personal statement for hkust

• Prospective Students
• Current Students
• Faculty Profiles
• Message from the Dean
• Facts and Figures
• School Advisory Committee
• Life Science
• Mathematics
• Ocean Science
• Program Overview
• UG Admissions
• Academic Advising and Student Enrichment
• UG Students & Alumni Sharing
• Undergraduate FAQ
• Taught Postgraduate
• Research Postgraduate
• PG Students & Alumni Sharing
• Postgraduate FAQ
• Quality Assurance at HKUST
• Quality Assurance at the School of Science
• Neuroscience
• Stem Cell Research
• Materials Chemistry
• Environmental Chemistry
• Drug Synthesis and Development
• Scientific Computing and Data Science
• Wave Functional Materials
• Quantum Science
• Ocean Science and Technology
• Research Units
• Scientific Breakthroughs and Discoveries
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration
• Knowledge Transfer
• Publications
• Honors and Awards

• Visit Giving Alumni Events

Please refer to Admissions Requirements .

For more details of admissions to HKUST, please refer to  https://join.hkust.edu.hk .

The School of Science has divided the Science Program (JS5100) into two new program choices – Science (Group A) program (JS5102) and Science (Group B) program (JS5103). The two Science programs are designed to cater to the academic needs and aspirations of students. Science (Group A) program is tailor-made for those students who are interested in the fields of Physical Science. Science (Group B) program is more suitable for those students who are interested in the fields of Chemistry and Life Science.

IRE is a pioneer study track tailor-made for students with particular interest in pursuing a research career in Science or broadening their exposure to research during their undergraduate studies. It offers students an early opportunity to nurture their research abilities in addition to discipline-specific knowledge in regular Science programs.

The IRE program has a similar curriculum structure as the Science (Group A) and Science (Group B) programs. But students admitted to the IRE program can enjoy a FREE choice among six major programs offered by the School: Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Ocean Science and Technology, and Physics.

It further distinguishes itself from regular Science programs by providing students with:

Participation in advanced research projects under the supervision of world-class professors

Opportunities to meet with Nobel Laureates and renowned scientists

Individualized Research Guidance and Mentoring from experienced faculty members

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

Exchange opportunity in renowned foreign universities / research institutes

Summer research internship opportunity in foreign universities and institutions

Scholarship support for overseas learning trips

Science (Group A) program   (JS5101)  is for the students who wish to spend more time exploring their interests in the field of physical science. Upon completion of the first year of study, they can opt to major in one of the major programs for Science (Group A) or the three programs with an Extended Major in Artificial Intelligence.

Students who have developed clear interests in both physical science and artificial intelligence may apply for Science (Group A) with an Extended Major in Artificial Intelligence (JS5181) . They can opt to major in either one of Mathematics/Physics/Ocean Science and Technology with an Extended Major in Artificial Intelligence upon completion of the first year of study.

Extra electives will be used as additional supporting information, such as a tiebreaker.

In admissions score calculation, since the School will consider 5 subjects for IRE, Science ( Group A), Science (Group A) with an Extended Major in Artificial Intelligence, and Science (Group B) Programs, and 6 subjects  for Biotechnology and Business and Mathematics and Economics Programs, additional subject(s) will be considered as a tie‐breaker or a bonus in admissions score calculation. 

Students in the IRE program have free choice among six science major programs. Students in the Science programs who have 1 science subject at Level 5** are guaranteed entry to the corresponding science program.

Students' academic performance is the most important factor for consideration. Students who demonstrate exceptional abilities and performance in other areas will also be considered favorably, e.g. students who are the Hong Kong Team members or medalists of International Physics/Mathematics Olympiad Competitions. 

For JUPAS students, we will consider an applicant’s overall profile and will take the following factors into account:

Subject performance;

Other Experiences and Achievements (OEA);

Additional electives;

Interview performance (if any);

Student Learning Profile (SLP);

A 500 word personal statement;

School Reference Report (academic performance, personal and general abilities)

OEA, SRR, SPN and SLP will be taken into account and will constitute a certain percentage of weighting in the assessment. Achievements under the OEA such as awards obtained in international competitions may be useful. Students having these awards may be considered for granting conditional offers. The University will consider OEA information, mainly for Band A students.

In general, we try to learn more about the applicant as a person e.g. on personality, aspirations, and motivation/suitability for the program applied. A good essay should tell a story and have a clear focus, reveal passion and expose personality, show creativity and independent thinking so that after reading, the reader would form a unique impression about the applicant. 

Band A applicants who are nominated under the SPN scheme will be considered seriously. They may be given bonus points or conditional offers if they meet HKUST and the School of Science's minimum entrance requirements.

We will look at the students' HKDSE results together with other information including their band choice, interview performance, OEA, SRR, SLP to constitute a full picture of the students for assessment.

Students with full HKDSE and another full qualifications (such as IB, SAT, GCEAL) can apply via either the JUPAS or non-JUPAS route, but not both.

Through my study at HKUST, I’ve seen a much bigger world, and grown to be a much richer person intellectually and psychologically. In academic, I joined IRE and learned to be scientifically mature...