Frequently-asked Questions (FAQs)

​

• Study load and length of study

• Course selection

• Major(s)/Minor(s)

• Advanced standing, credit transfer, and exchange studies

• Assessment and grading system

• Application for leave of absence

​

​

​

 Study load and length of study 

​

​

1. How many credits should I take in each semester/academic year and can I take fewer or more?

The normal study load is 30 credits in each semester and you can take up to 36 credits without having to seek permission.  The normal requirement in an academic year is 60 credits.  You should not take fewer than 24 credits in a semester except for the last semester of your BA(HDT) studies when your outstanding credits are fewer than 24 credits.  The maximum number of credits to be taken in an academic year (including the summer semester) is 72 credits.

 

​

2. How are full-year courses counted towards my study load?

Half of the credits of full-year courses are counted towards the study load for Semester 1 and Semester 2 (e.g. 6 credits in Semester 1 and 6 credits in Semester 2 for a 12-credit full-year course).  The final grades of full-year courses will only be counted in the GPA of Semester 2 after students have completed the full-year courses.

 

​

3. If I have completed more than 60 credits in an academic year, can I take fewer in the subsequent year(s) of study as long as I will be able to complete a total of 240 credits upon graduation?

Yes, but you still need to take at least 24 credits in a semester except for the last semester of your BA(HDT) studies when your outstanding credits may be fewer than 24 credits.

 

​

4. If I complete more than 180 credits after Year 3 and have fewer than 30 credits of requirements for my BA(HDT) studies in my Eighth Semester, can I pay the composition fee on a pro-rata basis per credit?

No. You will only be allowed to pay the composition fee on a pro-rata basis after having paid the standard composition fees for eight semesters.

 

​

5. Can I extend my period of study to fulfill the requirement of an additional major/minor, even if I have already accumulated the required 240 credits?

No.  Since a second major and minors are optional parts of your studies, you will not be permitted to extend the student status to fulfill such requirements if you have already completed the BA(HDT) graduation requirements.  You are advised to plan ahead for pursuing multiple majors/minors in your BA(HDT) studies.

 

​

6. What does "final-year students" mean?

Since the normative study period of BA(HDT) degree is 4 academic years (i.e. 8 semesters), all BA(HDT) students in their Year 4 and above are deemed as final-year students by default.  Some courses and funding/activity schemes are only open to final-year students.

 

Similarly, there are courses and funding/activity schemes only open to non-final-year students, so Year 4 or above students of a 4-year curriculum cannot access these application systems regardless if they will complete the degree requirements by the end of that academic year.  For example, the HKU Worldwide Student Exchange Programme (HKUWW) is among one of these schemes.  The Faculty does not normally support final-year students to defer the completion of their studies in order to take part in these activities.  Students are advised to plan ahead to check the eligibility of a desired funding/activity scheme in their Year 1-3 and prepare for their application profile.

 

​

 Course selection 

 

7. How do I make my course selections and when do I enroll in courses?

You make your course selections via the online Student Information System (SIS) during the course selection period at the beginning of each semester.  You can modify your enrollments during the stipulated add/drop period (usually during the first two weeks of teaching).  It is your responsibility to keep track of your course selections and any modifications you make during the add/drop period.  You are strongly advised to print a copy of your most up-to-date course enrollment and keep it for future reference.

 

​

8. Can I change my course selections after the add/drop period?

No.  Changes to course selections after the add/drop period are only approved in very exceptional cases.  You will not be permitted to change your course selections later for reasons that you have forgotten to save or check your enrolment during the add/drop period.  Neither will you be allowed to change your course selections if you are not satisfied with your performance in a particular course.

 

​

9. What are the “UG5” requirements? When should I complete the various requirements?

University Regulation UG5 refers to the following University Graduation Requirements:

 

(a) successful completion of 12 credits in English language enhancement, including 6 credits in "CAES1000 Core University English" and 6 credits in an English in the Discipline course (CAES92xx);

(b) successful completion of 6 credits in Chinese language enhancement;

(c) successful completion of 36 credits of courses in the Common Core Curriculum, comprising at least one and not more than two courses from each Area of Inquiry with not more than 24 credits of courses being selected within an academic year except where candidates are required to make up for failed credits;

(d) successful completion of a capstone experience as specified in the syllabuses of the degree curriculum; and

(e) successful completion of any other non-credit bearing courses as required.

​

For details, please refer to the REGULATIONS FOR FIRST DEGREE CURRICULA applicable to candidates admitted under the 4-year "2012 curriculum" in 2012–13 and thereafter.

 

​

10. Can I take an introductory course, e.g. a pre-requisite for a major or minor, in the second or following Study Years?

Yes, it is possible.  However, please note that some teaching units have imposed enrollment restrictions on SIS.  In such cases, you may need to contact them directly to request special consideration.

 

​

11. Will there be different weighting of courses taken in the calculation of my honours classification?

No.  All courses carry the same weighting in the calculation of honours classification.

 

​

12. Can I apply to take an advanced course in Year 1?

Yes, as long as you have fulfilled the pre-requisite(s), if any, of the concerning advanced courses.  Similarly, please note that some teaching units have imposed enrollment restrictions on SIS.  In such cases, you may need to contact them directly to request special consideration.

 

​

13. Do I have to follow the suggested order of study strictly?

While it is recommended to follow the suggested order of study, some students may need to make changes to their study plans due to various reasons, such as exchange studies, internship opportunities, or preparing for a second major.  It is acceptable to take courses out of order as long as you can fulfill all graduation requirements within the normative study period.  However, it is strongly advised that you consult with your teachers or academic advisers beforehand.

​

​

14. When should I decide my Humanities focus?

While it is not necessary to declare your Humanities focus on SIS, it would be helpful for your course enrollment if you could inform the Faculty Office of your Humanities focus before the course selection period in Year 2.  Similar to BA studies, BA(HDT) students can explore their interests by taking several introductory courses offered by different Arts programmes in Year 1 and consult with teachers or academic advisers.

 

​

15. When can I take the compulsory internship course HUDT3100?  

You may take the internship during First or Second Semester in either Year 3 or Year 4, or during the Summer Semester in Year 3.  

 

​

 Major(s)/Minor(s) 

 

16. When and how should I declare my major(s)/minor(s)?

Your default major, Humanities and Digital Technologies, will appear in your record from the beginning of Year 1.  You can declare a second major or up to two minors via SIS at the beginning of the Year 2.  In preparation for your choice of optional major, you should consider which pre-requisite course(s) you have to take in Year 1.

 

​

17. What is an "English in the Discipline" (ED) course?

Students may take any of the following courses to satisfy the ED requirement.

​

Below are the ED courses for BA(HDT) students:

​

CAES9201. Academic English: Countries and Cultures

CAES9202. Academic English: Literary Studies

CAES9203. Academic English: Philosophy and the History of Ideas

CAES9204. Academic English: History

CAES9205. Academic English: Language Studies

CAES9206. Academic English: Creative and Visual Arts

 

​

18. What is "capstone experience"?

“Capstone experience" refers to one or more courses within the major programme prescribed in the syllabus to integrate knowledge and skills acquired.  For Major in HDT, “capstone experience" refers to the course “HUDT4001 Research Project in Humanities and Digital Technologies”.  If you intend to complete a second major, you are required to complete the capstone course(s) in Year 3 or 4 in order to satisfy the requirements of that major.

 

​

19. Can I change my optional major/minor(s) after my third or subsequent semesters?

Yes, you may change your declared second major/minor(s) during the course selection period from your third to seventh semester.  However, you must ensure that you have passed the required pre-requisite(s) and can fulfil the relevant requirements in the remaining period of study.  If any changes on the major/minor declarations are required afterward, please approach the Faculty Office for approval.  Completion of a major/minor will not be shown on your transcript or Academic Attainment Profile if you did not make the relevant declaration on SIS during your BA(HDT) studies.

 

Please note that students are not allowed to take more than 288 credits during their 4 years of studies unless they are required to make up for the failed credits.

 

​

20. Different majors/minors may have overlapping courses for their respective programmes.  Can I use the same course taken to fulfill the requirements of more than one major or minor (i.e. double-counting the same course for fulfilling the requirements of more than one major or minor)?

No, double-counting of courses for fulfilling more than one major or minor is not allowed.  You are advised to consult the Programmes concerned and see which replacement course(s) you are required to take so that the total credits completed for each major or minor will not be reduced.  You may refer to the Degree Audit report on SIS for your study progress.

 

​

21. How do I know if I have fulfilled all the requirements of a major/minor?

You are strongly advised to consult a teacher in the major(s) and minor(s) that you are interested in before making your course selection.  Remember, however, that it is your responsibility to check the course enrollment regularly to ensure that you have complied with the BA(HDT) regulations and the curriculum requirements, including those of a major/minor.

​

​

22. Will my Degree Certificate show my major(s)/minor(s)?

The completed major(s)/minor(s) will be shown on your transcript and Academic Attainment Profile when you complete the BA(HDT) degree, but not on the Degree Certificate.

 

​

 Advanced standing, credit transfer, and exchange studies 

​

23. Is it possible to count credits that I have earned in my earlier studies towards the fulfillment of the credit requirements of the BA(HDT) programme?

Eligible Non-JUPAS entrants are granted advanced standing (“advanced credits”) for their entrance qualification(s) upon admission, which will be counted towards the graduation requirements of the BA(HDT) degree.  Those students are not required to make up the “advanced credits” at HKU.  However, no further advanced standing will be granted after admission to the BA(HDT) programme.

 

​

24. If I go on exchange studies in the Second Semester but I have to take a full-year course in that academic year to fulfil the requirement(s) of a major/minor, what shall I do?

Since the enrollment record of all courses (including any full-year courses) during the exchange period will be deleted, you should consult the relevant Programme on how you will complete the outstanding requirements of the full-year course at the beginning of Semester 1.

 

​

25. What are the application procedures and the documents required for credit transfer from exchange studies?

Please refer to the "Credit Transfer" webpage for details.

 

​

26. Is there any Faculty cap policy governing the maximum number of transferred credits?

Yes.  Please refer to the "Credit Transfer" webpage for details.

 

​

27. Is it necessary for me to transfer all the credits I have completed on exchange studies to the BA(HDT) study?

No, you can choose the courses for which you want to apply for credit transfer when you fill in the online application form.

 

​

28. Will the courses approved for credit transfer affect my GPAs and honours classification?

The name of the host institution, course title(s), and the credits approved to be transferred, and each course fulfilment (for major/ minor/ free elective) will be shown on your transcript when you successfully pass the relevant course(s).  However, credits and grade(s) of the course(s) approved to be transferred will not be included in the calculation of GPA and honours classification.

 

​

 Assessment and grading system 

​

29. How are Arts courses assessed and what is the Faculty's grading system?

Most Arts courses are continuously assessed based on coursework.  All coursework and examinations are assessed according to grading criteria shared across the Faculty.  For more information, please refer to the "Assessment, Examination & Honours Classification" webpage.

 

​

30. What shall I do if I have failed in a course?

If you failed in a core course, in general, you have to take course(s) to make up for the failed credits immediately in the following semester, by either repeating the same course or following the suggestion of the teaching unit.  If you failed in a Common Core or elective course, you may either repeat the same course or take another Common Core or elective course with the same credits.

 

If you need to take more than 36 credits in a semester to make up the failed/outstanding credits, i.e. exceed the maximum semester study load as stipulated under the Regulations, you will have to seek approval from the Faculty by submitting the completed form "Application for undertaking special study load" to the Faculty Office during the course selection period.

 

​

31. How are failed credits counted in my academic record?

Failed courses are recorded on the transcript with an 'F' grade.  If you choose to repeat the failed course, the new grade obtained will be recorded in the semester in which you retake the course.  Failed credits do not count towards the fulfillment of the credit requirement of the BA(HDT) degree.  Failed grades are included in the calculation of the Semester Grade Point Average (SGPA), Year GPA (YGPA), Cumulative GPA (CGPA), and Graduation GPA (GGPA).  All failed grades on letter grading basis will be taken into account when determining your honours classification.

 

​

32. What are the differences between SGPA, YGPA, CGPA and GGPA?

GPA is the abbreviation of Grade Point Average. Grades achieved from courses assessed on letter grading basis (i.e. A+, A, A-, B+, ..., D+, D, F) will be included in the calculations of GPA. Different calculations of GPA are listed as follows:

 

SGPA ("Semester GPA") is the GPA concerning courses attempted by a candidate (including failed courses) during a given semester.

YGPA ("Year GPA") is the GPA concerning courses attempted by a candidate (including failed courses) during a given academic year.

CGPA ("Cumulative GPA") is the GPA concerning courses attempted by a candidate (including failed courses) at the time of calculation.

GGPA ("Graduation GPA") is the GPA concerning courses attempted by a candidate (including failed courses) at the point of graduation, which applies to the 2017-18 (Year 1) intake and thereafter.

​

​

33. How will the honours classification be determined upon my graduation?

The classification of honours shall be determined by the Board of Examiners for the BA degree in accordance with the following Graduation GPA (GGPA) scores, with all courses taken (including failed courses) carrying weightings that are proportionate to their credit values*: