGG+AI) is another school-based admission choice for students, alongside the choice Engineering (ENGG)

For more details, please refer to the Extended Major website.  

Similar to Engineering (ENGG), students applying for Engineering with an Extended Major in AI (ENGG+AI) are admitted to the School of Engineering instead of a particular major program, and they declare a major at the end of Year 1.   This group of students are guaranteed studies in AI subjects, which will be incorporated into the curriculum of their engineering major program.   The normative period of this program remains 4 years.  Students are expected to take an additional course per term on average throughout the 4 years.

2. What is the difference between school-based admission and program-based admission?

In program-based admission, students are admitted into individual programs directly.  They need to choose the specific programs they wish to join when applying for admission.  School-based admission, on the other hand, means that students are admitted to the School of Engineering.  These students will have at least one year to explore various programs before they decide on their majors.  During this year, students will take the common core curriculum, engineering introduction courses and fundamentals, and receive intensive academic advising to help them explore their interest and decide on their study path.  Upon completion of the first year, students will select their major departments within the School, which offers a wide spectrum of engineering programs for students.  Both Engineering and Engineering with an Extended Major in Artificial Intelligence are School-based admission choices. 

3. How will you calculate my score for admission criteria? What is the formula used? What subjects are a must? Will extracurricular activities or special skills (e.g. sportsmanship / musical talent) be counted?

For admission to SENG, students must first fulfill the minimum admission requirements, as defined above.  For calculating the admission score, we require three subjects (English, Math, & one Science elective), with each having a weighting of 2.  Students may use ICT in lieu of the Science elective, with ICT having a weighting of 1.  Other than these three required subjects, the admission score includes any two other subjects: if M1 / M2 is used, it has a weighting of 1.5, all else weighting of 1. 

Apart from academic performance, student achievements and participation in activities (especially science or engineering related) recorded in Other Experiences and Achievements in Competitions / Activities (OEA) and Student Learning Profile (SLP) will also be considered.  In general, bonus of not exceeding 5% will be given based on non-academic performance such as OEA / SLP; admission is largely based on academic results. 

4. Will flexibility be allowed in the admission requirements? Say if I fail a core subject (e.g. Liberal Studies) but do well in other subjects, am I still eligible to apply to SENG?

The minimum admission requirements reflect our expectation of students’ balanced development in different subjects.  However, we also fully understand the disruption brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic to students’ academic studies over the past few years.  The University will try to exercise flexibility in considering students for admission.  For the past intake of 2023, HKUST adopted flexible admissions arrangements for HKDSE students who perform well overall, especially in STEM subjects, but just miss the minimum entrance requirements of 3-3-2-2 (Chinese-English-Mathematics-Liberal Studies) by 1 level in 1 of these core subjects.

Details of the admission arrangements for 2024 intake will be announced around June 2024.

You can check out your HKDSE score through the HKUST JUPAS Score Calculator and take reference from 2023 JUPAS Admissions Scores.

5. If I take both a science subject and ICT, which will be counted?

The School takes the best scores that students attained, applying the different weightings for science subject and ICT.  In the end, the School will count the best scores and subject combination in calculating the admission scores. 

6. For the first elective, why is ICT’s weighting (x1) lower than the science electives’ weighting (x2)?

ICT is not classified as a Science subject but a Technology subject according to Education Bureau.  Yet we recognize ICT in a way that it can be counted as an alternative to a Science subject.  Students who do not take any Science subjects can use ICT to fulfill the Science subject requirement. 

7. Will taking Physics / Chemistry / etc. boost my chances of being admitted to SENG? And what about more Advanced Math classes?

Admission to SENG requires one Science elective.  If students take more than one Science subject, the best Science subject is counted as the first Science subject with a weighting of 2.  The second Science elective can be counted as one of the two other best subjects with a weighting of 1.  On the other hand, M1 / M2, if used as one of the any two other subjects, has a weighting of 1.5.  Hence, students with stronger Math background will have some advantages.  

8. Do I get an interview? When?

Yes.  Students who show strong interest in engineering over other choices / areas (i.e. putting us as a Band A choice in JUPAS or participation in programs or activities organized by HKUST) and reach our academic requirement would likely get an interview opportunity.  Interview sessions are usually held in November and May.  

9. How should I prepare for the interview?

The purpose of the interviews is for the School and the students to have better understanding of each other.  In interviews, we tend to look at the non-academic side of the students.  We hope to learn about students' personality, the way they communicate with people and express themselves, their logical thinking skills, leadership capabilities, etc. from the group interview.  The interview is assessment-based but it is not academic related.  Students are not required to study hard before the interview.  Students who perform well in the interview will receive bonus points, which will be informed individually after evaluation.

10. If I am not invited to an interview, does it mean I have no chance of being admitted by the School?

No. Without interview ≠ no chance of admission, because the School will not interview ALL the students.  From our past experience, we admitted students without interviewing them.  Getting an interview opportunity is therefore not a prerequisite for admission. 

11. If my HKDSE results do not meet the admission requirements, and I retake the exam in the next year, do I still have the chance for admission?

Yes, students can sit for HKDSE again and reapply with their new results.  There is no penalty for students applying with HKDSE results obtained in recent 3 years.  For 2024 entry, HKDSE results obtained in or prior to Year 2020 will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  For those who do not choose to retake the exam but enroll in sub-degree programs (e.g. Associate Degree / Higher Diploma), they can enter SENG through direct admission.  Students who will have completed only the first year of study in a local sub-degree program can apply for admission to the School of Engineering (Engineering or Engineering with an Extended Major in Artificial Intelligence) for Year 1 entry.  Those who will have completed the entire sub-degree program can apply for admission to specific programs directly.  Places have been reserved for articulation by sub-degree program graduates.  Alternatively if they wish to explore other engineering disciplines that are different from the sub-degree programs that they have completed, they can also apply for admission to the School of Engineering (Engineering or Engineering with an Extended Major in Artificial Intelligence) and follow a new engineering discipline after one year of study.

 

12. I have taken HKDSE last year. I'm attending an Associate Degree / Higher Diploma program now and will take the HKDSE exam again this year. Which results will you look at?

It depends on which qualifications you wish to use for applying for admission.  If you apply with HKDSE through JUPAS, we would look at your HKDSE results.  On the other hand, if you wish to apply to us with your Associate Degree / Higher Diploma program, you should apply to us through the Direct Entry route by submitting the application directly to HKUST.  In the case of applying with Associate Degree / Higher Diploma qualification (no matter whether you are in Year 1 or Year 2 of the program), Chinese Language is not required.  Please also read Q.11 above.

13. Can I choose more than one admission route? That is, by both JUPAS and direct admission?

To be fair, each student can only compete in one admission route.  You can apply either through JUPAS or Direct Entry.  

14. What is the planned intake for SENG in 2024?

For the entire School of Engineering, the quota for 2024 intake is 684, among which 152 is planned for Engineering with an Extended Major in Artificial Intelligence. 

15. I need a student visa for studying in Hong Kong but I am going to sit for HKDSE exam in 2024. Can I apply for admission to HKUST through JUPAS?

From 2020 onwards, non-local students (i.e. students who need a student visa to study in Hong Kong or apply for a dependent visa for the first time after reaching the age of 18) can no longer participate in the JUPAS exercise.  Instead, they must apply directly to Universities if they wish to seek admission.  For enquiries regarding your status in Hong Kong, please contact the Education Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government.

16. Is the Personal Statement important? What kind of information should I provide in the essay?

Personal Statement helps us to understand you better.  It is a free writing of student's idea, but if you are interested in our School, you may elaborate more on the reason why you like engineering or science, achievement in recognized competitions, service performance, etc. 

If you are applying with HKDSE results that were obtained in or before 2020, we encourage you to detail your education background and learning experiences after taking the HKDSE examination. This will help us evaluate your profile and consider your admission more effectively.