PG Admission

Making an Offer

 Offer Recommendation and Issuance

  1. Before recommending an offer, Program Offices should
    1. check the application profile and make sure that the applicant’s name and date of birth are the same across all identification documents, transcripts, diploma, and supporting documents
    2. ensure that the applicant satisfies (i) the University’s general admission requirements; (ii) the English Language requirement; and (iii) the program-specific requirements
    3. determine the offer type, and specify condition(s) for admissions where applicable
    4. check whether the applicant needs to apply for student visa, and if he/she has input a correct indication
    5. ensure that non-local applicants (click here for the definitions) are NOT recommended for part-time RPg programs, according to the UGC's policy
       
  2. For programs requiring applicants to have obtained a degree in a related field, Program Offices should share with FYTGS the list of acceptable fields. Any update to the list or any one-off approval should be made known to FYTGS before offer recommendation.
     
  3. Admission offers recommended by Program Offices need to be endorsed by the respective School/ AIS before they are forwarded to FYTGS for clearance.
     
  4. Program Offices should note that conditional offers are binding on both applicants and the respective Programs.
     

  5. The following chart gives an overview of the offer-making process:Chart 1 – Work flow of making an offer

 Deadline for Offer Recommendation

  1. To allow sufficient time for applicants who need to apply for student visas, Program Offices should observe the following deadline for offer recommendation:
      Offer Recommendation Deadline
    Applicant Type Fall Term Spring Term
    Mainland China 15 June 15 November
    Taiwan, Macao or International 30 June 30 November
    Student visa not required 8 August 8 January
  2. Programs not following regular academic terms or the general program commencement dates of the University should work out their specific deadlines with FYTGS.
     
  3. If there are exceptional circumstances where admission offers have to be made after the above deadlines, Program Offices are requested to send a written request to FYTGS.  The request should include:
    1. endorsement by the PG Coordinator/ Program Director; and
    2. endorsement by the Associate Dean; and
    3. confirmation on the understanding that the applicant may proceed to register only if he/she arrives before end of the Add/Drop period; and
    4. assessment by the Program Offices of the potential impact on student’s academic progress in case of late arrival
       
  4. For approved late offer, Program Offices should alert the applicant concerned that, in case the offer cannot be confirmed or student visa cannot be approved in time for program registration, he/she will need to apply for deferral.
     

 Result Notification

  1. During the admission cycle, Program Offices are advised to notify applicants of their admission results as soon as feasible.
     
  2. To conclude the admission exercise, FYTGS will update the status of all applicants without admission results to “application unsuccessful” by the following deadlines:
    Applicants Fall Term Spring Term
    Non-local 10 July 10 December
    Local 15 August 15 January

     

  3. Program Offices may consider carrying over applications for the Fall Term for consideration for Spring Term admission. Such requests should be sent to FYTGS two weeks before the deadline stated above.  Once carried over, applicants will be informed of such arrangement by a system-generated email.
     

 Request for Waiver of Admission Requirement

  1. If Program Offices would like to seek approval from the Postgraduate Admissions Sub-committee (PAS) for waiving certain admission requirement(s) for an applicant, they should complete and submit the Request for Waiver of Admission Requirement Form to FYTGS for the consideration of PAS.
     
  2. The following information should be included in the Waiver Form:
    1. basis for the waiver request
    2. quality of the applicant in comparison with the application pool
    3. academic performance of students with the same or similar waivers in the last 3 cohorts
       
  3. Endorsement from the School/AIS is required if waiver of the requirement for a recognized Bachelor’s or higher degree is involved. Program Offices should note that, under Senate guidelines, the total number of students without a degree should not exceed 10% of the cohort of a program.
     

Prepared by HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate School
Sep 2023