FAQ

2.1 Where can I get my Student ID Card?

If you have completed the online registration, fulfilled all admission conditions (if applicable), and had your overseas academic qualifications verified, you may collect your CU Link Card on or after your admission date at the CU Link Card Centre, located in the Wu Ho Man Yuen Building.

Before visiting, check the opening hours at CU Link Card Centre. You may authorise a representative to collect it on your behalf. They should bring:

1. An authorisation letter downloaded from the CU Link Card Centre website
2. The representative's identity document (as stated in your authorisation letter)
3. A copy of your HKID card (or the identity document used to register with the Graduate School if you do not have an HKID card)

3.1 Who should apply for concurrent registration?

If a student is registered simultaneously in another programme of study or research leading to the award of a degree, diploma or certificate either at this University or at any other tertiary institution, it is considered to be concurrent registration.

Students, including those who are approved to take leave in the concurrent registration period, should submit an application for concurrent registration to the Graduate Division and Graduate School for approval.

The application form can be downloaded from the 'Application Forms' section on the Useful Forms (Login Required).
For newly admitted students, you may also download the form here.

A student in breach of this regulation shall be required to discontinue studies at the University.

3.2 When should I submit the concurrent registration application?

Submit the application to your Graduate Division as soon as possible if you're attending two programmes at this University or any other tertiary institution.

New students must apply before registering with this University. Registration will only be accepted if concurrent registration is approved or you withdraw from the other programme. Consult your Graduate Division about changing the registration date if necessary.

3.3 What if I need to extend the concurrent registration period?

Submit an application to your Graduate Division for consideration and approval before the end of the previously approved period.

4.1 What are normative and maximum study periods? When am I supposed to graduate?

The normative study period is the standard time allowed to complete all programme requirements, barring approved extensions. Students are expected to graduate at the end of this period unless they have obtained approval for altering their study period. By default, a student's expected graduation date is the same as his/her normative study end date.

Students wishing to graduate earlier may seek endorsement from their Graduate Division to shorten their study period, subject to Graduate Council approval. This is contingent on the statutory minimum of 12 months for master's programmes and 24 months for doctoral programmes. For research postgraduate programmes, all requirements must be met by the new end date, including a 'Pass' grade on the thesis. If revisions are needed, the Supervisor must confirm the revised thesis meets all requirements within three months of result notification. The CU Link Card validity period will be updated accordingly.

Students needing more time beyond the normative study period should submit a change of expected graduation date form to the Graduate School. Upon approval, they can renew their CU Link Card under "continuing status".

All graduation requirements must be completed within the maximum study period, including any leave of absence or suspension of studies. Students failing to do so will be discontinued from the University. Extensions beyond the maximum study period are granted only under very exceptional circumstances.

Normative and maximum study periods may vary by programme. Refer to the 'Period of Study' section in the 'General Regulations Governing Postgraduate Studies' for details. Students can check their specific dates via CUSIS.

4.2 How does a leave of absence affect my normative or maximum study period?

For Research Postgraduate Students:

1. In-residence leave: Both normative and maximum study periods remain unchanged.
2. Non-academic leave (non-PGS holders): Typically, the normative study end date may be adjusted for approved leave exceeding three weeks. Maximum study period remains unchanged.
3. No-pay leave (PGS holders): Normally, the normative study end date may be adjusted according to the approved leave period, regardless of duration. Maximum study period remains unchanged.

For Taught Postgraduate Students:

The normative study period will be adjusted for approved leave of one term or more. The maximum study period remains unchanged.

6.1 I can't attend classes next term. What should I do?

If illness necessitates absence exceeding three weeks, submit an application with a medical certificate signed by a registered practitioner to obtain endorsement from your Graduate Division and permission from the Dean of the Graduate School.

A student absent without approved leave or breaching residence requirements for over one continuous month will be considered withdrawn from studies.

Taught Postgraduate Students

Leave of absence for non-medical reasons is initially limited to one year maximum, with a possible one-year extension. Further extensions require Graduate Council approval in special cases. Leave for TPg students is calculated by term(s); e.g., a month's absence, if approved, is recorded as leave for the entire term.

Applications for non-medical leave are handled as follows:

Research Postgraduate Students

Applications for non-medical leave are handled as follows:

* PGS - Postgraduate Studentship.

6.2 If I need to apply for leave of absence, will the normative study period or maximum study period be affected?

Please refer to Q4.2 above for detailed information.

6.3 How can I submit a leave application? Where can I download the leave application form?

Postgraduate students can submit leave applications via CUSIS. Login to MyCUHK > CUSIS > Applications > Online Leave Application (PG). For step-by-step instructions, please refer to the User Guide for Students (login required).

6.4 I am a part-time taught postgraduate student who needs to take a week's leave due to job commitments. How can I submit a leave application?

If you're taking a break from studies (unable to attend classes or respond to programme requirements), submit a leave application via the Online Leave Application System. 

For taught postgraduate programmes, due to their term-based structure, leaves are recorded on a term basis. For instance, if approved, a week's absence will be recorded as a term off. For step-by-step instructions, please refer to the User Guide for Students (login required).

6.5 I am a research postgraduate student who wants to take in-residence leave to attend an overseas conference. How can I submit a leave application?

For conference leave, the maximum allowed period is up to 3 days plus the conference duration for each application. Please consult the User Guide for Students (login required) for detailed steps on how to apply.

(For newly admitted students, you may visit Visa Application)

8.1 I am a current non-local FULL-TIME student and my student visa/entry permit will soon expire. When and how can I renew my student visa to continue with my studies in Hong Kong?

For students who have studied in the programme for less than 6 years:

Submit an Application for Extension of Stay to the Immigration Department of HKSAR Government within 4 weeks before your visa/permit expiry date. You'll need to submit a completed application form and a certifying letter from the University. Request the certifying letter via our Request Official Documents System.

For students who have studied in the programme for 6 years or more:

Contact IMMD directly at least 10 weeks before your visa/permit expiry date. IMMD will advise if a new student visa application is needed. If a new application is required, please download and submit the completed Form ID995A (Sample of a duly completed Form ID995A) with supporting documents to us. Settle the visa application fee using methods listed in Q8.3. Processing typically takes at least 8 weeks.

Upon IMMD approval, we will collect the newly issued visa label/entry permit and send it to you via email. 

8.2 I am a current non-local PART-TIME student and my student visa/entry permit will soon expire. How do I renew it?

Non-local students who are in possession of a part-time student visa/entry permit should apply afresh of a valid visa/entry permit by submitting the completed Form ID995A (Sample of a duly completed Form ID995A) with supporting documents to your programme office at least 10 weeks before your current visa/permit expires. You should also settle the visa application fee by the payment methods listed in Q8.3.

Upon IMMD approval, we will collect the newly issued visa label/entry permit and send it to you via email.

8.3 How can I pay the visa application fee?

Payment methods:

• ATM Service: HSBC, Hang Seng Bank, or JETCO member bank cardholders can pay at these banks' ATMs. Select CUHK screen, choose bill type '02', and input the first seven digits of your student ID as the account number.
• Cheque/Bank Draft: Send a personal cheque or bank draft payable to "The Chinese University of Hong Kong" to the Graduate School.
• EPS: Pay at the Graduate School Office when submitting Form ID995A and supporting documents.

8.4 When can I apply for Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) visa?

You may apply for IANG visa upon your fulfillment of the graduation requirements of the programme and Graduate Division’s endorsement of your graduation. For RPg students, you should have submitted the final version of your thesis.

8.5 How long does it take for the Graduate Division to endorse my graduation after completing my last course?

Refer to the Graduation page for details.

8.6 What should I do after my Graduate Division endorses my graduation?

Request a certifying letter from us proving you've fulfilled graduation requirements and will be recommended for degree award. Submit this letter to IMMD with the IANG visa application form and other required documents. Visit the webpage of the Immigration Department of HKSAR Government for details.

8.7 How long does it take to process a certifying letter application for IANG visa?

Typically 5 working days after receiving Graduate Division's graduation endorsement. Endorsement only occurs after successful completion of all programme requirements, or for RPg students, submission of the final versions of thesis.

9.1 Am I eligible for the Tuition Waiver Scheme for Local Research Postgraduate (RPg) Students if I have an IANG visa?

No. Students staying in Hong Kong with any type of Hong Kong visa (including but not limited to student, dependent, and IANG visas) or entry permit are not eligible for this Scheme.

9.2 I'm a current local full-time student receiving PGS from the University. Am I eligible for the Tuition Waiver Scheme for Local RPg Students?

The tuition fee for the normative study period will be supported by the Scheme and waived by the University. Details on the financial arrangement will be announced in the first term of the year.

9.3 I'm a local full-time MPhil student transferring to a PhD programme in 2018-19. Am I eligible for the Tuition Waiver Scheme?

Yes. For MPhil students transferring to PhD programmes on or after 1 August 2018, the Scheme covers tuition fees for the normative study period of their PhD programmes.

9.4 My tuition fee has been waived by the University, am I eligible for the Tuition Waiver Scheme for Local Research Postgraduate (RPg) Students?

Under the Scheme, the tuition of all eligible full-time local students enrolled in UGC-funded RPg programmes is waived. If the tuition fee of an RPg student has been fully waived, s/he will no longer be eligible for this Scheme. However, if the tuition fee has been partially waived, s/he is still entitled for the Scheme to cover the remaining part of the tuition fee.

9.5 If I am a recipient of the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme or any other scholarship, will my eligibility for the Tuition Waiver Scheme for Local Research Postgraduate (RPg) Students be affected?

Local recipients of the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme or awardees of any other scholarship are still eligible for the Scheme to cover their tuition fees provided that the scholarships, awards or stipends do not cover tuition fees.

9.6 I am a recipient of the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme. Will I receive both, the CUHK Vice-Chancellor HKPFS Scholarship and the Tuition Waiver Scheme for Local Research Postgraduate (RPg) Students?

No. Local recipients of the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme will be granted a tuition waiver for their normative study period by the Tuition Waiver Scheme for Local Research Postgraduate (RPg) Students. Non-local recipients of the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme will receive the CUHK Vice-Chancellor HKPFS Scholarship to cover the tuition fee for their normative study period (applicable from the 2019-20 intake).