How to Apply to Computer Science at the University of Hong Kong: Gaokao, A-level/IB/AP, Canadian High School and Transfer Requirements and Timelines for Computing and Data Science (6999) and Delta+ (6200)

At the University of Hong Kong (HKU), undergraduate computer science is offered by the School of Computing and Data Science. There is no stand-alone “Computer Science” code to apply to: you apply to Computing and Data Science (CDS, 6999) or Computing and Data Science (Delta+) (6200), both four years long. Here is what you need to know for September 2027 entry, based on HKU’s official information, for Gaokao students in mainland China, students taking A-level, IB or AP, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. The two admission codes and their degrees

• Computing and Data Science (6999): covers three degrees, the Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science (BEng(CompSc)), the Bachelor of Engineering in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, and the Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Applied Artificial Intelligence.
• Computing and Data Science (Delta+) (6200): covers the BEng in Computer Science and the BEng in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. HKU describes structured internships with technology companies in the Shanghai area and a teaching and research site in Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Shanghai; in year four students take two pre-approved MSc-level courses and receive a conditional offer for the MSc(CompSc), completing a BEng and MSc in five years.
• Places: HKU lists 128 first-year places combined for 6999 and 6200.
• What the BEng in Computer Science covers: mathematics, programming languages, algorithms and data structures, then computer organisation, software engineering and artificial intelligence; students can specialise in AI and robotics, big data analytics, cybersecurity, financial computing, systems and networking, or theoretical computer science, with internships and a final-year project.
• Accreditation: HKU states that the BEng in Computer Science is accredited by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE); the BEng in AI and Data Science is new, and accreditation will be sought once the first cohort graduates.
• Related programmes: the School also offers the BASc in Financial Technology, Actuarial Science and Statistical Decision Sciences. Business students in the BBA (Information Systems) can take one more year after graduating to earn the BEng(CompSc), the BBA(IS)/BEng(CompSc) double degree.

2. Gaokao students: Mainland Undergraduate Admissions Scheme

• Independent admissions: HKU recruits in mainland China through its own application process, separate from the national unified admissions system. All HKU undergraduate programmes are open to mainland applicants with no arts/science stream restriction, and students in reformed-Gaokao provinces face no subject-combination requirement. There are no provincial quotas. Once you accept an HKU offer you leave the mainland national admissions process.
• How to apply: complete the online form and pay the HK$780 application fee, then log in again after the Gaokao results are released to upload your scores. The system opens on 6 October 2026 and closes on 28 June 2027; offers are released between late June and 7 July 2027.
• Selection: HKU looks first at the Gaokao total and English score, interview performance (if invited) and overall academic and non-academic qualities. HKU does not publish Gaokao cut-offs for Computing and Data Science.
• Diversified Excellence Admissions Scheme: after registering for the mainland scheme you can also apply to this scheme, for example with olympiad or other subject competition results or patents. Strong performers can receive bonus consideration, and outstanding applicants may receive a conditional offer before the Gaokao. The first round closes on 31 December 2026, interviews run in batches from January–February 2027, and the final deadline is 22 March 2027. Applicants who attend no interview round before the Gaokao lose eligibility for the scheme.

3. International qualifications: International/Non-JUPAS Admissions Scheme

Students with A-level, IB, AP and other international qualifications apply through the non-JUPAS scheme. These are the “expected lower boundaries” for 6999 and 6200 shown in HKU’s admissions standards tool (the same for both codes, and the same for schools in mainland China and Canada):

• A-level: 2A*1A (excluding Chinese and English language subjects, Critical Thinking, General Studies, EPQ and similar); grade A or above in one of Mathematics, Further Mathematics or Pure Mathematics, and grade A or above in one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Economics, Computer Science or Information Technology.
• IB: 38 points; Mathematics AA or AI at HL 6 or above (or SL 7), and one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Economics or Computer Science at HL 5 or above (or SL 6 or above).
• AP: grade 5 in three AP subjects, plus an SAT superscore of 1400 or above or grade 4 or above in two additional AP subjects (Latin, English Language and Composition, AP Seminar and AP Research are excluded). Subject requirements: AP Calculus BC at grade 5, plus two of Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science A, Computer Science Principles, Physics 1, Physics 2 and Physics C.
• Interview: the tool lists the interview as NA for both codes, with no additional requirements.
• Advanced standing: students admitted with A-level or IB after at least seven years of secondary education can apply for up to 30 credits; other qualifications are considered case by case.
• Enter your grades in the system: predicted and actual grades must be entered in the application system, not only uploaded. HKU also notes that meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission; interviews, personal statements and references are considered too.

4. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC)

• BC graduation diploma: passes in five acceptable Grade 12 (or BC provincially examinable) subjects with an average of 90% or better in the best five, including Mathematics. Alberta and other provinces likewise expect five Grade 12 courses averaging 90% or better.
• Second language: for the Canadian curriculum the tool lists a second-language requirement, which a pass in a language other than English at Grade 10 or above satisfies; other routes are also listed.
• You apply through the non-JUPAS scheme on the timeline below. Canadian students taking IB or AP can also apply on the IB or AP standards above.

5. English requirements

• IELTS Academic: overall 6.5, with at least 6.0 in Writing and Speaking in the same sitting, taken within two years before 1 September of entry; IELTS Indicator and IELTS Online are not accepted.
• TOEFL iBT: for tests from 21 January 2026, overall 5.0 with at least 5.0 in Writing and Speaking; for earlier tests, 95 with at least 25 in Writing and Speaking. TOEFL Home Edition and ITP are not accepted.
• HKU also lists other ways to meet the English requirement.

6. Transfer students

• If you have studied at a university in Hong Kong or elsewhere, choose “Bachelor’s or higher degree” as your qualification in the non-JUPAS application.
• The expected lower boundary for 6999: one year of full-time bachelor’s study at a recognised university with a cGPA of at least 70% of the institution’s maximum, or 3.0, whichever is higher, plus Mathematics.
• HKU does not publish senior-year entry arrangements for Computing and Data Science; contact the School’s admissions team at cds.admission@hku.hk.

7. Timeline (September 2027 entry, non-JUPAS)

• 23 September 2026: applications open.
• 25 November 2026, noon (HKT): deadline for first-round evaluation. Later applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
• By 1 December 2026: enter predicted or actual grades; counsellors and referees submit documents.
• From December 2026: first-round results released; if you receive an offer, you accept within three to four weeks and pay a non-refundable deposit.
• 25 August 2027, noon: applications close.
• HKU notes that faculties and schools may set their own document timelines, and that non-local students should allow 4–6 weeks for assessment and 8–10 weeks for a visa after receiving an offer.

8. Fees and scholarships

• Tuition: for 2027/28, non-local students (and local students not eligible for subsidised fees) in STEM faculties and schools, including Computing and Data Science, pay HK$280,000 a year.
• Living costs: HKU estimates HK$17,290 to HK$37,940 a year for residential halls.
• Scholarships: HKU offers merit-based scholarships that cover tuition, and in some cases living expenses, to both local and non-local students. Use the scholarship finder on HKU’s site to filter by student type and qualification.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Taking the Gaokao: register for the Mainland Undergraduate Admissions Scheme by 28 June 2027 and pay HK$780, then upload your scores; with competition results or other strengths, also apply to the Diversified Excellence Admissions Scheme (first round 31 December)
• Taking international qualifications: A-level 2A*1A (A in Mathematics and in a science), IB 38 or three AP 5s (including Calculus BC); IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in Writing and Speaking); apply by 25 November 2026 for the first round

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Best-five Grade 12 average of 90% or above, including Mathematics; have second-language evidence ready; apply by 25 November 2026 for the first round

Transfer students:

• One year of full-time bachelor’s study with a GPA of 70% of the maximum or 3.0 (whichever is higher), plus Mathematics; choose “Bachelor’s or higher degree” in the non-JUPAS application

Sources: The University of Hong Kong Admissions Office, Computing and Data Science (6999); Computing and Data Science (Delta+) (6200); Mainland Undergraduate Admissions Scheme (Chinese); International/Non-JUPAS Admissions Scheme and admissions standards; Tuition and living expenses; Scholarships; HKU Department of Computer Science, BBA(IS)/BEng(CompSc) double degree. Information is for September 2027 entry; standards are HKU’s published expected lower boundaries. Check HKU for the latest details.