How to Apply to Computer Science at HKUST: Gaokao, A-level/IB/AP, Canadian High School and Transfer Requirements and Timelines for Department-Based Admission to Computer Science and Engineering and School-Based Admission to Engineering

At the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), undergraduate computer science is offered by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering in the School of Engineering. The degree is the BEng/BSc in Computer Science and takes four years. Here is what you need to know for 2027 entry, based on HKUST’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. Two ways to apply

• Department-based: Department of Computer Science and Engineering (JUPAS code JS5240): HKUST strongly encourages students who have decided on computer science to apply to the department directly. By the end of year one they can choose freely between the BEng in Computer Science (COMP) and the BEng in Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• School-based: Engineering with Extended Major in Artificial Intelligence (JS5282): for students who want to explore engineering disciplines before choosing; after year one they enter a department or program through major selection. HKUST notes that entry to the Department of Computer Science and Engineering this way is subject to competition due to a tight quota, and students who join the department must drop the Extended Major in AI.
• What the BEng in Computer Science covers: core training in programming, data structures and algorithms, operating systems and software engineering, then areas such as databases and data mining, networking, embedded systems, computer graphics, image processing and artificial intelligence.
• BSc in Computer Science (COSC): designed as one half of a double major, so students must also be enrolled in another major such as Mathematics, Physics, Quantitative Finance, Quantitative Social Analysis or Biotechnology. You can start in Computer Science and add a second major, or start in another major and add COSC; department entrants can apply after year one.
• Related programmes: HKUST also offers the BEng in Computer Engineering (JS5212), run jointly by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, which you can apply to directly, and the joint BSc in Data Science and Technology.
• Accreditation: HKUST says its engineering programmes are accredited by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) and recognised in more than 20 countries through the Washington Accord, and its IT and computing programmes are recognised by Seoul Accord signatories.

2. Gaokao students: independent admissions, apply directly

• Outside the national system: HKUST recruits in mainland China independently, outside the national unified admissions plan, so applying does not use one of your national choices. You apply directly through HKUST’s online system by the deadline. Admission is merit-based, with no quotas by province or stream.
• Subject requirements: HKUST’s Gaokao requirements tool shows that the Department of Computer Science and Engineering requires the science stream in traditional-Gaokao provinces, and Physics among your elective subjects in reformed-Gaokao provinces. Alternative choices are the school-based Engineering option or other engineering departments. The school-based Engineering choice has the same subject requirement.
• Dates: applications open on 2 October 2026 and close on 10 June 2027. Interviews follow the release of Gaokao results; for current Gaokao candidates they take place in late June 2027, and offers go out between late June and early July.
• Selection: after results are released, HKUST sets an interview cut-off for each School, with reference to provincial first-tier lines and the scores of key mainland universities. If you reach the line for your School you are invited to an interview conducted entirely in English, and passing it leads to an offer. HKUST does not publish the cut-offs in advance.
• Choices: you submit one application with one choice; some choices have an alternative. After applying, and before interviews, you can change your choice in mid-June when HKUST notifies applicants.
• Foreign language: your Gaokao foreign language must be English; otherwise you need a qualifying IELTS, TOEFL or similar score.

3. International qualifications

• Minimum requirements: at least three A-level passes (or a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma); the IB Diploma; for the US curriculum, high school graduation plus SAT 1190 or ACT 24 (with Science) and two AP subjects at grade 3, or five AP subjects at grade 4.
• Subject requirements (Computer Science and Engineering): senior-level Mathematics plus one senior-level subject from Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Computer Science; Physics or Computer Science is preferred. Applicants without a preferred subject are still considered if they meet the requirements. An interview is not compulsory.
• Engineering (school-based) and Computer Engineering: the same subject requirement; the school-based choice prefers Physics, and Computer Engineering prefers Physics or Computer Science.
• Admission score reference (university-wide, 2026 entry, 25th–75th percentile): UCAS tariff 144–168 for the best three A-levels (AAA to A*A*A*) and IB 35–41 (including bonus points). HKUST says results vary by programme and year and are for reference only. Separate scores for Computer Science are not published.
• For A-level students, school predicted grades, IGCSE/GCSE and AS results are all used for initial assessment.

4. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC)

• BC / Yukon: the Certificate of Graduation with passes in five Grade 12 academic courses. Ontario requires six 4U/4M courses; most other provinces five Grade 12 academic courses.
• Competitive reference: HKUST gives an overall average of 85% or above as the competitive reference. HKUST does not list subject requirements separately for Canadian curricula; the general requirement is advanced-level Mathematics plus one of Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Computer Science, with Physics or Computer Science preferred. Check with HKUST admissions which BC Grade 12 courses count.
• English: Grade 12 English at 70% or above (English 12 in BC) meets the English requirement.

5. English requirements

• IELTS Academic: overall 6.0; IELTS for UKVI is also accepted.
• TOEFL iBT: 80 for tests before 21 January 2026, or 4.5 on the new scale after that date, in a single sitting.
• Duolingo English Test: overall 125.
• These are the university’s English entrance requirements.

6. Transfer students

• If you are studying for a bachelor’s degree elsewhere and want to move to HKUST, apply with post-secondary qualifications; the usual expectation is a GPA of B+ or 80%.
• Credit transfer is assessed case by case, and the year you enter depends on the credits approved. A further 158 senior-year places are reserved for local Hong Kong associate degree and higher diploma graduates.
• The timeline is the same as for international qualifications (below). Whether Computer Science accepts senior-year applicants is set out in the application guide; enquiries go to ugenquiry@ust.hk.

7. Timeline (2027 entry, international and post-secondary qualifications)

• 2 October 2026: online applications open.
• 25 November 2026: Priority Round deadline; applications after that are reviewed on a rolling basis.
• From late December 2026: offers released on a rolling basis.
• 30 June 2027: applications close.
• You select your choice from a drop-down menu; some choices have an alternative that is considered if you are not admitted to the first. Qualifications and choices cannot be changed after submission.

8. Fees and scholarships

• Application fee: HK$600 for international qualifications, payable by credit card, Alipay or WeChat Pay.
• Tuition: HK$260,000 a year for non-local students in 2027/28.
• Housing and living costs: university halls cost about HK$21,000 to HK$51,000 a year (these are fall 2026 rates; 2027/28 rates are not yet published). Non-local undergraduates are offered university housing in year one, and may need to rent off campus later. Personal expenses are about HK$65,000 a year.
• Scholarships: all applicants are automatically considered for academic admission scholarships, with no separate application. Non-academic scholarships (sports, arts and so on) need a separate application, due by 25 November 2026 for international-qualification applicants. Gaokao entrance scholarships have their own page, and applicants are considered automatically.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Taking the Gaokao: apply directly to HKUST online by 10 June 2027, outside the national system; choose the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, which needs the science stream or Physics; if you reach the School of Engineering interview line, attend an English-language interview
• Taking international qualifications: senior-level Mathematics plus a science or Computer Science (ideally Physics or Computer Science); A-level reference AAA to A*A*A*, IB 35–41; IELTS 6.0; apply by 25 November 2026 for the priority round

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

• Five BC Grade 12 academic courses, with an average of 85% or above for a competitive application, meeting the advanced-level Mathematics plus science or Computer Science requirement; English 12 at 70% meets the English requirement; apply by 25 November for the priority round

Transfer students:

• Apply with post-secondary qualifications, usually with a GPA of B+ or 80%; credits are assessed case by case and your entry year depends on them

Sources: HKUST undergraduate admissions, Computer Science; School of Engineering programs and application choices; International qualifications and subject requirements; Mainland Gaokao admissions and subject category requirements (Chinese); Post-secondary qualifications and transfer; Fees and scholarships; A-level/IB admission scores; International online application guide. Information is for 2027 entry. Check HKUST for the latest details.