Credit Requirements

The Common Core Program in the 4-year curriculum comprises a total of 36 credits (out of 120-126 credits) to be elected from 8 broad core areas, of which 9 credits must be taken from school-sponsored courses (SSCs).

All undergraduates studying the 4-year curriculum will complete the same set of common core requirements regardless of their major discipline of study. Students are expected to complete the majority of the common core credits in Year 1 and 2. The 6 credits of English Communication are to be taken in the first year.

Introducing the SSCs into the Common Core Program as one of its requirements is a unique feature for the 4-year undergraduate curriculum. The objectives of the SSCs are to:

• (a)
  exemplify the attainment of the Common Core goals in their course design, content, pedagogy and delivery;
• (b)
  support the attainment of the desired attributes for HKUST graduates, ABC LIVE; and
• (c)
  transcend disciplinary areas.

The carefully designed content and pedagogy will not only impart knowledge to students, but more importantly also spark their interest and passion to explore and create knowledge by themselves.